\\\The Walk of The Graduates: Congratulations to Konstantina, John, and Sienna!///
<<<PLATO FINAL SHOW>>>
Giving Cards of Gratitude to Ms. Pam and working on our Advertising to sell our Galaxies!
In Reading and Language Arts, our class looked back at the first month of our writing prompt submissions in our Writing Journal. “The Journey of Our Writing Journal” was one of our final reading, reflecting, and writing assignments of the year. Each one of read numerous past assignments that we had crafted in our Writing Journal and responded to many questions covering topics: our Evolution/Growth as a writer, what assignments we are Strong/Have Improved, Writing skills that we Still Need to Improve on, and finally what Lesson we have learned about ourselves from keeping a Writing Journal for an entire school year!
QUESTION OF THE DAY: (Most Common Response)
In Social Studies, our class continues to improve our amazing singing and dancing performance of “Help” by The Beatles, for the End of the Year Show. DBQ (Document Based Question): we engaged with a new analytical skill that involves a careful study of a primary source document. Our class studied 2 Maps of Africa (Climate Zones and Population Location/Density). This brief analytical writing assignment sparked a deep conservation about WHY climate and resources are the 2 major factors that influence why and where people choose to live.
In Math, we reviewed and learned various Math Topics this week including: Graphing, Formula patterns, Measuring and Estimating our Heartrate, FOIL, Multiplying Decimals. During our Monday and Friday Math Block, (Kyrios Zafeiris) taught and reviewed: “Rubik’s Cube” was offered as a step-by-step, problem solving, progressive task. Our class smashed through the various challenges to solve. Our class truly embraced the concept of Growth Mindset with 2 eager and determined hands as we viewed an expert revealing various techniques to solve this colored, Retro cube!
[Math Match Up]
“Notes From The Lab”: we were studying various Types of Galaxies and their various properties. We began working on “Advertisements for Various Types of Galaxies“. Make sure to check Ms. Pam’s blog for more details. Ms. Beth’s Class “Future Projects” was a wonderful opportunity for us to visit another class and see how they creativity view what life will be like in 2050! This has been such a special year for Science in our lives; our class has learned about so many exciting topics, engaged with new skills and completed numerous intriguing experiments!
The 4 Amazing Moms who chaperoned from our Class and I took a ton of pictures.
If you would like to see more of our day, please just email me.
In Reading and Language Arts, our class Whole Year Writing Progression: after completing our Bluebook Reflection, concerning our Social Studies (Asian Art Project), we looked back at the first month of our writing prompt submissions in our Writing Journal.
QUESTION OF THE DAY: (Most Common Response)
In Social Studies, our class continues to learn, rehearse and improve our performance of “Help” by The Beatles, for the End of the Year Show. (My Asian Art Project): we created a Walking Museum for Ms. Beth’s class to visit and learn from our research, curiosity and creativity about our Asian countries and the topics we investigated. Thank you, Ms. Beth’s Class for being such a great audience; respectful and curious listeners!
In Math, we reviewed and learned various Math Topics this week including: During our Monday and Friday Math Block, (Kyrios Zafeiris) taught and reviewed: Distributive property, Equivalent Expressions, Multiplication and Division with Decimals, and Multiple Choice problem techniques.
(HEALTH CLASSES): The 5th graders of our class learned about Puberty II, which helped us become more familiar with reproductive systems, our changing bodies, and Social Media and On-line safety.
“Notes From The Lab”: our class continued to finish their group Star chart to compare the size, intensity and temperature of them. Aerodynamics: “How Planes Fly” video helped prepare us with information about lift, velocity and how air travels over the structure of the plane to help it take flight! After we designed and engineered our Paper Airplanes, we each were allowed 2 throws to test the quality of flying machine. Jason Ivanov was our class winner and represented our class and Plato with a great effort and good sportsmanship vs. every other class champion in front of the All-School Final. Our class even created signs to cheer on Jason and our class to show Plato Academy which class has great spirit. Bravo, Jason!
