MARCH 4 2011 W E E K L Y U P D A T E

Dear Parents,

It really is difficult to believe how fast our time is passing. We have just initiated our new (and second last) unit on the the transdisciplinary theme, “Where we are in

place and time,” with our central idea being “People and places have histories that can be uncovered and interpreted through a variety of sources.” This is an exciting

unit in which students will inquire into how we actually know and understand history, and how perspectives can affect the telling of history.

The unit was kicked off with a Grade 5 field trip at the Happy Valley Cemetery. We challenged the students to find a way to reply to one question: What can you tell us

about the history of Hong Kong? Students were challenged to use the cemetery as a source for uncovering some of Hong Kong’s past. Next week we will discuss their

findings. As our literacy connection I will begin reading Martin Booth’s Music on the Bamboo Radio as a real aloud to the students. They will also be active in literature

circles reading historical fiction novels selected by the students themselves. This will support the students as they research and prepare for writing their own pieces of

historical fiction.

Tuesday was World Math(s) Day and students had the opportunity to compete with

others of their age around the world using Mathletics. In addition, we started inquiring into the characteristics of various 2D shapes. We will continue this

discussion and make connections to art (Festival of the Arts is rapidly approaching).

Students have completed their Public Service Announcements, as part of our last

unit, and you may find the on their blogs. Please take a moment to browse through some of the PSAs and make some constructive comments.

Please note: Monday is a Professional Development Day. Dismissal will be

at 11am

Kind Regards,DJ MacPhersondonaldmacpherson@cdnis.edu.hk &

http://sites.cdnis.edu.hk/teachers/donaldmacpherson//

Uncovering the Past & World Math(s) Day

GRADE 5A @ CDNIS

Central IdeaPeople and places have histories

that can be uncovered and interpreted through a variety of

sources.

Lines of Inquiry* Sources people use to inquire

into the past

* Ways to interpret sources to further our understanding

* The advantages and limitations of various forms of information

Teacher Questions* How do we know what has

happened in the past?

* Why do different interpretations occur?

* How do we know if the accounts of history are accurate?

* Whose “story” is history?

* Knowledge and understanding about the past is based on/ determined by different perspectives and interpretations - Perspective

* There are different ways of knowing about the past - Reflection

* Reflecting on conclusions, considering methods of reasoning and evaluating the quality and reliability of evidence will lead to more informed opinions - Reflection

Enduring Understandings(Or, the “big ideas” students will work towards understanding

through this unit)

Reading

Writing

Speaking

Math

Art Music appreciation

Thinking SkillsStudents will learn to evaluate and make judgements and/or decisions

Communication SkillsStudents will focus on the presentation of information and ideas through a variety of media, specifically programs such as iMovie or Garageband

Research SkillsStudents will identify something they need or want to know, and ask compelling and relevant questions that can be researched in order to help them understand the big ideas of this unit.

WHERE WE ARE IN PLACE AND TIMEGRADE 5 UNIT OF INQUIRY

Des Voeux Road, Hong Kong, circa 1930

TransdisciplinaryConnections

Skills

MARCH 2 - APRIL 13, 2011

WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH YOUR CHILD AT HOMEVocabulary

Assessment During This UnitThrough formative and summative tasks, the students

will be assessed on their:

* Understanding of the Central Idea and Key Concepts

* Demonstration of the enduring understandings

* Communication skills focusing on the presenting of findings using technology

* Ability to articulate answers to Teacher Questions and pose engaging, relevant questions

* Application and development of the selected skills

The assessment tasks and assessment criteria will be shared and discussed with students in the early stages

of the unit, so they are best prepared for success.

Students will participate in FUN and meaningful learning experiences

such as:Dig Day - A day in the life of an

archaeologist

Field trips to Hong Kong Cemetery and the Hong Kong Museum of History

Artifact of the Day discussions

Reader’s Theatre

Preparing and conducting interviews

Designing and creating mosaics

history perspectivereflection biasopinion artifactcivilization discoverysources inferenceinterpretations hypothesistheory identityobjective subjectivelegend mythologyarchaeologist historian

Talk About the Learner Profile Attributes and Attitudes

Students will strive to be:

Inquirers by acquiring the skills necessary to conduct inquiry and research and show independence in learning.

Reflective by giving thoughtful consideration to their own learning and experience; by assessing and understanding their own strengths and limitations in order to support their learning and personal development.

Students should demonstrate:

Curiosity: What the world, its people and events were like in the past and how we know this information

Websites for Home InvestigationsMyths, Folk Tales and Fairytales

http://teacher.scholastic.com/writewit/mff/myths.htm

Dig! Archaeology Magazine for Kidshttp://www.digonsite.com/

Clues from the Pasthttp://www.amnh.org/ology/?channel=archaeology

Unit Highlights