Weekly update!

Hey gang, we are clipping along.  Our energy is high and our focus is tight.  We have been entering into division in math, moving forward with our story keepers project, and diving into a new book.

In division we have been talking about the notion that division is the inverse of multiplication, as well as repeated subtraction.  To solidify this understanding we have been writing word problems, evaluating them to see if they are indeed asking us to divide, writing the expression that matches them, and finally solving to find the quotient!

Our work with Natalie Kinsey-Warnock is super exciting.  This week we went to the town clerk's office to look at some primary sources, and we saw a Victrola!  We will be moving forward with our family research in the coming weeks, and are looking forward to producing and showing off the fruits of this work.

Also, we have started a new book during our read-aloud and writer's workshop.  The Tiger Rising, is a beautiful book by Kate DiCamillo.  Throughout the course of this book the main characters learn a lot about themselves, and how the world works.

Have a great weekend!

-Dave

Information coming home tonight.

Hey gang, there are two pieces of information coming home tonight.  One is an information letter about chaperoning our Boston trip in the spring.  I have already heard interest from 3 parties (Josh Scribner, Denise Roy, and Scilla Gilbert), and we are looking to form a grand list by Wednesday 1-20-16.

The other piece of information is a permission form to travel to the Town Clerk's office.  This mini-trip will be happening on Wednesday 1-20-16, and we will be going at 1:30.  If you are able to join us, have a level 2 background check, and would be willing to drive some students down that would be great.  Please let me know as soon as possible so I can get transport organized.  

Thanks,

Dave

A very exciting week!

As usual we have had a very exciting week.  We have pushed into our investigation of division, moved into some research and informational writing, and been learning about electricity.

All of the above a very interesting, and the students are putting great effort into all of it.  However, this week we are also launching a genealogy unit with the help of Natalie Kinsey-Warnock.  She will be here for 7 full days over the course of this month, helping us investigate the stories that are embedded in our extended families!  For this work students will be talking extensively with you and your extended family in order to unearth these stories.  The first portion of this is in the form of a family tree.  Each student has one in his or her resource folder.  Please, over the coming weeks help them fill out as much of it as you can.  If you have questions about this, please drop me a line or an email!

Also this week there is a letter with an update about our Boston trip this spring.  There are new dates in this letter as well as information if you would like to accompany us.  Please check it out, and again, if you have any questions please let me know.

I hope you have a restful weekend!

-Dave