Literature Circles unite!

For the past few weeks, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, the grade fives were taking part in literature circles, as a way to explore novels with each other.  Three small groups were formed and they were given the task to read a novel, and then think about what they read so they are able to complete a role.

The books were Exit Barney McGee by Claire MacKay, Millions by Danny Boyle, and Journey to the River Sea by Eva Ibbotson.  

At the end, each student had to complete a culminating activity to share with other what they learned about the book. 

We had students who created a newspaper, a CD, a graphic novel, and we even had a children`s book!

Here are some pictures of a few students` final work: 

  

It`s amazing what you can do when you are inspired by a good book :)

On the move.

Transportation Systems

The students are beginning their new unit on transportation systems. At the start of the unit, the students were given a task to show their current knowledge. They were asked to design a transport system.

Throughout the week, they worked together in small groups designing their system. They made maps, timetables, prices, and models to show off all they know. They wrote about the people who work within the system and those people who use it. They also wrote about each transport system and how they work together in a logical way. The systems included  planes, trains, buses, and even dogsleds! 

Next week, they will be presenting their work to the class.

Here are some pictures of each group working on their system:

Cannot wait to see the final product. Great work grade five students :)

Winter Event Information for Parents

Dear Parents/Guardians,

The PYP Winter Event is taking place next week Wednesday 7^th, December. Please consider the following information in preparation for this exciting day.

·         Place and Time: The Winter Event will take place in the Mulisaal Hall (5 minute walk from the school) and it will start at 17:00 o’clock. Please be in the Hall five minutes before starting time. Thanks.

·         Parking: Please use the school’s car park rather than the small car park near the Mulisaal Hall.

·         Performance Day - Extra Snack: As it is going to be a very long day for your children, please provide them with an extra snack. This will be eaten after school during the two-hour period (between 15:00-17:00) before the start of the performance.

·         Performance Day – Film and Rest: During this period, the children will also have an opportunity to watch a film and rest. Homework will not be set for the day after the performance.

·         Performance Day – Bags and After Performance Arrangements: On this day, the children will not take their school bags to the Mulisaal auditorium.  After the performance, you may opt to go back to the school and collect your child’s/children’s belongings (the school’s doors will be open until 18:00). However, you may also consider going home without them. These personal items will be safe in the building and can be collected the day after.

·         Children collection: Please collect your child/children at end of performance.

Many thanks for your support.

The children and the staff hope you have a great time during our Winter Event.

Best regards,

Alex Cardona



Discovering poetry!

 Poetry

Reading and writing can be lots of fun,

Especially when we share it with everyone!

Metaphors, similes, and personification

And getting to leave out some punctuation

Haikus, colour poems and stanzas

Might make you go bananas.

Poems can be expressed in many ways,

I can write tones all the days!

Silly, rhyming and definitely funny

We will make lots of money,

Because our poems are the best

I believe they are better than all the rest!

The Grade Fives have been exploring poetry for the last two weeks; they have been reading poems from various books, and writing their own poems. It is great how they were able to have fun and be silly in their poetry writing as that builds a love for literature and writing.

The students wrote many different types of poems and then chose a favorite to illustrate and make into a good copy.

Below are all the finished good copies.

*Remember to keep reading and writing poetry*

Energy for Work & Play

The Grade Fives have just started to develop their third unit of inquiry. This time, we will be discovering and studying the amazing world of energy. The following are some of the most important aspects to examine throughout the development of this unit:

Subject Focus:

Science and Technology

Central Idea:

Energy exists in different forms and is used in different ways.

Inquiries into:

• the different forms of energy and their uses
• the impact of energy use on the environment and society
• our role as consumers and conservers of energy

Let's work:

The symbols below are Energy Source Symbols. Can you identify them? Write them down in your UOI book:

Let's play:

 

Sudoku is a logic-based placement puzzle consisting of a 9x9 grid of cells. Typically using numbers, this puzzle uses energy source symbols.

To solve the puzzle, each 3x3 region of the grid must contain only one source symbol. Each row and each column of the puzzle must contain only one energy source symbol. There is only one solution. Good luck!

Give it a try, print it out and bring to class!

Energy Sudoku

PYP Winter Event

On December 7^th, ISW will have the PYP Winter Event and each class have been rehearsing songs and musical numbers. To help make this event more successful, the students should practice the songs at home.  

The grade five students need to practice the songs Winter Wonderland and Believe.

Here are the lyrics for Winter Wonderland, plus a Youtube video:

 

Winter Wonderland

Sleigh bells ring, are you listening,
In the lane, snow is glistening
A beautiful sight,
We're happy tonight.
Walking in a winter wonderland.

Gone away is the bluebird,
Here to stay is a new bird
He sings us a song,
As we go along,
Walking in a winter wonderland.

In the meadow we can build a snowman,
And pretend that he's a circus clown
We'll have lots of fun with mister snowman,
Until the other kids knock him down.

When it snows, ain't it thrilling,
Though your nose gets a chilling
We'll frolic and play, the Eskimo way,
Walking in a winter wonderland.
We'll frolic and play, the Eskimo way,
Walking in a winter wonderland.

Winter Wonderland Video

Here is a Youtube video for Believe:

Believe Video

Also, students should bring in their costumes by Friday 25^th November.

Have fun!

Biographies!

Throughout history there have been many important people who influenced the way others have lived. The grade fives had the opportunity to read about a famous person who, because of their strong beliefs, made a positive impact on society.

The project was a cereal box biography.  Shouldn’t famous people get a chance to be on the front of a cereal box? We gave them that chance.

Here are the finished products:

“At the center of non-violence stands the principle of love.”  Martin Luther King, Jr.

“I attribute my success to this - I never gave or took any excuse.” Florence Nightingale

“Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.” Winston Churchill

“You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” Mohandas Gandhi

“One life is all we have and we live it as we believe in living it.” Joan of Arc