Science: The Bryn Mawr Ecosystem

When the 5th grade students returned to school this fall, they were able to see the beautiful blossoms in the perennial garden they had planned and planted when they were in the 3rd grade. The garden is located on the hill beside the Science Center and has been attracting butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds, as the girls had hoped. How nice it is to have it as part of the Bryn Mawr campus!

In fact, our first unit in science focuses on the Bryn Mawr ecosystem. Every 5th grade student is keeping a nature journal which contains her written and drawn observations of some of the living things on our campus. In this photo, the girls are hard at work recording information about one of the Lower School trees. After they made their observations, each one examined the leaves and other characteristics in order to try to identify her tree.

Technology

The 5th graders have been working hard during technology class.  We have learned about Netiquette, acceptable use, and how to use our Google mail accounts.  We are now beginning to learn the basics of keyboarding, through the use of TypingWeb. 
  

Art: We are all artists!

Every student started the year by making a small 3x3 inch self-portrait. There are quite a few inherent challenges using small paper and black pen that helps the girls get comfortable right way with the art quip: "Turn your ut-oh into an ah-ha."  The girls were encouraged to make a clear choice in their work; to be bold. The works are on display at the entrance of the art studio with the following questions to guide their observations: Which portraits show that the artist used line variation? Which portraits show that the artist made a discovery about herself, her art, or her materials? Which portraits show that the artist tried the blind contour technique to record her observations without looking? Which portraits show that the artist made a clear choice about line, shape texture, value, or space) in her work? In art this year we will make art, look at art and talk about art! We are all artists! 

Up the Hill to the Fifth Grade We Go!

We are off to a great start in the fifth grade!  The girls have been very enthusiastic and eager to do their jobs and be the leaders of the Lower School.  They warmly welcomed nine new girls and have been very inclusive as a class. 

Language Arts: 
We have begun reading Our Only May Amelia in class and working with the vocabulary in the book.  The girls have enjoyed making posters illustrating a word.

 Summary of Our Only May Amelia
It isn′t easy being a pioneer in the state of Washington in 1899, but it′s particularly hard when you are the only girl ever born in the new settlement. With seven older brothers and a love of adventure, May Amelia Jackson just can′t seem to abide her family′s insistence that she behave like a Proper Young Lady. She′s sure she could do better if only there were at least one other girl living along the banks of the Nasel River. And now that Mama′s going to have a baby, maybe there′s hope.
Inspired by the diaries of her great-aunt, the real May Amelia, first-time novelist Jennifer Holm has given us a beautifully crafted tale of one young girl whose unique spirit captures the courage, humor, passion and depth of the American pioneer experience.
∗Newbery Honor Book (USA), 2000
borrowed from www.amazon.com
  
Math:  
Each girl has been placed in one of three math groups taught by Mrs. Emala, Miss Burr or Ms. Gilbert.  We started the year with a review of place value, rounding, problem  solving, multiplication and division of larger numbers. 

Other Announcements:

*The girls have enjoyed using sidewalk chalk at recess time.  If anyone would kindly like to donate any boxes/containers of chalk, I can guarantee you that they will be used!  

* As the weather gets cooler, your daughter will need a Bryn Mawr sweatshirt for school.  You can purchase one in the Bryn Mawrket if your daughter doesn't have one.