Afghan Celebration

We finished "The Breadwinner" this week, which was about a girl living in Afghanistan at the time of the Taliban. After her father is imprisoned, the young girl has to pretend to be a boy to go to the marketpace and earn money for her family to live. The book gave us tremendous insight into Afghani culture and history, and lended for some wonderful discussions about persistence, bravery, honoring our families, etc. The girls really identified with Parvana, the main character.
To celebrate the end of the book, we shared a meal, simliar to how Parvana would have shared a meal with her family. We sat on the floor with pillows, listened to Afghan music, watched a slideshow of Afghan images, and dined on Afghani treats - hummus, cookies, date bars, dried apricots, and tea. As we ate, we had a book discussion. They drew cards that had questions asking them to predict what happened to the characters after the story ended. We had great fun! They are very insightful and thoughtful girls.

First Geography Projects This week!

     Students were given a choice of alternative assessments for the unit, in an effort to move towards a more project based learning model.  Instead of paper and pencil tests and quizzes always being the way we assess, I wanted students to have an opportunity to share their interests and what they have learned in new and engaging ways!  The first 4-5 girls shared their projects today in geography, and they did a great job!  We had a diorama of the Dead Sea (complete with a tourist - aka Polly Pocket - floating in it!), a model of a kibbutz, a newspaper article, and tasted a homemade Middle Eastern recipe of pita bread! 

Let Me Be Your Adult Squirrel

Hi Girls,
I saw this video and wanted to share it with you.  A friend of mine, an avid blogger (whom I follow religiously)  shared this video and I thought of you all - my little squirrels! I just need you to keep trying and never giving up!
:-) Ms. Cheston

Palestinian & Israeli Conflict

    The girls have been learning about the Palestinian and Israeli conflict.  They have read 'accounts' from both sides of the conflict, then were divided into two camps - Palestines and Israelis.  We had two groups in each camp.  They were given 30 minutes yesterday to prepare an argument why they should have the land from the perspectives they were assigned.  The assignment was very open-ended.  I told them they could present it in any way they saw fit.   Three groups designed PowerPoints.  One group rewrote the lyrics to "Why Can't We Be Friends" and sang it to the class!  So clever and so creative!  I loved it!

International Week KIck Off

BONJOUR! 
    We were able to join the school for the assembly that kicked off Internation week today, then dined on delicious French food for lunch!  Tomorrow is Japanese day!  Yummy!  The students are divided into 4 continent teams and have begun competition today with relay races and volleyball matches.  (Yes, volleyball origniated in Massachusettes, but hey, it's in the Americas!) 

Mrs. Liotta in Belize

   Last week, Mrs. Liotta spent time with our pen pal class in Belize.  She visited the school and with her daughter, helped foster a soccer program.  She had an amazing trip.  Check out her blog to see more details!  http://liottafifthgrade.blogspot.com/
   She returned with a bag full of beautiful cards and letters for the girls.  They excitedly opened them and eagerly responded.  We have sent two letters (one electronically and one with Mrs. Liotta last week.)  The girls also grouped themselves by topic and created videos that we sent with Mrs. Liotta, as well.  They created videos, such as, role-playing to teach about Ocean City and instruct about field hockey.  Mrs. Liotta told us that the students loved  the videos, so they sent them of themselves as well. 
    Her trip will be a valuable resource as we begin our Latin America unit in the coming weeks!

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR!

Today, we attended an assembly, which included Chinese acrobats!  They were AMAZING!  There were cheers and 'oohs' and 'ahhs!"  And many times, we even gasped thinking they were going to drop their prop or each other!  The 5th grade was treated to pizza for lunch from Papa John's - a highlight of the year, I'm sure!