Weekly Blurb - Feb 5

HUMANITIES

Students continued to study more about the roots of the American Revolution. We finished reading about how differences started to grow in the country, leading to infamous battles like the Boston Tea Party and Battles at Lexington and Concord. At this point, the stage is set for all out war.

In class, however, we are just beginning to get underway for a major debate between the Loyalists and the Patriots. Students this week learned the basic format of the Lincoln-Douglas debate style and are starting to build their arguments for their sides of whether America should go to war. Students had some practice building an opening argument, rebuttal and closing statement by debating topics such as “Should kids get to choose their bedtime” and “Should homework be assigned every night.” We should be ready to stage our debate of the American Revolution next week.

We’ve also continued to make progress in our book, My Brother Sam is Dead. We have learned that Sam is serving under Benedict Arnold, and given his notoriety in history, we can consider this an instance of dramatic irony. With Tim’s father missing, and Sam serving in the war, we are learning more about the hardships, brutality and dividing power of wars.

MATH
I’m happy to report that many students in the class did a great job on our quiz this week that tested our foundation skills for fractions. Great job! We’ve only begun our fraction unit by building equivalent fractions this week.

In our stock portfolios, the market continues to eat away at our value. Team CASH is in the lead with only $150.00 more in their coffers than they had at the beginning of our game.

SCIENCE
This week we finished out our unit on matter and energy. But the bigger news, of course, is the upcoming science fair. Students should be putting the finishing touches on their backboards this weekend. It has been a great process for the student’s to learn, and should help them as they move on to more formal school-wide or even regional science fairs in middle and high school. Please find an invitation to our Science Fair included in your child’s communication book. You’re welcome to view our class’ work from 12:45 to 2:00 p.m. on Friday, February 12th.

EXTRA! EXTRA!
Just a reminder that the students will be going to Elsa on Monday for “Transition Day.” The high school has a whole itinerary full of activities designed to give students a taste of middle school life.

JEWISH STUDIES - ENGLISH SPEAKERS
from Morah Epstein
The students are continuing their learning about the Eser Makot and the preparation for leaving Egypt. They have learned almost fifteen pasukim by hear and have shown good comprehension of the material in an oral review. Additionally, we will begin our study of Purim. Unbelievable, but there are only two weeks of school left before this joyous holiday. Emphasis will be on the main mitzvoth of the day, the story itself and the enjoyable customs related to Purim.

The students are also doing a unit on Believe in Yourself.

We are continuing our weekly quizzes which are written on Fridays. Also, the students have a reading log and are now to have finished five Jewish books in English or Hebrew for this part of the curriculum.

Thank you to all those parents who are learning the Daf Hashvui with their children!!

Please send in tzedaka for “Matanot L’evyonim”, the special charity collection to help those in need in Israel to also enjoy Purim. Many thanks and a Happy Purim to all.