Hawaiian Studies, Book Reports, and the Book Fair!

We are on our way with our Hawaiian Studies inquiry project. As you all know, we are putting on the opera Kahala`opuna this spring. Our class is in charge of creating the program for the opera. To prepare for that, we read the libretto (script) of the opera. After each student reviewed the libretto carefully, they listed three things they wanted to learn more about. The students came up with many great ideas like holua sleds, how the ali`i lived, Hawaiian language, and foods people in old Hawai`i ate. Because Mrs. Byrne’s class went through the same process, we decided to create inquiry groups with students from both classes. Students have been divided into groups according to what they are interested in researching. After looking through some resources, they brainstormed questions about their topic.  Next week we will be narrowing down our questions and begin our research.

Here are our Inquiry Groups:
Hawaiian Language:
M.M.
T M.
J.N.
R.B.

Hokule`a/ Voyaging:
K.C.
C.S.
N.K.
J.K.

Plants:
M.T.
M.S.
N.L.

Heiau/Religion:
S.C.
D.M.P.
H.L.
J.M.

Holua Sledding/Hawaiian Games:
K.F.
M.H.
C.S.

Food:
S.R.
S.H.
J.M.
H.S.
K.K.

Hale:
K.O.
L.S.
D.S.

Ali`i:
K.M.
E.K.
N.P.
M.K.
R.N.

Birds:
V.A.
K.Y.
K.N.
A.O.
M.M.
T.H.
C.K.

Book report presentations continue next week!  Parents are more than welcome to join us for the presentations.  Book report presentations will take place in the morning from 8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m., except for Mondays when they will take place from 8:45 a.m. - 9:15 a.m.  Please click the following link for your child's presentation date:

book report presentation schedule.pdf 
Also, the Scholastic Book Fair will continue until Thursday, March 6.  It is open from 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. everyday except Wednesday, March 6. On Wednesday, March 6 the Book Fair will be open until 4:30 p.m.

Posted at 3:41 PM| Permalink

The Magical Pueos have been busy!

We've been very busy these past couple of weeks.  Last Friday we had our annual Jump Rope for Heart event.  It was a full day for the Magical Pueos.  We began it by helping out the preschoolers with their Jump Rope for Heart event.  Our class helped Mrs. Jenkins organize it by setting up the different stations, carrying jump ropes and cones, and even drawing a chalk river on the play court!  We then stayed to help the preschoolers at the different stations.  Our leadership skills really came through!  We had a blast helping our youngest schoolmates.  The excitement continued through to our own Jump Rope for Heart event in the afternoon.  Everyone worked out their hearts as they jumped, hopped, and even hula-hooped in the gym!  Thanks to Mrs. Jenkins for organizing another successful Jump Rope for Heart event!

The Magical Pueos are on their way to writing their own legends.  After spending some time reading published Hawaiian legends, most students have now chosen a legend that they would like to retell.  The students are now in the process of taking important elements from a legend and writing their own version of it.  Next week we will continue drafting our pieces and discuss creating illustrations to complement our words.

We are also beginning an inquiry project in Hawaiian Studies.  After reading the libretto (script) for Kahalaopuna:  The Princess of Manoa, we realized that there were many elements that we did not know.  For example, what is hala?  How does taro become poi?  What was ancient Hawaiian sledding like?  These are just some of the questions that came up after reading the libretto.  Students will have the opportunity to choose any element from the libretto that interests them and research more about it.  We will tie this inquiry project into our study of the ahupua`a by examining in which part of the ahupua`a their element could be found. 

Posted at 3:57 PM| Permalink

Happy Lunar New Year!

Today our students had some special visitors to help celebrate Lunar New Year - Chinese Lion Dancers!  Our special guests danced all around the school, going to each classroom to help bring good luck for the new year.  Students were able to to give the lions red envelopes for even more good luck!  What a special treat!

This week we finished reading the libretto (script) for our upcoming opera, Kahalaopuna, Princess of Manoa.  After reading the libretto, we then compared the opera to James Rumford's version of the legend of Kahalaopuna.  Using a Venn Diagram, we discussed which elements were the same and which were different.  After looking at both versions of the legend, we learned that although the details of each story differ, the important elements were the same.  We discussed how legends told orally could be changed with each retelling, but somehow the main ideas stay the same. Students will now have a chance to create their own legend.  Students will spend the next few days reading Hawaiian legends.  After finding one that they like, they will then use a story map to find the main ideas of that legend.  They will use this story map to create their own version of the legend.  The published piece will also include illustrations.  We can't wait to see the final pieces!

Spelling will resume next week.  Students will receive a new list on Monday and be tested the following Monday.  Also, please remember that all Jump-Rope-for-Heart forms are due tomorrow, February 8.  Jump Rope for Heart will take place next Friday, February 15, from 12:30 - 2:00.

On a final note, the Yasui family (KY, 4th grade) has offered to treat the entire class to lunch tomorrow!  Thank you, Yasui family, for your generosity!

Posted at 8:39 AM| Permalink