Sunday, May 21, 2017

Weekly Update #33

Team Updates


Yes, the pollen is everywhere, leaving a yellow green coating on everything, and causing our entire population to sneeze.  Our classrooms are running short of tissues for the kid's noses - so if you can spare a box or two, we'd appreciate it.  And yes, the pollen is a nuisance, but just think of what we'd lose if we didn't have pollen and bees!  



Spinner Toys:  These devices are toys.  Spinners and slime have become major distractions to the process of learning this spring, and Badger teachers will ask once for them to be put away, and confiscate them if they are seen subsequently.  Please encourage your students to leave all toys at home!  






Garden Needs: Badger team is revamping the garden here at Pennichuck.  As you prepare to do your own spring clean up work at your homes, consider making a donation to our team!  We are looking for the following items in good working condition:
  • bow rakes 
  • metal shovels 
  • a wheel barrow
  • cultivators and/or hoes (hand or standing)
  • trowels
Please no: pitchforks or sickles!

Many hands make light work, so the goal is to have lots of tools to be used by lots of young, energized students!

Reading Challenges: Your reading challenges are due no later than May 31st.  Don't forget to get your signatures!  This is your free ticket to the Silver Knights game in June!  Happy reading!

Silver Knights Field Trip: The Badger team will be attending the Silver Knights field trip at Holman Stadium on Tuesday, June 6th from 10-2:30 PM.  Students must submit their field trip forms, as well as lunch and ticket money no later than May 31st.  Students: remember you can earn a free ticket to this event just by reading!


Class Updates



Social Studies: Students wrapped up our unit on the Middle Ages by completing a performance task essay regarding Feudalism. Everyone did a great job! Towards the end of the week, we got just a taste of our upcoming unit: The Renaissance. This unit is one of my favorites as it is so rich with culture. We'll pick up where we left off this upcoming week.

Science:  We started our Ecology unit last week.  Students are working on a Rocky Shore Ecology Project right now.  They will learn about the organisms that are able to live and survive in the intertidal zone and about energy flow in this ecosystem as well.  Permission slips and money are due.  Please remember to bring them in!  Students are also working on their Favorite Animal Slides.  They are due on May 30th!  They need to be in ON TIME!  

Literacy: WHEW!  The giant, year long Omnictionary slide show project is officially a wrap!  Every student should have submitted their Google slide show to their Google classroom by 3:00 pm today!  (Don't worry Sturgeon students... no WiFi this morning, so you have until 9:00 pm this evening!) In other breaking news, we have begun to review for the final exam on Latin roots!  Review worksheet followed by a review quiz today, and two more next week - all in an effort to remind students of all that they have learned.  The final exam is scheduled for May 30th and May 31st.  Don't forget to get your permission slips for Silver Knights signed!  Have a fantastic weekend!


English: Badger students worked on I-Ready this week and did a great job!  We will continue Monday and conference individually once scores are available.  Can't wait to see the growth from the fall and winter assessments!  Students in English also completed iPhone and Instagram activities for Tom Sawyer.  Students focused on analyzing dialogue and visualizing specific scenes from the plot for these activities.  This weekend, students should review vocabulary words for chapters 16-22, as there will be a quiz on Monday, May 22!  

Math: We are still working on our percent unit.  We will be finishing up percent of change and moving onto markups and markdowns, known to most as discounts! We will be doing some smart shopping actives to find the best deal!

School Updates


Food Pantry: The school is collecting the following items: pasta, canned sauces, peanut butter, cereal, canned fruits and vegetables (or any other non-perishable items). Donation bins are located in the main office and guidance. Please consider making a regular donation to support our community.