In Reading and Language Arts, our class voted for the 2nd time a “Table Representative” to lead each one of our 4 table groups. We chose the person who we trusted the most to be in charge. Table 1 = Kosta, Table 2 = Rebecca, Table 3 = Nefeli, and Table 4 = Teddy B.. (“Just a Word”): this Table Task was a challenge in not just our knowledge of words, how to build them, but most importantly leadership, collaboration, and problem solving to be the Top group. Each table had a letter, that would be the start of each word that they thought of to fill 6 different category boxes (Adjectives, Proper Nouns, Synonym Pairs, Words Ending in -Ment, Antonym Pairs, and 8 letter words!) Whole Year Writing Progression: after completing our Bluebook Reflection, concerning our Social Studies (Asian Art Project), we looked back at the first month of our writing prompt submissions in our Writing Journal.
QUESTION OF THE DAY: (Most Common Response)
In Social Studies, our class continues to learn, rehearse and improve our performance of “Help” by The Beatles, for the End of the Year Show. (My Asian Art Project): Bluebook Reflection was an opportunity for us to share what we have learned about our the Asian country we chose, the specific topic that we were curious about, and what this project has taught ourselves. We personally scored our own writing sample using a detailed Rubric of what is essential for quality Nonfiction writing: (Facts, Analysis, Adjectives, Length, Penmanship, Grammar (Punctuation, Capitalization).
In Math, we reviewed and learned various Math Topics this week including: Circles (Radius, Diameter, Circumference and and Area), Estimating and Calculating Distances from Plato to Cities all around the USA (outside of The Midwest/Great Lakes region), FOIL, Factoring Quadratics, and intro to Functions! We had such a busy week of challenges, review, and taste of future topics for next school year! During our Monday and Friday Math Block, (Kyrios Zafeiris) taught and reviewed: Area/Perimeter of Irregular shapes, Hypotenuse, Pythagorean Theory, Laws of Exponents, Long Division, Dividing Fractions, Dividing Decimals, Estimation through Visual Challenges!
(HEALTH CLASSES): our class took essential post-tests and surveys concerning last week’s classes on
“Notes From The Lab”: our class tested our “egg-driven” cars and we learned that our design and engineered vehicles stood up to the test of Ms. Pam’s “battery ram” table!
“Potential Energy” Group
In Reading and Language Arts, our class selected 2 Nonfiction online news articles from 2025 that were in reference to our East Asian country that we are researching. We summarized and discussed what we learned about our country. Storyworks “Should National Parks be Free?” was another nonfiction text that presented the notion of how we feel about access to our stunning national resources.
QUESTION OF THE DAY: (Most Common Response)
In Social Studies, we engage in verbal combat (DEBATE) over the statement, “Kids should have homework!“. Both sides, PRO and CON spoke with poise, respect, and confidence as their delivered their claims to support their argument. Our class reflected in a Post-Debate Prompt on a series of questions: which side won and why? Did this debate change your mind about having homework? Who do you think were the best debaters and why?
The Top 2 Debaters for our class were, Lily L-P. and Teddy A. (BRAVO!!)
In Math, we reviewed and learned various Math Topics this week including: Financial Literacy, Terms used with Checking, Savings, Money, Deposit, Withdrawals, Banks, and Solving for a Variable! During our Monday and Friday Math Block, Kyrios Zafeiris taught and reviewed: Check back next week for even more Math skills to wrap up such an outstanding year!
“Baby Chicks teach us!” (Thank you Ms. Ela for teaching us how to treat and handle them)
Our class was able to observe, enjoy and handle the baby chicks from Ms. Ela’s class. This was a fascinating example of blending our curiosity for the Biological sciences and also testing our courage, as these adorable and delicate birds were so surprisingly playful. I’m so proud of our class! (HEALTH CLASSES): our class studied issues important to being a confident and informed middle schooler. We posed thoughtful questions and were a mature, attentive audience.
