April has been a month of trying new things.  We are reading newly awarded books, discovering new worlds, and finding new ways to celebrate and protect our earth.

New Additions to our Reading Program

Our first ever “Book Madness” tournament awarded Thank You Very Mochi by Paul Matsushima as the class winner.  We spent the months of March and April reading and discussing picture books that highlight authors and characters of color.  The students filled out scouting reports, taking stats on themes, characters, messages, and illustrations.  After reading 32 books, the class voted and we found our favorite.

The Great Wave by Veronique Massenot

The Great Wave was the beginning of our study of Japanese culture.  This beautiful picture book was inspired by Japanese artist Hokusai’s classic woodcut of a majestic wave.  After reading the book, students were introduced to Japanese folklore, art, and the week ended with Ms. Taylor demonstrating how to make mochi.  Students were given the opportunity to make their own interpretation of a giant wave.  Please visit our picture gallery to see individual artwork.  

Newbery award winners arrive in the classroom and make their way to our reading groups.  We have introduced some brand NEW books to the classroom and the students are responding by spending every waking minute reading, even during lunch.  Sixth years are reading the Newbery winner Echo, by Pam Munoz Ryan.  It is a must read for all ages and happens to be Ms. Amy’s favorite book.  The fourth and fifth years are reading other award winning books, like When Stars are Scattered, A Fish in a Tree, The War that Saved My Life, and The Wild Robot.  Just in case you are looking for great summer reads.

When you Trap a Tiger, by Tae Keller won the 2021 Newbery Honor award.  Ms. Taylor is highlighting this book as a classroom read aloud.  Most students would give it, “10 out of 10..would recommend!”

Other notable “new” award winners:

Newbery Honor Awards

-Fighting Words by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

-A Wish in the Dark by Christina Soontornvant

-We Dream of Space by Erin Entradea Kelly

-All Thirteen:The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys’ Soccer Team by Christina Soontornvat

Just some good reads to have on hand as summer begins.

The Renaissance and Humanism – A “New” Way of Thinking

The E6 navigators returned from their time in the New World to find Europe flourishing with new ideas.  The birth of the Renaissance had started in Florence, and artists, architects, mathematicians, and scholars were thriving.  Students traveled to Florence to study Renaissance culture.  Their first stop was to meet Brunelleschi and try to replicate the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore.  Please visit our picture galleries to see their gumdrop and toothpick structures.

Earth Day – “Tyed Something NEW”

Earth Day started with an investigation into issues that are relevant to the health of our planet.  Students are doing research/presentation projects on issues of deforestation, water pollution, endangered species, 

Students watched a TedEd on the life-cycle of a t-shirt.  We upcycled white tee-shirts and tie-dyed them using water and turmeric, the results were bright and beautiful.  Since this was a “new” recipe, we weren’t sure what to expect, but our class couldn’t have been happier with the results.  Please check out the pictures.

Upcoming Events

May 7th – Someone Special to Me Tea – Gifts will be sent home.

May 10th – May 14 – Stanford Standardized Testing

May 17 – Shakespeare Unshackled – The Musical – Details TBA

We are looking forward to a fun-filled and productive last month of school.  We hope you are enjoying all the new adventures that warm weather and springtime can bring.

Don’t forget to check out our new photos! https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1HtDfUYD4SGyg6N1UEpza6FkAvdF7Espq?usp=sharing

Your E6 Team

Book Madness – In the spirit of the “March Madness” NCAA basketball tournament, students are participating in our “Book Madness” favorite book bracket.  We have spent the months of February and March studying award winning books highlighting men and women authors of color.  Students journal in their “scouting report” and we look forward to our class “vote”, to see which books make it to the championship round.  Students seem to love different books for a variety of reasons so we are looking forward to seeing which book is the favorite.  Along with reading aloud, journaling, and discussion, E6 recreats art, customs, and food that celebrate the culture of the artist.

Science Madness – Students have spent most of March learning about flowering plants and the fruit they produce.  The 6th year garden harvested peas, students participated in a backyard leaf search, they built greenhouses (some even survived the high winds and rain), and of course dissected fruit. 

History Madness:  Students put together presentations on famous navigators of the 15th century.  Groups made quilts, artifacts, powerpoint presentations, and, of course, food.  (There seems to be a theme here!) Students are still sailing across the Atlantic to the New World.  So far all of the crews have survived but we will see if they can make it back for the glory of Spain.

Pi Madness – Cayden Yamaguchi is our “Pi Queen”!  She was able to recite 276 characters of Pi from memory!  It was definitely madness!  Congratulations, Cayden, on your hard work and determination.  The class was so proud of you!!!

Teacher Appreciation Week Madness – The teachers of E6 would like to thank all of the families for their kind words, thoughtful gifts, coffee, and sweet treats!  We feel so appreciated and loved by our students, families, and the entire FMS community.  We wish you a relaxing and laughter filled spring break.  See you in April!  Enjoy 😀

BTW:  The teachers of E6 have some favorite teams in the March Madness NCAA basketball tournament.  #GoDucks #

Don’t forget to check out our photos! https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1HtDfUYD4SGyg6N1UEpza6FkAvdF7Espq?usp=sharing