Crazy Pajama Day

The last day of the year was spent wrapping up a few assignments in social studies, watching a movie in the auditorium, cleaning the classroom, eating popcorn, playing games and saying good-bye to Anna who is off to third grade in South Korea. :(

I hope everyone has a fun and relaxing holiday!  See you all in 2019!

Crazy kids!

Good-bye Anna! You'll be missed!

Ms. Mendonca's Vacation Work!

Vacation Homework

December/January Holiday Break

Holiday home learning:

(Students, put a checkmark ✔ next to each task when you have completed it):

• Summer Holiday Reading Challenge:
• It is very important that you continue to read over the vacation!  

• Remember, the entire Lower School also has a challenge
• to read Flora & Ulysses over the vacation!
•  We read the first chapter together and you can continue
• to read the book online from Tumblebooks.com
• Mathletics: log in at least 2 times a week! I will print the certificates in January!

Summer Holiday Reading Challenge!

Color a space every time you read for at least 20 minutes
in English, Portuguese or another language (with a paper book or online).
There are 34 spaces for each day we are out of school!
There will be special recognitions after the break for students who read
30 days and 20 days!   
 I wonder who can read the most days!?

Have your parents sign the challenge before you return to school.
 Happy Reading!

1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20
21	22	23	24	25	26	27	28	29	30
31	32	33	34

2B Holiday Home Learning

If there is ONE thing you do over vacation, PLEASE READ! :)

We have so much reading momentum these days in 2B, students cannot take a 34 day break from books!  I have invited students to participate in a Summer Reading Challenge!  The details are in their homework summary that was sent home on Monday.  RAZ-Kids books are updated--check out Level Up!  Students may also read from Elefante Letrado (Portuguese) or from regular books that they have at home.  Please continue to promote and encourage READING over the break! :)

Families may also choose to join the "LS Reads" initiative by reading Flora & Ulysses together, which is available for free on Tumblebooks.com (Username: Graded, password: books) We've already enjoyed reading Chapter 1 in class together

The author of this book is Kate DiCamillo who is the same author of the Mercy Watson series that students know well.  Some students may be able to read this book independently, but for others, it may be a better book to read with an adult or older sibling.

For some extra practice in multiple areas, try out the Vacation BINGO Activity. This Bingo resource is also on the homework summary sent home this week (page 2).  Notice there is an option to send a postcard to our class from your vacation destination!  Are you up for this writing challenge?  Let's see how many postcards we can receive!  I plan to send from my travels also.  Also, please consider helping your child to keep a simple journal of some of their most memorable experiences over the break.  Students can share them when they return!

For some extra practice in math, try logging into Mathletics (login details in yellow folder).  They may work in units 1-5.  

Those units cover the skills that we have investigated together.  Also, students can collect objects to add to our 3D Museum (cones, pyramids, rectangular prisms, etc.)

If you are traveling and notice any maps that students can bring back to share with the class, this will enhance our Community and Geography social studies unit when we return in January.  These can be from museums, parks, or cities!

Thank you for all of your support.

Happy Vacation!  See you next year :)

Big hugs,

Ms. Wilker

2A Holiday Home Learning

If there is ONE thing you do over vacation, PLEASE READ! :)

We have so much reading momentum these days in 2A, students cannot take a 34 day break from books!  I have invited students to participate in a Summer Reading Challenge!  The details are in their homework summary that was sent home on Monday.  RAZ-Kids books are updated as well to reflect the students' growth this semester.  Students may also read from Elefante Letrado (Portuguese) or from regular books that they have at home.  Please continue to promote and encourage READING over the break! :)

Families may also choose to join the "LS Reads" initiative by reading Flora & Ulysses together, which is available for free on Tumblebooks.com (Username: Graded, password: books) We've already enjoyed reading Chapter 1 in class together

The author of this book is Kate DiCamillo who is the same author of the Mercy Watson series that students know well.  Some students may be able to read this book independently, but for others, it may be a better book to read with an adult or older sibling.

