January Update

Current Events

Although we hope to always be teaching about how we can change the world and make it a better place, we have been and will continue to dedicate time to honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by learning more about his life, his values and philosophy, and his impact on the world. One important connection we see relates to the quote above which we presented to students for discussion on its meaning. In November, our students began work with Cultivating Pathways to Sustainability and are currently developing projects that will address the UN Global Goals in Sustainability. We hope that students are inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to see that they too can make change and create a better world for others. Below students can be seen discussing projects related to the global goals. At this point, students have identified projects that they are interested in. This week on 1/26, students will be participating in a retreat with other schools around Vermont, Mississippi, and Nepal to share our progress, learn from each other, and apply this to our developing a project.

Math

In math we are building on our understanding of ratios to explore percentages. Students created a sales flyer that included original price and a percent discount. Students were then able to go "shopping" and pick items to buy from their classmates' stores. They applied their understanding of ratios and benchmark percents to calculate the discounted price.

Science

Students in Ms. Anderman's science class are currently studying matter and its interactions. We have done activities investigating the physical properties of matter and a lab to expand student ideas about how air, like solids and liquids, also takes up space. Students are also building their modeling skills by modeling the particles that make up matter.

To begin the unit, students were challenged to lift something heavy with nothing besides a produce bag.

Language Arts

We are finishing up our Dystopian book groups this week. Students have really developed their critical reading and thinking skills as they made connections between their books and what is happening in our current society. Each day they met and had to discuss their reading from the night before. This really improved their ability to think more deeply while reading because they were engaging in these small group discussions daily. In their most recent writing piece, they were able to defend which dystopian characteristics were present in their books. For Part 2 of the unit, they have self-selected partners/groups and have chosen another dystopian novel to read.

Social Studies

After the return from break, Ms. Anderman's group started the Early Humans unit. Thus far they have been working with their bands to learn about the evidence for evolution. Below you can see pictures of the naming ceremony where they get their prehistoric names.:)

Talent Show (from December)

Thanks to all of the Wizards for creating joy by either entertaining us, for being a very respectful member of the audience or both! It was a fun morning and kudos to all of the Wizards who took a chance by performing in front of their peers. We thought you might enjoy seeing some of the participants.