News of the Moment

Posted on February 20, 2012 by Lana

Do you like animals? Do you like doing fun, animal-themed activities? Do you like munching on popcorn while watching animal movies and thinking about how much you like animals? If the answer to these questions is yes, you should come to Animal Rescue’s Elementary School Fun Night!

You’ll be divided up by grade level (grades 1-3, grades 4-5) and even if you’ve seen the movie before, we also have fun activities, snacks, HS students arranged to talk with you about our club, and buses to bring you home. So make sure to bring your friends on Friday, March 23rd! We aren’t charging admission but suggest a 50RMB donation, with all money going to Jaiya’s Animal Rescue. Permission forms will be coming around on February 21st and 22nd; you have until Feb 29th to turn them in to your teacher, along with your donation. Don’t miss out!

Invention Convention Update

Parents, in class today we looked at past 5KP Invention Convention Presentations to give our students a better idea of the end product they are expected to create. Please take 5 minutes to read Mrs Rekate’s blog post, where she gives more details, showcases several former students, and hopefully puts your mind at ease over this project. The main message is:

We are more interested in process than end result!

Writing and Reading

In our Writing and Reading Workshop lessons, students are learning about various inventors, and writing their Research Paper on a particular invention or inventor they are interested in. This paper will be due by Wednesday the 29th of February as we will then display it, along with your child’s invention or research project, on Friday March 2nd.

Friday March 2nd: You’re invited!

Please plan on being here at school between 8.00 and 9.30 that morning. Activities will begin shortly after 8 am with all students showing off their work at their desks and in the 5th grade project area. We will then move over to the Library Lecture Hall by the Main Cafeteria at about 8.45 to have our New Inventors Show with special guest judges. The main winner of the New Inventors Show will win a one year family pass to the Science and Technology Museum in Pudong; you won’t want to miss this thrilling showcase from the ‘best of the best’.

Math

We reviewed the Unit 7 math test today; things were not as bad as they seemed last Friday (apologies for anxiety caused, I had a substitute teacher mark the test which did result in some confusion). This test was actually a more difficult test for many of the students however so far the class average is 88% which is pretty impressive. Well done to Erika for earning her 3rd perfect score this year and a big congratulations to the following students who showed improvement between Unit 6 and Unit 7; Michelle, Taeyun, Pepo, Joon Soo, Aavia and Alex A; especially considering this was an intense unit.

We begin our next unit on Fractions and Ratios tomorrow. Students will benefit from working on the IXL site, in particular on the ‘L’ and ‘V’ sections.

Check out the Unit 8 Family Letter

Animal Rescue

Smart Students make Smart Goals

Posted on February 13, 2012 by Lana

Hi Parents

We had a great lesson just now on our Invention Convention Project. Most of the students have made a good start to either their research paper or their research project over the last ten days; however with only 16 days until these items are officially due, it is time for them to create a ‘plan of attack’ and so that is what they did this morning.

We discussed S.M.A.R.T. goals as a class and then wrote up our own goals, using SMART goals as our guideline. We also talked honestly about the other expectations that impact their daily lives and will get in the way of them achieving their best results on the project and paper. Many of our students are extremely busy in their out of school time, some with as many as three activities a night; it is unrealistic to expect them to do project work on these nights when there seems barely enough time to eat a meal with their family so we took nights like this, as well as sleep-overs, birthday parties, family events etc into account in our plans.

Tonight, please look at your child’s science notebook and please read their Invention Convention plan through with them if you have time. I believe that them knowing that we are both focused on them following this plan over the next two weeks, will help your child to stay on track and not be rushed our stressed leaving things ’til the last minute.

Don’t forget to save the date! We want YOU in our project area at 8.10 am on Friday March 2nd to share in our success as we have our Invention Convention presentation.

Below is a video from Youtube on smart goals, I apologize in advance, that it will only work in China if you have a VPN.

Happy Tuesday

Posted on February 7, 2012 by Lana

Monday, February 13 6:30 – 7:30 PM

Raising Cyber Citizens

Parent Evening – Radisson Thumb Plaza, Pudong

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

News of the Moment

Posted on June 1, 2010 by Lana

Thank You to Ms. Yick for posting these guiding questions that we are going to use to review the Invention Process and our successes and frustrations as inventors. Please copy the questions below and paste them onto your Invention Convention Page of your blog and then answer each one in detail under the question it is referring to.
INVENTION CONVENTION REVIEW

1. What is the problem you are trying to solve?

2.How did you come up with the inspiration for your invention?

