The Eagle Eye

Parent Newsletter
Volumn 6, Issue 2 - Spring 2009

5th Grade News: Mrs. Shutt - Room 305

In Room 305 we have done a number of fun learning projects in 2009. In Math, we learned how to comparison shop. In Language Arts, we researched poets, wrote different types of poems, and entered a haiku contest. In Science, we independently designed, conducted, and reported on a one-variable experiment. But the best project was the one that gave us a chance to participate in the Big Shoulders Fund Schools' Burnham Centennial Project.

Our role in the project was to research and map the Hyde Park neighborhood and to create a plan for the future of the neighborhood. It was a fun to learn about the neighborhood that has had such famous residents as the Obama Family, Mahalia Jackson, Arne Duncan, and Harold Washington. It also has some famous building such as the Museum of Science and Industry, the University of Chicago, Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie House, and St. Thomas the Apostle Church (which is a historical landmark).

Our plans for the future of the neighborhood included an organic community garden, green buildings, and solar-powered trolleys.

The research and plans were written-up into a 30-page report and incorporated into a large map of Hyde Park. Our map was combined with the maps from all the other participating schools to create one big tapestry of neighborhoods of the City of Chicago.

Two of our 5th-grade students shared their research with 5th-grade students from other Big Shoulders Fund Schools and helped build the tapestry map at a Burnham Centennial Celebration gathering on April 23, 2009, at St. Barbara School.

6th Grade News: Mrs. Johnson - Room 303

The sixth graders are wrapping up another great year. In additional to the regular curriculum the children have been completing activities and projects to entertain and help the other students in our school.

We have been responsible for many prayer services this year. Our Lenten season began with the burying of the Alleluia. The middle unit gathered and processed down the hall in preparation for the Lenten season. In addition to preparing the Ash Wednesday mass, we met weekly for prayer during the Lenten season. The children presented two versions of The Stations of the Cross for the school. The presentation for the older children focused on peace and justice while the younger children were introduced to the stations and given an opportunity to reflect upon them. We celebrated our Easter mass after returning from spring break.

In honor of Women's History Month the sixth graders presented two versions of "To Tell the Truth". The life story of Dolly Madison and Clara Barton were told using the format of the old television show "To Tell the Truth". Grades 3-5 enjoyed learning about these women who made a mark on history.

For a Language Arts project, the sixth graders presented shadow puppet shows in the tradition of the ancient Chinese craft. This project, which incorporated Social Studies, art, and Language Arts, was fun for the sixth graders as well as grades K-5 who were the audience.

The sixth graders really like to help around school. Each week they do chores including cleaning their own classroom and helping other teachers with chores in their room. They are looking forward to helping their kindergarten prayer partners make their tie dye shirts at the end of the year. The sixth graders are looking forward to seventh grade but will miss the teachers and activities that made this year an exciting year!

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