Kite Day and Family Science Night
Our attention has turned towards finishing Portfolio reflections and preparing for all the upcoming events. The following information will help you prepare for the next week. I will be sending home a sign-up sheet on Friday asking for volunteers.Kite Day - We would love to have some parents help out with this event. With each student flying a kite, there will certainly be some strings to untie and some last-minute repairs. If you are available from 9:45 to 11:20 am on Thursday, May 1, and are interested in joining our class "kite pit-crew," please sign up.
Family Science Night - We're very excited with all the "yes" RSVPs for the Family Science Night on Thursday, May 1. Once again, we're in need of some volunteers:
- one strong person to help unload supplies and set up at 4:30 and help break down at 8:00 (until 8:30).
- three adults to man or woman the stations during the science fair. Volunteers should arrive at 5:15 for an explanation from the Bishop Museum staff and then plan to be at the stations from 6:00 to 8:00. You will be helping the children and their parents do experiments and learn new things. What fun! We will make sure that the volunteers have time to eat dinner.
Potluck--Our Room Parent and I decided to just let everyone bring their choice of item to share at the potluck. We will have fourteen children and twenty-four parents attending. We are asking each family to also bring their own favorite drinks. I will ask for volunteers to sign up to bring paper plates and chopsticks.
It has been a busy, exciting week. The children continue to enjoy their science experiments and had so much fun playing tunes on their straw "oboes" and musical bottles. Be sure to talk with them about what they are learning!
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Important info. about Wilcox Building fumigation
Wilcox Building will be fumigated this Saturday, April 26.DO NOT ENTER THE BUILDING BETWEEN 8:00am and 2:00PM.
There may be some odor, so please open doors if you're working on Saturday.
Don’t leave food out in the open (on desks, etc.).
OK to leave food in the fridge (no need to bag anything)
OK to leave potted plants in the building
Insects won't die immediately, so we'll probably see "bodies" in 2-3 days, which maintenance will clean up.
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The Love of Learning is Alive in the Magic Stone Classroom!
What an exciting, fun-filled year of learning this has been! The children are busily engaged in finishing up final drafts for their portfolio reflections, writing and sharing poetry, learning about sound, exploring amazing books together, understanding new strategies for addition and subtraction, making beautiful stuffed fish for opera props, and collecting money to help leukemia patients. I am delighted to observe all of your children embracing each new day with enthusiasm for learning. The love of learning is alive and thriving in the Magic Stone Classroom!Year-End Dates to Remember:
Thursday, May 1 - Family Science Night at MPI
Potluck dinner in classroom, 5:30-6:00 pm
Science Festival in elementary dining room, 6:00-8:00 pm
Friday, May 2 – China Mini-Inquiry Wrap-Up by Ms. Revard and the Trowbridges from 12:30 to 1:30. We will be using photos and stories to compare and contrast China in early post-Maoist times (1978) with today. Please come if you can!
Friday, May 9 - Opera Performances at 9:00 am and 6:00 pm (regular school day)
Opera Performances at MPI gym
For 6:00 pm performance, students arrive at 5:00 pm to get ready.
Saturday, May 10 - Opera Performance at 6:00 pm
Students arrive at 5 pm to get ready
Friday, May 16 - No School for Students, Conference Preparations for Teachers
Thursday, May 22 and Friday, May 23 - Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences
Monday, May 26 - No School in observation of Memorial Day
Tuesday or Wednesday, May 27 or 28 – Paddy Party at the park near the entrance to MPI. Gramma Jeanne will bring Paddy for the children to pet and play with, and we will have lunch and celebrate summer birthdays and being together as our school year ends. Details soon!
Thursday, May 29 - Last day of school, Field Day
***Further details regarding Opera and other events will be coming as information becomes available.***
Inquiry
Wailele
This week we finished up our study of the water cycle by revisiting our original Mind Map, checking our previous assumptions, and discussing what we have learned. The children’s assessment of their learning required them to redraw the water cycle, compare it with the drawing they had made at the beginning of the unit in February, and reflect on their learning. They were all amazed by how much their understanding had changed with the study of Wailele and Manoa Valley and Matter in Physical Science.