“Notes From The Lab”: Check back next week as our projects continue to develop.
Types of Energy Presentations: Completing and Sharing them
(Sound Energy)
In Reading and Language Arts, our class viewed the film, “Wonder” and will completing a brief compare and contrast writing prompt between the 2 art forms next week. Poetry: our class is visited The Consulate General of Greece in Chicago to celebrate Famous Poets from Greece. We explored and listened to the verses of 3 famous Greek poets under the leadership and teachings of Ms. Zoe and Ms. Georgia. It was such a proud day for our class, Plato Academy, and the Nations of Greece and The United States of America. BRAVO!!!
QUESTION OF THE DAY: (Most Common Response)
In Social Studies, we are polishing up our prep for next week’s Debate: “Kids should have homework!” Our class is divided by Pro/Affirmative and Con/Negative. Both teams have presented their “secret” lineup of which classmates will be filling each essential role and in which order they will be presenting. Our class rehearsed their debate speeches to see if they were under the 2 minute time limit and each team offered suggestions about how to improve their claims.
In Math, we reviewed and learned various Math Topics this week including: During our Monday and Friday Math Block, Kyrios Zafeiris taught and reviewed: Substitution Method, Solving for a Variable and Graphing and Terminology of Slope.
<<Science>>
“Notes From The Lab”: below are a collection of photos where we were busy researching, creating, presenting, designing and testing science.
Types of Energy Presentations: Completing and Sharing them
—-DESIGNING OUR CARS TO PROTECT OUR EGG!—-
In Reading and Language Arts, our class enjoyed the satisfaction of completing our 2nd novel, Wonder”. Next week, our class will be celebrating by viewing the film and doing a brief comparison between the 2 art forms. Nonfiction Text/SSR: our class selected 1 of 2 nonfiction texts from the recent Scholastic. Both touched on various aspects of the nature world and were set in Africa or Central America. We demonstrated the depth of our comprehension and connections in an Interpretive Summary writing prompt. Poetry: our class is preparing for our visit to The Consulate General of Greece in Chicago to celebrate Famous Poets from Greece. We are researching 3 famous Greek poets to enhance the special time we have in downtown Chicago next week.
QUESTION OF THE DAY: (Most Common Response)
In Social Studies, we embraced our 2nd weekly adventure in “Wacky Wednesday”. This time each one of made various changes in our seating locations based upon how we thought about certain situations to teach us that our choices matter, how adaptable we are to new learning dynamics, interpretation of rules, and trusting a process.. The Initial spot (sitting at a table with friends), 1st Move (move to another table and sit with at some different people), 2nd Move (sit in a group to complete an assignment; at least 1 boy and 1 girl per group), Final Move (the ultimate group!). We learned that we are so much more resilient and determined students than we had ever realized. I’m so proud of our class! /Mindful Meditation/ (LIFE SKILLS) “Calming your Mind” we used our weekly session to provide us with a technique to temper our spirits before we took African Countries Map Quiz #1. We are beginning our class Debate: “Kids should have homework!” Our class is divided by Pro/Affirmative and Con/Negative. Law Day Essay (Hellenic Bar Association): our class joined Ms. Ellen’s class in welcoming 5 Des Plaines Police officers to discuss the use of AI in law enforcement and how privacy is protected while fighting crime.
In Math, we reviewed and learned various Math Topics this week. Area and Perimeter, Triangle Angles, Ratios, If, Then Statements, and Word Problems. During our Monday and Friday Math Block, Kyrios Zafeiris taught and reviewed: Calculating Percentages for real world applications, Converting Fractions or Decimals to %, Perfect Squares/Square Roots.
