Newbury Elementary School
Annual Report 2013
GRADE 5 Jeff Goodell
Greetings from the land of fifth grade! As I reflect back on the year so far, trying to summarize what’s been happening, I keep coming up with the same word, “Busy!” It has been an incredibly busy year. I know we are not the only ones feeling this way because much of what’s made this year so busy to date has involved the whole school. In the midst of our busy and sometimes hectic schedule, there have been a few shining pearls gleaned from our experiences that are particularly noteworthy. In the beginning, August and September, we find ourselves mixing the mortar to build the classroom foundation that will support us throughout the year. This mortar consists of learning kindness in the way we approach and deal with each other through greetings, games, and activities. We also set up respectful guidelines to live by so we can all learn as much as possible. Well, in the gales of November on a chilly but sunny day, our class laid a few bricks on our foundation by simulating what Lewis and Clark might have experienced on their miraculous journey. The class, led by a group of peer leaders, portaged a canoe over a distance of a half-mile, including a tremendous hill (up and down). While there was groaning, huffing and puffing, and possibly a few complaints, the group succeeded and returned to school with broader understandings. They could write more accurately about what the explorers may have felt and experienced, but could also articulate what it was like to “take orders” and have to listen to each other. They realized that it took the whole team to accomplish their goal, with everyone playing a part. What a great analogy for other learning experiences and projects we face in our daily lives. Adding to our busyness, we tackled a CLiF “Year of the Book” event that created a book trailer about a favorite story we had shared in class (Frindle by Andrew Clements). From the outside this project may have appeared chaotic, and perhaps at times it was. But not only did the kids “analyze” the book, something we attempt to do with many books in other ways, by planning the trailer, they also pulled together for a common goal, shared responsibilities, and got to swell with pride as people clapped for them following the showing. Alas, out of the clamor comes authentic learning, real tasks that reinforce many skills and engage children. I think it was even fun! While the above only highlights a few of the events for fifth graders this year, they bring to light important ideas about learning. Engagement and student ownership, especially as students get older,
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