Middle School Social Studies

Mr. Breen

In 5/6 Social Studies the kids are peer-editing each other's research papers. They're coming out super well, and it's been great to hear the considerate observations the kids are making as they help each other write the best final paper they can.

In 7/8 Social Studies, we're covering World War II and its impact on the US, looking at things like the development of the atomic bomb and the internment camps Japanese-Americans were made to live in.

Kindergarten

Ms. Kicza

Some recent highlights have been:

• Seeing the kindergartners get excited about a possible leprechaun visit and engineering traps.
• Having volunteers, including Christa and Roz, help our growing readers practice their skills.
• Measuring an amaryllis in the classroom that finally started growing.
• Helping build more knowledge and curiosity around maple syrup with hands-on, fun activities.
• Seeing them love identifying, measuring, and tapping a tree then collecting and drinking sap, too!

First Grade

Ms. Fisk

As we wrap up our learning about the

sun, moon, and stars, we have begun to

write our narrative pieces about what

the sun and moon see.

During math, we have started to dive

deeper into reading clocks and working

with an open number line.

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.

Second Grade

Ms. Denney

Over the past two weeks, second grade has counted and represented the number 1,000 using popsicle sticks, cubes, and base ten pieces. We worked in groups to first bundle groups of tens. Then we exchanged ten groups of ten for 100.

During phonics we have focused on the 3 sounds of /er/: -ir, -ur, and -er. We have practiced reading and spelling r-controlled syllables with partners. Ask your child about how their personal narrative is coming along!

Third Grade

Ms. Cote

Between building snow volcanoes with Becky and writing song lyrics with Jon Gailmor, it was a busy four-day week.

Students have been learning about fractions and have had to shade in unit fractions, mark them on a number line from zero to one, and compare fractions. I have introduced equivalent fractions as they naturally appear on the number line and using the pattern blocks. On Saint Patrick's Day, students used a fabric template from my aunt Helen and created thirds. Each bag had a series of questions or tasks to complete.

I have begun reading Everest by Gordon Korman, a thrilling ride through action and emotions as teens try to summit Mount Everest. This ties in with our plate tectonics unit. Students are learning how the Himalayas were formed long ago. Ask them about the different ways plates move on the convection currents. Our third graders have been working really hard and I am super proud of all of their efforts. 

P.E.

Mr. G

We are Fitness Testing for a couple of weeks and then we will roll into bowling.

Music

Ms. Brooke

Thanks to the PTA for supporting a visit from Vermont singer/songwriter Jon Gailmor. Jon visited last week, and will come again this week to help each grade compose an original song. 

Library/Media

Ms. Simone

Fifth graders have continued their year-long exploration of game design, and have been playing a variety of video games, such as Wildermyth, a turn-based RPG; A Dark Room, which is a text-only survival game; Beat Saber, a virtual-reality rhythm blaster; and Unravel (seen here), a puzzle platformer. Soon students will begin creating their own board, tabletop, or video game!

Meanwhile, our school's Sora stats are through the roof! So many students are using this library of ebooks and audiobooks that we are frequently among the top twenty borrowers among participating schools in the state! Sora can be accessed from desktop and mobile devises, but students must choose our school and use their WRVSU accounts to log in. Visit the library website to learn more!