Reading: We finished our novel, From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler! There were a lot of giggles this week as we reached the climax of the story, and many gasps when some of the secrets were revealed. Our end-of-book project will be to summarize the story from a different character's perspective, and, using the new iPads, create a movie with illustrations to accompany the summary. Ask your kids how the story ended, and what they thought of the way things unfolded.
At conferences, many of you inquired about how to encourage your kids to read more at home, or to finish books that they start. As I mentioned we would, we have begun having book talks and setting goals to encourage better independent book choices and time management. We started a reading log and a recommendation binder, too. The kids are enthusiastic and I look forward to seeing some positive results from this ongoing work! Over the next few weeks, if you see any changes, feel free to share.
Writing: The kids handed in their narratives and the rest of the week was spent brainstorming, free writing, and generating some new ideas and creativity for our next several writing projects. Ask your kids about the speed team writing we did this week!
4th Grade Math: Our math class is really making progress at discussing their work with each other. They are better able to compare answers and work through problems when they find differing answers. They are also starting to be able to explain their thinking more clearly. We're working hard at this and will continue to do so! We began adding and subtracting fractions this week. We'll continue after break with the addition of mixed numbers.
Science: After break we will begin a research project and each student will choose an ecosystem to research and report. They'll have the task of compiling their research into a visual presentation. They've received the overview sheet and we will choose ecosystems to start our research upon our return from break.
5th Grade Math: Check out Mrs. Madsen's website and newsletter for updates: http://www.op97.org/swennerberg/
Social Studies: Check out Mrs. Madsen's website and newsletter for updates: http://www.op97.org/swennerberg/
Miscellaneous
- Many thanks for all the donations we received for the Feinstein Challenge Food and Dollar Drive. We collected 754 food and toiletry items and $245! All the collections received in our OPRF area between Mar. 1 and Apr. 30 will be matched proportionally by Mr. Feinstein. His donation will go to the Oak Park River Forest Food Pantry to support people in our community. Thank you for your support!!!
- Note from the Nurse: It is cold and flu season so just a reminder - please do not send your child to school if he or she is sick. Children who have vomited, have diarrhea, productive coughs, undiagnosed rashes, excessively “runny” noses, or children who are not feeling well enough to participate need to be kept home. Children with a temperature greater than 100 need to stay home until they are fever free for 24 hours without the use of any fever reducing medication. Thank you for helping in keeping our classroom healthy! - Anne-Marie Guerrier, RN aguerrier@op97.org
- The PTO has launched its buy-a-brick campaign for the outdoor classroom! They are also planning to dedicate an engraved brick to each of the staff at the school, including teachers, support staff, and administration, as well as all clubs and organizations, so that every one person and group at the school will be acknowledged and represented in the bricks in the outdoor classroom. The PTO is asking that each student bring in $10 to contribute to this Staff Brick Fund, to be collected in the classroom between now and Friday, April 7. To get the kids excited about this campaign, the PTO will engrave a special brick dedicated to the class with the highest percentage of students contributing to the fund.
- Fast-filling and fun opportunities at OPEF's BASE (Build A Summer Education) Camp.
- For kids entering (fall 2014) grades 1 and 2, we offer LEGO Landmarks, Michael Jackson Moves, Camp Improv and Time Warp Tales.
- For kids entering (fall 2014) grades 3, 4 and 5, we have space in LEGO Engineering (AM & PM), Quilting Camp, Michael Jackson Moves and Camp Improv. Our Frank Lloyd Wright camps, Waterbotics and Starter Coding camps are sold out.
- For kids entering (fall 2014) grades 6, 7, and 8, we offer Mural Project, Digital Movie Making, VEX Robotics, Dissection, Bike Rider, SLR Digital Photography, Camp Runway and Starter Coding. Some are filling quickly so register soon!
- BASE Camp runs from June 16 to July 11, in one-week and two-week camps that are 1/2 day or full-day sessions. Most camps meet at Julian or Brooks Middle Schools, with a couple programs for 6/7/8th graders meeting at the Oak Park Public Works Building. Those attending all day can sign up for supervised lunch time. For District 97 kids who are eligible for free or reduced lunch, the Oak Park Education Foundation is pleased to offer BASE Camp Scholarships that cover all but $20 to $40 of each camp's cost. Please let families know that these limited scholarship funds are currently available. For a full listing of camps and the link to online registration, please visit opef.org/basecamp. For more information, please contact Jenny Roen, BASE Camp Coordinator, at jroen@opef.org.
