This week is the end of the second quarter so we are officially halfway through the year! Report cards will come home on the 25th. A small disclaimer: I know that I mentioned this at open house (which was long ago!) as this is a common occurrence but as a reminder: There can be a drop in grades between the 1st quarter and 2nd quarter. 1st quarter is review and a lot of teacher guided assignments. In the second quarter, material is new and the teacher role becomes more of a facilitator. Students need opportunities to create and practice their understanding of skills which may result in a lowering of grades.What third quarter then brings often, is a increase as students are now becoming secure and mastering ideas/skills. One last item... developing is a wide, wide range so a student who was developing and remains developing can have MADE growth but is just not secure. If you have any questions, please let me know.
The end of the quarter brought the end of Unit 3- Live & Learn in Wonders. Our final essential question was How do you express yourself? One story described the P.S. 22 Chorus, a children's choir out of Staten Island. These children travel the world performing at events including the White House! They actually have their own Youtube channel so we enjoyed listening and watching them sing throughout the week. I think this was our favorite song if you want to listen! Our story told us how the students are encouraged to make up their own movements which you can see in the video. Our strategy was Main Idea and Key Details.
Topic 7 Practice Tests came home yesterday. They are do back on Tuesday with the Topic 7 Assessment being on Wednesday the 18th. Here is the answer sheet.
Don't forget no school Friday or Monday.
Don't forget no school Friday or Monday.
Thanks,
Marissa Wilhelm