3.What does your invention do?

4.How does it work?

5.What materials did you use?

6.What existing product/system did you SCAMPER from?

7.How is your invention better than the existing one?

8.How much does your invention cost?

9.How did you decide to sell it for this price?

10.What did you try that didn’t really work?

11.How did you solve for this in your final invention?

12. Why should people buy your invention?

13.What possible problems could there be with your invention?

14.What improvements could be made?

Now write a paragraph summing up the whole experience including your favourite parts, frustrating parts and your level of success. Then make sure your video of your presentation is posted on this page and you are done! Well done 5KP!

In other news…

Our Memoir Publishing Party has been put back until Thursday due to student absences and other commitments making this a very busy week. If you would like to send in any treats, please do so today or tomorrow so that we are ready to celebrate the amazing work the students have created. Already I have really enjoyed reading the very different Memoirs of Matthew, Emma, Miranda, Nicole and Nick so please take the time to not only look at your child’s writing but also that of their classmates

Tomorrow on June 2nd we have a presentation at 10:30 from Dr. Bristol, an Attending Pediatrician, as well as the Chief Medical Officer from Shanghai United Family Hospital. The title of the presentation is “My Mind and Body are Changing: What Gives?”
Some of the topics Dr. Bristol will talk about include:
– Normal adolescent growth and development, including physical changes
– Normal weight and height ranges for teens.
– Acne and other rashes
– Internet safety
– How to avoid risky behaviors
– Way to deal with peer pressure
– Career planning for the adolescent

Events this Week:
7th Grade China Alive Photography Show
May 31 – June 4 – 11:00-1:30
1) Winning photos from 10 categories, enlarged, framed and available in a silent auction. Bidding begins at 11:00 May 31 and ends Jun 4 at 1:30.
2) 4 x 6 photos available from each 7th grade student for 50RMB
3) Special sale times also during the Music concerts on Jun 1 & 2 from 5:30-6:30 in the auditorium
4) Proceeds go to projects in Lijiang, China – Zhangfei Primary school and The Nature Conservancy

We look forward to seeing you on Friday as we celebrate your child’s achievements at our Moving Up Ceremony.

Later that day the elementary school will have its Summer Sizzler (field day). This is an exciting event where students will participate in many fun games and activities. There will be a mix of team relays, individual track and field events, and fun activities that might involve water. If you want to come along as a parent and watch and cheer you are of course welcome to join us. The Lower Elementary (grades pre-k to 2) will be starting at 8:30 on the elementary playground and the Upper Elementary (grades 3 to 5) will start at 12:35 on the field beside the track. The Grade 5 tug of war will be from around 11.45 to 12 pm with lunch to follow until 12.30. Make sure your child has with them a change of clothes, plenty to drink, sunscreen and a hat

News of the Moment

Posted on May 27, 2010 by Lana

Math

The final math assessment is coming tomorrow on Probability, Ratios and Rates. Make sure you take home all your materials to study this week. Remember, if you need to practice any of the skills below, take a look at your Skills Link practice booklet.

The following skills will be assessed in Unit 12:

*understand and use tree diagrams to solve problems

*compute the probability of outcomes when choices are equally likely

*use the multiplication counting principle to find the total number of possible outcomes for a sequence of choices

*find the greatest common factor of two numbers

*find the least common multiple of two numbers

*solve ration and rate number stories

*find the factors of numbers

*find the prime factorizations of numbers

Memoirs

The class have been making greater headway drafting their Memoirs since they were given access to the lap-tops to use. For the last two lessons we have worked on generating a great deal of writing so that the students can look back, re-read their material and ask “what am I trying to say here?” One example they have been given to encourage them to write meaningfully is to imagine this piece of writing was found the day after they passed away, what would it say about them? Would it be the sort of piece they would want representing them after they were gone? Would it be an accurate portrayal of their memories? We will celebrate with our publishing party next Monday, the expectation is that all students will have published their Memoir to their blog by the time we begin celebrating straight after P.E. at 11.40 a.m. We will be bringing our lunch upstairs from the cafeteria (or home lunch) and we will eat together in our classroom and watch a movie instead of eating in the cafeteria that day. The students have also been asked to bring in some popcorn/soda/cookies/chips to share after lunch. If you have any questions about what your child might bring to class just e mail me; I will be discussing it with them but I know sometimes the message might not always make it home and I don’t want parents to have to go to a lot of trouble for the party. As a working mother, I know how busy life is so I am hoping the students will try and take on some of the responsibility themselves.

