Our New Round of RAFTs!

5-316's RAFT's have come so far. Our reading/writing/Social Studies integrated units were extended with great creativity. Check out our videos:










Jake made a Transcontinental locomotive... that runs!

And check out the pictures of our boardgames!

Our Latest P.S.A.

15 PSALindsaySofiaJonathanDeclan from Ms. Z on Vimeo.

5-316's culture!!!

    I asked some kids about the different types of culture they had. First I interviewed Robert. "Are you part of any culture?" I asked him. "Yes, I am 1\2 Italian and 1\4 Polish," He answered. "Do you do any traditions related to that culture?" I said. "Every Sunday my family eats macaroni, an Italian tradition." I asked the final     question, "do you have any item or article of clothing?" "Yeah, an Italian soccer jersey." 

   Next person was Betzy. She was 1\2 Spanish and she celebrated 3 kings day. She also had a special scarf that was used to carry a baby. I found that part very interesting. I never knew that about her! 

   Finally came Porter. He was German! Wow i never knew that. Every year, a couple days before Christmas, he would string popcorn on a chain and then ONLY then he could open presents.

  I had a lot of fun learning about everybody's different culture hope you enjoyed too.

           -Ellie

 

 

5-316's First Public Service Announcement

15 PSA-EggSalad from Ms. Z on Vimeo.

Shrek Junior, The Musical

By Brendan, Sara, and Riley

(Brendan) The fifth grade is putting on a musical like they have done every year. Every year kids get super thrilled to be in the play. On the other hand, the people who auditioned and didn't get the part were very upset. The musical is about an ogre and a donkey who have to save a princess with obstacles such as a evil ruler, a deadly dragon and knights around every corner. 

What I have to say to the people who were upset is there are many great parts in the ensemble too, such as Duloc performers, Trees, Fairy tale creatures and more!!!! I am thrilled to be in this musical and to even have this musical happen. This Musical is going to be epic no matter what! So if you are in the main cast or ensemble, have fun in this musical. TO ALL READERS COME AND SEE SHREK JUNIOR THE MUSICAL IN LATE MAY !!!! 

(Sara) The play is going to be very fun for the main cast and the ensemble, as Brenden said. I think here are many great parts for everyone. I think everyone who auditioned did a wonderful job. People who got upset about the musical shouldn't because the ensemble is great too. If you are upset just jump up and down and scream "I am so happy I am in the ensemble!!!!" That will make you feel better about it. I think this musical will be a blast. I just wonder how they will make the child who plays Shrek look green and have those little pointy ears.
Now to all the main cast children I think you are going to do great no matter what part you get. The main cast will have lots of singing so you should practice your voice and sing all the songs. I am happy I got in the ensemble. I didn't even audition. Everyone please come see Shrek the musical. I bet all the students will have worked so hard so please come as their reward for working hard. Now to the students work hard. as Brendan said. TO ALL READERS COME AND SEE SHREK JUNIOR THE MUSICAL IN LATE MAY!!!!"

(Riley) The play should have equal parts. If there are some parts bigger than others, that would be ok. It's just that there should not be any auditions. It should not be called the "main cast." What you get is what you get. The main cast has only 33 parts and there are 150 kids in the grade. Some of my fellow peers and me think it should not be a musical. It should focus on acting and not singing! And we strongly believe that statement. Brendan and Sara have the good side of the argument and I have the bad side of the argument. Overall, I do not think it is fair.

I have some tips you can use for next year: To not have a main cast, to have no singing, to have equal parts. Now that is what my classmates and I have to say about this play. We can disagree, but I do hope you come to see the play either way!!!!!

Reflections on the Ballroom Peformance

By Ruby & Parker

After the Ballroom Dance show on Friday the 5^th of December2014, the two class journalists, Parker and Ruby, separated and went off to all of the fifth grade classrooms, in the fifth grade classrooms were children who demonstrated and spoke at the show. The journalists had three questions:  1. Were you nervous to be up there by yourself (or with a partner) and how did it feel to gat picked? 2. How long did it take you to find something to wear? And 3. What are you favorite ballroom dances?

The first person interviewed was Ella from class 302: “I was definitely nervous to speak because I usually don’t speak in front of people, and because of that I don’t get picked for special things like that, so it felt really great! To get dressed it took me about 15 minuets. And my favorite dance is definitely the Merengue.”

The next person interviewed was Marianna. “I felt a little nervous when dancing but then I was okay, and I was totally embarrassed because there was a lot of people right there. It took me a while, like four days to find the perfect outfit. My favorite dance is probably the swing.”

