Week 22

 

Winter Night Sky Mosaics created by Elmore students

We had another full week at the Elmore School.  

This week in Literacy students began the week by becoming "spelling detectives".  In this activity, students looked closely at their spelling words, to discover the spelling patterns.  My hope was that in having students do this exercise they would become more aware of the phonics relationship the words in their list had.  On Friday we had our spelling quizzes, and students across the grades showed great improvement!  

In Writers Workshop students focused on writing powerful endings, drawing or including detailed illustrations/pictures, and they used checklists to reflect on and improve their writing.  

Individual and small group reading and phonics instruction also took place each day.

In Friday we finished our read aloud chapter book titled The Night the Bells Rang by Natalie  Kinsey-Warnock.  Ms. Warnock is a local Vermont author of several children's books.  In this story "The last year of World War I is an eventful one for Vermont farm boy Mason as he helps with the chores, tries to get along with his little brother, and sees an older bully go off to the war." (Scholastic.com).  While some of the topics in the charming story are mature, the students were able to relate to the main character and the local setting of the book.  

In math first graders focused on related facts up to 10 using addition charts to notice patterns and related facts.  A related fact is a fact that has something in common with another fact ( 1 + 3 = 4 is related to 5 + 1 = 6 because they both  +1 facts.  And 1 + 3 = 4 is related to 2 + 2 = 4 because they both have a sum of 4)

Second graders continues to work on place value.  This week they used $1, $10, $100 dollar bills and place value charts to practice counting and trading in ten $1 bills for one $10 bill, and ten $10 bills for one$100 bill etc,  represent a value ($342 = three $100 bills, four $10 bills, two $1 bills),  and count on from a given amount using their money (count from $68 to $230).  On friday they used an open number line to show incremental jumps.

Third Grade continues to work on multiplication.  This week our focus was on using familiar facts to help solve bigger or unknown facts by using the commutative property (If I know 7 X 5 then I know 5 X 7) or the distributive property (6 X 7 = 5x7 + 1x7).

All students should be able to access Prodigy Math Game through their Clever App now.  I sent home a parent letter about Prodigy.  It also contains the students username and password if you find they are no longer logged in.  Prodigy is being offered as a student math choice.  I will still be requiring students to use DREAMBOX, as this is a program that our school district is recommending district wide.  The district has researched this program for our students because of the various features, support, and the strong connection to the math standards.  So in short...while Prodigy is available, we still want students to be primarily using Dreambox for an online math program.

In Science this week, we continue our unit on Plant Heredity and Traits with a focus on seeds and why some flowers make fruit.  Students learned that the fruit is a seed container and the fruit is a way for the plant to spread its seeds. Students investigated various "vegetables" to determine if they were actually a vegetable or a "scientific fruit".  They learned that fruits contain seeds, so foods such as tomatoes, squash, peppers and cucumbers are actually fruit even though the grocery stores classify them as vegetables.  One student concluded that the "grocery store workers needed a science lesson!"  

Announcements:

• Library is Monday!  Remember to bring your Library books and activity bags!
• Tuesday and Thursday are PE at 8:00.  Students need their sneakers!
• We will Celebrate Valentine's Day on Friday, February 12th.  I will send home a Class List on Monday.  As is tradition, we will also be making valentines (at school) for the Post Office Patrons at the Elmore Store. 
• The 100th Day of school is approaching and should be on Monday, February 15th.  In the next couple of weeks we will be deciding how we would like to commemorate the day.   
• There is NO SCHOOL on Friday, Feb. 5th as this is reserved as in Inservice day for Faculty. 
• We are on track to earn our next reading reward next week or the week after that.  The students have voted for a (socially distanced) School Dance.  I'd like to plan on having the dance on Friday, February 19.  We will decorate the space (possibly the Town Hall) and some students have expressed an interest in "Dressing Up", but this is not required.  I may look for a few of volunteers to help decorate afterschool on the Thursday, Feb. 18th.
• February Break is Feb. 22 - March 2 this year.  School resumes on Wednesday March 3rd (remote).
• Please email me your lunch orders!

Week 21

As is often the case in January, the snow has been persistent this week, keeping a fresh layer of snow blanketing our playground each day this week.  The children have been busy building forts and snow structures.  Inside the classroom students were busy reading, writing, and computing. 

During our literacy block, we began our week with students writing their own dream for a better world (based on MLK's speech, I Have a Dream). These were inspirational to read, and give me so much hope for the future.  Students also worked on composing and refining their teaching books (informative text).  This week we examined other books to learn how a Table of Contents is structured and how they aid in the overall organization of a books.    

This week we read about Ruby Bridges and how she, like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., was a brave because she showed up for school everyday, even when she as the only student and people protested with signs saying they didn't want her at the school.  The book was a different type of teaching text because it was an Autobiography (written by Ruby Bridges).  

