Sunday, June 13, 2010
May 28, 2010
Calliope Weekly Update
May 24-28, 2010
Week Thirty-five
May 24-28, 2010
Week Thirty-five
Reading & Writing:
Students tried their best to ‘cool down’ with good books this week
during the heat wave. Students have begun work on their benchmark
reading assessments for the last time this year. We will be sharing
student instructional levels in reading with you come report card
time. Mr. Bolger's class began a new read aloud: The Time Warp Trio's
book -- It's All Greek to Me. Ms. Schoolcraft’s class began a new read
aloud too: Love That Dog by Sharon Creech.
Math: Both
third and fourth graders exclaimed ‘we have the same homework!’
Thursday afternoon (their geometry work looked similar with dot
patterns)…as both grade levels are studying geometry. Third graders’
math work is on display outside the main office in the lobby…our work
included rotating designs using polygons from an earlier problem. Come
check it out! Third graders also began to explore elements of area and
geometric solids during an activity called “boxes” on Friday. Fourth
Graders are hard at work studying the world of fractions.
Word Study: Mr. Bolger's Spelling Class took home their second-to-last spelling list for the year. The kids are ramping up for a year-end spelling bee covering all the spelling words and rules they have learned! Ms. S’s group began unit 10 this week, examining syllables with double vowel teams. Students learned that vowel teams are either vowel digraphs (two vowels making one new sound) or diphthongs (pronounced diff-thongs; where the first vowel glides into the succeeding vowels).
Science: Tuesday
marked the final NECAP assessment of the year. Fourth graders worked
in pairs or trios and then independently to complete an inquiry task.
The assessment took about 90 minutes (on arguably the hottest day of
the year)… and third graders “chilled out” in the [air conditioned]
computer lab during testing, brushing up on keyboarding skills and
enjoying spellingcity.com. As for a chick update…at the writing of
this update, we have hatched 1 chick. This, although incredibly
exciting, was a disappointing turnout from the 28 eggs we set on May 5th.
We have decided to leave the incubator running over the long weekend,
in the hopes that we will have a late hatch, to join our first chick,
“Early.” The eggs that are not successful will be laid to rest in the
woods on Tuesday by our class.
Responsive Classroom: The heat may have played a role in both student and adult behavior this week -- cranky, cranky, cranky :)
Ask me about:
· How we problem-solved soccer play at recess
· Mrs. Wirsing’s hatch
· Vista’s Performance
Other: Please
help your child remember to bring a water bottle to school these last
few weeks. Our classroom can be quite hot, and it is easy to get
dehydrated in such warm weather. As always, thank you for keeping
consistent home routines (even throughout May Madness © The Warren Family). Please see the note in the School Bell
regarding parent feedback surveys (found online). Please complete
these as soon as possible, as your feedback informs our practice and is
greatly appreciated. Finally, we look forward to several Calliope
events in June! Have a fun, relaxing and safe Memorial Day weekend!
May 21, 2010
Calliope Weekly Update
May 17-21, 2010
Week Thirty-four
May 17-21, 2010
Week Thirty-four
Reading & Writing:
The Reading Restaurant was a huge success! Thanks to all families for
your support with the restaurant itself, and for being kind and
generous patrons! In the upcoming weeks, students will be completing
end-of-the-year assessments in reading and spelling in preparation of
June report cards.
Math: Fourth
graders worked on dyads and problem solving this week, as well as,
participated in the fourth and final ‘studio’ class of the year. Third
graders are working with geometry; specifically attribute blocks and
lines, line segments, and rays.
Word Study: Both classes maintained a consistent spelling routine despite the reading restaurant preparations this week. Ms. S’s class completed unit 9 in Fundations, including the application of the 1-1-1 rule for adding vowel suffixes to 1-1-1 words with r-controlled vowels.
Science: Fourth
graders completed the first two sessions of the Science NECAP on
Tuesday. Fourth graders will finish with the inquiry task next
Tuesday. A good night’s sleep and breakfast prior to testing helps
students start off on the right foot. In other news, our expected
hatch day is Wednesday, 5/26. Students are eagerly anticipating the
hatch of our chicks. On Thursday, we visited Mrs. Wirsing’s classroom
to view an embryo that has been developing without its shell. We were
able to see what our embryos look like and identify body parts…the eye,
egg tooth, feathers, and feet. Science is amazing!
