News from Mrs. Drudy 02/08/2016
"We exist so children can excel."
What We're Learning in Challenge
3rd and 4th Grade
Share Topics
This Week's Share Topic: This week, students are celebrating "National Make a Friend Day." Friends are one of life's most valuable assets. Students will be addressing the following questions in their presentations: Who is your best friend and what qualities does (s)he have that makes him or her such a wonderful friend?
Next Week's Share Topic: To celebrate Presidents' Day, choose one president. Find a few facts and maybe a picture of that particular president. Libraries, encyclopedias, and the Internet are all great places to start your research. Remember, though, that the purpose of the weekly share topics is to become comfortable with public speaking. Students may certainly use notes while presenting, but they are not to be simply reading a printed page word for word.
Great Gilly Hopkins
We've wrapped up The Great Gilly Hopkins. Many of us were not expecting the ending where Gilly realized that her self-engineered "rescue" didn't quite turn out the way she planned. Gilly realized too late that she never really wanted to be rescued at all--she just wanted to be wanted. Did you know that this Newbery Honor book has been made into a motion picture to be released this very month?
5th and 6th Grade
Both Classes
We are shifting gears into being intentional with our answers to constructed response questions. As you know, the dreaded ISTEP test is looming. We are going to attack these types of questions head-on. I've told the students that it's "Crunch Time" and we're going to transform ourselves into the best writers we can possibly be. As a result, we will be spending an enormous amount of class time dedicated to thorough responses as they're recognized by our Indiana Academic Standards.
Please know that, while I take my responsibility of teaching your child the Indiana Academic Standards very seriously, I always let my students know, "You are so much more to me than a test score." I mean that.
COSI on Wheels
The Center of Science and Industry, or COSI, will be visiting MCS on Thursday, February 18th! COSI on Wheels will be bringing "The Incredible Human Machine," a high-energy, 45-minute assembly followed by a day of hands-on activities that enhance science inquiry skills and encourage continued learning.
We need your help! A critical part of this program is the adult volunteers (ages 16 and up) who help with hands-on sessions. Volunteers are important to help provide a quality hands-on experience for students. I fondly recall serving as a COSI volunteer at my children's school, and it was both interesting and fun.
Many people think they must be an expert in science to lead a COSI activity. This is simply NOT the case. Volunteers' main job is to have FUN! It is meant to be a learning experience for all: students, teachers, and volunteers. Please contact Molly Newkirk at mollyo4iu@yahoo.com if you are willing to assist with this exciting day.
Star Wars: May the Scores be with You!
COSI The Incredible Human Machine
Population Law Research
Notes from the Teacher
Coming Up:
Wednesday, Feb. 17th: A.P.P.L.E.S. Meeting 3:15 MCS Cafeteria
Thursday, Feb. 18th: COSI on Wheels
Friday, Feb. 19th: Yearbook Orders Due