Team 22 Highlights 4/6/18

Dear Team 22 families,

We have been off to a busy start in the month of April! The students had their first taste of MCAS on Monday and Tuesday. We had many discussions about the MCAS exam before the testing date in order to alleviate any stress and anxiety the students were harboring. As the date approached, the students felt more confident and constantly offered each other reminders and helpful tips to keep in mind.

Math

This week, the students started a new unit on collecting and displaying data. The beginning of this unit reviews many concepts that were taught and introduced to the students in second grade. It further builds on these concepts, asking students to interpret a variety of graphs and to create their own using different scales. Completing the Zearn homework online will be very helpful for students during this unit and will further promote the development of important mathematical and critical thinking skills.

Social Studies

This week, the students participated in an engaging taxing activity to demonstrate the concept of taxation without representation. For this activity, each student was given a stack of paper bills and the "king" in the class read out new taxing laws he had made which the students had to obey. Rules included, "If you used a pencil today, you owe $5" and "If you read a book from the classroom today, you owe $20", etc. Two students in the class posed as "Tax Collectors" and walked up and down the aisles of desks waiting to be paid. The students were FUMING!  Many students were left with no money and several had only a couple dollars left. After the activity, the students had a chance to share their feelings. A number of students mentioned the anger they felt at having only a few dollars left to pay for food and shelter. This activity was a hit and the students were truly able to empathize with the colonists. 

Science

This week, the students focused on the question, "What rules help predict where a rolling cup will end up? During science lessons, the students had an opportunity to work with a partner and investigate what happens when rolling plastic cups down ramps. After observing that the cups roll in a curved path as they go down the ramp, the students had a chance to come up with ideas about how they could ensure the cup would continue along a straight path. Many students came up with a solution which required them to tape two cups together so that the top and bottom circles of the cup would be the same size on both ends.

                                                 

Writing

The students have embarked on a new journey in writing. They will be spending the next several weeks focusing on adapting favorite fairy tales! We spent the past several days in school reviewing fairy tales such as Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, and The Three Billy Goats Gruff. Before beginning their own adaptations, the students must know these old favorites like the back of their hand! The students are so excited about this unit and can't wait to start writing! The students have been retelling these tales in partners and small groups. They have also spent time working in cooperative groups to read different versions of these tales, noting any changes the author makes, and discussing why the author may have made such changes.

Social Emotional Learning

In order to hold students accountable for their behavior and effort level in school, the class participated in a goal-setting activity, which we will be returning to regularly. Students worked together to brainstorm areas upon which they would like to improve. Students chose to either set a behavioral goal or an academic goal. The students checked-in throughout the day to make sure they were working toward their goal.

Best,

Miss Weinstein