We have accomplished so much in the past month, despite the several snow days we have had.  We have been immersed in Number the Stars with a focus on the vocabulary and figurative language that Lois Lowry used in her writing.  We made lots of connects to The Butterfly by Patricia Polacco, Star of Fear, Star of Hope by Jo Hoestlandt, Baseball Saved Us by Ken Mochizuki, So Far From the Sea by Eve Bunting, and Let the Celebrations Begin! by Margaret Wilde and Julie Vivas.  All of these books handle the Holocaust in such a moving way that is appropriate for 10 year olds, and they sparked a number of in depth conversations.

     We have spent time on a test preparation unit in writing.  Specifically, we have practiced writing open responses to fiction, non-fiction and poetry passages.  The children have learned to look carefully at the question and ensure that their answer addresses the question, that they have provided evidence from the text, and that they have explained the evidence they chose.

     In math we have been working on adding, subtracting and multiplying fractions.  We are looking at fractions in a very different manner by visually representing the work to show a deep understanding behind traditional algorithms.  The latest research shows that if a child simply uses an answer getting strategy, they often do not understand the underlying concept being studied.  This is a shift for all of us, and the children are rising to the occasion nicely.  We will wrap up this unit by dividing fractions.

     In science we have finished our earth materials unit.  Over the next few weeks we will be doing hands on experiments to create a model of earth, and recreate various natural disasters to examine their weathering and erosion implications.

     In social studies we are wrapping up our study of the colonies and will be moving on to the American Revolution.  We were quite fortunate this week to have the Bay Colony Educators visit the fifth grade.  They put on a fascinating presentation about what life was like for children in the colonies in 1750.  They included information about home life, school life, clothing, and the types of work required of 10 year olds in order to survive.  Thank you so much to the PCC for providing funds for this educational and entertaining program.

     Report cards go home next week.  March conferences are optional.  I will be sending home a letter requesting conferences that I think would be helpful.  Please feel free to send me a note if you would like one as well.