HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Wishing everyone a happy and safe holiday!  

See you on 

Monday!

FOUNDING FAMILIES

Student's working hard on their "Keeping Room" dioramas.

Students have been studying about founding families and the first Thanksgiving.  They have been comparing life then to life today.  There is quite a difference!

AMAZING

Sometimes the view from our classroom is simply breathtaking!

Professional Development Science and NGSS

Mrs Ferreira and I spent Tuesday unpacking new science units designed to meet the  Next Generation State Standards or NGSS.  These units are hands on units that aim to make kids think deeply about a topic.  On Tuesday we were discussing how to build a wall that will last.  We discussed both materials and types of mortar.  We built it and then we got to wreck it!

GEOMETRY 🔷🔴

Great work composing and decomposing shapes in math class Thursday. 

WRITING CELEBRATION

We took time out Friday to celebrate the end of our first writing unit of the year.  We published our favorite piece and shared our stories with our friends.  We added in some popcorn and it made for a fantastic end to our week!

COOLER WEATHER IS HERE ❄️☔️

With snow now on the mountain it is only a matter of time before the real cold, snowy weather arrives.  Just a reminder that it is important to label all outdoor gear with names.  You wouldn't believe how many pairs of black snowpants one classroom may have! :)  

Cooperative Learning and Fairy Houses

This afternoon we were able to get outside for some cooperative learning opportunities.  We broke up into small groups and built fairy houses on the hiking trails!  Students worked together to decide where their houses should go, how and what to gather for materials and then to build them!  Now all that's left is for the fairy's to move in!

 

THANK YOU!

Thank you to all the parents who came to our curriculum night this evening.  We know how hard it is to make time in your busy schedules and we appreciate your support!  Here is a link to our mindfulness video.  Enjoy!   

Mindfulness Video

THE GREAT ZUCCHINI RELAY

Fun was had by all at today's Zucchini Relay.  We ran, we laughed, we had fun!  Thanks to everyone who donated their especially large veggies (fruit ;) )

THANK YOU!

A BIG thank you to Aoife's grandma for coming in to share a story with us. Come again soon!

TEAMWORK

Students have been working together to create a project to share with parents at curriculum night next week.  We hope to see you there!

This Past Week

Wow we've had a busy week.  Here are some of the highlights.

In reading students are just beginning to learn how to pick "just right" book for our book bins.  I will be starting reading assessments this week and once they are complete books will start coming home each night.

Students continue to write about small moments during writers workshop.  We read the mentor text Ralph Tells a Story by Abby Hanlon which helps show students that ideas for small moments are all around them.  We are working on using the "writing process" which includes thinking of a topic, stretching it across fingers, sketching it across pages and then writing the words across pages.

In math we have been talking about the difference between digits and numbers.  We also began a discussion on place value and what that means.  Students will be working on showing their thinking and writing equations to match their thinking.

Students continue to practice their breathing during core practice.  The idea is to concentrate only on their breathing and nothing else.  I am impressed with how students have taken to core practice and look forward to CP time during the day.

We also read the book Have you filled a bucket today.  The story talks about how everyone has an invisible bucket and that being kind and helping others helps fill other peoples buckets as well as their own.  Students then drew pictures and chose words that filled their own buckets.

On friday we were able to get into the garden and pick some vegetables!  We found orange and purple carrots, onions, beets, cucumbers, and much more.  It was a fantastic time.  Thank you Carol, Sarah and Michael for volunteering your time to help us!

Enjoy your week and we hope to see you for our harvest lunch!

Cooperative Games

What do you think happens when you ask 35 first and second graders to line up from tallest to smallest without talking?

I'll tell you what happens.....They do it! 

First they brainstormed strategies:

     "I think we should break up into smaller groups"

       " Maybe we could use our hands to help us talk to each other"

       "We can check heights in our smaller groups then pair up with another group"

 

Then they helped each other in their small groups

Finally they put all their groups together

 

Wow!  Nice work first and second graders!!!!! 

 

Family Picnic

Thank you to everyone who came out tonight for our 2nd annual Back To School Picnic. It was a great way to start our year!

The First day of school

Wow!  We had such a fantastic first day!

Everyone was so eager to get started.  After spending so many hours in the classroom alone, it was great to finally have the kid here.  I can't wait for tomorrow. 

Don't forget the Back to School Picnic tomorrow from 5 to 7.
Grab the family and some food and come on out!

FIELD DAYS

Thanks to all who came out to help with Field Day today.  A good time was had by all!

Reminder

Don't forget to mark your calendars for our Science Night!
Join us this Thursday June 4th from 6:00 - 7:00

Our Trip To The Farm

We had a great time visiting the VYCC Farm and Ewetopia Farm in Richmond on Tuesday!  

MMU'S Day Of Service

We had a great day with Ms. Gomez and her advisory from MMU.

                 We love our new friends!

!

Math and Measurement

Practicing our measuring skills  by mapping a pretend kingdom!

Congratulations!

        Congratulations Kaelem on your 

Reading is an Investment Achievement Award!                   All your hard work paid off!

Spring is a Time to Grow

Despite the snow outside, we planted some spring flowers today in hopes of being able to put them in the ground some day.  We will be watching them grow and recording the changes we see!

Dance Party

We broke out in spontaneous dancing while listening to one of our favorite songs, Old Joe Clark.  We'll be running All School Morning Meeting and sharing our songs and talents this Friday at 8:00.  Come join us if you can!

Math Games At Home

A fun way to practice math skills at home is to play a game!  Today we were playing Guess My Number.  Using a 100's chart (available on the web or from school) students zero in on a number by asking questions.  

Example:  it the number greater than 50?  Is is less than 85?  Is it an odd number?   Record how many questions it takes before they "guess the number"!

Remembering Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

 

As we enjoy our long 3 day weekend, it's important to remember the reason for the holiday.  

ABC News suggests 5 ways we all can honor Dr. King this weekend...

1. Give Something
2. Learn Something
3. Teach Something
4. Commit to Something
5. Dream Something

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.  

See you Tuesday!

Nature Outside our Window

This morning we found some animal tracks right outside our window!  Whose could they be?  We hope they have been able to stay warm during this chilly weather.