Middle School Math

Mr. Reimanis

In math class, the 8th graders grew mold in petri dishes to see if it grows exponentially, and will try to model that with an exponential equation. Seventh graders are learning about scale factors and growing or shrinking designs using the proper scale factor. 

Sixth graders are learning about two dimensional measurement and how different shapes can have the same area. Among other learning, the 5th graders are doing an observational experiment with the changing length of a pencil that they measure frequently and describe how it changes over time. We have some Pi day activities planned for March 14th!

Middle School ELA

Ms. Cicchetti

In ELA our 5th and 6th graders recently finished writing informational pieces on topics of their choice. They are fascinating! We are now beginning a reader's workshop. We're reading An Elephant in the Garden by Michael Morpurgo as a class, and using the reading strategies and lessons we learn in reading to better understand our personal reading books that we've each chosen to read throughout the unit.

In 7th and 8th grades, we recently finished a nonfiction reader's workshop in which students read about either the last Russian imperial family (The Family Romanov by Candace Flemming), or Jon Krakauer's Into the Wild, depending on what students chose. We are now starting to plan and write our own short stories by using mentor texts to teach us what makes a short story effective. 

Middle School Social Studies

Mr. Breen

In 5/6, the kids have officially started writing research papers! If you ask, they can show you their progress. We've got a ton of cool topics cooking, and some people have adjusted their research questions and theses as they've learned more about their topics. In 7/8, we've been studying Gandhi as we gear up for our Civil Rights unit. They'll end the year writing a research paper on a civil liberties Supreme Court case, and are starting the process of narrowing in on a particular interest area.

(Photo caption: An album cover photo for your favorite new band!)

Kindergarten

Ms. Kicza

After the break, we reviewed classroom expectations like “whole body listening” and what to do during sharing at morning meeting, then we got right back to work and play!

We finished an author/illustrator study about Grace Lin with an art project inspired by her work. We heard winter books, learned about the letter j, read decodable texts, and wrote words and sentences. Each student did their best to write independently for the all-school writing prompt: "My favorite animal is… because…." 

We talked about lion and lamb weather and the saying, “March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb.” Their individual February weather graphs showed how well they do this activity by themselves at this time in the year! With Becky we began observing and learning about trees and identification for our upcoming maple syrup project.

First Grade

Ms. Fisk

We continue learning about the patterns

of the sun, moon, and stars. Students

learned about the phases of the moon as

well as constellations.

This month during number corner

students will...

-read times on analog and digital clocks

-count dimes, nickels, and pennies

-compose and decompose numbers to

make ten.

I sent home a March Reading log to

families this past week. This is a place to

log how long your child reads at home as

a fun challenge in the classroom.

Art

Ms. Aurora

Congratulations to our Newton artists whose work have been selected to be displayed at the Vermont Statehouse this month as part of Vermont's Youth Art Month celebration! 

Kindergarten: Connor Christie, collaborative piece by Wren Grossman, Josephine Schumacher, Olivia Potter, Gideon Guaraldi, and Phoebe Ziai 

First Grade: Gavin Kendall and Autumn Peterson

Second Grade: Cadence Duncklee

Third Grade: Morgan Johnson and Ellis Barnes 

Fourth Grade: Thomas Gortner and Skylee Gingo

Fifth Grade: Kami Brickner and Elva Teachout

Sixth Grade: Kylie Carter and Annora Duncklee 

Seventh Grade: Rosie Dotter

Eighth Grade: Elenore Mullins, collaboration by Ada Breese and Levi Smith

Second Grade

Ms. Denney

We have concluded our conversations about feet, inches, and yards, and the tools that we can use to measure. Ask your child when they would use a ruler, 

yardstick, or measuring tape to measure 

different items at home. 

To celebrate the 100th day of school, we 

worked together with Kindergarten and 1st grade to write 100 reasons why we love Newton! During writing, students have been brainstorming past events where they felt strong emotions. They 

will choose one event as the topic for their personal narrative. 

Library/Media

Ms. Simone

Overdue notices will go out this week for K-4 students. Please remember that there are no overdue fees, and that these notices are not a bill. The software we use in the library adds the price of the overdue books on these notices, and unfortunately that can't be changed; what I hope is that grownups will help their student find any overdue books. So turn over those couch cushions and check the floor of your car! And as always, thank you so much for supporting our school library!

As seen above, some first graders have been enjoying using the recording studio during browse time! We'll all be using the studio for our upcoming project about genres.

Music

Ms. Brooke

We visited tropical places through song and dance in the elementary grades. K-2 learned the origins of hula and created their own hula-inspired stories. They compared the sight and sound of the ukulele to the guitar, and performed "underwater" movement. 

Third and 4th grade continue to build a foundation for bucket drumming. Thanks to the Home Depot for donating the buckets! 

Fifth grade is excitedly working on the previously mentioned short film of Bob the Banker, volume 4, by Milo Maher. They are organizing roles, both on and off screen, and have really collaborated well on figuring it all out. We hope to move on to the actual filming soon! 

Middle schoolers are getting closer to presenting the Soundtrack of My Life. I am, too! 

World Language

Ms. Ballou

Seventh and 8th graders have been learning "Animals" vocabulary in German. They have been enjoying noticing differences and similarities in languages when it comes to animals. Students are also working on their City/Town projects, learning more about different cities and towns of the German-speaking countries. They will be sharing their findings with each other soon. 

Sixth graders began exploring the French language and culture, and 5th graders began their exploration of the Italian language and culture.

All the students are continuing to work on learning their individual languages online.