As is tradition at TASOK, on the last day of school for seniors, we gather together, lining the main walkway, to help usher our graduates into the world beyond our walls. With whistles and recorders and noise makers of all sorts, our entire community celebrates with raucous revelry. While it is not exactly music to one’s ears, this moment in the life of a TASOK condor is both memorable and meaningful.
To start off week 36, we took a moment to reflect on our learning journey at our student-led conferences. Together with our parents, we thought about how we have transformed as a scholar. Much of what was shared was purposefully incomplete. Throughout the year, there has been striving, stretching, and soaring, each a powerful part of a perpetual process. Rather than presenting our parents with a polished finished product, however, we invited them to reflect and revise with us. Process is powerful.
As we enter into these final two weeks of fourth grade, desiring to finish well, we also took time to set some goals that will help us begin fifth grade with strength and confidence.
Thank you to each parent who carved out some time today to listen and learn and love. Know your support of your scholar is beyond value!
Announcements
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Learner Profile Trait of the Month – REFLECTIVE
Today was busy from the beginning. We started by revising “I am” poems to write in our risk-taking bursts. It was powerful to revisit our big ideas related to risk-taking and resilience.
We then had a special time with our buddies. For those of us working with Mr. Matthew’s preschool 1 class, we took time to read a book by Nathalie Slosse entitled Big Tree Gets Sick. As we read, we were able to make connections to our buddies unit of tools, but we also saw connections to our unit on structure and our solar oven project. After reading the book, we took time to think about one of our preschool buddies, Lucas, who also happens to be a sibling of one of our scholars, Liam. Lucas has been very sick, and we wanted to send him something to let him know we are wishing him well and hoping for healing. Each member of the class wrote a note on a heart-shaped leaf to add to a “big tree” of encouragement.
Feel better soon, Lucas!
This afternoon, we took time to continue building our solar ovens and document the experiment process.
Some groups are getting quite close to completion. The question is, which cooker will harness the solar energy the best… and why?
Multiple Sources
Things continue to bustle next door as fifth graders complete their final preparations for their PYP Exhibition. Today, some mattresses arrived!
Donations for the shoes and clothing drive were gathered yesterday. After calculating the items, the coordinators revealed the data today and have set a new goal for their drive. They have extended the deadline until Friday, May 24 to help meet their new goal of 1,000 articles of clothing.
Despite the big pile of clothes collected in our classroom, we are currently running a bit behind in the challenge. At the moment, we are in third place. While our priority is to show caring and kindness, a cupcake party does sound like something worth working for.
While we worked hard on revising our writing and recording our experiment process, the highlight came at the end of the day when the second of two groups got to finish its breakout. Since the first group broke out yesterday, today students were tasked with observing. Teachers often venture into one another’s classrooms and observe to learn and provide feedback. As scholars, we did the same thing today.
After the second broke out, the two groups gathered together to debrief. Both groups were very reflective about their own team experience and had some incredible insights about the effectiveness and efficiency of leadership, teamwork, and task completion. Many students also highlighted various learner profile traits exhibited throughout the process. Communicators, thinkers, and risk-takers some a few traits mentioned during our discussion.
After Ms. Kraft teased us with a “box buzz” on Thursday,…
… we were ready for today!
BREAKOUT!
Due to MAP testing, we have gone three weeks without a visit, so we were ready to roam over to the library. Unlike our last sessions, though, today did not involve a read aloud nor a lesson on citations nor D.E.A.R. time. Today was time to put into practice ALL our problem solving, struggle, and structure skills as we battled… The Box for our first “Breakout.”
Upon entering the library, the two teams settled in on the carpet and were immediately tasked with selecting a team leader. Mohammad and Marylou were identified to lead the learners through the process of reading, rereading, ruminating, running, and revealing the keys and codes for the set of locks. While the first clue tested the teams tenacity, students quickly readjusted, as needed, and confidently and collaboratively continued to crack the code. One team managed to Breakout today, while the other will continue to battle the box tomorrow.