Students also took the STAR reading (or Early Literacy) assessment this week.  The is the our second Benchmarking period of the year.  The assessment is a screening tool we use to show growth over the school year, as well as students' strengths and weaknesses.  Reports are generated to show where a students' reading skills fall on a proficiency scale,  and what skills students are ready to work on next.  

We also took the STAR Math assessment this week.  Similarly to the the STAR reading assessment, this is a screening tool used to help us see where students fall on a proficiency scale, what the students' strengths and weaknesses are in the various standards of mathematics within their grade level, and what skills they are ready for next.

Other things in in Math this week included third grade finishing Module 1.  They took their end of Module assessment.  Students finish their math menus from last week with second grade focusing on place value and decomposing numbers into the expanded form, and first grade working on doubles and doubles +1 addition strategies with in 10.  On Friday we focused on reading analogue clocks (standard clocks) to the hour and minute. 

We are about half way to our next reading reward!  On Friday, students voted for the next reward.  It was a close race between extra recess and a school dance.  After counting the votes, it was determined that our next reading reward will be a social distanced (Covide Safe) school dance.  Students need to read about 2,000 more minutes (collectively) to earn this reward.  If they keep reading and submitting their reading logs we should have our dance in about 3 more weeks!  The dance will take place during school hours.  

This week we read The Wolves Return by Celia Godkin.  In this lovely book we learned how the wolves that once roamed through the hills of Wyoming were killed off by ranchers in an effort to keep their livestock safe.  Without the wolves, the Elk and deer population in the area increased.  As a result trees and vegetation became over grazed, which in turn affected the rivers and other animal species.  in 1995 scientist reintroduced wolves to Yellowstone National Park in an effort to bring balance and diversity back to the ecosystem.  What we resulted was beyond what anyone imagined.  

In Art this week students began crafting Mosaics using square or paper (to represent stones or tiles).  We will finish these projects next week.

On Friday we had Farm To School featuring a lesson on becoming a brave food taster.  Ms. Molly read I Will Never not Ever eat a Tomato, by Lauren Child.  In the story Lola is nervous to try new foods until the foods are renamed into something fun and interesting. Then she is eager to try them.  

Announcements:

• Library is Monday!  Remember to bring your Library books and activity bags!
• Tuesday and Thursday are PE at 8:00.  Students need their sneakers!
• Vivian is missing a Black mitten.  The brand is ZERO (printed on the velcro strap). She ended up with a mismatched set, so someone else is also missing their mitten.  Please check your black mittens!
• Please assure ipads are charged so we can use them during the day.
• I've recently placed an order for new headphones.  Students will keep these at school as many students have not been bringing their headphones to school with them (or the ones they have are no longer working).  The old ones can be used at home or you are welcome to provide your own for home use.
• We will Celebrate Valentine's Day on Friday, February 12th.  I will send home a Class List next week.  As is tradition, we will also be making valentines (at school) for the Post Office Patrons at the Elmore Store. 
• The 100th Day of school is approaching and should be on Monday, February 15th.  In the next couple of weeks we will be deciding how we would like to commemorate the day.   
• There is NO SCHOOL on Friday, Feb. 5th as this is reserved as in Inservice day for Faculty. 
• February Break is Feb. 22 - March 2 this year.  School resumes on Wednesday March 3rd (remote).
• Please email me your lunch orders!

Week 20

 

Birch Trees painted by the Elmore Students

It is hard to believe that we are already half way through our first month of the new year! We are now in the time of the school year that many would say the most learning occurs.  

This week students continued working on writing their teaching text.  We learned three new ways to for about planning our books: 1) Boxes and Bullets, 2) Cause and Effect or Problem and solution 3) Pros and Cons.  Giving students more tools in their toolbox for planning and writing will allow students to personalize their writing experience to meet their needs and their writing style.  

We continue to work on spelling strategies with a focus on "r controlled" spelling patterns (ar, or, ir, er, ur).  We discovered that ir, er, and ur all make the same sound which makes spelling words with these sounds tricky.  We also learned the "old" and "ind" sounds.  

In math students worked on problem solving strategies using the RDW (read, draw, write) process as well as critical thinking using number talks.  First Grade is working on doubles plus 1 strategies.  Second Grade is working on place value and expanded notation (200 + 40 + 9 = 249) using a number bond, and Third Grade is wrapping up the first module with a focus on multi step problem solving using all four operations (additional, subtraction, multiplication and division).

This week we began reading about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  This past year has certainly brought the history of the Civil Rights Movement into the present day.  Many citizens of the United States continue to speak up for the equality and justice for all.  As we read learn Martin Luther King and his powerful words the students are making connections to their own lives and current events such as Black Lives Matter.  

In science we learned about how plants are pollinated and the importance bees play in that process.  Students learned that pollen needs to get on the "sticky" stigma of the plant in order for the plant to produce seeds, but the pollen needs to mix from another plant in order for a seed to occur.  Thats where bees come in!  As they fly from flower to flower sipping nectar, they transfer pollen from one plant to another plant.  This is called Pollination.  Flowers can only reproduce (make seeds) after they are are pollinated.  