Invention Convention Unit

It has been great to watch the class at work trying new things lately for the Invention Convention Unit. We have had several small presentations in class where the students have presented their ideas to others and received constructive feedback. We have all learned about how hard it is to make something original or even to adapt what is already in place. We will be filming our presentations during next week at school and uploading them to our blogs. Well done 5KP for being so courageous and enthusiastic with this unit.

Puberty

Dear Parents,

The Grade 5 students will soon begin their adolescence unit. We have invited Dr. Bristol to speak with all Grade 5 students on June 2^nd. Dr. Bristol is an Attending Pediatrician as well as the Chief Medical Officer from Shanghai United Family Hospital. The title of the presentation is “My Mind and Body are Changing: What Gives?” Some of the topics Dr. Bristol will talk about include:

– Normal adolescent growth and development, including physical changes

– Normal weight and height ranges for teens

– Acne and other rashes

– Internet safety

– How to avoid risky behaviors

– Ways to deal with peer pressure

– Career planning for the adolescent

This is a great opportunity for our students. If you have further questions or concerns, please contact me.

Regards,

Sharon Pantoja

School Nurse

Email: Sharon.pantoja@saschina.org

Tel no: 6221 – 1445 ext 3309

Invention Convention Homework for the Weekend

Posted on May 21, 2010 by Lana

I usually don’t set weekend homework and so if you have other plans that make this weekend very busy, I understand your child not being able to complete the work. However it is in their best interests if they at least think about the following over the next few days. It would be a great idea for the students to complete the information below and post to the Invention Convention page of their blog. Here is a great site to explain more about the SCAMPER process.

SCAMPER ASSESSMENT SHEET

Use the SCAMPER technique to REFINE your INVENTION and answer the following criteria on your blog.

MY PROPOSED INVENTION IS:

Substitute: What else can it do? How can I change it to do more? What other tools can I use to make my invention more efficient?

Combine: How can I combine other inventions of a different type together in new and interesting ways (for example combining a puzzle game with an adventure game?)

Adapt: What else is ‘out there’ that is already like this? What could I copy and add to it? How can I change it?

Minify/Magnify: How can I create a longer or smaller version of my invention? How can I simplify it or make the invention more challenging/diverse/user friendly?

Put to other uses: How can I re-purpose my invention to make it more marketable?

Eliminate: Is there anything I need to take away from my invention? Are some aspects of it too complicated or unnecessary?

Rearrange: Are there any other components (parts) of my invention that I need to interchange (swap) with existing components? Is there a way of rearranging my invention so that it is a better product?

Now look over your answers and develop a plan of action; there is no point in knowing how to improve your invention if you don’t get to it and do something about it.

Have a great weekend 5KP and stay focused and positive for the next 13.5 school days of your Elementary Career

What’s Happening in 5KP?

Posted on May 10, 2010 by Lana

Grade 5 – Upcoming Dates and Curriculum

Weds. May 12 – Soccer Day – Please bring a packed lunch, a hat, a water bottle, sunscreen and remember, no cleats. Our team is Pudong Team One and we are playing 5 out of 6 games between 10.00 am and 1.30 pm on the soccer fields by the high school; you are welcome to join us.

Here is the schedule for the day’s play.

5th Grade Elementary Soccer Days May12th

Here is the list of positions the students will be taking on for the day.

5KP SOCCER DAY Day 2A GAME SHEETS

Monday, May 17 – Band Bonanza – Band student go to Puxi campus and String students stay on the Pudong campus. If you have questions, please direct them to Ms. Dentor at joy.denton@saschina.org or Ms. Hu. at linda.hu@saschina.org
Please help me remind all the band and string students that for the Bonanza concert, they need to wear:

Nice white top
Black pants/skirt, black socks and black shoes.