Responsive Classroom: I
continue to be impressed and amazed at the manners and kindness I
witness between students. Much of this came to fruition at the reading
restaurant; students remained calm and were incredibly polite not only
to our guests, but to each other. That is a success to be celebrated
by all of us.
On Thursday, both classes were able to ‘serve’ each other as we visited
one another’s reading restaurant. How wonderful to see the excitement
as students visited each other’s core classes and experienced the
reading restaurant as a guest.
Ask me about:
· Art Show
· Reading Restaurant Rehearsal!
· Discovery’s Reading Restaurant
· Science necap – 4th grade
Other: With
the Reading Restaurant behind us, we have the final four weeks of
school fast approaching. As we prepare for many endings – Calliope
House, Allen Brook for all of us, the completion of another grade, 4th grade graduation (to name a few…) let’s take a deep breath and slow down.
We have much excitement planned in the upcoming weeks…let’s enjoy every
minute with each other, practicing respect and kindness. You are all
an amazing group of kids and parents and I am so thankful to be a part
of the house that is Calliope.
Friday, April 16, 2010
April 16, 2010
Calliope Weekly Update
April 3 - April 16, 2010 Week Thirty
Reading and Writing: in Mr. Bolger’s and Ms. Schoolcraft’s classes, students have been bringing to conclusion their “response to text” pieces. We have been focusing, especially, on how you invite your reader into your essay by first engaging them with a question. (For example: “How many books do you know that feature talking rats? Remember Stuart Little? Remember The Mouse and the Motorcycle? Well, I think Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH is even better...” )Then you need to summarize the story for them and anticipate their questions before you narrow to your analysis of one of the characters. This week, students also brought a number of poetry projects to conclusion. Congratulations to Olivia, Katelyn, Cameron, and Bennett for having their news articles published in the recent ABS Blue and Gold newspaper!
Spelling/Grammar: Mr. B’s class and Ms. Schoolcraft’s classes have been working on reining in run-on sentences! Mr. Bolger’s spelling class continues its study of word endings: tally à tallies and tallied, but play just goes to plays and played. Can you explain why?
Math: In Grade 3, Mrs. Schoolcraft’s class continues its study of probability w/spinners, probability language (certain, impossible, likely, equally likely, more likely, unlikely), combinations and tree diagrams. In Grade 4, students are digging into fractions with problems like: what is 2/3 of 270? and what does it look like to have seven fourths of a brownie?
Responsive Classroom:
We have continued our discussions this week about being kind: (it’s not ok to say, “Other kids don’t like you because…”), being direct: (“What did you mean when you said…?”), and being strong in the face of a friend who is trying to control who you hang out with: (“You take care of yourself and who you hang out with, and I’ll take care of myself and who I hang out with.”)
We are hard at work on our Calliope CD. Peter Engisch will be running two recording sessions with us in our Calliope Kiva on May 4th and May 5th. May students are volunteering to be Music Leaders. They are committing to memorizing our song list and being role models to the other students. Way to go, Music Leaders!
Ask me about:
• how far we’ve gotten towards our 1000 paper cranes,
• which Red-Clover book earned the most votes statewide (Owney, the Mail Pouch Pooch)
• which DCF book got the most votes in ABS (The Gollywhopper Game)
• what it means to be a “Singing Leader” for our upcoming CD.
Upcoming Events to put in your calendar: Mother’s Day Tea – 5/7 @ 11:45-12:30; Reading Restaurant – 5/19 @ 6:15-7:00 and 7:15-8:00; Catamount Picnic – 6/14 @ 10:00-2:00; 4th Grade Graduation – TBA; Last day: 6/16
Take Care, Everyone.
David and Sarah
April 3 - April 16, 2010 Week Thirty
Reading and Writing: in Mr. Bolger’s and Ms. Schoolcraft’s classes, students have been bringing to conclusion their “response to text” pieces. We have been focusing, especially, on how you invite your reader into your essay by first engaging them with a question. (For example: “How many books do you know that feature talking rats? Remember Stuart Little? Remember The Mouse and the Motorcycle? Well, I think Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH is even better...” )Then you need to summarize the story for them and anticipate their questions before you narrow to your analysis of one of the characters. This week, students also brought a number of poetry projects to conclusion. Congratulations to Olivia, Katelyn, Cameron, and Bennett for having their news articles published in the recent ABS Blue and Gold newspaper!
