Sweethearts, Heroes and Toy Trucks

Last week, we had a special guest visit us here at CCS. Mr. Incredible, also known as Tom Murphy, taught us all about being a hero. He gave us strategies and action steps to take when we see someone in a tricky situation or being bullied. We learned what bully is and means. We learned to take action in the first 10 seconds to help someone and be a hero. Here are the ABC strategies we learned:

• Away - take the person away from the bully or tricky situation
• Buddy- go over and be a buddy or friend to the person
• Confront (or Call for help)- go over and confront the bully or get help from a friend or another adult

Most importantly, we practiced and role played various scenarios when a classmate might need help as a whole team. We are all heroes and help each other every day!  

Here are some pictures from the presentation:

 Fifth graders learning how we are all better and more powerful together. 

 Learning the power we have when we are all connected!

 Role playing!

In LA we are deep into the text The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer. Students have thought deeply about this text and are learning about the effects of deforestation, drought and famine in Malawi, Africa. They have learned about economy in Malawai in 2001 during the famine. Since the maize supply is so low, the demand has increase to incredible levels. Many Malawians cannot afford food or to go to school. Have your child tell you about school in Malawi. What is the difference between school in America and school in Malawi? *See picture below* Ask your child to tell you about William's experience. 

We also learned how William built and created his own toys, from scraps and junk found around his home and village. Unlike children in America, children in Malawi have to build and create their toys. In science, students worked together to develop a plan on how they would engineer their own toy truck, like William, from scraps and reusable materials. The end products were incredible! See the pictures below. 

Dear Families,

What an action-packed first few weeks we have had! The students have done an amazing job mastering their schedules, and helping their peers when needed. We have been impressed with the kindness many have shown towards each other during these first few weeks. The students are learning new routines and getting used to their new teachers. It is a big transition for everyone, and so far it is going very well!

Each day students are filling out their planner which we have provided.  It is important that students use the planner as an organizational tool and develop positive habits. This year, we are using the planner for discussion and goal setting topics at home. Your child should be sharing their learning with you.

Below is some important information for all of our families. As always, please contact your child’s support room teacher with any questions and/or concerns.

Language Arts:  Students have been doing a lot of writing since our first day!  They have already completed several short pieces of writing. Our first writing process piece is a personal narrative where we are writing true stories from our lives.  These are now publish in our Alpha team hallway! 

          Also, students have been writing reading responses in their literacy notebooks about The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba and Brian Mealer. Here's an image of what we have learned about William so far. Your child has been working on finding evidence from the text to support their understanding of William.

Math:  As many of you may have heard when your child came home talking about math during the first two weeks of school, our start of the year in math was focused on the Habits of Mind and Habits of Interaction that mathematicians use.  Specifically, we talked about what learning in math will be like, and how successful mathematicians think.  I could go on and on about how powerful these messages are, but instead I suggest you ask your child to tell you more about any of the following to find out how he/she connected with them:

·         Everyone can do really well in math.

·         The more you struggle, the more your brain grows.

·         You brain grows when you make a mistake and then go back and think about that mistake.

·          “Brain Crossing” (combining visuals with symbols/numbers) allows us to think most powerfully about math.

·         Successful Mathematicians:

o   Think deeply and look for how things relate to each other.

o   Try seemingly wild ideas.

o   Feel comfortable being wrong.

o   Are open to different experiences.

o   Keep going through difficulties.

o   Play with ideas without judging them first.

o   Are willing to go against traditional ideas.

Also, we all watched this very cool TED talk by Jo Boaler, and even looked at the pattern she describes in the video.  We highly recommend that you watch the video, and if you can watch it with your child even better! Jo Boaler TEDx Talk

This week we started our first unit of Bridges and during this unit our focus will be on the connections between expressions (4X2X3), equations (4X2X3 = 24) and volume.  This unit also does a bit of reviewing multiplication and division from last year. 

Field Trip:  We have an upcoming field trip to Petra Cliffs Climbing Center. We are working on finalizing the details for this trip (tentatively scheduled for Thursday, 10/6), so please be on the look out for information soon! We will be participating in team building games, climbing, and the high ropes course.  All of the climbing activities are “challenge by choice” so students can decide their comfort level with the activities. Scholarships are available if needed (see “Financial Assistance Available” info below). 

Band:  Our 5^th grade students are very excited about learning to play a new instrument.  Students have their lesson one day a week.  In addition, they practice as a full group during music on Mondays and full band on Fridays. Students need to bring their instruments to school those days.  We have emphasized to students that being in band is a commitment and they need to practice.  Please make sure your child’s name is on their instrument case. 

After School Plans:  Please send in a note with any dismissal changes. We know that many students are involved in after school sports and sometimes the practices or games are cancelled. It would be helpful for students and staff if your child has a standing backup plan for cancellations.  We understand that this isn’t always possible but it would eliminate some of the stress some students feel when plans need to be changed.  Also, we request that any after school play dates be arranged prior to the start of the school day. We generally don’t allow students to make phone calls home during the school day to arrange play dates.  All of this is to ensure student safety and that there is no confusion about where students are going at the end of the day.

