2022-2023
We have begun our classes with 6th graders taking a look at the epic tale: Black Ships Before Troy- the story of the Iliad. We are considering what makes a hero, and how/ why a character's ethics and values matter. This year we will incorporate more STEM activities connected to this text to meet the needs of our team.
5th graders are looking at Alice in Wonderland. We are considering the concept of theme and thinking about how Alice handles the surprises and unknowns in wonderland. How do we work through things that are boring, difficult, confusing, or frustrating?
2016-2017
Here we have the great philosophers of the 5th grade pondering the author's purpose in Rime of the Ancient Mariner.
March-May 2018
Students in Grade 6 have completed reading The Wanderings of Odysseus by Rosemary Suttcliff. We were a bit disappointed by the rather abrupt ending to this epic story and have set to work writing an improved final chapter. Each child is also completing a Passion Project about the Odyssey to reflect comprehension of the text through individual talents and interests.
In 5th Grade we are continuing our study of Egyptian Mythology. Students are also completing a passion project to share a chapter of their choice as well as completing a summary of the chapter.
4th Graders are continuing their study of Greek mythology as it relates to the constellation stories. We have practiced doodle note taking and now are seeing that constellations look like doodle notes in the sky!
We have begun our classes with 6th graders taking a look at the epic tale: Black Ships Before Troy- the story of the Iliad. We are considering what makes a hero, and how/ why a character's ethics and values matter. This year we will incorporate more STEM activities connected to this text to meet the needs of our team.
5th graders are looking at Alice in Wonderland. We are considering the concept of theme and thinking about how Alice handles the surprises and unknowns in wonderland. How do we work through things that are boring, difficult, confusing, or frustrating?
2016-2017
Here we have the great philosophers of the 5th grade pondering the author's purpose in Rime of the Ancient Mariner.
March-May 2018
Students in Grade 6 have completed reading The Wanderings of Odysseus by Rosemary Suttcliff. We were a bit disappointed by the rather abrupt ending to this epic story and have set to work writing an improved final chapter. Each child is also completing a Passion Project about the Odyssey to reflect comprehension of the text through individual talents and interests.
In 5th Grade we are continuing our study of Egyptian Mythology. Students are also completing a passion project to share a chapter of their choice as well as completing a summary of the chapter.
4th Graders are continuing their study of Greek mythology as it relates to the constellation stories. We have practiced doodle note taking and now are seeing that constellations look like doodle notes in the sky!
The "ghastly crew" haunts the Ancient Mariner.
Over Arching Themes and Connections:
Grade 4: Choices How do we make choices? What are the consequences of our decisions? 4th graders will be exploring how choices are made and the impact of our decisions as we read The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster. Grade 5: Questions What makes a good question? What information do we hope to attain from asking questions? Why might someone ask a rhetorical question? Does wonder improve the world? There will be plenty of questions as the 5th graders dive into the famous ballad, Rime of the Ancient Mariner, by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Grade 6: Point of View What is a viewpoint? Do viewpoints change? How? 6th graders will be reading the epic Black Ships Before Troy: A Retelling of the Iliad, by Rosemary Sutcliff. |
Students in the first session of Linguistic/Verbal TAAP collaborated on an alphabet book of Topsfield. This project required students to research local enterprises using internet resources, telephone interviews, and personal experience. We explored the elements of 6 Traits of Writing throughout this project. Here you see our cinquains and illustrations. (2014-2015)