Spelling/Grammar: Mr. B’s class and Ms. Schoolcraft’s classes have been working on reining in run-on sentences! Mr. Bolger’s spelling class continues its study of word endings: tally à tallies and tallied, but play just goes to plays and played. Can you explain why?
Math: In Grade 3, Mrs. Schoolcraft’s class continues its study of probability w/spinners, probability language (certain, impossible, likely, equally likely, more likely, unlikely), combinations and tree diagrams. In Grade 4, students are digging into fractions with problems like: what is 2/3 of 270? and what does it look like to have seven fourths of a brownie?
Responsive Classroom:
We have continued our discussions this week about being kind: (it’s not ok to say, “Other kids don’t like you because…”), being direct: (“What did you mean when you said…?”), and being strong in the face of a friend who is trying to control who you hang out with: (“You take care of yourself and who you hang out with, and I’ll take care of myself and who I hang out with.”)
We are hard at work on our Calliope CD. Peter Engisch will be running two recording sessions with us in our Calliope Kiva on May 4th and May 5th. May students are volunteering to be Music Leaders. They are committing to memorizing our song list and being role models to the other students. Way to go, Music Leaders!
Ask me about:
• how far we’ve gotten towards our 1000 paper cranes,
• which Red-Clover book earned the most votes statewide (Owney, the Mail Pouch Pooch)
• which DCF book got the most votes in ABS (The Gollywhopper Game)
• what it means to be a “Singing Leader” for our upcoming CD.
Upcoming Events to put in your calendar: Mother’s Day Tea – 5/7 @ 11:45-12:30; Reading Restaurant – 5/19 @ 6:15-7:00 and 7:15-8:00; Catamount Picnic – 6/14 @ 10:00-2:00; 4th Grade Graduation – TBA; Last day: 6/16
Take Care, Everyone.
David and Sarah
Friday, April 9, 2010
April 9, 2010
Calliope Weekly Update
March 29-April 2, 2010
Week Twenty-Nine
Reading: in Mr. Bolger’s and Ms. Schoolcraft’s classes, students have been writing “responses to text” (short essays about literature they have been reading). We hope to be done by next Friday. We are using graphic organizers and have been focusing on writing effective introductory paragraphs.
Writing : both classes have been writing poetry. Mr. Bolger’s class has been studying the poet, Caleph Brown and have been writing autobiographical “I Am…” poems. In grammar studies, they have been working on quotations and on proper nouns. Ms. Schoolcraft’s class has been learning to write haikus and cinquains, rhyming couplets, limericks, and autobiographical poems including "Where I'm from" poems. We have had lots of laughs, good writing, and fun.
Spelling: Ms. Schoolcraft’s class , studying with Fundations, finished -le syllable types (unit 8) and will move on to unit 9 next week. Mr. Bolger’s class is on a tear with vocabulary words like ensure, frequent and vast; spellers have wrestled with “Is it storys or stories? Is it alleys or allies?”
Math: In Grade 3, it’s all about probability w/spinners, probability language (certain, impossible, likely, equally likely, more likely, unlikely), combinations and tree diagrams. Ask about monsters combinations! In Grade 4, students have concluded their introduction to long division. They took a test on Thursday. Next unit: fractions.
Science: dozens of fizzing Mentos later, pounds and pounds of Ooblek-on-the-floor later, quarts-of-vinegar-and-baking-soda-and balloons later, we have, sadly, come to the end of our unit on Solids, Liquids and Gases. Next unit up: a social studies unit – The Vermont Economy.
Responsive Classroom:
The two 3-4 classrooms met today and did some problem-solving around teasing and other not-very-nice behaviors. Many students shared thoughtfully about how it has felt when they have been teased, and they created a poster entitled: "What 3-4s need to be their best." Students were so engaged and gave so much to the discussion, that we needed to take an Outside break to get recharged for Math.
Ask me:
• about how far we’ve gotten towards our 1000 paper cranes,
• about who I voted for as my favorite Red-Clover book,
• about what it means to be a “Singing Leader” for our upcoming CD,
• about the chicks we will be hatching (eggs will be set in late April.)
