Wow, that last long post must have worn me out as it has been days between posts… It has also been incredibly busy and satisfying here at school lately with the authors and now Love of Reading Week almost over. With the class absorbed in their reading right now, I thought I would try and update you on a few things…

We have finished the second trimester and started the final trimester this week. Reports come home tomorrow and I will be e-mailing you the schedule for parent/teacher conferences shortly as they will be held on Thursday the 8th and Friday the 9th of April. These days are both half days for the students.There will be buses available from and to the Jinqiao area so e mail me if you need to see these timetables.

Math We are working on Unit 9 which is regarding area and volume, an important unit for the class to master. So far so good with four lessons underway. It is important for all students to revise each night over the concepts learned that very day in class, that way they can see me the following morning as soon as possible if there is something they do not understand. I am encouraging them to keep their study links to review at the end of the unit as these generally closely relate to the areas tested.

Language Arts Immediately after Spring Break we will be looking at Inventors in our reader’s workshop lessons. This will be taught through the use of book clubs and literature circles which many of the students are familiar with. This will complement the work we are doing in our Science Unit. In writer’s workshop we will focus on descriptive writing for the first two weeks back in preparation for the ERB tests that will be held in the second week of April. See ERB Letter for details. After that we will focus on the students writing a memoir piece to follow up on the success of the read aloud we recently enjoyed, ‘Small Steps’.

Science In our trimester three Science unit the class will love building with our fantastic Lego kits before they start our Invention Convention unit.

Social Studies We are finishing up our Social Studies unit on Current Events right now and the students have had a great time putting together two different newspapers in the class that will soon be out on display. Well done 5KP.

ASA booklets for the 3rd and final round of ASA’s are coming home today. Please return them no later than April 1st.

Thank You to the parents who have volunteered for our Art Field Trip tomorrow. Thank You to Diane for your organization of this.

Following is an opportunity for any children that see themselves as film makers… It is a great site to check out even if you don’t enter the festival as there are many great films that have been made by others in the past.

Shanghai Student Film Festival
The 2010 Shanghai Student Film Festival is a now accepting submissions for students in grades 3-12.  This year, the event will be held on APRIL 23RD at Shanghai Community International School’s Hongqaio Campus, from 6:30 PM until 9:00 PM. Deadline for entry for digital copies into the festival is April 12th! Trophies will be awarded to the best Narrative / Documentary / Public Service Announcement / Video Art / Music Video.  You can find information on the submission process at our website:  http://www.shanghaifilmfest.org/blog

Thanks Students for your great involvement in Love of Reading Week as well as our Winter Walkabout. Well done 5KP for showing your great team spirit and also as always, your excellent ‘buddy’ skills with our Kinder kids. Enjoy how good you look each day as you work so hard…

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Have a safe and happy week long holiday parents and students and I look forward to seeing the kids back here safe and sound on the 29th of March… don’t forget to pick me up a postcard if you go somewhere exciting.