December 9-December 23

Hello everyone,

I hope you are enjoying this holiday season with family and friends, and able to find time for yourselves.

Here's what's been going on in the world of GTD Services at Irving School.

Kindergarten
Kindergarteners have continued to work on sometimes, always, and never and learning the correct terminology that goes with PROBABILITY: certain, not certain, and maybe. We are using our skills by listening to three stories, voting on a favorite, and then talking about the choice someone would make who didn't hear the stories if they were to join the class and vote, based upon the results already gathered and organized in a bar graph.

1st Grade
Some 1st graders had been selected to work on deductive reasoning skills based on their group work in learning about Dudley the Detective. These students have been working on organizing information into Venn Diagrams to find the solution to a "mystery". Before and after break, DOT will be making a return as students go on an adventure with DOT at the Grocery Store and learn to think.

2nd Grade
Some 2nd grade students had been selected to work on language skills based on their group work in learning with Yolanda the Yarnspinner. These students learned to play with words and create riddles and puns, as well as write a group ONOMATOPOEIA poem. Before and after break students will be introduced to Max the Magician who teaches students to a visualize a problem in order to come up with a solution.

3rd Grade
Math students have been working very hard on their MULTIPLICATION facts, learning how to add and subtract decimal numbers, and learning about the metric system and base 10. These students also participated for the 1st time for Irving School in the ICTM Math Contest in a team and individual event.

Language Arts students have been reading one of two books "Poppy" by Avi and "Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH" by Robert C. O'Brien, answering comprehension questions, and have an assignment due AFTER break to create a BOARD GAME based on the plot of the book (see sidebar for assignment).

4th Grade
Math students finished their data collection project "The Average 4th Grader" of which they constructed a paper replica which will be hung in the 3rd floor hallway. 4th Grade students also participated in the ICTM contest.

Language Arts students have been reading "The View from Saturday". A novel about 4 students from diverse backgrounds brought together by fate to represent their school at the state Scholastic Bowl.

5th Grade
Math students have been working on Unit 4, introduction to Algebra concepts, converting fractions/decimals/percents, and using a full circle protractor to create pie graphs. These students aslo particpated in the ICTM competition, as well as the second round of the Math Olympiad competition.

Language Arts students completed and shared their Poe projects and are excited to begin a new unit on William Shakespeare, learning about Elizabethan times and reading about the Bard and his works. HUZZAH!

May you all have a joyous holiday season and the happiest of New Years.

All my best,
Mr. Packer