Physical Science
As we began our unit on Sound, the children came up with some interesting observations for their Mind Map: “Sound goes in one ear and out the other” and “Echoes happen in empty spaces like my living room when we were moving out and all the furinture was gone.” Most of their discussion centered on “vibrations” and many came to the board to draw their interpretation of sound waves and how they work.
It is very exciting to observe the children learning to think and write like scientists. They ask questions, form hypotheses, conduct experiments, record observations in words and drawings, and write conclusions. Most importantly, they continue to work collaboratively with their peers. Your children are developing a love of science and a different way of looking at everything around them. Without a doubt, this is the breeding ground for future scientists who will change the world!
Incredible Generosity!
The Magic Stone Kids and their parents have helped us raise over $400 for leukemia patients in the Pennies for Patients Drive. Mahalo nui loa for your generosity. Children mopped floors, gave up some of their savings, asked family and friends to help, and found money in parents’ cars to donate to the cause. They also collaboratively created a unique concept for the donation-box art contest. Be sure to check our photo gallery to see it and other photos of your children’s activities!
Math
The 2nd Graders will be bringing home their last sets of “combination fact cards” (Plus 9 and Remaining Combinations) on Monday. The goal is to know all of their combinations fluently by the end of the semester in order to be prepared for 3rd Grade math. Most are proficient with the previous cards, but some still need a lot more practice. Please, take time to work with your child on these and encourage self-study. By writing the answers on the back of the cards, they can check themselves. Practicing in the car on the way to and from school is a great time for this! There will be an assessment on the previous sets of combinations (Plus 1 and 2, Make 10, Doubles, Near Doubles, and Plus 10) on Friday, April 27, and on all sets the week of May 12th.
As we move more quickly through the units in order to cover everything by the end of the year, there is more homework. Your support at home is appreciated by your child and me! Mahalo nui loa!
A Belated Mahalo
I want to thank Mrs. Meyer for the wonderful Easter-egg activity she planned and supervised for the children. They always have so much fun when she comes to do crafts with them. Mahalo for sharing your time and energy with us!!
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Enthusiastic Young Scientists
It is so much fun to be back with your amazing children. The first day back, they were so excited to be together again. Our excursion to Ferdinand the Bull was a perfect time for them to sit with friends on the bus and share Spring Break stories. In the afternoon, we all wrote about our adventures, then read and discussed them during "Chat Time." We heard about trips to the Southwest, Taiwan, Japan, Canada, and many other interesting places. The kids who stayed home in Hawaii had a wonderful, relaxing time at the beach, playing with friends, and enjoying games they usually don't have time to play. Your children love their vacations, but they also love being back with their Magic Stone 'ohana.Our New Inquiry
This week, we began our Physical Science Inquiry, and the enthusiasm for learning is more exuberant than ever! I hear things like, "Ms. Revard, I really love science!" "Science is so cool!" "I feel like a scientist!" Yesterday, we used our senses, essential tools for scientists, in all sorts of interesting ways. Then we explored the three types of matter and their properties. Today, we did some very cool experiments. One was called "Magic Water" and the other "What happens when matter is heated?" Be sure to talk with your children about all the exciting discoveries they are making. This Inquiry unit will cover Matter, Sound, Magnetism, Light, and Gravity. The children will even have opportunities to come up with their own ideas for experiments, as well.
Wailele
We will continue to learn more about Wailele and the water cycle in the next few weeks. Yesterday, Mr. Arthur from the Board of Water Supply came to tell us all about how the water cycle works in the islands, where our water comes from, and how to practice good conservation. Don't be surprised if your child insists that you turn off the water while shaving or brushing your teeth!
China
We are still having discussions on China and those long-awaited slides of mine will be shown soon. I'll let you know when, in case anyone would like to come.
Book Project #2
We all enjoyed the children's first book projects, and now it is time to think about the second. I am asking that they all be presented by May 18th. Most of the children already have ideas about their book and visual aid. Encourage them to finish these early. The last few weeks of school are very busy!
Pennies for Patients
The children brought home information today about the "Pennies for Patients" drive that begins this week. I have encouraged the children to earn some money to donate. They might also want to collect from friends and family for this worthy cause. Your help will be appreciated, as always!
Mahalos
Special mahalos to all the parents who helped with Ho'olaule'a. The children thoroughly enjoyed themselves! The class also wants to thank the Cutter family for the beautiful Easter House made of chocolates, taffy, and jelly beans. Yum!
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