Week 28

The March calendar my say it is spring, but as we all know, winter likes to hold on a little longer here in northern Vermont.  The longer days and stronger sun are promising signs that it will not be too much longer until the blanket of snow will will give way to grass.  For now, the sugar makers will reap the benefits of the cold nights and warmer days.  It's a perfect time of year for students to learn about states of matter (solids, liquids, and gases) as we observe the freezing and thawing cycle all around us.  

We had a busy week (our first full week in a while!), and it felt good to be be back in a normal routine. Students began researching their Nature Name animals this week.  Students will be sharing their research by creating either a brochure or a "lapbook" which contains several mini books displayed in a file folder.  Students began by brainstorming various questions they had about their animal.   Then they used various publications to find the answers to their questions.  The final step will be to create a final product to teach others about their animal.  Next week Tina Lyon will be joining us to lead the children in making sculptures of their animals.  Please go through your recycling bins and have your child bring in items that may be used to help build the base of a paper mache sculpture (containers, toilet paper tubes, etc).

During math each grade completed another unit: Third graders used multiplication strategies to solve problems involving multiplying 6,7,8, and 9.  Students have learned how to break these numbers into smaller numbers, multiply them and then add them together (beginning steps for the distributive property of multiplication).  Second graders completed adding and subtracting within 1,000 with regrouping, as well as using repeated addition to find the area of a rectangular arrays (introducing the concepts of  multiplications).  First graders concluded a unit using addition and subtraction strategies to add and subtract within 20 as well as introduction to using repeated addition to find the area of a rectangular.  Next week all students will begin learning about fractions.

This week we dove into our next science unit:  States of Matter.  We began by observing objects in various states: solids, liquids, and gases, and identified their properties.  Then we did some sorting activities to sort solid objects by various properties.  Finally, we performed a couple of scientific investigations involving solids and liquids.  Students made predictions,  and observations, and then formed a hypotheses.  After our first investigations, students helped design our next test (investigation) to learn more about these states of matter.

Thank you all for your flexibility again last week as the weather had us postpone ECO and Family Hot Lunch was postponed, as well.  ECO will be made up at the end of the year as we will lengthen our last day of ECO which will be another hike.  The added time will be a gift!  We will reschedule the hot lunch for another day, and I'll let you know when that will be. 

Next week we will resume our regular ECO schedule.  ECO takes place every Thursday from 9-12.  Students should dress to be outdoors for an extended amount of time.  This week I need a  parent volunteer who would be willing to get a fire going before we arrive at the campsite. We will likely need to clean out the fire pit, so a shovel will be needed.  Would someone be willing to provide some kiln dried wood for next week so we can get a strong fire going?  We have a special seasonal cooking project / feature lesson planned.  I am happy to announce that Tina Lyon will also be joining us each Thursday as a Volunteers for ECO!

Please email your school lunch orders for the week.  

***Family Hot Lunch on Friday is Soft Taco Bar provided by Brittney Sanville. *** 

Due to the uptick in Covid-19 casses in the communities and schools, the VDH is urging people to test for Covid if you or your family members are presenting with flu / cold / covid symptoms.  

Thanks for your attention and diligence in helping to keep our students, teachers, and families healthy!

Other Announcements:

• School Banking is Monday - bring your deposits!
• Library is Monday - remember to bring your books!
• PE is Thursday - Students need their sneakers
• ECO - Thursday, March 30 from 9-12.  Let me know if you would like to volunteer.
• Friday, April 7th, Early ReLease (12:10)
• Wednesday, April 19, 2023 - Grandparents Breakfast @9:00 in the Town Hall
• April Break: April 24-28, 2023.

week 27

 

Dylan brought Giant cookies for Dessert a couple of weeks ago!

This was a fast a furious week, with a larger than expected late winter snowstorm, an unplanned early dismissals, our first concert in 3 years, a planned early release, and Student - led Conferences on Friday!  

We spent the majority of this week getting ready for our concert and organizing and preparing for out conferences.  On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday morning we walked across the street to the town hall so students could practice for the concert on the stage.  We worked out our stage presence and worked out our final kinks in our songs.  By Wednesday, we were ready for out concert!  That evening, just after the snow finally stopped and the clouds parted, the Town Hall filled with parents, grandparents, siblings, and community members who came out to watch the children as they performed their first concert in over 3 years.  For many it was their first concert ever!  