For some extra practice in multiple areas, try out the Vacation BINGO Activity. This Bingo resource is also on the homework summary sent home this week (page 2).  Notice there is an option to send a postcard to our class from your vacation destination!  Are you up for this writing challenge?  Let's see how many postcards we can receive!  I plan to send from my travels also.  Also, please consider helping your child to keep a simple journal of some of their most memorable experiences over the break.  Students can share them when they return!

For some extra practice in math, try logging into Mathletics (login details in yellow folder).  They may work in units 1-5.  

Those units cover the skills that we have investigated together.  Also, students can collect objects to add to our 3D Museum (cones, pyramids, rectangular prisms, etc.)

If you are traveling and notice any maps that students can bring back to share with the class, this will enhance our Community and Geography social studies unit when we return in January.

Thank you for all of your support.

Please enjoy a relaxing vacation and time with family and friends!

Best wishes,
Ms. Jessie

Lower School Reads!

Please read every day!  You may choose to join the "LS Reads" initiative by reading Flora & Ulysses, which is available for free on Tumblebooks.com (Username: Graded, password: books) We've already enjoyed reading Chapter 1 in class together!

Mathletics Awards

Students were recognized for their acheivements in math today by the Mathletics Team.  Bronze, silver and gold awards were given to students depending on the number of units they completed.  Over 50 bronze, 2 silver and 2 gold certificates were awarded so far this year!

To earn a certificate, students must gain points. 

Points are awarded to students as they successfully complete Live Mathletics and Curriculum Content within Mathletics. Students gain points for each correct answer. The more correct answers – the more points! Students receive the most points through completing Curriculum Content with each correct answer equating to 10 points. The points contribute to their earning of certificates.

20 consistent weeks of work = 1 Gold Certificate

Certificates are granted when a student earns 1000 points or more within one week. This encourages students to complete a healthy amount of work each week and rewards students for every week they practice. Students initially earn a Bronze Certificate, then a Silver Certificate once five Bronzes have been earned. With four Silver Certificates, a student then receives the much-coveted Gold Certificate, demonstrating their long-term commitment and developing ability.

And the winners are...

The Bronze Winners!

The Silver Winners!

The Gold Winners!

Holiday Homework

Please check your child's yellow homework folder for assignments that need to be completed over the holidays. Homework includes 8 Raz-Kids books from Level Up and 5 Raz-Kids books from Assignments.  Unit 5 in your child's math book also needs to be completed if it hasn't been already. Students need to complete Unit 3 in Mathletics but can also work on other units that have been opened up.

Special Reading Assignment

Over the holiday, your child needs to select and read a book from home or from a library.  After reading the book, he or she can begin working on an oral presentation for the classroom when they return.  The oral presentation should be all about his or her opinion of the book he or she chose . Your child can also make a poster and bring in visuals. 

The poster can feature the characters and title.

The poster can list events or places.

Visuals are optional

Students do not need to write a script. Students will not be permitted to read from a script but here is a general guideline they can follow:

Introduction: Ask a question. State your opinion of the book.  Tell a little bit about the book.  Who are the characters? What is the problem? Read a bit of the book.

Do you like pasta? If you do, you'll love Strega Nona by Tomie de Paola. This book is one of the best books I've read.  It's even won an award! Strega Nona is about a very naughty boy named Big Anthony who doesn't listen very well and he gets into big trouble. One day Big Anthony got a job working for Strega Nona which means Grandma Witch.  Let me read you the part where Big Anthony is naughty.  Strega Nona said, "Big Anthony, I must go over the mountain to visit my friend Strega Amelia. You must feed the goat and sweet the floor and remember DO NOT TOUCH THE MAGIC PASTA POT! But inside Big Anthony was thinking My chance has come!  You'll have to read the rest of the book to find out what happens but he problem in this story is that Big Anthony doesn't listen to Strega Nona and he floods the town with pasta!

Reasons: Think of one or two reasons and give a few examples of each.  What does this book teach you (life lesson)? What is the book's special message? What does your family think of this book?

The first reason why this book is awesome is that it really funny.  For example, Big Anthony floods the town with pasta and the townspeopleh have to use doors, tables and mattresses to make a barricade so the pasta won't flood the town. Another example why this book is funny is that Big Anthony had to eat all of the pasta with a fork and he got really fat!

