Kindergarten

Ms. Kicza

There was some amazing kid-led science happening at forest day. A group worked together to move a large rock. This included communicating, testing different methods, using tools, finding better tools, practicing safety, and so many science and engineering skills. Another group was observing under a stump, found something mysterious, asked questions, used a stick and a light to investigate and found it was water under there. They wondered why. They are going to get a better flashlight and look next week. Asking questions, testing, using tools, making plans, getting resources: more skills in action. Others built ramps to send a ball down or made structures with blocks and ice chunks. This was all during free-play time and awesome to see.

At the end of forest day we talked about “Raccoon Hands,” feeling, and the sense of touch. We compared our handprints in snow with a picture of a raccoon’s - counting fingers, noticing similarities, and some sharing their background knowledge of raccoons. Back inside, everyone who wanted pretended they were raccoons and reached into our river (a bucket of muddy water) to feel for their raccoon lunch. They found such treats as (toy) snakes, frogs, and spiders by using their sense of touch in the muddy water the way a raccoon would. It was pretty fun to be raccoons for a little bit. 

First Grade

Ms. Fisk

This week we started our new Writing

and Science unit. We will be learning

about the sun, moon, and stars. We

wrote down all of the questions we have

and want to answer as well as read the

folktale Why The Sun And The Moon Live

In The Sky. This folktale is based in

Nigeria.

During math, we started to play games

and sing songs that help us remember

our doubles facts.

Next week we will begin our K-2 project

about holidays around the world.

Second Grade

Ms. Denney

In math we have practiced using addition strategies such as skip-jumping by tens,

finding multiples of ten, and splitting ones and tens apart to add two-digit numbers on an open number line. We

practiced how to divide multisyllable words into their separate syllables to

help us blend in phonics.

This week students worked in book clubs to read a story, discuss their thoughts by agreeing or disagreeing respectfully,

and present their thoughts to the class.

Third Grade

Ms. Coté

Third graders have been learning about how the Abenaki from 10,000 years ago in Vermont made their shelters and canoes. They have been learning from maps, as well as the text The New England Indians by C. Keith Wilbur. In particular, students have been learning how the Abenaki used the resources from the forest, fields, and their natural environment to create what they needed to survive.

Last week, students were given a design challenge to build either a model of the dugout canoe or a model of the birchbark canoe with paper, tape, scissors, a stapler, and colored pencils. Then, on the following school day they stood in front of their classmates and explained how they made them. The important part of a design cycle is realizing where some areas could be improved. They all were able to share their work well. 

World Cup Fever was contagious in K-4 Music classes. We learned about some Qatari instruments and have worked with various Middle Eastern rhythms by rolling balls (guess what kind!) to the beat. Did you know that every country has chosen a respective song to play after they score a goal? Did you know that there are official World Cup songs and anthems? Fourth Grade might even be able to sing you one of those anthems!

Middle School experienced another musical performance--this time The Railway Children at the Northern Stage. We talked about the elements of a play: lighting, set, sound, and costumes, among other things. Having seen two performances so recently, students were able to recall the importance of those in each of the plays they saw and give examples of times when these elements enhanced the experience. 

Library/Media

Ms. Simone

Our theme in third grade this year is We Are Storytellers, and the stories we are focusing on our own! We've been reading books about celebrating our individuality, and doing activities that prompt us to reflect on ourselves and what's important to us: a flag that represents you; a herald shield that shares your favorite things and hopes and dreams; and a cover for a biography about you. In the new year, we will be exploring graphic novel memoirs and oral histories.