Newsletters

May 17, 2019

Hi 5B families,

The year is winding down! When did this happen? Can you even believe your fifth graders will soon be sixth graders and moving over to the middle school? I know it's hard for me to comprehend that the year is already almost over. Wow. Where did the time go? :)

This week in preparation for that middle school transition, fifth graders had the chance to observe three sixth grade classes. They were split into two groups. Everyone got a chance to go to science, and one group also math and social studies, while the other group saw Latin and English. Most students said it was a helpful experience, but, as to be expected, there is definitely some concern and worry about middle school.

Mr. Dorsey, the math teacher, asked his class what advice they would give the fifth graders. This is what they said:

• have a growth mindset, remember that everyone learns things in a different way
• ask teachers for help, don't be scared of them
• remember your materials, if you have to go back to Stites you will miss instruction
• use your class time wisely and you might have less to do at home
• lots of group work: ask your group mates for help if you're stuck
• always have some loose leaf paper in your binder

This week in math we wrapped up our study of decimals with our unit test. We also began our next unit on the area of triangles. We will be completing this unit mostly as a mix it up with all three 5th grade classes--fun! The unit will also encompass finding the area of unusual shapes, which are really just a combination of squares, rectangles, and triangles, but they definitely make you think!

On Wednesday the school held the portfolio showcase event. Our 5th graders chose topics that interested them and presented independently or in pairs about their chosen topic. They made the presentations themselves, and they did a really great job!

This week we also began sharing our independent studies! Michael L, Vicky, and Addison took the plunge and went first! Over the course of the next two weeks, everyone will get a chance to present.

May 3, 2019

Dear 5B families,

We began Journey to Topaz this week, a book that is near and dear to my heart. Growing up in California, learning about Japanese internment during WWII was a core part of my elementary curriculum. When I moved to Massachusetts I discovered that a lot of people had not heard of this piece of American history. The class was quick to make connections to other times in American history when a group of people are feared or blamed when someone of the same nationality, ethnicity, or religion does something that causes harm to the United States. As they read the book, I expect them to become frustrated with this piece of history. One of the main reasons I appreciate studying history is to look for patterns, but I also believe that we can learn from and improve upon mistakes we have made. For example, next week we will read an article about the Executive Order that President Trump passed in early 2017 banning immigrants from seven Muslim-majority countries. I expect the class to see that sometimes we do not learn from our mistakes, and I hope that they also connect this book to the school mission to be a responsible citizen who promotes honesty, commitment, and respect for others.

On Wednesday the class read an article about Fred Korematsu, a Japanese American man who went into hiding instead of being detained and sent to an internment camp. The article does a good job of connecting recent political events (Arab American immigration in 2017) to Japanese internment. Several students were surprised that history had repeated itself so closely. They were also surprised that no one protested (we talked about how this was before the Civil Rights movements, protests, and social media), and that the government would treat its American citizens this way (about two-thirds of the Japanese people put into concentration camps were born in the U.S.)

Fifth graders also finished and presented their government posters. We shared them by doing a quiet gallery walk, and students got to give and receive feedback about their posters from peers and teachers.

Last, but certainly not least, Friday was Grandfriends Day! It was wonderful to meet so many wonderful people in your children's lives! Here are a bunch of photos from the day.

Best,

Rebecca