The 5A students have been impressing their teacher with their focus and work. They wrote persuasive essays on solid waste management from different perspectives and have been practicing speeches for their summative assessment. In math, the class has been learning about fractions including equivalent, comparing, and ordering fractions. They have also been writing their own persuasive texts using language features and organization structures they have learned. Their blogs have writing samples from this work that parents are encouraged to read and comment on.

1. DECEMBER 3 2010
W E E K LY U P D A T E
GRADE 5A @ CDNIS
Becoming Independent and Responsible Learners
Dear Parents,
There are times when the 5A students totally amaze me and this week has been one of those
times. Schools are busy places with a myriad of activities happening at any one time - and it can be
easy to get distracted. This week, the students focused really well on writing a draft copy of a
persuasive text on an issue related to solid waste management (a list of which they themselves
brainstormed). Upon finishing their first draft, they then had to argue the opposite perspective. So
far, what I have read has been really impressive. In addition to that, we have started Round 2 of “A
Minute in the Spotlight,” which is a practice run for their speeches (as part of their summative
assessment). Students took the feedback offered to them from Round 1 and really were impressive in
adjusting those areas necessary and delivering much improved speeches on solid waste
management. The summative task sheet and assessment rubric has been posted on the blog
for weeks but the paper copy has been sent home today to be signed and returned on
Monday. Monday, December 11 is the day the students will be delivering their speeches.
In Math we worked a lot on equivalent fractions, comparing fractions and ordering fractions
according to value. Next week we’ll focus on simplifying fractions before the students are assessed on
what we’ve been learning so far. After that, and taking us into the New Year, will be improper
fractions, mixed numbers and operations with fractions.
Students have continued deconstructing persuasive texts and are well underway in writing their
own using appropriate language features and organizational structures. This week considerable time
was spent on writing appropriate sentences and paragraphs. Students are aware that paragraphs
consist of a series of connected sentences (based on ideas) and introduced by topic sentences.
Kids have been blogging this week and will continue next week. I strongly encourage you to read
and comment on your chid’s blog. If you need assistance with this, ask your child! Next week they
will post some of their persuasive texts on their blogs.
Please note, Monday, December 6 is a half day. Dismissal at 11am s
Please note, a students will go to the EcoPark on Wednesday. Permission slips need to be returned
as soon as possible.
Want to learn more about the Lower School Teaching and Learning Programme? A reminder
that the first ‘PYP Drop-In’ will be held in the drama pit of the library on Tuesday 7 December,
2:00–2:45pm and repeated on Thursday 9 December from 8.00–8.45am (revised time). The
following questions will be addressed: What is the IB? What is the PYP? What is the
philosophy behind the PYP? All welcome without the need to respond.
Kind Regards,
DJ MacPherson
donaldmacpherson@cdnis.edu.hk & http://sites.cdnis.edu.hk/teachers/donaldmacpherson//