April 12, 2013

I hope everyone has a great weekend!  Remember to dress up as Nerds on Monday for Spirit week (see "Upcoming Events" for details).

Next week, we would like to assign Exhibition Mentors.  We need at least a dozen more in order to start!  Please sign up to be a Mentor if you can, and keep in mind that not only will our schedule be flexible, but if you have a younger child that would need to come with you to the meeting, that would be just fine!!

An excellent way to explain Exhibition is to compare it to a Graduate Thesis example:

1)  A person who has studied/has an interest in Special Education might get with a group of people with similar interests.

2) They decide to research special education in other countries, and conduct that research thoroughly through reading studies, interviewing experts, and perhaps even a taking a trip to a country like Cambodia.

3) After all their research, they find out that special education is hardly exists in countries like Cambodia--if a child can't physically get to school, they simply don't go at all.   They realize that children with physical disabilities need more help/awareness through wheelchairs, etc., 

4) They decide to take action on their realization by having a fundraiser fun-run for children with physical disabilities in Cambodia.

5) They write up a paper describing not just the fundraiser, but their entire process of why/how they chose the area, their research, their realizations, and their action. 

6) They present their process in a Graduate Thesis Fair! (Our Exhibition Fair will be May 22).

The students will be doing all of this on their scale.  Already, they've each chosen an area of interest, and will now move forward as a group!  We are all excited to see where they take Exhibition this year!

Homework:

1) Read 20 minutes & turn in signed reading log!

2) If you didn't already, complete your How the World Works Assessment!  Click here for the rubric!  Remember, you can choose any format--an essay, a skit, a Prezi--but it needs to be neat and informative!

Items of Business: 

*NEW: We are in need of Clorox Disinfectant Wipes!  Thank you so much!

*Class Store: If you have any extra soda, candy, trinkets, jewelry, or toys that you would like to donate to class store, please send it with your child! We would like to do one more often to serve as a motivator for positive behavior!

*Leadership Ropes Course Experience:  If you're interested, or have questions, email Mr. White at the Jr. High at Rwhite@providencehall.com.  It's $85 for the week (5th grade is June 17-21).

Upcoming Events: 

*April 15-19: Spirit Week:  Put pennies in the 5th grade jar, and other coins/bills in the other grades' jar for the Penny War!  (pennies count positively in points, and coins/bills count negatively in points).  I hear the winning grade will be earning an incredible party...

Monday: Nerd Day (full dress down):  "Help Kids in Cambodia get to be "Nerds" like you by going to school" 

Tuesday: Crazy Hair Day (wear dress code): "The good we can do is "hair-raising" AAaahh!!"

Wednesday: Grade level color day (5th grade wears pink tops; dress code bottoms):   "Unite together to build a school in Cambodia" The Grade level with the most participation wins 1000 extra pennies!

Thursday: Tie Day (Wear Dress code) "Don't leave our friends in Cambodia in a "bind," help them get a bike for transportation to school"

Friday: Superhero Day (Full Dress down) "Be a superhero and build a school for our Cambodian Friends"

*April 16: Reading is Fun Night!!  5:30-7:30.  This will be an open-house style night during which you will find out more ways to help make reading more enjoyable for your children!  Each grade level will have different reading themes, and there will also be a reading magic show in the gym.  The showing times will be 5:30, 6:15, & 7:00.

*April 23: Boxtops due

*April 24: BizTown Field Trip!

*April 24: Girls Maturation (7 pm)

*April 25: Boys Maturation (7 pm)

*April 26: Boxtop dress down.  12:30 release!

*NEW: April 30: Library of Poetry Contest--click here to submit your poem (you must have parent permission).  You can submit your poem any time until April 30th, and the grand prize is $500!  You are also entered in random drawings just for entering!  The school with the most entries wins a prize as well!

*May 5-10: Special Education CRT testing

*May 13-17th: CRT testing

*May 22: Exhibition Presentation!

*May 23: Volunteer Tea

*May 22-23: Book Fair, Buy 1, Get 1 Free

*May 24 & 26: No school--Memorial Day weekend

*May 30: School Carnival

*June 5: Last day of school! 12:00 early dismissal

*June 15: Photography contest deadline!  Click here for details!

:)