Greetings from Ms. Poling

Week in Review

Science: This week we made limbs!! Using all sorts of everyday materials ( toilet paper rolls, pipe cleaners, rubber bands, masking tape, brass fasteners, etc.) students experimented with various ways to create model limbs. After learning about the relationships between bones/muscles and movement, the students made fairly accurate models representations of the antagonists muscles and how muscles pull on bones to allow our bodies to move.

Reading/ Word Word: This week we continued reading Maniac Magee, processing and reflecting on the story through conversation and writing prompts. It has been exciting to see the students engage deeply with the book, honing their inferential thinking skills and maturely discussing the complex themes of the book, which includes: family, friendship, risk-taking, racism, personal discovery and  our perception of others. Through our literature study we are also looking closely at interesting vocabulary used in the book.

This week we finished up a study of common prefixes ( per, pre, pro, sub, in, ex, re, de, sub, un) and their meaning. We have been learning how prefixes can dictate the meaning of words. In addition we have been looking at how accent in two syllable words can affect the meaning of the word and it's part of speech.

Math: This week we continued our in-depth study of fractions, as we near the end of chapter three. We will be reviewing the materials and concepts represented in this chapter and will take the chapter next early in the week of Jan 27-31! We will have a fact test next Wednesday, Jan 22nd. Please remind your mathematicians to study!!

UPDATES and INFORMATION

 It was very powerful to see so many students from our class and their families at the memorial for Betsy Weyerhaeuser on Thursday. The students have done a lovely job showing their support and concern for Jackie during this very sad time. These moments, despite their difficulty and sadness remind us what a blessing it is to be apart of the Blake community.

Please see the below message from Mr. Woodward concerning "Choir Day"

Dear Fifth Grade Families,

We will be having our annual “Choir Day” on Friday, January 31^st. This is an opportunity to hear our fifth grade choirs combined from both campuses.

Students will be singing in an assembly at both lower school campuses and also have service experience by performing for residents of Friendship Village in Bloomington.

I would encourage you to attend the performance at Highcroft at 1:15, but know you are welcome to go to the Blake Campus assembly at 10:00 if that works best for you

Blake Campus: Location: Macmillan Performing Arts Center

   Time: 10:00-10:30 

Highcroft Campus: Location: Highcroft Gym

                                  Time: 1:15-1:45

Sincerely,
Woody Woodward