Class of 2015 - Jewish Community Day School of Rhode Island

Tomer’s Post about our Guest from Adidas

June 15, 2015 by Naomi Stein

This week a very special guest speaker came to the fifth grade class. Greg, a vice president of the company Adidas, came and talked to us about what he does as a vice president of such a large company. As a vice president of a large company like Adidas, there are many responsibilities he has to take on. Keeping factories clean and safe is hard, especially when there are almost two thousand factories to take care of in China, India, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Turkey. 80% of all Adidas’s products are made in those six countries. He and his team make sure the workers are happy and get the money they earned, that the factory is safe, and that there are no children under the age of sixteen working. If he finds any of theses things he may send them a letter saying that the owner of the factory has to fix the problem in a certain amount of time. If the owner doesn’t do what he was told, they get another letter saying that they have to do it. If they still don’t do it by the third time, Adidas will tell them they will not give them anymore work after a certain amount of time, so any raw materials already there can be produced into the product and so the workers will know that they won’t be employed in some time. If what he and his team find is very bad, then they will just stop production immediately and never work with the factory again. This is only a fraction of all that we learned from Greg about his job.

Tamar’s Poetry Post

June 15, 2015 by Naomi Stein

This was written a couple of weeks ago. Now that Poetry Night has already happened, it’s interesting to look pack at this process:

This week in writing we worked more on poetry. Last week we started poems for the poetry night (though some of our previous poems will also be read there). The ones that we started are poems about industry, nature, freedom, and the book of Shmot. We have a list of poetic terms to use- at least three of in each poem, some of which are rhyme, hyperbole, and alliteration.

At our poetry night, we will read some of the poems we have written at Blue State Coffee. I am very nervous for poetry night because not only will there be our parents (and maybe some others) at the poetry night, but also anyone in the cafe, so we will probably be reading poetry we wrote in front of strangers. I am also looking forward to poetry night a lot, because we will get to share our poetry with our family. Also, it’s an excuse to write a lot of poetry!

Summer Reading Lists for Students Entering Grades 1-5. K.White, librarian

June 15, 2015June 13, 2015 by Naomi Stein

THE JCDSRI SUMMER READING PROGRAM Link to all Reading Lists:

http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs182/1101781664576/archive/1121355100244.html

Dear JCDS Families,

Welcome to our summer celebration of books, the JCDSRI Summer Reading Program! The intent of our summer reading program is to promote reading skills. Research studies have demonstrated that students who participate in a summer reading program are more likely to read at their grade level or above than nonparticipating students and those reading above grade level are more likely to retain those skills into the next school year. (Evaluation and Training Institute). While an increase in reading promotes reading abilities and other skills, we want our students to experience the joys that reading brings through marvelous characters and adventures. Books introduce us to friends we will have for life. Reading is FUN!

We are asking students to read at least five books from our booklists. Hopefully, they will read many books.

Each student entering grades 1-5 receives a summer reading program folder containing a JCDSRI summer booklist of various levels and interests complied by Karolyn White, librarian.

The lists are sent to the following public libraries: Rochambeau, Cranston, East Providence, East Greenwich, Johnston, Lincoln, Pawtucket and the following bookstores: Books on the Square and Barnes and Noble in Warwick.

For 22 years, the summer reading program has been coordinated by Karolyn White, librarian. kwhite@jcdsri.com

We wish you a happy, healthy summer and wonderful reading adventures!

Farewell from Mrs. White, librarian

June 15, 2015June 13, 2015 by Naomi Stein

Dear Friends,

After twenty-two years as the JCDSRI librarian, I am retiring at the end of the school year. I have loved working with our students and enjoy keeping in touch with many alumni. I have been delighted to be the school librarian, where I can play with puppets, read fairy tales and sing pirate songs. Now, how good is that?