We are looking forward to a great year. Please be sure to contact your child’s support room teacher with any questions and/or concerns.

Thanks,

Katie and Dave

***Financial Assistance Available***

Just as a reminder - at Charlotte Central School, School Counselors Kathy Batty and Vicki Nelson are the point people for families in need of financial assistance.

Needs-based financial assistance is provided for field trips and backpacks/school supplies.  Also, families can obtain vouchers for school pictures and new sneakers.  During the holidays, local agencies help provide holiday gifts to CCS students.  For those who wish to volunteer in classrooms, CCS has funds available to cover finger-printing as part of the CSSU background checks.

If you are in need of any of these supports, please feel free to contact, Kathy Batty:    kbatty@cssu.org   or   425-6657     Tuesdays - Fridays

First Newsflash!

Dear Families,

What an action-packed first few weeks we have had! The students have done an amazing job mastering their schedules, and helping their peers when needed. We have been impressed with the kindness many have shown towards each other during these first few weeks. The students are learning new routines and getting used to their new teachers. It is a big transition for everyone, and so far it is going very well!

Each day students are filling out their planner which we have provided.  It is important that students use the planner as an organizational tool and develop positive habits. This year, we are using the planner for discussion and goal setting topics at home. Your child should be sharing their learning with you.

Below is some important information for all of our families. As always, please contact your child’s support room teacher with any questions and/or concerns.

Language Arts:  Students have been doing a lot of writing since our first day!  They have already completed several short pieces of writing. Our first writing process piece is a personal narrative where we are writing true stories from our lives.  These are now publish in our Alpha team hallway! 

          Also, students have been writing reading responses in their literacy notebooks about The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba and Brian Mealer. Here's an image of what we have learned about William so far. Your child has been working on finding evidence from the text to support their understanding of William.

Math:  As many of you may have heard when your child came home talking about math during the first two weeks of school, our start of the year in math was focused on the Habits of Mind and Habits of Interaction that mathematicians use.  Specifically, we talked about what learning in math will be like, and how successful mathematicians think.  I could go on and on about how powerful these messages are, but instead I suggest you ask your child to tell you more about any of the following to find out how he/she connected with them:

·         Everyone can do really well in math.

·         The more you struggle, the more your brain grows.

·         You brain grows when you make a mistake and then go back and think about that mistake.

·          “Brain Crossing” (combining visuals with symbols/numbers) allows us to think most powerfully about math.

·         Successful Mathematicians:

o   Think deeply and look for how things relate to each other.

o   Try seemingly wild ideas.

o   Feel comfortable being wrong.

o   Are open to different experiences.

o   Keep going through difficulties.

o   Play with ideas without judging them first.

o   Are willing to go against traditional ideas.

Also, we all watched this very cool TED talk by Jo Boaler, and even looked at the pattern she describes in the video.  We highly recommend that you watch the video, and if you can watch it with your child even better! Jo Boaler TEDx Talk

This week we started our first unit of Bridges and during this unit our focus will be on the connections between expressions (4X2X3), equations (4X2X3 = 24) and volume.  This unit also does a bit of reviewing multiplication and division from last year. 

Field Trip:  We have an upcoming field trip to Petra Cliffs Climbing Center. We are working on finalizing the details for this trip (tentatively scheduled for Thursday, 10/6), so please be on the look out for information soon! We will be participating in team building games, climbing, and the high ropes course.  All of the climbing activities are “challenge by choice” so students can decide their comfort level with the activities. Scholarships are available if needed (see “Financial Assistance Available” info below). 

Band:  Our 5^th grade students are very excited about learning to play a new instrument.  Students have their lesson one day a week.  In addition, they practice as a full group during music on Mondays and full band on Fridays. Students need to bring their instruments to school those days.  We have emphasized to students that being in band is a commitment and they need to practice.  Please make sure your child’s name is on their instrument case. 

After School Plans:  Please send in a note with any dismissal changes. We know that many students are involved in after school sports and sometimes the practices or games are cancelled. It would be helpful for students and staff if your child has a standing backup plan for cancellations.  We understand that this isn’t always possible but it would eliminate some of the stress some students feel when plans need to be changed.  Also, we request that any after school play dates be arranged prior to the start of the school day. We generally don’t allow students to make phone calls home during the school day to arrange play dates.  All of this is to ensure student safety and that there is no confusion about where students are going at the end of the day.

We are looking forward to a great year. Please be sure to contact your child’s support room teacher with any questions and/or concerns.

Thanks,

Katie and Dave

***Financial Assistance Available***

Just as a reminder - at Charlotte Central School, School Counselors Kathy Batty and Vicki Nelson are the point people for families in need of financial assistance.

Needs-based financial assistance is provided for field trips and backpacks/school supplies.  Also, families can obtain vouchers for school pictures and new sneakers.  During the holidays, local agencies help provide holiday gifts to CCS students.  For those who wish to volunteer in classrooms, CCS has funds available to cover finger-printing as part of the CSSU background checks.

If you are in need of any of these supports, please feel free to contact, Kathy Batty:    kbatty@cssu.org   or   425-6657     Tuesdays - Fridays