<<Science>>
These are the interesting facts and direct quotes that each student class provided to me: “Notes From The Lab”: Nuclear energy is used to heat up water and the steam goes through a pipe to a turbine, which rotates and creates power. Thermal can turn into electric and kinetic energy. You can construct an oven that uses thermal energy. Sound energy can travel through a vacuum because there are not atoms to transmit the vibrations. The most interesting thing I learned about sound energy was how Walkie Talkies work; they pick up the sound and the device turns it into a radio signal. A wave of water carries kinetic energy. The most interesting thing that I learned was that Kinetic energy is anything that moves! The most interesting thing I learned about Potential energy is a roller coaster climbing the hill has the most potential energy and when it goes down the hill, it has the least amount. Potential energy is stored energy. Many of our appliances in our lives using Electricity. As electricity travels, it gives off heat and the electricity eventually weakens as it travels.
In Reading and Language Arts, we took our 3rd Multiple Choice Comprehension Quiz for “Wonder”. Our class learned that not only closely reading our assigned reading passage, but also reading each question will help us be quite successful!. Poetry: Our class began exploring the world of Rhyme through the written word. We soon realized that even in Language Arts there still are Mathematical elements; “Math is all around us!” Haikus”were the first type of poem that we investigated and crafted our own 5, 7, 5 sylabled poems. “Wonder”, as we draw near the end of our novel, our class will be celebrating by viewing the film and doing a brief comparison between the 2 art forms.
OH, We Can DANCE!
QUESTION OF THE DAY: (Most Common Response)
In Social Studies, we returned to our “Goals and Vision Board” and reflected upon the 3 goals we listed (Academic, Social, and Personal) from January. Our class journaled: did we achieve each goal? Why or why not did were we successful in reaching our goal? Finally what did we learn about ourselves? /Mindful Meditation/ (LIFE SKILLS) “Calming your Mind” we used our weekly session to provide us with a technique to temper our spirits before we took African Countries Map Quiz #1. We are beginning our class Debate: “Kids should have homework!” Our class is divided by Pro/Affirmative and Con/Negative.
Gia, The El Salvador expert!
In Math, we reviewed and learned various Math Topics this week. Area and Perimeter, Triangle Angles, Ratios, If, Then Statements, and Word Problems. “During our Math Block, Zafeiris taught and reviewed: Units of Time, 12 Hour vs. 24 Hour clock, and Simplifying Radicals (Perfect Squares and Square Roots).
These are the interesting facts and direct quotes that each student class provided to me: “Notes From The Lab”: 1 joules of work equals 1 Newton force for 1 meter, Work = Force x distance, Kinetic energy involves some sort of motion, Thermal energy is heat, Potential is stored energy. a unit for energy is a Joules, The Sun 3.8 x 10 to the 26th power emits per second! We learned all of the definitions for the various forms energy (Thermal, Kinetic, Potential, Radiant, Electrical, Sound, and Nuclear!). Energy is the ability to work. I learned the science of sound, how air molecules travel as a wave in vibrations. Walkie-Talkies transfer sound; the atoms come out of our mouthes and convert into a radio signal that is broadcast. Thermal energy is the gas that burns in ovens. Kinetic energy is due to the motion of particles. Thermal energy refers to the energy that comes from motion of molecules of a substance. So many incredible findings for our Research on Various Forms of Energy! (Sand Dollar/Dr. Leo Lead) experiment: Leo brought in Sand dollars from his Spring Break vacation for us to all have and enjoy cleaning. Over the course of a week, we made Observations and Posed Queries about what was occurring and why?
Rube Goldberg (Designing Simple Machines)
In Reading and Language Arts, our class continues to closely read, question and discuss “Wonder”. With each reading passage, not only do our skills grow as close readers with an ever expanding vocabulary, additionally, we add layers of Understanding ourselves and social dynamics. Literary Themes and Devices that arose this week were: Accepting People Different People from You, Learning from Others can Help you Tackle your Challenges, Foreshadowing, Protagonist vs Antagonist. Vocabulary Builder: we selected words from our text to define, find which Part of Speech the word was used in, a Synonym, and a Sample Sentence to confirm our understanding of the word.
