The Llama River

The Llama River is a fictional river that could be anywhere in which children are growing and learning.  On the other hand, your child "owns" a piece of this vibrant community.  What affect does each property have on the health of the river?...our next inquiry!

New Friends

Inquiring with our Y5 Buddies

They were buzzing with excitement after meeting their Young 5's Buddies today!  It was wonderful to see them interact with kindness and caring on the playground this morning. 

This afternoon we adventured out to explore "the big hole".  Young 5's is inquiring into different kinds of holes and we are inquiring into water resource use.  A win-win!  The 5th graders and Y5's worked together to create a map of the drainage area.  I heard 5th graders ask questions to engage their new friends in inquiry such as, "What do you notice?"  "How can we draw that?"  "Why do you think that is?" 

Our 5th graders are already asking when they can spend time with their young friends again!

No Math Homework 9/26

Dear Families,
Your child did not receive math homework for this evening.  We are inquiring into the area of the school and the volume of rainwater that will flow through the new drainage. 

Tomorrow we will work with our friends in Young 5's to map the drainage and help our young friends notice more about "the big hole" out front!

This week September 26th

Greetings 5th grade families!

We have been working hard on our first unit of inquiry--Sharing the Planet.  We have been investigating the availability of natural resources globally and locally.  Additionally we began inquiring more specifically about water resources and the impact of the recent sewage spill into the Huron River.  I have found the students to be thoughtful, curious, and engaged as we have begun this work!

Storer Camp
On Friday your child brought home a pledge form for Storer Camp.  Please return this form as soon as possible.  We understand that not all families will be able to make these payments, and so, planning ahead will help us to cover the costs for this year's camp progam.

PTO Fun Run
Fun Run pledge forms also went home on Friday.  Donations from family and friends will support your child's field trip experiences this year.

Inquiring into Michigan's Natural Resources

Morning Meeting Fun!

This week!

Inquiring into natural resources

US Resource Map

Map Source

Week of September 12th

Curriculum Night and Camp Storer meeting
This Tuesday, September 13th, Mitchell School will host our annual curriculum night.  I have lots to share with you about the exciting IB learning your child will be doing this year as well as information about our classroom and the ways in which I hope we will work together this year as teachers, students, and parents.  Prior to Curriculum Night, at 5:30 there will be an informational meeting about your child's trip to Camp Storer October, 24, 25, and 26.  Curriculum Night will begin at 6:00 p.m.

 IB Exhibition
Another exciting part of an IB Education is that each 5th grader participates in what is called Exhibition, where students complete an inquiry into something of their own choosing with guidance from the teachers and mentors in the building.  Keep an ear out for more information coming soon!


Home Study Period
The 5th grade homework expectation is that each student complete a 60 minute home study period each evening.  Everyday Math homelinks will begin to go home this week.  Students can also read, write, inquire into something of their choosing, or use educational technology.  Log-ins and passwords for the Everyday Math website, Sumdog, and Khan Academy will soon go home taped to the inside cover of your child's planner.  

A Successful First Week!

The first week of school was awesome!  It was good to see familiar faces and our new to Mitchell friends too!  We spent the week learning about each other, establishing classroom routines, and having fun together to begin to establish our classroom community.

We did some inquiry into the IB Learner Profile  and then collaboratively wrote a short explanation for each trait.  I call it the Learner Profile remix.

We got started learning how to work together in mixed groups through exploration of the Everyday Math Student Reference Book and also by learning how to play baseball multiplication.

Back to School!

Back to school hugs! (caught by AnnArbor.com).  So fun to see this moment captured as I send my son to Kindergarten and Ms. Talbot greets a SLI friend.  Your child is in good hands in our classroom this year!