Project Arrow Update

I hope everyone had an enjoyable extended weekend. Between the many clouds and rain showers, I have seen some encouraging signs of spring. Now let's hope that the warm weather comes and decides to hang around; it's been a long winter!
As we begin the fourth quarter of our school year, Project Arrow students are busier than ever. They are engaged in learning about themselves and the complex world around them. Our focus units are as follows:

Second Grade- Entomology is  a favorite spring science unit in PA. Students are introduced to the study to insects and begin to understand the role and contributions the Entomologist plays in our world.Your children will learn how living things are classified in orders, depending upon their structure; and study certain characteristics, habitats, food supplies, methods of camouflage,defiense mechanisms and life cycles of insects. We will research and discuss many ways insects have adapted and often thrived in their environments, and how their existence on our planet help and sometimes hurt other living things. Each child will have an opportunity to choose an insect, research and create a model....reflecting what they have learned. It will undoubtedly be an exciting month.

Third Grade- We will conclude our year revisiting our Journey's and Destinations Literature unit. Having read The Ugly Duckling and Sachiko Means Happiness, we are now exploring other exemplary works of literature that challenge critical reasoning  and nurture their search for meaning. Through short stories and poetry, your children will come to better understand the concept of change in the language arts, and in their world. You can look forward to seeing their Vocabulary and Literature Webs, as well some original computer generated writing.

Fourth Grade- Students are immersed in our two final units of study, Geometric Explorations (Frameworks/Polydrons) and Literary Reflections. In both, they are engaged in analytical, creative and critical thinking. Frameworks offer students the opportunity to work with three-dimensional objects in a new way; students can see inside! Working in small groups, students build, experiment, conjecture, and discover geometry and spatial relationships.They become engaged in problem solving in a creative and fun way! As we revisit Literary Reflections, your children will come to better understand the concept of change, and develop their reasoning and interpretive skills, through short stories and poetry. Finally, they will choose a novel to read and respond to in class and at home. Our final month in fourth grade will be busy and exciting!!

Fifth Grade-The last several weeks students have been working hard wrapping up the Stock Market Game, researching a chosen company, and creating an oral presentation with visual support (Poster or Power Point). This is a special time for 5th grade Project Arrow students, as they hone in on their past creative, technical and communication skills. Since they will be presenting the end of next week, you can look forward to being their first, and most important audience. We will also revisit our Autobiography Literature Unit, reading and analyzing short stories and poems, choosing a second autobiography with which to read and interpret, and creating a personal autobiographical piece. I guess you can say that we are ending our elementary PA experience "with a bang!"

I hope you all enjoy the next several weeks....always busy ones at school and at home. Once again, thank you for your kinds words and gestures of support for me and my family. It has meant so much. You're the best!