Writers Workshop- For our final writing unit of the year, students chose their own writing project. They are working independently through the entire writing processwhile completing writing that varies from illustrated picture books, to fantasy stories, to non-fiction reports.
Readers Workshop- We are working on our final book club groups of the year while reading fantasy.
Math- We have completed unit 11. We are now working on reinforcing key concepts from the year in preparation for the end of year test (this Friday).
Science- Science is all finished in 4th grade.
Social Studies- Students have chosen a specific event during Modern China and are creating a digital story describing the causes and effects of that event.
Word Study- We have wrapped up Word Study for the year.
It seemed a little strange to have the summer sizzler update be the last post for this blog. It gave me the feeling of a sentence without a period. I feel it is far more appropriate to end this blog the same way we ended the 2010-11 school year- in celebration. Our final day in class felt just right. It truly became a day of celebrating our time together in room 228. Students had the chance to celebrate one another’s strengths, our most recent writing project, as well as our year together. Although the day ended in tears for many, the source of those tears were rooted in the close bonds formed during these 180 days in class.
There is a quote from the classic musical Annie that I feel speaks to the emotions of the day: “How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” I know that this quote not only speaks to the students, but it also speaks to how I feel about my time at SAS. While l know that leaving Shanghai to spend time closer to home was the right choice, that still does not negate the fact that it was hard to say goodbye. This would not be the case if there wasn’t so much to celebrate about my time in Shanghai. As a teacher I have had the privilege to work at an amazing school with resources to die for, a great administration, and wonderful teachers to work with and learn from. Most of all though, I have had the chance to work with the best students and families that I could ask for. This is definitely something worth celebrating. So thank you once again for helping make my last year at SAS a great one to end on.
I am willing to bet that the majority of students from 4TD didn’t stay up very late last Thursday. I know that the second my head hit the pillow I was out cold. A nonstop busy day in the hot sun does that for you. Especially when it involves running, jumping, sliding, soaking, catching, and much much more. Ask any 4th grader and they will tell you that the end-of-year party and summer sizzler was a raging success. As always, a big part of the success goes out to all the parents who came out and helped and showed their support. The party was a lot of fun with karaoke, shirt designing, and an impressive dance taught by Ms. Lau. Of course, a party isn’t complete without food and treats. The students had plenty to eat and enough sugar to burn off during the sizzlin’ part of the day.
In the afternoon I jumped around from watching my group of students and racing around and taking pictures of 4TD students. I’d also add in a slip n’ slide cool down here and there. I took a lot of shots (284 in all)- and part way through my camera got fogged up from a water spray bottle or the splash of a slip n’ slide (you’ve got to get into the action for the good pictures). The end result is that some of the pictures have blurry spots. Still, they definitely paint a picture of the excitement and fun students had all afternoon. A big shout out needs to go to Scott Hossack who really spearheaded this event and made sure that it all ran smoothly.
Can I say that 4TD has the best group of parents? Is that allowed? For our field trip yesterday, we had the best parent turnout. In fact, we had so many parents I was even able to allow one parent to help chaperone another class. Of course, she had a daughter in the other class as well. With our troop of parents and 18 students, we all headed into the Shanghai History Museum. Many students had been before, but none since studying Modern China. It was very interesting for the class to see the exhibits with a new perspective. Everyone from 4TD agreed that it made the experience richer and more interesting. Students were able to see evidence of what they’d been learning while also adding a lot of new insight as well. One student mentioned how interesting it was that there were no exhibits referencing the Japanese Invasion and occupation during World War II. While some history was left out of the museum, a lot was included and students had a great time seeing it all.
After exiting through the gift shop, we all had a chance to enjoy Lujiazui. We headed over to the Huangpu River (which is very low right now) to enjoy our lunch. From there we headed over to Superbrand Mall for delicious frozen yoghurt. A student from 4AR has parents who own the YoBa Frozen Yoghurt Bar and they generously offered to give every 4th grader and chaperone a free try. Who could refuse? We definitely didn’t! All in all, it was a fun and very educational day.
Last Friday all the elementary students spent an hour visiting the next grade up. After a little complicated math, one would come up to the conclusion that the 4th graders visited the 5th grade. In fact, this is exactly what happened. After gathering in the 5th grade project area to meet all the teachers for next year, 4TD visited Ms. Yick’s class. Although Ms. Yick is not returning, our class was able to get a lot of questions answered. Ms. Yick matched every 4th grader up with a 5th grade buddy who spent the remainder of the time showing them the ropes. After this visit, the class was definitely that much more excited for next year.
