US Regions PBL Project Wrap Up:
We just finished up an AMAZING PBL Unit! Check the blog out by clicking here! Our two "big" focuses of this project were collaboration (see rubric) & presentation. Each student received at rubric for collaboration (graded as individuals) and for presentation (graded as a team). Many skills were taught and assessed throughout the project. When you read the blog, you can see the unit outline for those details. Have your child bring you to their Google Classroom account to see their rubrics. The kids self-assessed how they thought they did. I gave them feedback based on their responses and what I thought they deserved for a grade. The results will help us gear up for our new PBL project this Spring.
Spring PBL Unit with OOB Conservation Commission:
We have an awesome Maine animal study coming up this Spring. Our hope is to collaborate with the OOB Conservation Commission to create some signage (i.e., animals, plants, history of area, etc.) for the new walking trails & picnic area under construction by the Milliken Mills & Portland Roads in OOB. Stay tuned for more information on this!
Student Exhibition Night & Conferences:
Conferences are coming up for grades 4 and 5. We won't be having traditional conferences this time around. Here is the plan:
March 24, Tuesday, 2:30-6pm, Conferences by Request
April 1, Wednesday, 2:30-6pm, Student Exhibition Night
March 24, Tuesday, 2:30-6pm, Conferences by Request
- If you want a conference we will schedule one.
- To make this effective, you can request a certain focus topic. We can look at certain academics, behavior issues, or both.
- Based on your feedback, I'll make sure we have the right people in the room to address and resolve your concerns. :)
- Click here to schedule!
April 1, Wednesday, 2:30-6pm, Student Exhibition Night
- In lieu of a traditional PT conference on April 1, we're going to have a "Student Exhibition Night." There will be student presentations & demonstrations throughout the night with time in between for parents to observe work. We'll play some music and provide some snacks/drinks. We'll have work from their allied arts, too. For example, Ms. Elwell and our class will entertain us with a musical performance. This should be a lot of fun!
- Click here for the night's schedule. This is under construction so stay tuned for the schedule to come together.
- YOU DO NOT HAVE TO COME FOR THE WHOLE NIGHT! Haha! If you can't make the night at all, let me know. We hope to schedule presentations based on your availability.
- More to come here... Just know the night will be flexible and we'll work together to make it run smoothly.
- If you have any suggestions, please share them.
Homework:
Some have asked me about homework. I want the kids to be reading for at least 20 minutes a day. They can read ANYTHING they want - Raz Kids, NEWSELA, Time Kids, Sports Illustrated for Kids, etc. They have time to check books out of the library, too. Additionally, they can blog or write in their journal. For example, I have one student passionate about video gaming. He's writing a series of blogs describing his adventures of video gaming. Occasionally I'll have an assignment that needs attention. If this is the case, I will send home a "Class Messenger" message with the assignment details.
Author Study & Poetry Unit:
Over the next 4 weeks, we'll be working on an author study and a poetry unit. Should be a lot of fun! For example, check out the exploration we did today with Patricia Polacco by clicking here. Even if you aren't signed up for a Twitter account, click here to see our page. I post pictures and our daily assignments for all to see.