Thanks, everyone, for the time you have taken, and the flexibility you have offered, to meet with us for Parent Conferences. It has been such a pleasure to sit down with you and see the progress your daughter or son has made.
Take care, everyone.
David and Sarah
March 29-April 2, 2010
Week Twenty-Nine
Reading: in Mr. Bolger’s and Ms. Schoolcraft’s classes, students have been writing “responses to text” (short essays about literature they have been reading). We hope to be done by next Friday. We are using graphic organizers and have been focusing on writing effective introductory paragraphs.
Writing : both classes have been writing poetry. Mr. Bolger’s class has been studying the poet, Caleph Brown and have been writing autobiographical “I Am…” poems. In grammar studies, they have been working on quotations and on proper nouns. Ms. Schoolcraft’s class has been learning to write haikus and cinquains, rhyming couplets, limericks, and autobiographical poems including "Where I'm from" poems. We have had lots of laughs, good writing, and fun.
Spelling: Ms. Schoolcraft’s class , studying with Fundations, finished -le syllable types (unit 8) and will move on to unit 9 next week. Mr. Bolger’s class is on a tear with vocabulary words like ensure, frequent and vast; spellers have wrestled with “Is it storys or stories? Is it alleys or allies?”
Math: In Grade 3, it’s all about probability w/spinners, probability language (certain, impossible, likely, equally likely, more likely, unlikely), combinations and tree diagrams. Ask about monsters combinations! In Grade 4, students have concluded their introduction to long division. They took a test on Thursday. Next unit: fractions.
Science: dozens of fizzing Mentos later, pounds and pounds of Ooblek-on-the-floor later, quarts-of-vinegar-and-baking-soda-and balloons later, we have, sadly, come to the end of our unit on Solids, Liquids and Gases. Next unit up: a social studies unit – The Vermont Economy.
Responsive Classroom:
The two 3-4 classrooms met today and did some problem-solving around teasing and other not-very-nice behaviors. Many students shared thoughtfully about how it has felt when they have been teased, and they created a poster entitled: "What 3-4s need to be their best." Students were so engaged and gave so much to the discussion, that we needed to take an Outside break to get recharged for Math.
Ask me:
• about how far we’ve gotten towards our 1000 paper cranes,
• about who I voted for as my favorite Red-Clover book,
• about what it means to be a “Singing Leader” for our upcoming CD,
• about the chicks we will be hatching (eggs will be set in late April.)
Thanks, everyone, for the time you have taken, and the flexibility you have offered, to meet with us for Parent Conferences. It has been such a pleasure to sit down with you and see the progress your daughter or son has made.
Take care, everyone.
David and Sarah
Friday, April 2, 2010
April 2, 2010
Calliope Weekly Update
March 29-April 2, 2010
Week Twenty-eight
Reading/Writing : As we continue our work with various texts in our reading groups and during read aloud, we had special visits from Mr. Terko, Ms. Carr and Mr. Nardelli this week, each sharing a Red Clover book with us. On Thursday, after Mr. Nardelli’s read aloud, students informally voted for their favorite: Finding Home By Sandra Markle, which was read by Ms. Trasciatti-Holmberg, our very own music teacher. On Thursday, Ms. S read Sadako by Eleanor Coerr, a story about a girl’s struggle with leukemia in the aftermath of World War II, as well as, origami cranes as symbols of hope. We have set a Calliope House goal to make 1,000 paper cranes for Dominic’s sister Maria.
Reading Link Frenzy: As we approach the end of the year, we are making a final push with reading and reading chains. We will take them down after our Reading Restaurant in May, we’ll attach them, and make a gigantic circular chain that we’ll take up onto the hill. We think it’s going to be the biggest Reading Chain ever. If you have any little toys or trinkets that your child has grown out of – that you’d like to donate to our Reading Chain grab bag, we’d be happy to have you offload them here .
Math: Fourth graders reviewed their Mid-Year Math Assessment. They also continue to work on gaining deeper understanding of the concepts of multiplication and division, as well as, the partial quotients algorithm. Mr. B is continually implementing strategies and teachings from the Best Practices in Teaching Mathematics course. Third graders started a unit on probability…making predictions and analyzing data from activities involving sampling with replacement.
