Can you believe we’ve completed the first quarter of the school year?! The kids have done a great job these past nine weeks, so high fives are in order! Please read below for some brief updates and reminders. J
*Side Notes*
-We wrapped up our day today with a Touchstones Socratic discussion on William James’, On a Certain Blindness in Human Beings. The students discussed the concept of differing opinions and perspectives and how two people can deem something beautiful for different reasons. James expressed how having feelings results in people having likes and dislikes. The students realized how enriching the world is because people have different feelings, and thus, beautify the world with variety of personalities, qualities, and skills. Together we spoke about the value of befriending all types of people, even those who may seem different from us. We shouldn't shy away from certain people, simply because we don't understand them. The students expressed the importance of seeing situations from various perspectives, just like James and the Mountaineer did in the reading. This text was a wonderful one to read on Friday, as it connected perfectly to our reading of The Lorax earlier this week. The theme of preserving nature recurred and make for great text to text connections. Please
ask your child to share more about what we read and discussed; as always, please
extend this conversation at home!
-Your child should record one night of reading on
their reading log over break (just as they would on a regular weekend). I hope
they can pick up a book and read for pleasure over break, though! I’d love to
hear what they’ve read, too! Can't find a book? No worries! Click here for the core reading list to become inspired. :)
-I really enjoyed seeing the kids’ animal research projects come together
during their presentations! This class displays great teamwork; I’m very proud
of them! Well done, fifth graders! (Picture to come...)
-Evaluations will be available for you to view on Sunday,
October 19th. You will receive an email from Mrs. Fawcett with a
password for viewing. Upon having read your child’s evaluation, please feel
free to sign up for a parent-teacher conference on the Sign-up Genius link on
the right side of this page.
And most importantly…
HAVE A FUN AND
RESTFUL FALL BREAK!
