Weeks of January 18 and January 25

We incorporated the use of the net books in math and reading.  Students are able to sign into Envision math and complete assignments, review past lessons, play games and take tests.  In reading we received our user names and passwords and explored Journeys, our new reading series.  We will continue to use the net books for more daily assignments and learning.
The week of January 25 was No Name Calling week.  As a school we had themed days such as miss match clothes and crazy hat day to continue to reinforce students to respect each other and put an end to bullying. 

www.pearsonsuccess.org/

 

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Weeks of January 4 and January 11


We have started the new year with the students receiving their Google accounts to use with the net books in our class.  These accounts give students access to many new things where they can create, share and collaborate.  In addition they will be able to save their work on their own drive to create a history of their work.  We are very excited about this new technology and look forward to sharing our learning.

 

Google Drive

   https://www.google.com/intl/en_US/drive/start/index.html

 

Weeks of Dec. 14 & 21

School wide read aloud starting in January is Jack's Path of Courage:  The life of John F. Kennedy by Doreen Rappaport.


We began our study of animals and completed a writing assignment based on an animal found in the national park we studied in social studies.  In addition, we worked on a power point presentation for the national park we chose to study.  Lastly, we completed the Nov./Dec.  math assessment.

Week of December 7

Students completed and presented their projects. Their projects were creative and presentations were informative. Many students were excited to share their expertise about a glacier, earthquake, landslide or volcano.



 

 

Earthquake

                                                                                           

 

Landslide

 

 

Earthquake

 

 

 

 

 

Glacier

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Week of November 16

Elephant Glacier:  Greenland

All students have access to Envision math.  Each student has a password and user name so they can go onto the math site to reinforce math skills or show parents/guardians what they are learning. 
Also students were given a science project which is due before or on December 7.  This project includes a written paper, 3D model, and presentation. Students will research glacier, volcano, landslide or earthquake.
This week in math we worked on answering open response questions.  We discussed strategies and expectations of open response questions.  In reading we reinforced before, during and after reading strategies.  Students should be reading at least 30 minutes each night. 

Reminders:  Report cards need to be signed and returned.
                    Tuesday, Nov. 20:  Field Trip to MRF in Springfield
                    Wednesday, Nov. 21:  Half Day
                    Thursday, Nov. 22 & Friday, Nov. 23:  No School

Week of November  2 and November 9

We started the school wide read of Abe's Honest Words and researched the Gettysburg Address.  In order to understand time we created a timeline the length of the hallway for students to add any facts that they learn throughout the study of this book and to add to it throughout the year.  We are beginning to make connections to other learning from the start of the year.

The class met their loop goal and we did an art project.  Students created a piece of art on tracing paper that they painted.  The paintings will be put in a clear plastic sheet and strung together to hang on the the windows like stain glass.  Students drew many different designs including their favorite book covers, scenes, names, and own creations. 

It was nice to meet many of the parents of our students the past two weeks creating a school home connection.

Reminders:  MRF Field Trip rescheduled for November 20
                    Half day November  21 and No School November 22 & 23

Week of October 25

While learning about rocks on the summit, an eagle flew by where we were sitting.
A rare sight to see upclose.

On Monday, we had our trip to JA Skinner State Park.  Our hike to the summit started on Rt 47, where we took the Taylor Notch trail to the Metacomet-Monadnock trail.  It was about 1.5 miles to the summit.   We had a beautiful day for a hike and the views from the summit were "awesome" , "incredible", "I'm stupified" as described by some students.  While on the summit, Ms Gini Traub, Regional Environmental Education Coordinator, taught the us about the formation of the area, types of rocks and where they came from.  We were not able to enter the Summit House because it is under construction and will open next month.

The kickoff to the Springfield Armour reading program was Thursday.  Students will keep a reading log which can lead to winning prizes.  Also, we had a visit from Mike Recycle of the West Springfield Public works.   He taught us about how we can reduce, reuse and recycle.  We will visit the MRF recycling plant next Tuesday. 

Reminders:

Tuesday,  October 30, Field Trip to MRF
Wednesday,  October 31, Half day, Parent Teacher Conferences