Dear Fifth Grade Families,

The class continued to focus on geometry this past week. Each morning they began their main lesson identifying and measuring angles with protractors. We learned about polygons as we practiced shading with coloring pencils to create the shapes of various polygons from the inside out. From straight-edge shapes, our focus moved to circles and how to measure them. The students learned about Pi, and through hands-on activities understood the diameter of a circle is equal to approximately 3.14 of its circumference. They drew many freehand circles, creating colorful designs. We closed the week beginning a lesson about the Sieve of Eratosthenes as the students used a hundreds chart to identify prime numbers. We will finish our second geometry block this week with an introduction to Pythagoras, have some number fun, and with a brief exploration of charts and graphs.

The Chinese New Year puppet show was a success! The students put great effort into all aspects of the show from writing the play, learning their lines in Mandarin, sewing puppets, folding origami rabbits and firecrackers, and practicing before presenting to the early childhood and grades classes this past Wednesday. They did an amazing job and all aspects of this experience were beneficial. A special thank you to Ki Cerina for leading our class in this endeavor and to Ki Ieva for the many extra handwork classes to help the students sew their sweet puppets! You can see the Chinese New Year puppet show here.

I look forward to seeing all of you at conferences this week!

Reminders:

2/15-2/17: Half Days and Parent Conferences: Please sign up for your slot here.

2/20-2/24: Mid-Winter Break (No School)

2/27: Teacher In-Service (No School)

3/11: Community Work Day

3/31 Half Day - Grandfriend’s Tea

4/3-4/7 Spring Break (No School)

With gratitude,

Melissa