Learning is in full swing in second grade! We have been working hard on reviewing our facts within 10 and 20 during math. In phonics, we reviewed digraphs and began discussing blends in words. We began our first social studies unit and discussed the differences between urban, suburban, and rural communities.

Third grade has gotten off to a great start this school year! We have been reading, writing, and learning more math. Students have been thinking about how to treat others and themselves. They are particularly excited when they can "read around the room" with a pillow or stuffy. We are enthusiastic during our time outside on Thursdays with Becky Proulx. Students enjoyed capturing, studying, documenting and releasing their insects. Our first science unit is all about pollinators. Right now, we are finishing up our Hopes and Dreams. Students have been writing every day! Also, a favorite activity has been watercoloring in their new art journals. We have finally got each student a new Chrome book and everyone is getting the hang of how to log in, head to our Google Classroom, and have some fun!

In middle school Social Studies, the 5/6 are exploring how to write and follow through on a research question. They've chosen to study Europe first on our world tour, and we'll be getting into the nuts and bolts of the continent in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, the 7/8 is studying the Progressive Era, and already producing some nifty research. 

Kindergarten has continued to build routines that will help them learn and work together throughout the year. We recently reviewed everyone’s “hopes and dreams.” These are displayed outside the kindergarten classroom, so stop by if you’d like to see them. In order to meet these big goals, everyone will have to follow some rules. Together the class made up our rules, first brainstorming a huge list of ideas, then sorting them into a few common rules, and finally deciding what these groups were. They ended up with: Be kind, be safe, take care of things.

Sixth graders will be exploring primary sources and local history this year, with our theme being We Are Historians. Last week, we had a virtual field trip with Victoria Hughes from the Vermont Historical Museum, investigating a variety of primary sources, and reading Civil War letters which highlighted the types of things soldiers asked to be sent from home. This week, we will be taking a walking tour of the lower village, comparing the current landscape to historic photos.