For twenty-two years, I have loved creating book fairs that have promoted reading and fostered wonderful memories for our students. Although running book fairs for twenty-two years was quite a job, I did it because the students loved it so much. The youngsters enjoy dressing in PJs and going to Clifford Family Nights to meet Clifford the Big Red Dog. This activity became a beloved event. Many students dreamed of “being Clifford” and were thrilled if they were selected. Recently, I met an alum who asked about the book fair dates and who would be Clifford at next year’s fair. Alumni enjoy sharing happy memories of the fairs. Over the years, we have sold thousands of dollars of merchandise at the fairs, which enabled us to get thousands of books, many supplies, classroom rugs, school furniture and more. I am delighted that the Scholastic book fairs have never cost the school any money. Thank you for your long time support of our book fairs!

Twenty-two years ago, I automated the school library-not an easy task. For twenty-two years, I have created summer reading programs. I certainly appreciate the positive comments my summer reading programs have received from school librarians throughout the country. For many years, I conducted public preschool story times, which I greatly enjoyed.

Thank you for all my wonderful memories. I will dearly miss everyone!

Sincerely,

Karolyn White

Gotta Have Sole

June 5, 2015 by Naomi Stein

This week we visited the organization Gotta Have Sole, founded by JCDSRI alum, Nicholas Lowinger. Please take a moment to read about this amazing individual and all the good he does in the world: http://www.gottahavesole.org/ghs/

Nicholas is only a high school student! He started this organization in sixth grade, for his bar-mitzvah project. To say he was an inspiration to the class is an understatement. Gotta Have Sole sends new shoes to children who need them. Fifth graders learned about why Nicholas began doing this work, some of the (many) awards he has won over the years, and how the organization runs. Then they helped prepare an order to be sent to a shelter in Arizona.

Here are some of the students reflections after the trip:

“This trip has showed me how 1 person can make a difference” – Jordan

“I am thinking about the kids’ reactions to the cards ans hoes. I hope they are happy!” -Elliana

“I am thinking about how lucky we are to have shoes to wear.” – Tomer

“I am thinking about how I can help the world. I got inspired. What should I do?” – Abby

“I wonder what I can do to help in the world.” -Jodd

“This is the first time I have really thought about how hard it is not to have shoes.” -Jonah

“I am now so grateful for my shoes. I am also wondering what I can do to help in the community.” -Eliora

“It feels so good to know that thing I am drawing will be cherished by someone I will probably never meet.” -Tamar

Some of the 5th graders remembered Jess the dog visiting them in PreK — Some of the 5th graders remembered Jesse the dog visiting them in PreK. Jesse belongs to Nicholas’s family.

Each corner is filled with shoes to be donated — Each corner of the garage is filled with shoes to be donated. Here we are shown where it all began.

Students matched up the right shoes with the order. Each pair got a sticker with the name of the child the shoes would go to. — Students matched up the right shoes with the order slip. Each pair got a sticker with the name of the child the shoes would be going to.

Cards were then made for each child, to accompany the shoes. — Then students made cards for each child, to accompany the shoes. Cards were decorated, and inspirational messages were written (i.e. Jump high!) on the cards.

Our students were hard at work, eager to help others.

Students put such thought and love into their cards.

A lot of children will be getting their shoes soon.

It was a particularly moving service learning experience. Many thanks to Lori Lowinger for taking the time to welcome us and for giving the class this opportunity.

Jodd’s Post about Poetry

May 22, 2015 by Naomi Stein

One of Jodd's Favorite Books of Poetry — One of Jodd’s Favorite Books of Poetry

This week we were immersed in poetry. Each night we have been reading poetry and sharing a special poem that we liked with our class. I have read from many great poets about the sea, a woodpecker, God and more. In class we have learned about Haiku, couplets, and many literary devices. Do you know how many there are? Even more than the amount of fingers I have! I think that poetry is very important, but it can take time. Each word helps to make a whole. Not to be confused with a hole. A simple word can be the essence of a poem. The sun, a shirt, anything! Even more than the amount of my fingers and toes combined! Poetry can be hard sometimes, but everyone has a poet inside. I didn’t see myself as a poet when we started this unit. Now, I have written many poems that, in my opinion, are good. Very good! I bet you could do one too. Maybe I’ll try.