Weds. May 19 – MS transition day – 8:10-9:30

Science Unit – ‘Inventions are all around us’ for our Invention Convention Phase Two: Students will engage in several activities in class and at home as they build up their knowledge of the invention process to participate in creating their own invention or modification of something already in existence.

Homework Tonight or tomorrow night you need to do a blog entry on your Invention Convention Page where you write a 300 word summary of your favorite ‘New Inventor’ invention so far. Include some of the things we have discussed in class or written about on our response sheets such as usefulness and price if you remember them. Try and include a picture of it and/or a link to the New Inventor site. Check out the New Inventor site while you are there, it has some great ideas and is on ABC television in Australia.

Math – Having recently completed Unit 10, we have 2 units of study remaining. Unit 11 = Volume, Unit 12 = Probability, Ratios, and Rates. Unit 11 is a short but important unit and so far the students are making steady progress but I continue to encourage them that revision should be done every night; not just the evening before a unit test.

Writer’s Workshop – Memoir: The Art of Writing Well

Reader’s Workshop – Inventor Book Clubs and Reader’s Theater

From the PTSA

The Eagle Shop-A Great Opportunity for You: Do you like to meet new people? Do you enjoy seeing your kids at school? If so then volunteeing at the Eagle Shop is the perfect place for you! Shop discounts given to those who vonunteer. Please come to the shop or contact Hina Haris at eagleshopPD@saschina.org The Eagle Shop-A Great place to buy your last minute end of the year gifts! Still looking for that perfect gift before leaving for the summer? The Eagle Shop has great gift items for everyone! School Pennants, Key Chains, Sweatshirts, T-shirts, Sweatpants and more. New sale item-Stadium Blanket just reduced to 200rmb while stocks last.

Finally…. something for all of you who go “Oooooooooh, how cute” when you see something like this…

How many of these have YOU seen 5KP?

Posted on April 27, 2010 by Lana

Hi 5KP, I missed you today as I worked hard to build an elementary schedule for next year that you won’t be around to enjoy… sob sob! I heard from Mr. B that you had a productive day and enjoyed working together on Lego, Reader’s Theater and Math.

Some dates to note for the next week are:

5 day holiday coming up!

and did I mention

5 day holiday coming up!

I will set some tasks to complete on the blog and you can spend some time reading checking those out and also studying for your math test…

What was that? Did I just say math test? Yes my dears, it will be held on Wednesday and you will do well if you concentrate on the remaining lessons this week and spend some time revising your journal and study links over the May Holiday.

The following concepts and skills will be assessed:

*solve two-step pan-balance problems
*write algebraic expressions to represent situations
*represent rate problems as formulas, tables and graphs
*use formulas to find circumference and area of a circle
*distinguish between circumference and area of a circle
*solve one-step pan-balance problems
*interpret mystery line plots and graphs

Community Yard Sale Coming Up

This is a greeting from the HS Roots & Shoots and Children’s Home Club. As you might have heard, the 3rd annual yard sale will take place soon, and we are so excited! On Friday May 7 from 9:00-3:00, a variety of items will be sold on the second floor of the HS cafeteria. This event is open to all members of the SAS community: guards, cleaners, cafeteria staff, bus monitors, parents, students and teachers. Come to find some bargains!

As in the past, gently used items will be collected for the yard sale: clothes, shoes, electronics, small appliances, books, toys. For furniture or other items too large to bring to school, we can post a photo. This year, we hope that everybody once again will search through their homes and bring donations to school. It is a perfect time for spring cleaning! Donations will be collected in the hallway outside the elementary, middle and high school offices. Look for the “Yard Sale Donation” sign. Donations will be collected until Thursday, May 6.

For the past two years, the proceeds from the Yard Sale have paid for the salary of a teacher at the Lao Wang Orphanage in Anhui who offers lessons to disabled children who are unable to attend the local school. The children in this orphanage count on the support of the SAS community.

