Friday, May 20, 2016

Finding Meaning Friday

Today we are finding out how many words use Greek and Latin roots. We are transcending our understanding and using word structure to speculate meaning. This is a multifaceted and fruitful dive into Etymology (the study of the history of words, their origins, and how their form and meaning have changed over time. By extension, the term "the etymology (of a word)" means the origin of the particular word.)

Whew!

Kids who finish an Olympian Journal will earn a Bead of Understanding to add to their chain. Students who earn 100% on an Olympian quiz will be honored with an Orb of Knowledge to add to their collection.

Behold the Orbs of Understanding

This weekend at home....

Spend time planning the Marble Maze! Remember that Research papers are due June 6th
Please bring in the Trip Form. This is a free trip. Let's have 100% participation.
Don't forget that 201 will take the Reading MAPS test next Wednesday.
Parents, have you created a "motivational" letter or mini poster for your child? Now is the time! Kids will bring a bit of your support to their testing sessions.

*Progress Reports are in the folders. Parents, please sign and return to indicate that you have seen the report.

*MAPS Goal Setting sheets are also in the folders. I will make time on Monday to go over these with the kids.

*We will correct last night's Math homework on Monday morning!

A Word about testing.....
Several students are expressing test anxiety. I understand their feelings! I am talking to the kids about keeping things in perspective. Each child in 201 has grown this year! Some have made great improvements as readers, others have mastered multiplication facts. Some kids have gained important study skills, or are better at working in a group. Team 201 is filled with artists and poets and riddle solvers and inventors and number crunchers and animal lovers. Not all of these skills, and not all of their growth will be measured on this test.

So, how do we approach the MAPS test? Should we be really anxious? No. Should we get our game face on? YES! A healthy dose of adrenaline won't hurt! Kids, you have been working hard all year. Take this opportunity to show what you know, think hard, solve those problems, and knock it out of the park!