Words are so important,

for words tell stories.

And without stories,

there is no joy.

In words.

I like that one too. I hope you like it. I can write more. Although, I’m running out of letters. Before I end it I will say. Poems are awe….. Wait, I can’t run out of letters.

Eliora’s Post about Products and Poetry

May 15, 2015 by Naomi Stein

This week has been extremely fun filled, and just blew by like a gust of wind on a summer day. Last Friday our class learned that we would be starting an incredibly fun project in social studies, but only this Monday did we start. Our assignment is to create a factory produced item and explain the details in paragraphs. We are split into two groups, and each group is making something different. My group focused on how we could take something that exists and make it more environmentally friendly. We have to explain our power sources, factory location, labor contract, and so on. For my group’s final part of the project, we plan to actually make a prototype of our product.

Another incredibly interesting thing that we did this week was write. Write poetry. We went into the garden one day and wrote haiku about the nature around us. We took things in everyday life and turned them into poems that only come along once in a lifetime. ”Buzz, buzz,” a bee! “Crunch, crunch,” crunching leaves! At the end of the day when I heard the intercom, dry leaves crackling underfoot, I groaned. I was sad that school was over.

cool, whispering, wind

wandering and wondering

across the fast grass

——–

silent, still, beauty

crystals, diamonds, rubies

more precious than all

———

reaching for the sun

swirling and growing with love

they’re luscious and green

My Dog is as Smelly as Dirty Socks – take 2

May 12, 2015May 11, 2015 by Naomi Stein

Students in art and Lashon were inspired by Chanoch Piven’s work in the creation of their character portraits created during Special Visitors Day in a Hebrew-Art project. Each student chose a person from real life or fantasy and described that person’s character: “my mom is funny, my friend is fast, my dog is smart, my sister is sweet, my dad is cool, my teacher is thoughtful, Batman is dark…” Students brought in objects from home as well as using items that the teacher’s collected that represented these characteristics to create a portrait. Each portrait includes the students’ writings in Hebrew and in English incorporated into the piece somehow.

Mrs. Bend & Rotem

Our Slater Mill Field Trip

May 1, 2015 by Naomi Stein

Our visit to Slater Mill helped students think deeply about the birth of industrialization in this country. The fifth graders asked incredibly thoughtful questions about life during this time period.

Studying a piece of wool and thinking about the efforts it takes to go from sheering a sheep to making usable thread to make clothes. — Studying a piece of wool and thinking about the efforts it takes to go from sheering a sheep to making usable thread to make clothes

Carding wool made it easier to work with.

Only a wealthy family could have had a loom like this one in their home.

Beds were warmed up with coals under the sheets.

Taking the flax plant and readying it to made thread to make linen is quite a process.

Students were fascinated by all the machinery.

These machines were designed to fix machinery.

The cotton gin revolutionized the cotton industry.

Field Trip to RRIE

April 24, 2015 by Naomi Stein

By Eliora, the 5th grader:

On Wednesday our class went to the recycling center. We went there not knowing anything that we wanted to buy, and left with everybody carrying at least one heavy bag (including Mrs. Woods and Peter.) We got so many materials that we will reuse in our sculpture. Our class got started on an abstract sculpture right away, and I was the official bottle cap holer (I put holes in the bottle caps.) We have wind chimes, bird feeders, and pots for plants on what looks like a plastic cupcake holder. In conclusion, we all had an amazing time collaborating this week.

Curious to know more about where we went? Click here: http://www.rrie.org/

We looked for materials that wouldn't get ruined outdoors — We looked for materials that wouldn’t get ruined outdoors

It's exciting to imagine what we'll create — It’s exciting to imagine what we’ll create