Mrs. Gemme's Class
Communicating Home to School
We had a most successful experience at Nature's Classroom! The students and I learned so much about our environment and had an amazing experience doing the Underground Railroad. I wish to thank all the parents who gave up their time to assist us chaperoning at camp. I also appreciate all the other parents who so willingly volunteered, but were not chosen in the lottery. Our class had an amazing parent volunteer response!
It is hard to believe that this wonderful first year at Nayaug School is almost over!! This has been a great class, and we have learned so much! It has been an honor and privilege to have worked with all 23 students and their families.
If you need to communicate with us, feel free to contact us by writing a note, leaving a message on voice mail by calling the office, or emailing me at gemmed@glastonburyus.org. Kindly keep in mind that there are 23 students, and that our first obligation is to teach the curriculum to the students. Therefore, there might not be an immediate return of calls or emails. Usually I am able to reply within 24 hours. You can find out what we are studying below and see important upcoming happenings by clicking on the calendar.
Mrs. Gemme & Mrs. Davis
Overview of What We are Studying
Reading/Language Arts
We are currently doing an integrated language arts, reading, and social studies unit on Immigration. Our last class reading book is Letters From Rifka. This book traces a Jewish family's experience as they try to escape Russia in 1919 and make it to Ellis Island. For language arts we are concentrating on writing summaries for chapters in the book. The students are also doing research on a country of their heritage. This along with other immigration and heritage work we have done since our amazing Immigration Simulation will all be presented in a heritage book the students are making.
Math
Our last few weeks are devoted to challenging, exciting enrichment topics in geometry and algebra. We are currently learning about the amazing relationship between the diameter and circumference of a circle leading to Pi and Pie. Ask your child and they will explain!
Science
We have completed the required science units for the 5th grade curriculum. Since most of the units were tested on the first ever Science Mastery Test, we put in extra time to complete all 5 units by the beginning of the testing. These lucky students are now participating in 3 sessions of science enrichment. There are 5 different choices available, and the students choose 3 they would like to do. Each session is 9 classes long. Ask your child about their choices and what they are learning!
Health and You - Mr. Zimmerman
More Electricity and Mystery Boxes- Mr. Griffin
Global Warming, Fact or Myth? - Mrs. Gemme
Physics - Mr. Robbins
The World of Whales - Ms. Burke