For questions, please contact grade 11 student Andrea Ivarsson <andrea_ivarsson@hotmail.com>

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/55iWri/www.hillmanwonders.com/ is a link to a fun site I stumbled upon this week and I think you would have fun checking out a few of the links of places you have been to and also making some plans about what you would like to see that you have not seen already. A task for you to blog about over the following weekend could be:

Task One: Add the link above to your own blog and tell the world about the places you have been. Choose three more (at least) of the places listed and post them to your blog; write (minimum of a paragraph) about why you want to go to each one and if you think you will get there one day.

Task Two: We are about to begin Phase Two of the Invention Convention where you will be taking a closer look at the Invention Process and challenging yourself to take on your own small invention experience. Over the May Holiday I would like you to start a new page on your blog titled Invention Convention and begin finding suitable websites that might aid you and your classmates in the invention process. Link to them on your new blog page; aim for at least 5 sites and boys and girls, we are going for quality NOT quantity!

Here is an example of the sort of site you might link to however I am sure you will agree, you are smarter than this, aim for something more appropriate for your age group. If you want something to really sink your teeth into; start exploring this little treasure!

News of the Moment

Posted on April 6, 2010 by Lana

Hello

I hope you enjoyed the long weekend; I used it to recover from a sinus infection; thanks to the wonderful behavior of 5KP last week in my absence; they made it a pleasure to return today.

Tomorrow the class will start and finish their D.R.A. tests (Developmental Reading Assessments); nearly all of the students have done the test or something similar before and it should be a good indicator of some of their strengths and weaknesses in both writing and reading.

We will have our Unit 9 Math Test on Monday the 12th of April.Although we will be ready for it sooner, I would like to give the students more time with revision so they should be working on different skills through this week after each math lesson we have in class. The students will need to know the following to do well on the Unit 9 test:

$Math Review Unit 9$

The ERB tests will also take place during this week and we are preparing for them in class each day this week. Following is a rubric that I have shared with the students; it might be useful for you to see it too. ERB RUBRIC

I have not heard back from many parents regarding conferences this Thursday and Friday. Here is the PT conference schedule; while it is not compulsory for you to attend, I would like to know if that is the case in advance so I can change other appointment times if necessary. Please e mail me if you have not already.

Science Class is going really well, the students are making great leaps and bounds as they go through the Lego Kit and in a few weeks we will begin the next phase of our Invention Convention Unit.

Here are some other news items that may interest you, enjoy the rest of your week.

Shanghai Book Traders BOOK FAIR

When: Wednesday-Friday, April 7th-9th,

Time: During school hours, closing early on Friday 2 p.m.

Pudong Middle School Proudly Presents…
Once Upon A Mattress
Thurs, April 22 @5:00pm
Fri, April 23 @3:30pm
Tickets 30 rmb
Sat, April 24 @11:00am
Tickets 50 rmb (this includes a barbecue lunch after the show)

Tickets go on sale beginning this Thursday and Friday 11-4pm outside of the cafeteria. Tickets also available in the Middle School Office or by e-mail edith.cai@saschina.org

This musical is based on the classic fairy tale “The Princess and the Pea” with some clever twists of course. Over 60 middle school students are involved in the show, so you won’t want to miss this musical production! Each performance begins with a medieval lobby experience including wandering minstrels, princess costumes, and photo-stations all to help you get in the medieval mood of castles, princesses, and knights in shining armor.

Saturday the 24th of April is Super Saturday! The day begins with a the MS musical production and then is followed by a barbecue and family track events. There will be running events like the 100, 400, 800, 1600 and 100 hurdles. Parents can join in the fun too. We will have a 4X100 relay and 100 meter dash for mom and dad!!

Students, some blogging homework for you… Here are some inspiration photos for you to enjoy the beginning of Spring…. I know it is here somewhere! Please choose which photo you like the best and number it in your heading (there are 27 in all) and in 200 words (or so) on your blog, tell me why you like that one and why it means ‘Spring’ to you… It can be written in any genre you choose, descriptive, narrative, even a poem…

Signs of Spring

the barefoot librarian

Kimbra Power

Category Archives: Invention Convention

News of the Moment

Smart Students make Smart Goals

Happy Tuesday

Hi Families

Events for your diary…

News of the Moment

News of the Moment

Invention Convention Homework for the Weekend

What’s Happening in 5KP?

How many of these have YOU seen 5KP?

News of the Moment