Mrs. O'Rourke's Panther Press
For the week of March 19
Global Connections
After Spring Break, we will be looking to connect globally with students in classrooms around the world! I have some contacts through educational communities, but I would love it if any of your families have a specific connection to a teacher who teaches this same grade level (or ages 10-13) in another country or in regions of the US other than the midwest. Please email me by March 29th if you have any connections. Thanks!
Destination Imagination!
Last week, we congratulated the many kiddos on our team who participated in Destination Imagination. Here are a few photos that some of the participating students provided. What a great experience!
Learning highlights from the past few weeks
Thank you for sharing in your child's reading!
It has been such a joy this weekend to read all of the Independent Reading Family Discussions. I am hopeful that you all enjoyed the conversations that you had with your children about what they have currently been reading. I love the little side conversations about books that I get to have with kiddos on a daily basis, and I wanted families to share in that too. Thank you to the many families who voiced how much they enjoyed the assignment. That warms a teacher's heart!
Symbols of Daily Life in Ancient Rome
Students learned about influences on Ancient Rome, mosaics, and about the daily life of Romans during ancient times. They chose symbolic images to represent various aspects of Ancient Rome and created their own mosaics.
A fun way to review concepts
We had a fun time reviewing our vocabulary concepts on Friday with the game Egg Runner! I wish the video footage I had taken was more clear so you could share in the fun and frenzy, but I did get a few pictures!
THE IMPORTANCE OF INDEPENDENT READING
Your child should have read about 19-21 books by the end of March. 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. By now, they should have completed about 17-18 books, ideally. 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!
Some Recommended Reads
Unstoppable by Green
Realistic Fiction
House Arrest by Holt
Realistic Fiction written in Verse
Where the Red Fern Grows by Rawls
Historical/Realistic Fiction
Classic
Year-Long Humanitarian Projects
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:
Fri 3/23 - Ancient Rome Assessment
Wed 3/28 - Vocabulary Test
Mrs. O'Rourke
Email: aorourke@hse.k12.in.us
Location: 12278 N. Cyntheanne Rd., Fishers, IN 46037
Phone: 317-594-4120
Twitter: @MrsORourkeHIJH