September 21, 2021
Fall 2021 Issue 5
Weekly activities and lessons to keep your child thinking and progressing throughout the school year.
"I never lose. I either win or learn something."
The McManus Files
Fall 2021 Issue 5

Happy Tuesday!

I had so much fun writing up this week's issue. There are two activities that I am passionate about in this issue: quality literature and protecting our environment. I hope you find all the activities enjoyable and educational. Have fun, do your best, and challenge your way of thinking.

Please share this flyer with your friends and encourage them to join our mailing list by following the links on this page.

Mr. McManus :-)
Great Read of the Week
Willodeen
by Katherine Applegate
It was such a treat reading this book. I love this author's work and have never been disappointed by any of her novels. She's done it again with Willodeen. I appreciated how the book explores the relationship between humans and the natural world. The message of this book is simple and relevant with adorable characters. The reader will begin to recognize that all living things serve a purpose in our world and I re worthy of care and dignity. I think the lessons in this book will stick with anyone that picks it up for a long time. Read. Enjoy. Share!
Inquiry Quest

The Plastic Problem

Plastic. It's super useful but it's also a big problem for the environment. Enough plastic is thrown away every year to circle the earth four times! The main issue is that plastic doesn't break down, meaning it sticks around for a very long time. This video gives a quick overview of the scope of the plastic problem and what some people are doing to try to solve it.
Using your research skills, investigate how scientists and engineers are developing solutions to the plastic problem. For example, I recently read about a 16 year old Dutch boy who invented a large network of floating barriers to collect plastics before they entered the ocean. The collected materials were then recycled.

Write a description of at least three designs that sound promising. Do any of the ideas you researched give you an idea for a solution to the plastic problem? Then, draw a picture of your design.

If you feel your child might benefit from a group or individual tutoring program to close the gap created during summer vacation and to prepare them for the next phase of their education, please contact McManus Tutoring.

Programs are structured so that students learn independence, accountability, and self-possession and they develop a repeatable structure that can be used to build success in the future.

McManus Tutoring has all Summer 2021 issues of The McManus Files posted in the library.

You can visit the site by clicking the link mcmanustutoring.com
or simply scanning the QR Code
.
3 Writing Prompts

These prompts and questions will help jump-start your daily writing. Just as it's important to read for at least 30 minutes each day, you should also write for 30 minutes a day. Don't worry about your organization or spelling, just write!


"I glanced in the mirror and realized that I didn’t have a reflection. Now I didn't have to worry when I..."



"Last night, I dozed off while reading the latest book in my favorite series. When I awoke, I was in the story because I was...!"



"As Robin was walking through the pet store, she suddenly could talk with the animals. She was shocked when a goldfish told her to..."


Problem(s) of the Week

Solve the problems and complete
Parts A & B
Part A: What is your answer to the problem? 

Part B: Explain your thinking in complete sentences. How did you come up with your final answer?
Part A: What is your answer to the problem? 

Part B: Explain your thinking in complete sentences. How did you come up with your final answer?
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