We've had a wonderful week together. The warm weather, new projects and work at school, and various special events this week have been invigorating!
On Monday we learned about the 4 families of instruments (percussion, string, woodwind, brass) and got to try out a bunch of them at the Vermont Symphony Orchestra musical petting zoo. It was an incredible experience! On Tuesday we did a surprise project with Hannah from the PTO. On Friday Barb and Dan from No Stings Marionettes came back to put on a puppet show for us--"Wasabi, a Dragon's Tale."
This week our writers color coded their notefacts into topic groups then cut them out to begin organizing what they learned (and what they want to teach others) about their topics into topic paragraphs.
During Literacy blocks play groups began to practice reading fluently, leaving pauses for actions in our acting, and noticing what the group is doing well individually and together. Each group is working on collaborating and making artisitc decisions together to create a play that you will enjoy!
To coincide with our plays we read different versions of the 3 folk tales that we'll be performing. This week we read The Bourbon Street Musicians by Kathy Price, The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka, and Burro's Tortillas by Terri Fields.
In second grade math we began a new unit on story problems (word problems) using all they've learned about place value, adding and subtracting strategies, and deciphering math language. This week we were detectives looking for the clues in the stories to help us know when to add or subtract to find the answer to the story. We also thought carefully about what was the missing information--a part or the whole? In first grade math they are continuing their work with measuring and fractions. On Wednesday first graders were very brave as many visiting teachers (myself included) observed the lesson that day during a "Lesson Study." Kindergarten, first and second grade teachers from Doty, Berlin and Rumney worked with the WCSU Math Coach to design a lesson together and observe many aspects of the learning. It was an amazing experience.
With the warmer weather we're finally having it's time to talk about spring footwear. It is Rumney policy that students have sneakers or sandals that stay on their feet for P.E. and recess (i.e. not flip flops). Flip flops are okay for indoor shoes as long as they have secure footwear for recess and P.E. Thanks for your help in making sure your child is ready for each day's activities!
Earlier this week I sent home permission slips for upcoming field trips. All the 1/2 classes will be going to the Montshire Museum of Science on Tuesday May 30th. Thanks to many of you who already returned those slips. There's still plenty of time to get them in but we do have 3 chaperones who have already volunteered to go with our class--Carrie Tatro, Ray Mikus, and Shelley Pembroke. First grade families also got another field trip slip for the U-32 Book Buddies event. Each year the 7th graders have a writing project where they create a children's book to give to children at the elementary school. This year since the 7th grade class is so small only our 1st graders will go to this event (the second graders went last year when they were 1st graders). While the 1st graders are away the 2nd graders will stay at Rumney to do a fun activity together.
Finally I've updated the "Dates to Remember" list below to reflect all the dates that I know of for things to come for the remainder of our year. I know the end of the year gets busy so I wanted to give you as much warning as possible! As always let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Have a wonderful, warm weekend!
❤ Mrs. Fox
Dates to Remember
Thursday May 11 - 4 Winds/Special Science with Karen 1:30-2:30
Friday May 19 - Our Class Plays, 2:00 seating, 2:15 showtime!!
Wednesday May 24 - Spring Concert 6:30 pm
Friday May 26 - 1st Grade only - Book Buddies @ U-32 9:15-11:15
Monday May 29 - Memorial Day - NO SCHOOL
Tuesday May 30 - All First/Second Graders Field Trip to the Montshire Museum of Science 9 am-3:30 pm
Thursday June 1 - Fine Arts Night 6:00 pm
Friday June 16 - Field Day @ Wrightsville Reservoir (rain date Mon.6/19) - Save the date! (More details to come.)
Tuesday June 20 - Step Up Day (moving up to meet their new teacher and gather with the new class for next year!)
Tuesday June 20 -- Final All School Meeting, 6th grade slideshow & t-shirt presentation
Tuesday June 20 - Last Day 1/2 day, 12:30 dismissal
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