May is already over!?
As we approach the end of the school year, it’s especially important for students to maintain positive behavior and respectful attitudes. Lately, there has been a noticeable increase in frustration with one another, which is coming out through inappropriate language, unkind comments, and negative interactions during PE and break times. This was also shown on Egg Day, when several students loudly complained about a lighthearted prize being “just a box of Band-Aids.” If students are unable to enjoy simple, silly fun in the spirit it’s intended, then we may need to reconsider participating in such events.
I’ve also heard some grumbling about Sports Day next Thursday. We’ve talked as a class about the importance of approaching it with full enthusiasm, encouraging our teammates, and setting a positive example. As the oldest students in the school, younger children look up to them. This is a chance to lead with joy and good sportsmanship. It’s not a serious competition, your team is a mix of all year groups so you can support the youngest students, and the games are silly to be fun!
Why not just have fun and finish the year on a high note?
About this week:
English:
We have begun reading Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli. Students are assigned two chapters to read each night and are maintaining a vocabulary log where they note unfamiliar or significant words along with their meanings for each chapter. In class, we are diving into discussions about the story, focusing particularly on character development. Students are learning to identify character traits and are practicing using textual evidence to support their interpretations.
History:
This week, we examined the pivotal years of 1941–1942 during World War II, focusing on how this period marked a turning point in the conflict. Students learned about Operation Barbarossa, the failed German invasion of the Soviet Union, and how harsh winter conditions, logistical missteps, and strong Soviet resistance turned the tide against the Axis powers. We also explored the events leading up to the United States’ entry into the war, specifically the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Students analyzed why the U.S. had previously maintained a policy of isolationism and the political, economic, and strategic factors that led to the eventual decision to intervene in the global conflict.
Science:
In science, we continued our unit on heredity and natural selection. Students investigated how traits are inherited from parents to offspring through genes and how variations in these traits can impact survival. We explored the principles of natural selection by examining examples in nature where advantageous traits become more common over generations. Students also focused on the peppered moth to better understand how human activity affects the environment and can influence a species.
Design, Technology & Innovation (DTI):
This week in DTI, students explored technological innovations in agriculture and how these advances have transformed food production. We discussed the development and use of machinery like automated harvesters, irrigation systems, and drones for crop monitoring. The class also looked at how artificial selection is used to breed livestock and cultivate crops with desirable traits, such as disease resistance, higher yield, or specific physical characteristics.
Have an nice weekend and see you Monday,
Mrs. Leah
