May 23, 2018
Dear Families,
We have just started our final units in ELA. For this period of time, 5th and 6th graders will be working on two different projects. Read below to see what each group is doing:
5th Grade
5th grade students are creating a Memoir Scrapbook, with photos, poems, writing, and images of their life. Students are finishing their storyboard, where they are organizing what will be included in their scrapbook. As they complete their storyboard, they will get to work on their scrapbook. (we are giving each student a 4X6 scrapbook)
Students will be including photos and images to go with their memories. They will be asking you for help with this as they begin to put their scrapbooks together. Any help you can provide printing photos, or gathering artifacts would be greatly appreciated. In addition, if you have any scrapbooking materials that you would be willing to donate, that would be fantastic!
6th Grade
6th grade students are working on a Podcast Project. Each student has chosen a person that is important to them, and is working on a 1-2 page piece of writing telling us about this person. Students will then use the website "Soundtrap" to record their voice reading their writing. Students will also be using Soundtrap to create a music track as background to their voice recording. Finally the mixed podcast will be downloaded as an mp3 file, and then uploaded to our YWP blog. Be sure to ask your student about this--Soundtrap is amazing!
Take care,
Joy
Wednesday, May 23, 2018
Wednesday, May 16, 2018
Science Update 5/16
Hello Families,
We have finished the Science SBAC test for all Sterling 5th graders. Today we started our study of the 11 body systems. Each day we will focus on a different system and look at its organs and function. At the end of this study we plan to explore a cow heart and lung. One of the 11 systems happens to be the reproductive system. While we will focus on the facts, I want to let you know in advance in case students have questions for you😉
Please let me know if you have questions.
Amy
We have finished the Science SBAC test for all Sterling 5th graders. Today we started our study of the 11 body systems. Each day we will focus on a different system and look at its organs and function. At the end of this study we plan to explore a cow heart and lung. One of the 11 systems happens to be the reproductive system. While we will focus on the facts, I want to let you know in advance in case students have questions for you😉
Please let me know if you have questions.
Amy
Friday, May 4, 2018
Sterling House Costumes for the Play
Hi Sterling Families,
The students are getting very excited to perform for all of you on Thursday evening (5:30 is Pinocchio and 6:30 is Peter Pan.)
Today we connected with all students about their costume or parts of a costume that will be needed. Please don't feel as if you need to break the bank for this. We encourage you to look for something you already have or something to borrow. If you need help, please feel free to email your student's core teacher. We are hoping we can have the costumes gathered and in school for Monday.
We appreciate your support!
Amy
The students are getting very excited to perform for all of you on Thursday evening (5:30 is Pinocchio and 6:30 is Peter Pan.)
Today we connected with all students about their costume or parts of a costume that will be needed. Please don't feel as if you need to break the bank for this. We encourage you to look for something you already have or something to borrow. If you need help, please feel free to email your student's core teacher. We are hoping we can have the costumes gathered and in school for Monday.
We appreciate your support!
Amy
Tuesday, April 10, 2018
Science Update 4-10-18
Hello Sterling Families,
Students finished up their study of weather events last week. They created a weather forecast using Wevideo where they had to use real data to explain a weather event in the US. The students learned how to use a green screen and definitely tapped into some creativity!
Students have moved on to the study of matter. We started with an introduction to the periodic table. Students made cool name-tags by making their names out of the letters from the periodic table. These will be hanging in the hallway if you would like to take a look. Currently, we are focused on chemical and physical changes.
I will be out on the school exchange trip to China April 19, 20, 30 and May 1st. Mr. C, Joy's intern, will be substituting for me. He knows the students and schedule well. I hope you all have a safe and restful break!
Amy
Students finished up their study of weather events last week. They created a weather forecast using Wevideo where they had to use real data to explain a weather event in the US. The students learned how to use a green screen and definitely tapped into some creativity!
Students have moved on to the study of matter. We started with an introduction to the periodic table. Students made cool name-tags by making their names out of the letters from the periodic table. These will be hanging in the hallway if you would like to take a look. Currently, we are focused on chemical and physical changes.
I will be out on the school exchange trip to China April 19, 20, 30 and May 1st. Mr. C, Joy's intern, will be substituting for me. He knows the students and schedule well. I hope you all have a safe and restful break!
Amy
Monday, April 9, 2018
Thursday, March 29, 2018
ELA Update
ELA Update
Joy Peterson and Sam Callison
We have started an Argument Writing unit in ELA. For the past two weeks we have been breaking down the elements of argument writing into claim, evidence, and analysis. Students have examined writing by both professional writers and same-age students, and have critiqued this writing as they prepare to make their own argument. Last week we took advantage of the March Madness timing, and created our own bracketology to narrow down argument writing topics. The "final four" topics provide choices for students, along with links to resources for research. Students who feel strongly about another topic may choose that for their argument. Students are writing their argument using a clear claim stating their opinion, evidence which backs up their argument, and analysis which explains their evidence. Ask your student to show you their work-in-progress in the graphic organizer that is in their Google Classroom folder.
As students finish their writing pieces, we will begin creating presentations or video PSAs about their topics. We will be learning about what makes an effective argument in these formats before we begin. These PSAs will provide an opportunity for students to convince others that their position on the issue is correct. These will be created during Mr. Callison's solo time. These presentations could be a fun thing for your student to share with you at home, as there are some pretty convincing arguments being developed!
Mr. Callison will be solo teaching from April 3rd to April 17th. Ms. Peterson will be in school and available via e-mail during this time. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
scallison@cvsdvt.org
jpeterson@cvsdvt.org
Joy Peterson and Sam Callison
We have started an Argument Writing unit in ELA. For the past two weeks we have been breaking down the elements of argument writing into claim, evidence, and analysis. Students have examined writing by both professional writers and same-age students, and have critiqued this writing as they prepare to make their own argument. Last week we took advantage of the March Madness timing, and created our own bracketology to narrow down argument writing topics. The "final four" topics provide choices for students, along with links to resources for research. Students who feel strongly about another topic may choose that for their argument. Students are writing their argument using a clear claim stating their opinion, evidence which backs up their argument, and analysis which explains their evidence. Ask your student to show you their work-in-progress in the graphic organizer that is in their Google Classroom folder.
As students finish their writing pieces, we will begin creating presentations or video PSAs about their topics. We will be learning about what makes an effective argument in these formats before we begin. These PSAs will provide an opportunity for students to convince others that their position on the issue is correct. These will be created during Mr. Callison's solo time. These presentations could be a fun thing for your student to share with you at home, as there are some pretty convincing arguments being developed!
Mr. Callison will be solo teaching from April 3rd to April 17th. Ms. Peterson will be in school and available via e-mail during this time. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
scallison@cvsdvt.org
jpeterson@cvsdvt.org
Wednesday, March 21, 2018
Looking for Host Families for Chinese Students
WCS has been working in collaboration with the Spiral International organization to connect our
school with schools in China. I am excited to announce that 9 Chinese middle school students
will be coming to WCS from April 1st-April 7th. WCS is seeking host families for them. This is
an incredible opportunity for our middle level students to make a personal connection with a
Chinese student. The Chinese student would stay with their host family and attend school each
day.
If you are willing to host one or two Chinese students, please email Jackie Parks for more
details. jparks@cvsdvt.org
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