Welcome
After a wonderful summer full of rest and recreation, my colleagues and I are all geared up for a new school year with our incoming 5th Graders. We'll ease into the school routine with math games, art projects, social activities and fun read-aloud books. Over the next few weeks, the students and I will learn a lot about each other. When everyone feels better acquainted, we will write and share our hopes and wishes for the upcoming year.
5th Grade teachers are focusing on two overarching themes to explore with our students throughout the year: leadership and gratitude.
Leadership: 5th Grade is a time for students to step up into new roles, take on new responsibilities and become more independent. Students build confidence as they contribute in a meaningful way to the smooth running of school systems.
Last year, Mr. Meigs, Mr. Hillan and Ms. Emily ran the Leadership Team meetings. They met on Wednesdays during morning recess. The meetings lasted a half hour during which discussions and planning occurred.
5th Grade Leaders might choose to run the Student Store, help with arrival and dismissal, facilitate school-wide events or contribute to Morning Meeting assemblies. The Leadership Team conducted school-wide surveys and helped in the decision making process that followed. 5th Grade Leaders generally set a great example for other students.
Gratitude: There is much to be thankful for in all of our lives, even when problems develop at school or at home. Focusing on the positive helps keeps things in perspective. My students will be writing about gratitude on a regular basis, choosing one thing at a time to describe and ponder.
If you come across something you would like to share with our class and other parents, please reply to this page. A short story, a poem, a mathematical puzzle or activity, an intriguing video… I will consider anything you find worthy of your child’s educational experience.
Check out these web sites: Beauty of Mathematics and Chocolate Out of Nothing
