2nd/3rd: Week of 5/6

Math –

Ms. Andrea’s math group began the week by analyzing and then creating our own bar and pictographs. We finished the week with 2 assessments – our graphing unit test and (part 1 of) a comprehensive that covers the scope of the entire year. They worked so hard!!

Ms. Kelly’s math group started the week off with a fraction review- game style- before tackling new challenges with the exciting equivalent fractions concept! We began by comparing models, which gives a wonderful, very concrete visual, then created and plotted equivalent fractions on number lines.

Literacy –

In writing the Betas are working on final touches for their fairy tales! Front covers have been sharpied and bejeweled. Our final drafts now have illustrations! Early finishers are completing creative writing exercises that they are so excited to show off to you!

Theme –

We began our week creating “stained glass windows.

In medieval times, great churches were adorned with all manner of artwork, all designed to honor the heavenly God. During the construction of the churches and cathedrals, a new art form developed – the stained glass window. Many stained glass windows actually made a picture, but sometimes they were just large pieces of colored glass in pleasing geometric shapes.

We enjoyed our brief time as monks and continue to climb the social ladder and are now nobles! The lord of the manor ruled large areas of land. They reported directly to the king and were very powerful. They lived in a large house or castle where people would gather for celebrations or for protection if they were attacked. A small village would form around the castle which would include the local church, a mill, a blacksmith shop and sometimes a bakery, etc. Farms would then spread out from there which would be worked by the peasants.The job of the lord was to maintain order, collect taxes and food.

The Beta Nobles created a map of their manor and the area of land that belongs to them including the various buildings, fields, forest and water source (for hunting and, well, water of course!) and we are now in the process of creating a group diorama of sorts! Small pods of kiddos are making all the parts important to a successful village- the peasant houses, mill, blacksmith, church, forest, fields, and of course a castle, etc.- all super mini. We will then arrange them on our cardboard land so visitors to our Beta Museum at PoP will see what a manor village might have looked like!

We also learned a bit about the Magna Carta.The Magna Carta (Latin for “Great Charter”) was a document that gave certain rights to the English people.

England’s nobles, church leaders, and the common people disliked King John. He demanded too much money from his people. They drew up the Magna Carta to limit his power. John was too weak to resist them.

King John of England was forced to sign the Magna Carta stating that the king was not above the law of the land and protecting the rights of the people. He could not simply rule as he wished. It was one of the first documents to state that citizens had such rights. Today, the Magna Carta is considered one of the most important documents in the history of democracy.

The Betas created a silly, tongue in cheek, version for their household (the parents in the king/queen roles, kids in the noble role) asking for less structured rules at home like later bedtime, more dessert, and having the parents clean the kids rooms 😜 We are thinking their king/queen at home will not abide! 🤣