Word Study: With so many students out this week, and with half-days interspersed across last week and this week, Mr. B’s spelling groups focused on grammar and punctuation as they read and commented on each others’ most-recent spelling stories on the blog. The stories aren’t just “silly” any more. They are quite inspired, and students are giving insightful feedback to their friends. Ms. S’s group is continuing to work with the consonant-le syllable type, including consonant-le syllable exceptions (bagel, camel, etc).
Science: We wrapped up our study of states of matter this week with a written assessment on Thursday. Students explored the “in between” state of oobleck…not quite a solid, not quite a liquid. Aside from making oobleck, we also made a HUGE mess! Students did a fantastic job working together to clean up tables, chairs, desks, and the rug afterward!
Responsive Classroom: We have made it to April…and the “spring jitters” are in full swing. Please remind your child to dress in layers and bring a water bottle to school for warmer weather!
Ask me about:
• Paper Cranes
• Mrs. Frisby’s daring challenge.
• How the Rats of Nimh got captured.
• Oobleck: solid or liquid?
• Grammar: does that period go inside or outside of the quotation marks?
Other: We’ve had several students out this week (including Ms. S on Friday with a sore throat)…please encourage your child to wash hands often and get good rest to stay healthy! With our origami project underway, we could use donations of origami paper—all sizes and colors—and thank you to the families who have sent in glue sticks…we will continue to accept donations!
David and Sarah
March 29-April 2, 2010
Week Twenty-eight
Reading/Writing : As we continue our work with various texts in our reading groups and during read aloud, we had special visits from Mr. Terko, Ms. Carr and Mr. Nardelli this week, each sharing a Red Clover book with us. On Thursday, after Mr. Nardelli’s read aloud, students informally voted for their favorite: Finding Home By Sandra Markle, which was read by Ms. Trasciatti-Holmberg, our very own music teacher. On Thursday, Ms. S read Sadako by Eleanor Coerr, a story about a girl’s struggle with leukemia in the aftermath of World War II, as well as, origami cranes as symbols of hope. We have set a Calliope House goal to make 1,000 paper cranes for Dominic’s sister Maria.
Reading Link Frenzy: As we approach the end of the year, we are making a final push with reading and reading chains. We will take them down after our Reading Restaurant in May, we’ll attach them, and make a gigantic circular chain that we’ll take up onto the hill. We think it’s going to be the biggest Reading Chain ever. If you have any little toys or trinkets that your child has grown out of – that you’d like to donate to our Reading Chain grab bag, we’d be happy to have you offload them here .
Math: Fourth graders reviewed their Mid-Year Math Assessment. They also continue to work on gaining deeper understanding of the concepts of multiplication and division, as well as, the partial quotients algorithm. Mr. B is continually implementing strategies and teachings from the Best Practices in Teaching Mathematics course. Third graders started a unit on probability…making predictions and analyzing data from activities involving sampling with replacement.
Word Study: With so many students out this week, and with half-days interspersed across last week and this week, Mr. B’s spelling groups focused on grammar and punctuation as they read and commented on each others’ most-recent spelling stories on the blog. The stories aren’t just “silly” any more. They are quite inspired, and students are giving insightful feedback to their friends. Ms. S’s group is continuing to work with the consonant-le syllable type, including consonant-le syllable exceptions (bagel, camel, etc).
Science: We wrapped up our study of states of matter this week with a written assessment on Thursday. Students explored the “in between” state of oobleck…not quite a solid, not quite a liquid. Aside from making oobleck, we also made a HUGE mess! Students did a fantastic job working together to clean up tables, chairs, desks, and the rug afterward!
Responsive Classroom: We have made it to April…and the “spring jitters” are in full swing. Please remind your child to dress in layers and bring a water bottle to school for warmer weather!
Ask me about:
• Paper Cranes
• Mrs. Frisby’s daring challenge.
• How the Rats of Nimh got captured.
• Oobleck: solid or liquid?
• Grammar: does that period go inside or outside of the quotation marks?
Other: We’ve had several students out this week (including Ms. S on Friday with a sore throat)…please encourage your child to wash hands often and get good rest to stay healthy! With our origami project underway, we could use donations of origami paper—all sizes and colors—and thank you to the families who have sent in glue sticks…we will continue to accept donations!
David and Sarah
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