After a few more interviews, we came across two negative reviews. First there was Emmanuel. “ I am very shy so it felt terrible because I extremely dislike speaking in front of crowds. I hate it so much that I let someone else read my story. It took me 10 seconds because I did not care what I was wearing. I do not have a favorite dance but if I were to pick I would pick the "Swango" (swing/tango).

The next negative interview was Luca. “Honestly, I did not care and it took me two minutes to get dressed. And my favorite dance is the salsa.” 

One of the last interviews was for a pair of demonstrators, Alma and Sligo they demonstrated the Fox Trot. This is what Alma had to say: “I was kind of nervous and my stomach was swirling in circles. I felt overjoyed to perform. It took me fifteen minutes and thirty-seven seconds to get dressed. And my favorite dance is the Merengue.“ And now on to Sligo. “It was nice to dance again. I was slightly nervous. It took me five minuets and tem seconds to get dressed. And my favorite dance s also the Merengue.”

The last interview was another pair of demonstrators Zoe and Jack. This is what Zoe had to say. “ I was surprised and proud at the same time. I was nervous because I spin to fast. It took me ten minuets to find something to wear. I favorite dance is The Swing.” And now on to Jack: “when I got picked I felt happy and nervous and I don’t know how to explain it. It also took me ten minutes. And my favorite dance is the ‘Salsa’ (swing\ salsa).”  Anyway, as you see there were two perspectives about this dance, some felt so HAPPY!! And some just didn’t care.

Class Journalists Report on "Turkey Raffle"

Ms. Biedermen’s class had won the last raffle for Halloween. This made me determined to win the turkey raffle. It had just been announced and the prize was clearly strange, a turkey. This had everyone confused, so I as class journalist ( Sasha is my partner )started a survey/interview. My boss (Ms.Zacconi ) had said to find opinion. Well guess what, I did.

    

Stella Brown from the class that one the last raffle says its ok to have a turkey for our school’s thanksgiving raffle. But when I told her how turkeys are treated and bred, the expression on her face was beyond imagining.

      

“Well…” she said. She really thought about it for a while. “I think its okay but only because it’s traditional.  We are carrying that tradition and that’s fine with me.” During the interview Stella also mentioned that having turkey on thanksgiving is very special to her and her family and that the tradition.

Not everyone thinks the Turkey raffle is a good idea. Kaya of 5-316 thinks that the treatment of Turkeys is inhumane and cruel. “It’s cruel to kill for pleasure of humans” Kaya says “ Imagine a killing a turkey killing and eating a human for Thanksgiving.” Despite her feelings on the rights of Turkeys Kaya does not refer to herself as Vegetarian, Vegan, Raw Vegan, or Fruitarian.

Jackson, another 5-316 student spoke out against Turkey living conditions.“I’d raise them free range and kill them when they’re old.” Jackson says. “Cows are raised that way so it’s not like it’s impossible.”

      

We’re proud to say that not only is PS58 carrying the meat tradition, but there are also baskets being raffled of as prizes. Some baskets include toys, cookery, and large Christmas decorations.

It is true that Turkeys are housed in terrible shacks and abused but many think that until the movement grows strong enough the horrors will carry on. Though it is only school event the Turkey Raffle will help decide just that.

Our R.A.F.T.s Rundown

Take a look at a selection of our Reading RAFTs!
RAFT Wonder - Small from Ms. Z on Vimeo.

Jake-Jackson Reading RAFT from Ms. Z on Vimeo.

Riley Parker RAFT from Ms. Z on Vimeo.

Reading RAFT - Brendan and Robert from Ms. Z on Vimeo.

Ellie RAFT from Ms. Z on Vimeo.

Chloe and Sara-Raft from Ms. Z on Vimeo.

VIP interview

As the VIP was chosen everyone held their breath. Thoughts raced through people's heads. Whispers flew through the crowd. Finally the moment everyone had been waiting came. The VIP was Andrea, the school soccer star who could beat anyone at the game. The next day I rushed to interview him along with the other class journalist, my partner Isabella. "I'm glad that a person nominated me," Andrea says. "I think being a VIP is really cool." After thanking Brendan for nominating him, Andrea shared some other things with us as well:

Sasha: What do outside of school?
Andrea: I really like to play soccer.
Sasha:  Who are some of your best friends?
Andrea: Dylan, Jonthan, Robert, Johann, Sasha, Declan, and Porter.
Sasha: What would you like to say to the fabulous journalist that interviewed you?
Andrea: Sasha was kind of weird but funny, too. And they got it done in a fun way! !

Obviously, Andrea is a great choice for the first VIP. I wonder who will be the next?!

Sara's Prime Version!

Prime Numbers from K.Z. on Vimeo.

Chloe's Summer Share!

Chris's Summer Share!

Andrea's Summer Share!

Betzy's Summer Share!

Jackson's Summer Share!