Third Grade Grade

Ms. Coté

Third graders have been learning about the tectonic plates that float on magma. The crust of the Earth is made up of both continental and oceanic crust; convection currents move the magma so that it causes the plates to move. Today they watched two videos that help with this very abstract thought. One animation shows Pangea and then all the different eras and where the plates were located. As plates move past each other, what do they cause? Ask your child. They have also been learning what caused Mount Everest to form. We are reading a fun book called Albert Hopper, Science Hero by John Himmelman. 

Middle School Social Studies

Mr. Breen

In Social Studies, the 5th and 6th grade has been forming research questions and gathering evidence for their research papers. We've got a great variety of topics: sports, ancient buildings, urban planning, farming, you name it.

In 7th and 8th grade, we're doing research on the Great Depression, Dust Bowl, and New Deal. We've been talking about economics a lot as a result of this. Ask your child about supply and demand! 

Kindergarten

Ms. Kicza

The class has been writing about Ezra Jack Keats books. In kindergarten, writing can be a combination of drawing, writing, and dictating--all appropriate at this age, and with a focus on understanding, learning content, and the process of writing. They wrote about their favorite book then about their favorite character and telling why.

This week they all wrote about The Snowy Day. Throughout the week we talked about an introduction, thesis, evidence to prove the thesis, and a conclusion. The group knew the book so well after hearing, discussing, retelling, and acting it out that when they needed to give evidence to prove that “Peter loves to play in the snow,” they knew it all. They learned to “go back to the text,” or look in the book. Once we’d collected group notes they each wrote and illustrated their own work. This week they will practice reading them aloud. I am so proud of their hard work, good thinking, and writing!

First Grade

Ms. Fisk

We are continuing to learn about the

patterns of the sun, moon, and stars.

Earlier this week we learned about what

makes day and night. Keep your eye open

for a model we will be making shortly.

We continue to celebrate Black History

Month by reading inspiring stories about

Black Americans and their many

accomplishments. We have also watched

a PBS Kids Talk about Race and Racism.

It was very powerful and led to some

great discussions. I highly recommend

watching it again.

Art

Ms. Aurora

January is weaving month in the art room! Grades 1-4 have all been working on their weaving skills, with 1st grade weaving painted paper, 2nd and 4th grades making radial weavings on painted plates, and 3rd grade making woven houses with felt details.

Kindergarteners have been hard at work making art to celebrate the new year and Valentines day, with Eric Carle-inspired collages and love monsters based on Rachel Bright's Love Monster books, and gosh are they some the cutest monsters ever! 

Kindergarten and 1st graders also worked with their classmates to make giant heart paintings inspired by the artist Jim Dine and his colorful hearts, They were lots of fun to make and they look incredible! 

Third grade is just finishing up some Valentines art as well, inspired by painter Peter Max. 

Middle Schoolers have been productive as ever, with many new experiments with materials and subjects. Each week we learn about one or two new artists, many of whom are working in the art world today. January's list includes animator Danny Gregory, ink artist Park Dae Sung (who has a show up at the Hood Museum through March!), and printmaker Birgit Koopsen. 

Library/Media

Ms. Simone

Seventh and 8th graders have started work on their independent media projects, and Vermont Hunting Tips and Techniques has just put out their first episode! You can listen to Eben, Jeffrey, and Wyatt on Spotify, IHeartRadio, and Podcast Addict, and will soon be on Google Podcasts and Apple Podcats as well.

Music

Ms. Brooke

The groundhog wasn't the only one who saw its shadow on the 2nd--elementary school played with light and movement with some epic shadow dancing! With the cold weather, we got in our ice dancing moves, too, while "skating" on paper plates around the room, paying attention to different tempos while trying to match the music. 

Third and 4th grades are building up to bucket drumming, as we reintroduce purposeful rhythms. We created some interesting musical phrases involving a rubber chicken and an extension cord, among other things--you should ask them about it!

Grades 5-8 continue to work on the "Soundtrack of My Life". Ms. Simone got in on the fun and we were able to learn about the songs/music of significance in her life. I encourage you, caregivers, to try this! It would be wonderful for your kiddos to hear about this from you, too!