Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Dear Parents,

We began our first full week back to school yesterday, and the kids have a ton of energy they seem happy to plow into their schoolwork.

In Writing, we began a unit of short stories today. Everyone was mesmerized by the huge snowdrift outside our classroom window and by Mr. Wayne's tractor that scooped it up and hauled it away --- so, we stood by the window and watched for a few minutes. Then, together, we created an oral story about it. "One upon a time," began Ally....and another student added, "there was a huge snowstorm, and it nearly covered our classroom window.... (and another said )... We left the classroom and when we came back in, we saw that it was really a giant snow monster! It was trying to cllimb in our classroom window!...

You'll have to ask your child to tell you how our story turned out; we will be learning, now, how to write our own fictional stories.

In Morning Meeting, Ally Clos surprised us with a song she had written. With some encouragement from her classmates and backup from a couple of them, she sang it to us.  "That was a very nice song, Ally," said Alexander when they had finished.

We met our new student teacher today; her name is Tia Aiello (or "Ms. Tia.") She is a junior at Champlain College; she was born in New Jersey and has spent the last four years living in South Burlington. Ask your child if he or she remembers what else she told us.It looks as though Ms. Tia will be a great fit for us.

We celebrated Ananya's birthday today, and her classmates had many things to say about what she brings to our class.  Thank you, Ananya! Thank you, Class!

2nd grade math students got math homework that is due on Thursday, and I believe that all Fundations classes got a fresh Fundations homework packet today. Also, your child should have brought home a new reading log for this week.

In Science, we have begun a four-week unit on Solids, Liquids, and Gases.  Ask your child what he or she learned today in his or her workshop.

Have a great rest of the week, everyone.

Mr. Bolger