Here are a few "housekeeping" items...

1) A parent has brought it to my attention that cars are parked in front of the school and are idoling for prolonged periods of time during pickup.  In consideration of others and the environment, please turn your ignition off while you are waiting for health screenings in the morning and for your child to exit the building at the end of the day.  Thank you for your consideration.

2) If you and your child are using the playground after school,  please take moment to do a sweep of the playground to pick up any equipment that has been left out.  Equipment should be placed back in the shed the shed door should be secured.  Students pick up after recess during the day, but the equipment comes back out after school.  Last night when I left at 5:30 I noticed the shed door was open and found some hockey sticks and sleds on the ground.  Thank you for helping to keep our equipment stored and our playground neat.  

3) Additionally, I ask for your help with playground safety after school.  I've seen so much creative play and teamwork on the Playground  over the past couple of weeks!  Just a reminder that physical contact such as wrestling, tackling, and holding onto others is not permitted.  Likewise, students are not permitted to throw snow AT each other.  

4) MES is now allowing parents to submit the health screening, including the temperature, at home. Then the child's temperature is taken again when they enter the school building (they do not have morning recess).  To be consistent with MES, on Tuesday we will begin a similar process. 

Parents who wish to complete the health screening at home (including temperature) may do so.  When you arrive at school, students may get out of the car and approach the school where we will meet them to take their temperature again.  As long as it is less than 100 degrees your child will be permitted at school.  Keep in mind that if your child's temperature is greater than 100 degrees, they will need to be kept away from the other children and you will be asked to bring them up.  If you do not take their temperature at home, please have them remain in the vehicle.  We will  come to the car to take their temperature and you may enter it into the form and submit it (or we can still enter the form for you). 

5) There is NO SCHOOL on Monday, January 18th to observe MLK day.

6) We will have LIBRARY on TUESDAY January 19th.

7) PE is Tuesday and Thursday.  Please be on time and bring sneakers!

8) please email me your lunch orders! 

Wishing you all continued health and well being!

Warm Regards,

Diane

Week 19

Students and teachers alike, were happy to be back together on Monday after a long break.  We began the week by reminding ourselves about our Health and Safety protocols.  It is easy for us to feel more relaxed now that we have been together in the classroom for four months, however we do need to remain diligent about hygiene and physical distancing as covid - 19 continue to be problematic around the United States and Vermont.  Thank you to everyone who made sacrifices and altered plans over the holidays to remain home (or at least close to home).   Just a reminder that the travel ban is still in effect so if you or your household members travel outside the state, or you have house guests who have traveled from another state your child will be required to quarantine for at least 7 days and then have a negative Covid test.

This week we dove into writing teaching books (informational text).  Students used one of two planners to plan what they would write about, then they began the writing process.  We looked as several Non-fiction books to identify text features found in non-fiction books.  These include, photographs and illustrations, maps, headings and subheadings, bold print, labels, diagrams, table of contents, glossary,  and index.  Students are encouraged to include some of these feathers in their own writing.  On Thursday, we examined how to "hook" our readers.  Students were encouraged to craft a powerful hook for their own teaching books.

Additional we had some reading groups and phonics groups.

In Math, we started a a new Math Menu on Monday.  We began each day with a critical thinking math warm up: Which one Doesn't Belong, a Number Talk, and math problem solving (journals).

During math group instruction:

• First graders worked on concepts equality and the commutative property (5+3 = 3+5).
• Second graders continued working on place value concepts and using units of ones, tens , and hundreds to count on from a given number to another number within 1000.
• Third graders used the break apart and distribute process (Distributive Property) to solve division problems using an array.

In Science we began learning about Heredity and Traits of Plants.  This week we explored how seeds disperse to assure the continuation of their species.  

Students have been returning their reading logs and we have been keeping track of our reading minutes.  Collectively, the class has read over 8,000 minutes! That means we have earned a class reward!  As promised, we will be watching a moving (which is what students voted to have as a reward) next week!  Keep up the great work everyone!

Reminders:

• Library is Monday!  Don't forget your books and activity bags!
• PE is Tuesday and Thursday at 8:00:  Please be on time and bring your sneakers.
• Remote Wednesdays:
• Thank you for all your continued work in supporting your child with remote assignments on Wednesdays.
• Students should do their best to complete all their assignments.  
• If students are not able to complete all their assignments on Wednesday, there is still an expectation that the work get done, which means it should be completed over the next couple nights or over the weekend.  
• If students want to break it up, they could also choose to do some of their assignments on Tuesday evening (such as writing, reading response, and math worksheets).

We have a new students joining our class next week! Lyla is a third grader who recently moved to Elmore from Pennsylvania.  Lyla has been able to join our last three remote morning meetings, so we have already had a chance to become acquainted! Please help me welcome Lyla and her family to the Elmore community!