Giving Chapel!

The day finally arrived! The kids successfully hosted a spectacular Giving Chapel event, complete with warm welcomes to the visiting agency members. After chapel, the 5th graders spent another 2 hours sorting all those gifts. They were deeply awed by the sheer amount of giving offered by our Lower School community. In their reflection later, our class discussed how powerful it was to be part of something greater.

Giving Chapel Workshops

Following our class's passion, we have presented the importance of literacy and giving books for Giving Chapel. Together we researched two different community agencies that build literacy skills, the Woodburn Family Learning Center, and the Portland Children's Book Bank. We've visited the Learning Center, where we shared our love of reading; we also hosted our own classroom used-book drive for the Book Bank. During our workshop presentations, we presented our research, read our favorite used-books, and created book marks. Room 28 is buzzing with excitement to deliver our gifts to the agencies on Friday's day of Giving Chapel.

The Immigration Journey

Last week we kicked off our immigration study with a flurry. We were inspired by our interest to write our class play on immigration, and are driven to find different stories and perspectives to inform us as we write. Using Primary Sources, we asked questions and analyzed them to discover different perspectives. We've watched documentaries, listened to Hahn Ngo's personal narrative, and read both fiction and non-fiction books in search of the immigrant experience of yesteryears and current day. We've also researched our own family stories, and shared those experiences with our class. While we have much to learn, and many more questions to answer, we are using our current understanding to craft a play based on our historical characters. Our journey is centered around the student question: What are the familes' stories?

Let It Snow!

Technology Class Skit Movies

Last week in Technology class the kids learned all about different screen shots and angles. In small groups they filmed classic campfire skits while applying these new ideas in conjunction with editing skills. The link to their skits is below. They are all hilarious and well worth the viewing time. Enjoy! Class Campfire Skits

Porter starring in WATER!

Grandparents and Special Friends Day

In taking advantage of the opportunity to learn from our grandparents, we created art together. Together we drew our self-portraits, and filled the spaces with words that describe our characteristics and traits. Our favorite part was including precepts and other words of wisdom inspired by the novel we are reading, and by the words our families gave us. Thank you for spending time with us today. We appreciate you!

What are the themes in our novels?

For the last three weeks we've been reading different novels that showcase characters with a wealth of interesting qualities. We've discussed these books, looked for connections amongst the characters, and compared them to each other and to our read-aloud novel, Wonder. Last week we worked together to identify the different themes, and how various characters supported or hindered the themes. Some of the central themes found are: family, love, coming-of-age, self-control, and kindness. 

We also looked for the Book Yoda, the character(s) who guide the main character on their journey with wisdom and insight. These conversations have been rich with connections to our own lives and experiences. They will also add spark to our discussions as we begin to find the themes of our play, and create characters to live within that world.

Veterans Day Parade!

With great patriotic pride, we marched in the Veterans Day parade this morning. Waving our flags, and singing the preamble to the US Constitution, we saluted, thanked and greeted local veterans. Together we expressed out gratitude to the veterans in our families and to those in our community. Thank you to all the parents, grandparents, and pets who joined us, and cheered us on!

How Can We Honor Our Veterans?

We've been busy this week preparing for our participation in the Veterans Day Parade. After discovering and researching family members who've served in militaries around the world, we created posters to represent their importance to us. Together we created a banner that portrays all of the countries represented in our class's veterans, and is surrounded by the remembrance poppy. We've sewn poppies together, and practiced patriotic songs. Tomorrow we will honor our personal veterans and those in our Portland community by marching and singing in the Veterans Day Parade.

A Passion For Fractions!

Our Trip To Woodburn Family Learning Center

All Saints Day Rememberances

What Do We Have In Common With Our Buddies?

How Do We Like To Play?

Today our 5th and 4th grade Playground Design representatives surveyed us as we engaged in creative play. We were asked what types of things we like to do when we play. Some of our answers were to build, experiment, create quiet spaces, and explore. We had a great time experiencing all types of self-guided play today. There are many who would like to return tomorrow for the community experience.

What Does It Mean To Be Free?

Sacristan Leadership in 5th Grade

How Do My Gifts Bless Our Community

Over the last few weeks, we have been answering this question for ourselves, and sharing our answers with our community. This week we shared our published poems about two of our gifts. They are beautifully written, full of metaphors and similes that expose the spirit and soul of our class. Stop by our classroom to read these wonderful expressions of self.

Off To The Theater

Off to see Rock The Presidents. Look at how handsome we are!

Exploring Our Gifts In Nature

How do you use your gifts in nature?

How can we use nature to express ourselves?

What Do We Need To Work Together?

Bill Of Rights Creatures

After briefly studying how our country historically formed agreements, we created our own Bill Of Rights. 

We have the right....

• To feel safe in our classroom community both physically and emotionally.
• To be included in activities around the school.
• To discover new and interesting things.
• To have our opinions and beliefs respected, and valued.
• To respect the learning time and space of others.
• To be individuals and be respected for our uniqueness.
• To be supported every which way.
• To participate in school, without being labeled or judged.
• To have the chance to try new things.
• We have the right to listen to others and be listened to.

While continuing our work of building a learning community, I decided to help them focus and reflect on the challenging elements of working in a team. Our conversation led us to understand that good teams:

• Listen to each other
• Share ideas, and blend ideas
• Help each other to stay focused and be productive
• Ask questions

Next, we selected a Right to build a creature that represented the right, and blended our ideas with those of our partner. Together we created some unique and wild interpretations of our rights.

Math In Our Class