Embedded Files
Ms. Jordan
Social Studies
jjordan@owncs.org
room 220
Transdisciplinary Unit:
Transdisciplinary Unit:
Central Idea:
Central Idea:
The discoveries, explorations and migrations of humankind
The relationships between, and the interconnectedness of, individuals and civilizations, from local and global perspectives
Learner Profile:
Principled :We act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness and justice, and with respect for the dignity and rights of people everywhere. We take responsibility for our actions and their consequences.
Balanced: We understand the importance of balancing different aspects of our lives intellectual, physical, (spiritual) and emotional — to achieve well-being for ourselves and others. We recognize our interdependence with other people and with the world in which we live.
Open-minded: We critically appreciate our own cultures and personal histories, as well as the values and traditions of others. We seek and evaluate a range of points of view, and we are willing to grow from the experience.
Key Concepts:
Key Concepts:
Form: What is it like?
Form: What is it like?
The understanding that everything has a form with recognizable features that can be observed, identified, described and categorized.
Change: How is it transforming?
The understanding that change is the process of movement from one state to another. It is universal and inevitable.
Perspective: What are the points of view?
The understanding that knowledge is moderated by different points of view which lead to different interpretations, understandings and findings; perspectives may be individual, group, cultural or subject-specific.
Approaches to Learning:
Approaches to Learning:
Communication skills: Exchanging information - Listening, interpreting and speaking
Thinking skills: Critical thinking - Analyzing and evaluating issues and ideas, and forming decisions
June Updates
June Updates
Pillar of the Month: Citizenship
June 2nd-4th: Kindergarten Orientation
June 5th: School Closed
June 6th: Field Day
June 11th: Noon Dismissal
June 19th: School Closed
June 20th: Principal Coffee and Conversation
June 24th: Kindergarten Stepping up Ceremony
June 25th: 5th Grade Stepping up Ceremony
June 26th: Last Day of After school
June 27th: Last Day of School
Reading:
Reading:
Engaging with "The Skin I'm In": Fostering Critical Conversations on Identity and Acceptance
Our students are currently delving into Sharon G. Flake's powerful novel, The Skin I'm In. This book offers a compelling and age-appropriate exploration of themes central to adolescent development, particularly focusing on colorism and acceptance.
Through student-led discussions, your children are engaging in critical conversations about the complex issues and challenges of prejudice that can occur even among individuals within the same ethnic groups. This novel provides a safe and rich context for them to examine how appearances, particularly skin tone, can unfortunately lead to judgment and self-doubt.
These discussions are not just about understanding the story; they are also designed to sharpen essential literary analysis skills. Students are learning to:
* Deconstruct Figurative Language: Recognizing how the author uses vivid imagery and descriptive language to convey characters' emotions and experiences.
* Analyze Character Contrast: Understanding how the differences and similarities between characters highlight the various perspectives and impacts of prejudice and self-acceptance.
* Trace Plot Development: Identifying how the story's events shape the characters' journeys and reveal deeper thematic meanings.
* Explore the Significance of Setting: Recognizing how the environments in which the story unfolds contribute to the characters' challenges and growth.
Ultimately, our goal is to empower students to develop empathy, articulate their thoughts thoughtfully, and critically analyze the societal nuances that shape our identities. We believe these discussions are invaluable in fostering a more understanding and accepting community, both within our school and beyond.
We encourage you to discuss the novel with your child at home and hear about their insights and takeaways.
Social Studies:
Social Studies:
As we read about Maleeka and her experiences with self identify, we will learn about the word colorism? How does colorism impact us as individuals, our community and, the world?
Students will understand the importance of self-reflection and how it helps us improve our observation, understanding, and communication with others in our community.
Math:
Math:
To prepare our young mathematicians for middle school; we will be delving into topics that build a connection from content taught throughout the school year, to content they will be introduced in the sixth grade:
Numerical Expressions: Write and interpret numerical expressions. (NY-5.OA.1 -Apply the order of operations to evaluate numerical expressions. NY-5.OA.2- Write simple expressions that record calculations with numbers, and interpret numerical expressions without evaluating them.)
Writing:
Writing:
The journey of writing a research paper involves several critical stages. Students learn to locate and evaluate credible sources, distinguishing between reliable academic material and less trustworthy information found online. They then delve into these sources, synthesizing diverse perspectives and identifying key evidence. This isn't about simply copying; it's about understanding, connecting, and interpreting.
Students must not only gather information but also dissect it, weigh competing arguments, and formulate their own reasoned conclusions. They learn to support their claims with evidence, a fundamental principle of logical argumentation.
Field Day 2025
Senior Trip 2025
Senior Trip 2025
Field Day 2025
Senior Trip 2025
Field Day 2025
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