Week 13

 

The children roasted hotdogs over the fire during ECO on Thursday!

We were back together after our Thanksgiving break.  We started the week with a surprise dumping of heavy wet snow that caused us to have a delayed start back on Monday.  The lake has frozen over and it is looking more like winter than fall even if the calendar still says it's fall.  The snow provide a welcomed change for the children as they found new ways to play at recess and during ECO on Thursday.

As we prepared for the end of the first trimester, students had a busy week with some last assessments before the close of the marking period.  We concluded our first science unit on heredity and traits, and finished our narrative writing unit.  In math, third graders began their second unit with a focus on multiplication.  This week they explored area as they used pattern blacks and square tiles to find the area of a shape.  Second graders are finding strategies to solve subtraction problems involving two double digit numbers and regrouping.  First graders are exploring strategies to solve comparison problems using addition or subtraction.

At ECO on Thursday, students became animal experts.  The used animal information sheets to explore the area to determine if there was enough evidence in the area for the animal to stay active in Vermont during the winter.  During forest choice students enjoyed roasting hotdogs over the fire, building forts in the snow, and trying their hand at using flint and steel to start a fire.  Thank you to Paige Bowen and Tina Lyon for Volunteering! 

We began the process of Secret Pals projects on Friday.  Students know who their secret pal is and have planned a project they will work on over the next couple of weeks, which they will give to their secret pal. This is always one of the highlights of our school year.  If there any parents who are interested in volunteering to help with projects, please let me know.  We will generally work on projects between 10-11:30 on Monday - Wednesday.  

Next week we will begin our Penny Challenge fundraiser which will benefit NCAL.  Students can bring pennies and dollar bills (up to $10) to earn point for their grade level.  Silver coins are used to deduct points from their opponents' points.  We hope to visit NCAL later this month to bring our donation and read to the animals.  The grade with the most points will win a pizza party!

On Tuesday, Dec. 5th we will sing for the residence at Copley Manor.  Festive, holiday clothes are encouraged for this event.  

Next week we have parent teacher conferences on Friday.  Please call if you need a reminder about your time.  I look forward to meeting with you to share your child's progress!

Please email your lunch orders for the week.  

Other Announcements

• Library is Monday - remember to bring your books back.
• School Banking is Monday - remember your deposits. 
• ECO  -  Thursday Dec. 7 - Please let me know if you would like to be a parent volunteer.
• Dec. 5th - trip to Copley Manor to sing for the residence
• Dec. 8th - No School - Parent Teacher Conferences 
• December 25-29 - No School - December Break
• January 1 - No school - New Years Day.