1. APRIL 16 2010
W E E K LY U P D A T E
GRAD E 5 A @ C D N I S
Triangular Discoveries, Coastal Museum and
Budding Archaeologists
Dear Parents, narrative and have started successful. The students and I
our initial investigations into together ensure the work that
The Spring Break is over and
the specific qualities of needs to be completed (and
it seems the students had a
historical fiction. As a way when) is included on the blog
restful and relaxed break --
of understanding historical daily. Any feedback you might
they’ve shown a definite
fiction, we have started have would be greatly
motivation and zeal this week
reading the novel Catherine, appreciated.
with regard to their classwork.
Called Birdy by Karen Please note that parents of
We started the week with the
Cushman, which is set in children WITHOUT siblings in
students using some of their England in 1290 and which the Lower School can now
recent research to create clay
is an excellent example of start writing to me to set up
models. These will be used next
this text type. Students will an appointment for the
Friday for our Dig Day, in which soon start generating their Student Led Learning
students will take on the roles of
own ideas to write their own Review. Please refer to the
archaeologists. They will pieces of historical fiction the timetable that I sent to
“discover” different artifacts in an
that is based on the you on April 1.
archeological dig at South Bay
research being developed in
Beach next Friday. their U.O.I.
The students have also had an Congratulations to Rita Ko
In Math, we continue to
opportunity to get a glimpse into and Nicole Tombazzi for
inquire into the central idea,
the inner-workings of how Central receiving this week’s Grade
“We can use the language
Ideas are constructed and 5A@CDNIS recognition
of geometry to describe the
presented. They are currently awards.
world around us.” This week
using their self-selected historical donaldmacpherson@cdnis.edu.hk
we looked at the special
topics to create their own central features of triangles, how to http://
ideas as part of their personal
construct them properly, djmacpherson.edublogs.org/
inquiries. It’s been a messy
how to describe them in
process, but we coming along different ways and how to
nicely. By next week, students
measure angles accurately.
will have constructed their own
Please take note that
central ideas.
the class blog has a new
In Literacy, we’ve continued
tab, “Homework and Tasks”.
exploring the features of So far, it has been very
Dates to Remember
April 19: Professional Development Day -- Dismissal at 11 am
April 23: Dig Day
April 30: Student Led Learning Reviews. No classes for students.

2. APRIL 16 2010
W E E K LY U P D A T E
GRAD E 5 A @ C D N I S
Dear Parents, it is strongly advised that you consider attending the
following:
Social networking online: Strategies for parents and CDNIS
expectations
Why is online bullying becoming so prevalent and how is it different from
traditional schoolyard bullying? What strategies can parents use to monitor
behaviour and protect their children? What are CDNIS's expectations of
student behaviour? CDNIS and CISPA highly recommend parents with
children 13 years and younger to attend one of these sessions. RSVP to
Priya Bharwani.
Monday, 19 April, 8:30-10 am (venue to be confirmed)
Tuesday, 20 April, 6:30-8 pm (10/F Library)
Dates to Remember
April 19: Professional Development Day -- Dismissal at 11 am
April 23: Dig Day