Levers, levers, levers

Hello,

We started our study of levers.  We did some lifting of some books and even of each other.  We'll get into a more scientific study of levers tomorrow.  I feel like most students were noticing how important the placement of the fulcrum was in relation to the load or force, so that was a good start.

In music, students have finished their review of musical instrument choices for next year. I'm a proponent of trying out an instrument in fifth grade. A number of studies have shown a high correlation between success in school and learning music.  Many brain studies show that learning music helps "wire" the brain for easier future learning. I also think it helps teach responsibility as well as giving students a glimpse into the Jr. high world where they will need to organize their work and extra-curricular activities.

In gym, some students had some trouble with sportsmanship in the capture the flag game.  We've been playing that a lot at our afternoon recess and homework club and the sportsmanship is getting better all the time.  It's a fun game to learn the importance of losing graciously. They are getting it.

A few parents have been talking about the news in the Times Record that mentioned that next year would be the last year for the Civil War reenactment at HBS.  The social studies curriculum team is trying to get rid of subjects that are studied more than once over a four year span.  The Civil War is currently studied at the Jr. High and in fifth grade.  The current plan is to make the Revolutionary War more of a focus at the fifth grade level and leave the Civil War for BJHS.

Thanks for the Augusta field trip permission slips.  Get them in before the twelfth, please.

Have a good night.

Mr. Shea