The next reason why this is a terrific book is that it teaches kids to listen to adults. For example, Big Anthony usually followed Strega Nona's orders. He swept the floor, and weeded the gardena and fed the goat.  This book shows kids that if they don't follow instructions you'll get into big trouble like when Big Anthony touched the magic pasta pot he almost destroyed the town! He could have gotten hurt.  Kids should know not to touch hot pots on the stove! You should always listen to your parents so you don't get hurt. My brother, Rob said this was a great book too. He is an artist and he said the pictures are well drawn and colorful.  

Conclusion: Restate your opinion. Who would like this book? What should your audience go and do next? What rating do you give this book?

In conclusion, this is a funny book for kids of all ages.  Even your mom and dad will like this book! You should go to a bookstore and buy it because you'll want to keep reading it over and over again. Did you know there are other Strega Nona books as well you should read too?  I give this book 5 out of 5 stars!

Presentations should be approximately 5 minutes long.

Here is a schedule of when your child will present:

Tuesday, January 22: Gustavo

Wednesday, January 23: Zoe

Thursday, Janury 24 Yunhoo

Friday, January 25: Cameron

Monday, January 28: Sebastian

Tuesday, January 29: Isabel

Wednesday, January 30, Cordelia

Thursday, January 31, Eduardo

Friday, February 1: Lara

Monday, February 4: Federico

Tuesday, February 5: Maria Elba

Wednesday, February 6: Hao

Thursday, February 7: Johnny

Friday, February 8: Tarsila

Monday, February 11: Pedro

Tuesday, February 12: Lucas

Wednesday, February 13: Mischa

Thursday, February 14: Roman

Friday, February 15: Valentina

Monday, February 16: Kyumin

Gingerbread Houses

Tammy Montagna donated tasty gingerbread houses for students to transform. Second graded joined forces with fifth grade to decorate them with a lot of candy and royal icing.  A couple of the houses were so well done, that one of them was donated as a raffle prize to the annual Graded Christmas party for the guards, cooks, gardeners and maintenance staff!

Delicious!

Working as a team!

A group effort.

Getting started.

It's all about the icing!

Candies!!!

A work in progress!

What a great work!

Awesome volunteers with the finished projects!

Lower School Update - December 17, 2018

The Eagle’s Nest
Two classes were awarded the Golden G award today for demonstrating the Eagle Way the past week. Congratulations to Ms. England’s first grade class and Ms. Gehrels’ fifth grade class!

Build Confidence! 55 Positive Things To Say To Your Child

As the holiday approaches, families will have more time together. Here is an article with some suggestions of ways to build your child’s confidence. “As parents, the way we speak to our children is incredibly important. Words can build kids up, and they can just as easily tear them down. Which is why finding positive things to say to your child matters!” continue reading Build Confidence! 55 Positive Things To Say To Your Child

LS Reads
We encourage all students to read over the break. Also, don’t forget about our LS Reads book, Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures by Kate DiCamillo. We encourage all families to read this book together. If you need access to the book, a digital copy is available for free on Tumblebooks.

Wednesday, December 19
Wednesday will be our last school day before the break. Students will be dismissed at 11:30 am.

Happy Holidays
On behalf of our Graded family, we wish you and your family an enjoyable holiday season full of meaningful time with family and friends. We look forward to seeing you on January 22, 2019!

Upcoming Important Dates

Dec. 19	Last day for students (students dismissed at 11:30)
Dec. 20 - Jan 21	Holiday Break (no school for students)
Jan. 22	Classes Resume
Jan. 25	Holiday: Foundation of the City of São Paulo (no school for students)

Around the Lower School

Math: Skeletons

Using balls of clay and toothpicks, students built skeletons of cubes, triangular prisms and pyramids to learn about edges, vertices and faces.

A triangular prism in the making.

The beginnings of a cube.

It's a cube!

Each team had to make three different solids.

Hands on learning.

Precision.

Focused learning.

It's a pyramid!

It's a cube!

It's a pyramid!

It's a triangular prism!