In debriefing with the Breakout team, they highlighted some important aspects of team dynamics, what made their team efficient and effective, and the importance of savoring one another’s skills. Very reflective!
Blog Bucket-Filler
This year, the blog has been prioritized as a place to stay informed about events and weekly expectations, highlight happenings in our classroom, share our reflections, extend our thinking with a variety of resources, and scaffold learning. Last week, Kathleen Morris of Edublogs, reached out regarding our blog and requested to feature it in this week’s edition of “13 Examples of Great Class Blogs.” How exciting! Check us out at #6 this week… and be sure to explore the other blogs listed.
*Note: As I was checking out last week’s list of GREAT blogs, I saw a fun feature on Ann Michaelsen’s “Connected Teaching and Learning” blog and decided to add it to our sidebar. Can you find this new feature?
Announcements
Coming Soon
Learner Profile Trait of the Month – REFLECTIVE
Again this morning, the room was bustling with bucket-filling as students bearing boxes filled with outgrown clothes eagerly unloaded.
While the competitive nature of the clothing drive definitely is a factor, kindness and caring are the driving forces.
Quote of the Day: “I’m not giving my clothes so we can win, I’m giving to help.” – Kahara H.
In addition to the excitement inside our class, there was a lot of excitement outside our classroom, as our neighbors next door were busy preparing their presentations of their Fifth Grade PYP Exhibition, which will be on May 27.
One group ventured inside to share with us their project about composting. After providing some information about the purpose and process of composting, the team of three asked for volunteers who will support the sustainability of their project. Prior to asking for volunteers, the team identified a list of qualities they were looking for in the soon-to-be-fifth-grade volunteers, including:
In true scholarly fashion, a large number of students stepped forward. Now we wait to see who will be selected to help sustain composting at TASOK.
Multiple Sources
In less than 24 hours, something quite serious has spread throughout our classroom. Student after student has contracted an incredibly contagious condition… caring! After being exposed to an expressed need by only a few fifth grade students, fourth grade scholars have come down an extreme case of excitement. With feverish fervor, they have combed through their closets and scoured their shelves, searching for some garments to share. Early this morning, students bounded from their beds, and, bearing bags and boxes, braved the traffic to bestow their belongings to someone who needed them more. As other students started to arrive, they approached the already amazing amount of attire with awe.
When the fifth grade students came to take the temperature of the task, they were shocked and speechless… off-the-charts.
The germs of generosity are alive and well in fourth grade. May they continue to spread in support of Stand Proud!
As part of their Fifth Grade PYP Exhibition related to the central idea of sustainability, two groups of students have opted to organize projects in response to their trip to Stand Proud, an organization that helps survivors of polio and youth with other disabilities.
Pool Party
One group is organizing a fundraising pool party to help Stand Proud purchase water filters.
After surveying possible attendees (students in grades 3-5), the student organizers decided on this Wednesday, May 15 from 1:30-3:30 p.m. The cost of the event is $7.00 (Note: A discounted price of $5.00 is available for those who bring food donations to share).
Students must have a signed permission slip in order to attend.
Note: The event will have adult supervision.
Shoe and Clothing Drive
Another group of students is organizing a shoe and clothing drive, also to support Stand Proud.
The clothing drive will run from Tuesday, May 14 through Monday, May 20. The student organizers are inviting students and other members of the TASOK community to donate old shoes and clothes that are still in good condition.
Note: Students have specified that clothing donations must be thoroughly washed.
Multiple Sources
To learn more about polio, check out the following links:
STRUCTURE Challenge
As you reflect on this post, the fifth graders’ projects, and polio… what kinds of connections can you make to our unit on STRUCTURE?
What role does STRUCTURE play in organizing these events?
What types of STRUCTURE cause or are affected by polio?
What STRUCTURES have been established worldwide to help prevent polio?