Hi Families

With 8 weeks until Spring Break begins, we have a lovely stretch of class time broken up into the month of February and March. During February, a big focus for 5th grade is the Invention Convention which we are studying in Writer’s Workshop, Reader’s Workshop and Social Studies. In our writing time we are learning to write a solid research paper; during reading we are looking at biographies and have also been dabbling in Reader’s Theater which was a lot of fun. During our Social Studies time we are learning about what makes an invention an invention, that inventions are all around us, what the acronym S.C.A.M.P.E.R means and what some of the most important inventions have meant to our world. We are also learning how to be better researches and that ‘googling’ is not the answer to everything; therefore we’ve utilized our online databases this week and I encourage you to check them out as your child will be becoming more and more familiar with them as they continue their schooling.

Invention Convention Clarifications

1. Every child will be writing a Research Paper on and inventor or invention of their choice using the 5 paragraph essay format. Research skills and paragraph writing are being taught and modeled in class, resources are available through our classroom and school libraries as well as the above mentioned databases. Students are not to just ‘google’ for this project. Of course there are some excellent websites out there, one we looked at today is very useful, but we don’t want our students thinking that the internet is the only place to find information.

2. Students are given 3 options for their major Invention Convention project:

*Create/Adapt (an existing) invention using the design process discussed in class, S.C.A.M.P.E.R. guidelines, diagrams, sketches, prototypes etc and be prepared to present it to the class no later than March 1st.
*Complete a research project based on and inventor (not the same one you did your research paper on). This paper should be in depth, including a time line of the inventor’s life, illustrations and/or pictures or the inventor, facts about the person etc.
*Complete a research project based on an invention (not the same one you did your research paper on). This paper should be in depth, including a time line of the invention and how it has changed over it’s ‘life’, the impact it has had on people, illustrations and/or pictures or the invention, facts about the invention including cost, distribution etc.

Only the students who choose the first option are eligible to participate in our “New Inventors Show” in the Project Area on Friday March 2nd. This Show is modeled from the Australian TV Series “The New Inventors” and we are watching several portions of the show in class, ask your child about it. In the past, everyone has had to invent something new, and some students (and parents) have found it very difficult, time consuming and stressful. The added two options are hopefully going to alleviate some of that stress. Students can still have a wonderful and successful experience, learning all about inventors and inventions in class, and still score brilliantly, without creating their own invention. All of the 5th graders projects and research papers will be on display on the morning of Friday March 2nd and we encourage you to mark this date as we would love you to join us here at school, more details to follow.

P.S. If your child could bring a set of headphones to school it would be useful during class time right now.

Math

We are progressing well on our Unit 7 studies in Math and will have our end of unit test on Wednesday the 15th. I am encouraging the students to review their work every single night, rather than waiting until next Tuesday.

Events for your diary…

Treat Day IS this Thursday, send in some cash if you’d like your child to buy a treat.

Monday, February 13 6:30 – 7:30 PM

Raising Cyber CitizensParent Evening – Radisson Thumb Plaza, Pudong

Wednesday, February 29, 10:00-11:00 a.m.

Parent Coffee Hour with Dr. Yong Zhao

Location: Pudong, Library Lecture Hall

Wednesday, February 29, 11:00am-12:00pm Location: Pudong, Library Lecture Hall

The Balance Between Homework and Play: A Presentation for Middle and Elementary School Parents

An Evening with Dr. Yong Zhao (English Presentation)

Location: Kerry Hotel, Pudong Ballroom 1388 Hua Mu Road

Valentines Day is Tuesday February 14th and we want everyone to wear RED! We also want every child to donate a minimum of 10 rmb, giving the money to their teacher on the day, as we’d love to raise enough money for two children who need heart operations. We weill be donating our money to Heart to Heart Shanghai .As my own foster-child has recently had heart surgery that was paid for through the generosity of others, I feel this is a cause close to my own (pardon any pun) heart! So please, dig deep, buy a heart bear for 200 rmb if you want to give even more (see flyer below), and wear red to school (it also happens to be my favourite/favorite colour/color, go Pumas!!!

Important Information:

• Treat Day – Thursday, February 9^th
• Wear Red Day – Tuesday, February 14^th
• Unit 7 Math Assessment – Wednesday, February 15^th
• Assembly on Digital Literacy for fifth graders – Wednesday, February 15^th
• Invention Convention project and research essay due – Thursday, March 1^st
• Invention Convention Science Show (for parents to attend) – Friday, March 2^nd
• ^{May Day Holiday -Friday April 30th-Monday May 1st}
• Band and Orchestra concert – Friday, May 11^th
• All Day Field trip to Jinshan Peasant Painting Village – Friday, May 18^th