Art, Science, and Harvest Parties!

Dear Parents, 

A few announcements that I am really excited about! First, I heard from a very good friend and artist, that she is doing some amazing art classes with the King County Libraries! Though sometimes difficult from a fine-motor-skills perspective, I think that even if your child is not exactly 10 years old, with your help, they could find some success with some of these techniques. I am hoping that she will come to my classroom again this year and teach us as well! 

I will be going to the Skyway Library program on Saturday, November 17th down in Renton if anyone else wants to join me! 

This is such a great way to learn about a beautiful culture and history, and it even involves math!

Here is her message:
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A'Salaam-o-Alaikum

(Peace be upon you) 

I hope you all are doing well, 

I am working with the King County Library System this Oct-Nov for their Make series. I will be teaching 3 different workshops: Islamic Geometric Art, Art of Arabesque: Watercolor Workshop, and Patterns of Persia: Watercolor Workshop. I have listed all the details below. 

All workshops are for ages 10 to adult, if you are interested in attending any of these workshops, you can register to save your spot @ kcls.org/events.

Islamic Geometric Patterns 

Geometric patterns are one of the major components of Islamic art and one of the most iconic. Learn about the foundation of Islamic geometric patterns and how to construct them using just a compass and ruler. 

Ages 10 to adult 

Carnation Library- Wednesday, October 17th- 4:30-6:00pm

Kingsgate Library- Tuesday, October 30th- 7:00-8:30pm

Algona-Pacific Library- Monday, November 12th- 12:00-1:30pm

Kirkland Library- Tuesday, November 13th- 6:30-8:00pm

Arabesque Art

Islamic art has three major components: calligraphy, geometric patterns and arabesque. Arabesque art is a form of decorative art consisting of rhythmic linear patterns with abstracted floral and vegetal foliage. Learn to draw an arabesque pattern with step-by-step instructions and paint with watercolor.  

Ages 10 to adult

Des Moines Library- Saturday, November 3rd- 11am-1:00pm

Vashon Library- Sunday, November 4th- 1:00-3:00pm 

Enumclaw Library- Saturday, November 10th- 1:00-3:00pm 

Lake Hills Library- Monday, November 19th- 4:00pm-6:00pm 

Patterns from Persia

It is often said that Islamic art reached it's peak of perfection in Persia. Learn how to replicate and paint a star-shaped Persian tile pattern using geometry and arabesque motifs. 

Ages 10 to adult

Skyway Library- Saturday, November 17th- 2:00-4:00pm

Bellevue Library- Tuesday, November 20th- 4:00-6:00pm  
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In other news, a flyer just went home regarding our Harvest Party! Please contact Mandy Balsiger if you want to join in on the fun!

Thank you all for returning the permission forms for my grad school work! 

We have been doing so many interesting things in class, I hope my slow newsletters haven't stopped your children from updating you.

In Reading, we have been studying the work of other students to model how to write character analysis essays about the books we are reading, and learning to think deeply about these characters through analyzing a story called "Miss Awful" by Arthur Cavanaugh. 

In Social Studies/Social Emotional we have been working on learning about different perspectives, and how people can see a situation very differently. Students were making some good connections with the "discussions" during some of the football and soccer games at recess.

We also watched some really informative videos on the Growth Mindset, and have been learning about how we can change our mindset to see opportunities in our struggles, instead of being weighed down by them.

In Science, we have started a problem-solving challenge! You can see find the worksheet here, but needless to say, the room is messy, and the kids are having a great time! Some areas that students have struggled with are creating a wheel and axle, and how to make a good zip line. It is so interesting to see how each group interprets the problems and designs solutions a little differently!

In Math, 4th graders just finished up their unit on multiplying and dividing decimals, while 5th graders will be taking their assessment on Block 2: Integers next week! 

I am so proud of all of the 5th graders who are running for student council, and for all of those who are running for representatives as well. I know they ALL have the potential to be amazing leaders!

As always, please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions, or would like Mandy's email (I didn't want to post it on a public blog!) to volunteer to help at the party!

All the best,

Mrs. Hart

It Feels Like the First REAL Post of the Year!

Dear Families,

Wow. After only two weeks of classes, I have really lost track of time! I apologize for not keeping up with the blog posts!

There are several important things going on in class right now, but first, what came home in your child's friday folder:

1) Permission form - I sent home a permission form, requesting your permission to use videos from our classroom in my school work at the University of Washington. It is for educational purposes only, and none of the images or videos would leave the UW Classroom. No social media, no youtube, etc. Please sign and return by Monday, so that I can get started on my assignment.

2) 5th Graders Math Tests - My 5th graders are bringing home their first math test of the year. Please look it over, sign the coversheet, and send the entire test back on Monday. I reference the tests for my report card grades, so it would be very helpful to have it!

3) Scholastic Book Orders - My class code is QKKR6. No pressure to order, but if that is something that you want to do, you can do so at any time, just let me know that you submitted an order so I don't forget about it!

What we are working on in class:

1) Reading - We have been working on doing a deep analysis of characters in our books. I am modeling with our read aloud Goldfish Boy and students are practicing with a book they have chosen for themselves.

2) Writing - We are working on powerful personal narratives. I am encouraging students to write about something IMPORTANT to them. Not necessarily just the time they went to the park and skinned their knee. This has many students perplexed, because it is the first time they have been asked to think about something that could have an emotional connection, and put it down on paper. It takes a lot of courage to do that! I am hoping they will be up for the challenge.

3) Math - 4th graders have started their 2nd Unit earlier this week on Multiplying and Dividing Decimals, while 5th Graders have started their 2nd Unit on Integers and computation with negative numbers.

4) Social Emotional - Since it wasn't done in any of the 4th grade EAP classes last year, I have started with the 4th grade Second Step curriculum, but am using the 5th grade activities to help supplement. As a whole, our class has been pretty responsive to the homelink worksheets, you should have gotten 4 of them by the time your child gets home tonight! Thank you for your participation in these activities, it helps them to see such positive role models at home!

5) Inquiry - While not an actual "subject" I have started working on the skill of being curious in our class this week. It is so interesting to watch their eyes light up with wonder at so many different, but awesome things! One of their favorites was this article on bridges: Popular Mechanics Strangest Bridges

I can't wait for more inquiry based lessons and explorations soon!

Science and Social Studies schedules are in draft form and we are finalizing student lists etc. I am hoping by the end of next week we might be ready to (finally) start rotations! We will do our best to also switch these up for each different unit.

Please don't hesitate to let me know if you have any questions about all of the great things we have going on in our class!

All the best,
Mrs. Hart