Mrs. O'Rourke's Panther Press
Field Trip to Skateland
Check out some of the pictures from our fun-filled trip to Skateland!
A Beautiful Day for Reading!
We were able to get outside to do a little reading a few days ago! The warm sun on our backs and a good book in our hands felt wonderful!!
Poetry Unit
We have been exploring poetry over the past few weeks. Students are impressing me on a daily basis with some of their attempts at complicated forms and unique topics. Each student is keeping a running draft of his/her poems in a Word document. Be sure to check in with your child and have him/her read you some of the unique poetry being created. Ask your children what poetic devices they showcased in their poems. We have some very creative kiddos!!
Historical Fiction Book Clubs
Students are reading historical fiction novels about World War II over the next few weeks as part of our unit on social justice. Assignments are not posted on Canvas because each book club group has different due dates. There is a board with all of the details and due dates in our class, and students are reminded to check it daily. On average, students should be reading about 10-12 pages per day from their book club book, and they are given class time each day to work on this.
THE IMPORTANCE OF INDEPENDENT READING
Your child should have read about 23-24 books by the end of April. Please check in with him or her.
Independent reading of self-selected text is, statistically, the most effective way for a person's reading abilities to grow and vocabulary to increase. Students have a 25 book reading requirement for the year. Please check in with your child to ensure that he/she is reading at home at least 15-20 minutes a day from a book that he/she enjoys. If kids are in a "reading rut" and can't find a book they like, they know that they can come see me for suggestions. I always have plenty of suggestions, and our classroom library is pretty extensive!! I know the students have other obligations, but establishing a reading routine at home will help your child in oh so many ways!! Happy reading!
Year-Long Humanitarian Projects- Final Due date, May 15th!
Detailed information can be found on Canvas in the Humanitarian Projects Module, but here are the basics:
• This year students will have the opportunity to show 3 different humanitarian acts within the community.
• Each project will be documented with a picture of the student performing the act/event and a short paragraph. These will be displayed all year to celebrate our acts of good will.
• Between Mrs. O'Rourke's and Ms. Hill’s class, it is our goal to perform 300 acts within our community.
Upcoming Assessments and Project Due Dates
This section will contain upcoming assessments so that parents can help students stay on top of their studying.
Next Few Weeks:
Poetry Unit and Book Clubs - Ongoing
Foreign Pen Pal Exchange - Ongoing
Poetry Vocabulary Test - May 2nd (changed from original due date)
Reading/Language NWEA - May 9 & 10
Final Humanitarianism Project - May 15th
Mrs. O'Rourke
Email: aorourke@hse.k12.in.us
Location: 12278 N. Cyntheanne Rd., Fishers, IN 46037
Phone: 317-594-4120
Twitter: @MrsORourkeHIJH