1. APRIL 23 2010
W E E K LY U P D A T E
GRAD E 5 A @ C D N I S
Third Dimensions, Fictionalizing History and Full-
Fledged Archaeologists
Dear Parents, pyramids and have been that assist us in interpreting
introduced to the properties the past.
The days just seem to whiz by
of 3D shapes.
sometimes and this week was Next Friday will be very
certainly an example of that. The In Literacy we have special. The Student Led
students have been working continued exploring Learning Reviews will take
diligently o n their personal Catherine, Called Birdy as a place. Please note that there
inquiries, having constructed way of exploring historical will be no regular classes for
their central ideas and guiding fiction. Also, students have the students that day. You re
questions. This was a challenging begun brainstorming, and recommended to watch the
process as the students had to even drafting in some podcast that was sent to you
focus on one big idea and write cases, their own historical yesterday (and can also be
questions that were clear and fiction, based on the found on the blog) about what
concise yet open-ended, enabling research conducted in our an SLLR is and what both your
their audience to respond through unit of inquiry. We’ve spent and your child’s
a variety of perspectives. a significant amount of time responsibilities are. Please
Informal feedback from the deconstructing the narrative note as well that my role is
students indicate that they now text form and in the process minimal. Should you wish to
have a much clearer idea of the we have explored those have a personal interview with
processes we go through when special features that make a me, please email me and we
inquiring into our six trans- narrative a piece of can make an appointment at a
disciplinary themes. This has historical fiction. future date.
been a successful unit indeed! Dig Day was a great
Please refer to the class blog for experience. The overall Congratulations to Mya
more of the content that has objective was to create a Miller and Matthew Chan
been discussed and shared in fun and engaging learning for receiving this week’s
class during this unit. experience that helped the Grade 5A@CDNIS
In Math we have started students understand how recognition awards.
inquiring into 3D shapes. artifacts are another source
donaldmacpherson@cdnis.edu.hk
Students did some initial of historical information.
discoveries into the similarities They were able to see how http://
and differences between prisms archaeologists worked to djmacpherson.edublogs.org/
and pyramids. They learned the make the educated guesses
rules for naming prisms and
Dates to Remember
April 29: Dress Down Day - Earth Colors (Donations to Ark Eden)
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
Reminders
Please remind parents that siblings will not be permitted to join the
SLLRs. There will be responsible student leaders at a set location to
mind small children while they participate in the SLLRs. Parents should
consider leaving very young siblings at home. This note was a part of
the original letter sent to them.
The Lower School Festival of the Arts from Monday, May 3rd to Friday, May 7th is
a week-long celebration of the arts in its various forms. The purpose is to create
an environment infused with art for students to enjoy and extend their learning
about the arts. Parents, other schools and the community are invited to be a part
of our celebration. Please visit the school website http://www.cdnis.edu.hk/ for
details and schedules for this special week.
Student Led Learning Reviews: Appointments
Please notify me if there is a mistake
Student Student Student
8:00-8:30 Cheryl Christian Henry
8:45-9:15 Patricia Andrew
9:30-10:00 Nicole Christina Branton
10:15-10:45 Rachel Kevin
11:00-11:30 Kelly Ena Glenn
11:45-12:15 Lunch
12:30-1:00 Ali Irmina Nicholas
1:15-1:45 Dorothy
2:00-2:30 Matthew
2:45-3:15 Charles
3:30-4:00 Mya Adrian
4:15-4:45 Justin Reina Jeffrey