New Rules at Plato
In Social Studies, we completed and presented our next Research Project. (North and Central American Project Presentations): Teddy B. (Panama), Leo (Haiti), Marina (Dominican Republic), Teddy A. (Canada), Nicholas (Honduras), Vasia (Costa Rica), Rebecca (Guatemala), and Maggie (Cuba) presented during this busy and shortened week. They provided rich information in so many creative ways with poise and confidence. {¡Excelente!} Also, our classmate offered a brief Peer Rating of each presenter. The categories were Information and Creativity. We provided 1 specific compliment and 1 thing that could have been better. /Mindful Meditation/ (LIFE SKILLS) “Self Improvement and Reflection” came up as we prepare for our Student Led Conferences, next week. We shared why looking back at our past accomplishments helps us appreciate life, and work harder to improve on things that we struggle with over the past grading period.
In Math, we reviewed and learned various Math Topics this week. “Multiplicity Lab” (Mayan Temple) was a natural blend of multiple subjects to enhance our observational and analytical skills. During our Math Block, Zafeiris taught and reviewed: Metric system (distance meters, decimeters, centimeters, millimeters), convert units (English Standard to Metric), Real world scenarios to see which unit is more.
Social Studies + Math = “Notice and Wonder”
These are the interesting facts and direct quotes that each student class provided: “Notes From The Lab”: Work is done when a force acts upon on object. Power is the rate at which work is done. Sometimes when you think you are working, you are not actually working in science terms. James Watt invented the first steam engine. To know how much WORK you are doing, you need to multiply Force and Distant. The formula to calculate POWER is work Divided by Time. Another unit for work, is NxM or J, which stands for Jewels. Work does not mean you have to be writing or doing Math. Work is moving and applying force to an object. When you apply more force while you are working, you increase the power. The scientific definition of work is movement, force and pressure. Work is quantitive. For work in science, there has to be two components. There has to be a force and moving. Potential energy is when an object is not moving. Kinetic energy is when an object is in motion.
In Reading and Language Arts, our class continues to thoroughly read and thoughtful analyze our 2nd novel, “Wonder”. Bell Ringer Reflection: “Character Traits” each one of us sat down during a timed morning writing exercise. We presented 2 Characters and 2 Traits that were reflected within the confines of our recent Reading Passage, while using Text Evidence to prove our thinking. (Writing Standards + Rubrics) we discussed what is necessary to have a quality piece of writing for this assignment.
[Our Greatest Weaknesses]
In Social Studies, we completed our next Research Project. Our class chose a country from North or Central America and will be exploring 15 different topics to provide a detailed digital Media presentation on our findings. Our Google Slides presentations for this project were due this Friday. Nefeli (Nicaragua), Jason (Jamaica) and Lily (The United States of America) were the first 3 presenters. They did an outstanding job representing the proud people of each nation with thorough research and with so many creative choices to make their talk. Also, our class each offer a Peer Rating of each presenter. The categories were Information and Creativity. We provided 1 specific compliment and 1 thing that could have been better. /Mindful Meditation/ We listened to a young and charismatic student class president entitled “Pep Talk from a Kid President to You!” We continue to learn more strategies to strengthen our mental toughness and use all of our gifts to reach our potential. (LIFE SKILLS) “Listening: Active vs. Passive” when we viewed and discussed a TedEd video, entitled, “Are You a Good Listener?” (Geography Challenge): Our next hurdle to tackle are the incredible and rich countries of South America (13 countries).
~~Project Peer Review (North and Central American Countries)~~
In Math, we reviewed and learned various Math Topics this week. These included: Mixed numbers, Converting Fractions, Square Roots, Substitution problems, and If/Then Statements. During our Math Block, Zafeiris taught and reviewed: Mean, Median, Mode, Range, Data Set, Surveys.
These are the interesting facts that our class provided: “Notes From The Lab”: make sure to check Ms. Pam’s blog link in our class email. Check back next week for even more amazing Science updates.