This morning while going over the June calendar, the class and I were blown away with how close the end of the year is. You know the saying “it’s so close y can taste it?” Well, at the moment all I can taste is the pollution outside- but if it wasn’t for the pollution I would most likely get a powerful taste of “end of year”. I’m sure the taste would have many different flavors- sweet, savory, a little tart here and there, perhaps even sour (hopefully not bitter). The last couple weeks is always packed with emotion that way as well. Lot’s of excitement, fun, sadness, and stress.
We have a full plate ahead of us. Full of the savory and sweet, the happiness and sadness. We have our field trip, moving up day, end of year party, summer sizzler, farewell assemblies, and more. Along with that, we have the end of a semester which always lends itself to final projects and tests.
To help prepare for the upcoming tests (social studies and science as well as the math end-of-year assessment) I put together a Science/Social Studies Jeopardy game that we played in class. I have linked that PowerPoint below. I also will be sending out an email with both a PowerPoint and Keynote of the timeline we have been using for our Modern China unit.
One of the great things about 5th grade at SAS is that every student gets to choose an instrument to play. Mrs. Denton has been busy introducing all of the band instruments to the entire 4th grade. Students have had many opportunities to try out the instruments that they are interested in playing. All of 4TD also spent some time in Ms. Hu’s 5th grade strings class where everyone tried out string instruments as well. I even got to show of my basic skills on the violin and the bass.
Your child should have brought home a from where they choose their top three instruments. If it hasn’t been completed, make sure it’s filled out and brought to school.
I stopped by music class a few times and captured a number of students doing their best to make a sound. Enjoy!
Talk about a long day in the sun! 4TD had the opportunity to play the most popular sport in the world with schools from all over Shanghai. We went in too soccer day with the goal of playing hard and having fun. While the won-loss record didn’t always go our way, we did do a good job of meeting that goal. Every single student will say that they had a great time and did their best. You can really tell by all the photos that everyone in class made a great effort and did it with the right attitude. Way to go 4TD! I’m proud of you all!
A very big shout out needs to go to all the parents who sent in food and helped volunteer for the lunch and ice-cream buffet. The 4th grade project area looked like Pines with all the goodies piled up. The students definitely appreciated the treats and special lunch. I even got to bring Keelan in to check out the ice-cream scene. If you can make it through all 161 photos you can get a peek at him.
This past week the entire elementary school had some truly rich China experiences. During the Language Learning Block all the grades were given a variety of different experiences from painting to traditional outdoor games. This past Thursday, however, the 4th graders got to go on a trip to Sheshan Mountains. Everyone climbed to the top of the mountain, stopping at an observatory and a cathedral where a mass was actually going on. We then all went to the “amusement park” where we had in our head visions of mini-roller coasters, bumper cars, etc. Instead, we entered the park to find what seemed like an Ewok village. The park was built into a bamboo forrest with a variety of fun and challenging climbing structures. The photos above definitely tell the tale and show just how fun of a week and trip we had. It is a bit of an epic slideshow (253 pictures), so you might want to click on the title of the flickr slideshow to access all the pictures as a collection. Mixed in the photos I included some of the dodgeball action happening during the week. Almost everyone in 4TD chose to participate in the fundraising event.
Our China Alive experience didn’t end with Friday’s LLB period. Tuesday we extended the China theme by taking a walk into the village just outside the gates of our school. The purpose of the trip was to collect water samples that we will be analyzing through a variety of different measures. We already checked the oxygen levels and found that there was really not enough oxygen in the water to support a sustainable and healthy aquatic environment. The photos below give you a nice glimpse of that experience. And, once again, I have added some dodgeball action shots from the day.
In the hallways of the elementary school some incredible art is being displayed along the walls. Amongst all the art are two pieces that you can’t miss. Both of these pieces hang right along the windows of the main stairwell and were created by the one and only 4TD class. Mr. Toa introduced the class to the expressionist Jackson Pollock and had them replicate his style on a grand scale. The photos below only give you a little glimpse, to really appreciate the pieces you have to see them in person.
