February 21-25

 February 21-25

Upcoming Author Visit

As part of our March is Reading Month Celebration this year, students and staff will have the opportunity to hear from author Marc Tyler Nobleman on March 9. He is a self-described "author of books for all ages, speaker, and pop culture archaeologist." His presentation centers around the power of reading and research. In advance of his visit, we are partnering with Forever Books to offer a few of his books for purchase. Order forms were sent home last week. You can also access the form here. If you are interested in ordering any of these books, please complete the order form and return it along with payment to school before February 23. Books will be signed by the author and given to students after Mr. Nobleman's visit.

 

5th Grade Hot Chocolate/Apple Cider Sale!

 

Homework Reminder

 

Homework each week consists of reading 20+ minutes at home (this can be a library book, magazine, newspaper, online book, etc) and practicing multiplication and division facts 1 through 12. Mastering multiplication and division facts is vital to our learning this year.

 

Mrs. Bawks' Brown School Family Blog:

Please don't forget to take a peek at Mrs. Bawks' Brown School Family Blog each week. CLICK HERE to read it.

 

What we are learning this week:

Math:  This week we will be rounding multi-digit numbers within 1 million; we will also begin our next area of study, adding and subtracting numbers within 1 million. You can view some materials to help you support our child's learning by CLICKING HERE.

ELA: We will continue to study the concept of descriptive nonfiction text structure.  Students will explore the author’s use of sensory details in text.

Writing:  We will continue work on our persuasive essay. We will finish up our introduction and take a closer look at fact vs. opinion.

Social Studies:  We will continue our study of human geography as we study push and pull factors and immigration to the United States.

Science: This week we will continue our study of energy by exploring how energy is stored and transferred in various situations involving "chain reactions" (also known as Rube Goldberg devices). These are things like falling dominoes, warehouse shelves being toppled over, and most fun of all, machines that are deliberately complex in order to amuse us. 

 

You can help to encourage your child's curiosity at home this week! Here's an example of a "chain reaction" machine that you can watch together with your child--this one makes breakfast:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMfAx7kvF3Y

 

Your child will be thinking about how to build their own chain reaction machine in class. Students will be encouraged to find items at home which might make a good component of their machine. You can help your child brainstorm ideas and locate these items around the house. There are basically three categories of items that are helpful:  topplers, rollers, and ramps.    

(1) Things that make good topplers are things like dominoes, LEGO bricks (which can be used to create dominoes), small books, old VHS and audio cassettes, etc.

(2) Things that make good rollers include items like marbles, small toy cars, bouncy balls, etc.  

(3) Things that make good ramps include binders, heavy paper or card stock, the tracks from matchbox cars (such as Hot Wheels tracks), etc.

P2: We will study the character strength, cheering others' successes, "You are happy for others and you cheer them on when they find success." CLICK HERE to check out the P2 for Families site to build a P2 routine at home, too. [Password: P2]. It's an excellent resource for guiding important character conversations at home. 

 

Important Upcoming Dates:

Mon. 2/21- No School

Wed. 2/23 - Late Start (school begins at 9:20am) and Author Visit order forms due

Thur. 2/24 - Virtual Lego Night (see Mrs. Bawks’ blog for more information)

Wed. 3/2 - Late Start (school begins at 9:20am) and P.E. make-up day

Fri. 3/4 - End of Trimester (Records Day) 1/2 Day of school for Y5-5th - school dismisses at 12:09pm and Brown School Variety Show (students bussed to SJHS at 8:45am for the performance and then family performance at 6pm)

Wed. 3/9 - Late Start (school begins at 9:20am) and Author Visit

Mon. 3/14 - No School

Wed. 3/16 - Late Start (school begins at 9:20am) and make-up music

Wed. 3/23 - Late Start (school begins at 9:20am)