We also spent time this week preparing for our conferences.  Students reviewed data about reading and math, and choose books and games to demonstrate for parents.  On Wednesday each student did a "Character and behavior" self reflection and then set a goal to work on for the remainder of the school year. On Thursday morning they practiced presenting to their work to a partner who acted as their parent.  As students looked over their data and presented it to a partner I witnessed a lot of pride in the growth students could see over the school year so far.  

In Math this week first grade worked on finding a sum of a number of equal groups using an array and connecting cube trains by applying repeated addition to find the sum.  Second graders added within 100 when shifting one's and ten's (regrouping) is required.  Third graders persisted in solving word problems involving multiplication.  

Next week we will resume our regular ECO schedule.  ECO takes place every Thursday from 9-12.  Students should dress to be outdoors for an extended amount of time.  Next week I need a volunteer who would be willing to get a fire going before we arrive at the campsite. We will likely need to clean out the fire pit, so a shovel will be needed.  Would someone be willing to provide some kiln dried wood for next week so we can get a strong fire going.  We have a special seasonal cooking project / feature lesson planned.  I am happy to announce that Tina Lyon will also be joining us each Thursday as a Volunteers for ECO!

On April 19th we are going to host a Grandparents Breakfast at the Elmore Town Hall.  My hope is that each child who has grandparents whom live locally will have at least one grandparent (or set of grandparents) who will be able to attend. I will also invite some other community members who can stand in for students who do not have a grandparent who lives locally.  It should be a wonderful event for the students! 

That's all for this week!

Please email your school lunch orders for next week.

Family Hot Lunch on Friday, March 24 will be provided by Steffany Mosley! (TBD)

Other Announcements:

• School Banking is Monday - bring your deposits!
• Library is Monday - remember to bring your books!
• PE is Thursday - Students need their sneakers
• ECO - Thursday March 23 from 9-12.  Let me know if you would like to volunteer.
• Friday, April 7th, Early ReLease (12:10)
• Wednesday, April 19, 2023 - Grandparents Breakfast @9:00 in the Town Hall

Week 26

 

School was back in session after a lengthy winter break.  Whether you traveled or stayed close to home over the break, I hope you found some time to enjoy with your children while they were on break.  I know I feel rejuvenated and ready for the weeks to come, after a nice vacation with my husband and friends.  

This week we tied up loose ends with final assessments for the end of the trimester.  I completed individual reading assessments (F&P's), and all students took a Higher Leverage Math Assessments which focuses on the skills all students should have by the end of their grade level, and they took the STAR Math assessment to measure their progress.  Additionally, we worked on non-fiction reading and comprehension with Scholastic News Articles, and students wrote about their winter break in their journals, and in Math we solved word problems in our math journals.

Next Wednesday, March 15th, is our  school concert, which will be at the Elmore Town Hall at 6:30 PM.  The children are very excited to perform for you! Students should arrive no later than 6:15.  Just a reminder that students are asked to dress appropriately for a performance.  I suggest a shirt with a collar and pants (not athletic pants), or a skirt or dress.  (No graphic tee shirts or hats please).  We will be performing a few songs and then conclude with refreshments.  Please plan to bring a refreshment to share.  We should be able to conclude our evening around 7:00 pm.

Family conferences will take place on Friday, March 17th.  There is no school this day, but I do ask that you attend your conference with your child.  These are "Student Led" conferences, so you child will be leading this discussion.  I will be present at the table to prompt children or to answer any questions you have.  Please be mindful of arriving on time for you conference.  Each conference will last about 30 minutes.  Going over that time or arriving late will disrupt the schedule for the day.  

Please email your school lunch orders for the week.

Thank you to Andrea Audet for Providing us with Family Hot Lunch this week.  Children enjoyed Shepards Pie, rolls, applesauce, and cucumbers, and were treated to and ice cream cup for dessert!

Here is the link to the Scripps News story about the Elmore School

Other Announcements:

• School Banking is Monday - bring your deposits!
• Library is Monday - remember to bring your books!
• PE is Thursday - Students need their sneakers
• Second marking period ends Friday, March 10th.
• Elmore School Concert, Wednesday, March 15, 2023 @6:30
• Early release day March 16th  (12:10)
• ECO - Thursday March 23 from 9-12.  Let me know if you would like to volunteer.
• No- School Friday March 17th - Parent Conferences