Hello parents,
I am just posting on the new blog site. I need everyone to re-subscribe in order to get all of the latest 4th grade news and updates. You will not need to subscribe again for the fifth grade year. Thanks so much.
Melissa
Class Blogs
l’art de l’education
RISD
Students sketched, analyzed, and reflected about various pieces of art in “The Circus Show”-Thank you to Mrs. Bend and to our parent volunteers 🙂
Circus—a glimpse into the visual world of this phenomenon during the height of its popularity, 1850 to 1960. Approximately 40 circus-themed paintings, drawings, prints, photographs, and posters by artists such as Alexander Calder, Marc Chagall, Henri Matisse, James-Jacques-Joseph Tissot, and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec delve into life under the big top and its wider connections to culture and society.-RISD
Field of Exploration
Students had an engaging and fun learning experience traveling to Bristol, RI to the Audubon Society to continue our research own owls of New England for our Animal Adaptation Unit!
Pictures from our AWESOME celebration….. after reading The Chocolate Touch!
- Just completed our first read aloud, Because of Mr. Terupt, by Rob Buyea
- Currently reading, The Thing About Georgie, during guided reading…….AMAZING! Ask your child….what is the “special” thing about Georgie?
Literature Circles
Students learn to work together by collaborating and listening to one another’s amazing responses to literature while being led by a student facilitator.
Skills we are practicing….
Before Reading:
- preview
- use background knowledge
- predict
- question: What do I already know about the topic?
- think aloud
During Reading:
- use text or story structure (cause-effect, sequence, compare/contrast, story elements)
- visualize
- question: Do I understand this? What does the author mean by this?
- clarify
- think aloud
After Reading:
- retell or summarize
- question: What happened next? What would I have done? What does this remind me of? How do I feel about this?
- think aloud
Math is fun when multiplying ANYTHING and EVERYTHING! Students are learning how to solve various multiplication equations using colored cubes. Students will be expected to create multiplication stories while explaining their thinking soon!
Cursive! Script! Yes! We began writing in cursive and we are super excited.
Why cursive? What do you think?
http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2013/06/should-schools-still-teach-cursive/
Current Writing Genre-Fantasy
Learning about the process of identifying the characteristics of a fantasy is key:
- could the story really have happened?
- could the characters really exist? Why or why not?
- where does the story take place? Could it really exist? Why or why not?
- Do the characters behave in ways that seem true-to life? Explain
Fact– reading fantasy helps students explore and apply their understanding of literary elements and of the difference between what is real and what is not.
Grade Level Expectations:
- students can identify a selection’s setting and plot and any unrealistic features they represent.
- students can identify a fantasy’s characters and any unrealistic traits or actions they represent.
- students can identify several characters from fantasies, explaining ways they are realistic and unrealistic.
The Rag Coat- a book bag project for families! “People only need people”…..Minna reiterates through this heart-felt story. This literacy experience reminds us all what is really important in life.
Science Unit – Magnetism and Electricity
Goals:
1. Students will become familiar with the vocabulary associated with magnetism and electricity.
2. Students will become familiar with the properties of magnets.
3. Students will learn to plan and conduct experiments and control the variables.
4. Students will observe, describe, and record the results of their experiments.
5. Students will learn to use the skill of prediction.
6. Students will learn to interpret the results of experiments to draw conclusions.
7. Students will use technology to enhance their research, graphics, and assessment skills.
8. Students will develop an interest in experimenting on magnets and electricity.
9. Students will research the history of magnetism and important milestones in the discovery and use of electricity.
10. Students will appreciate how magnets are used in household appliances.
Gizmo is ready to share the classroom with our new adopted Guinea Pig…..stay tuned!
We are currently in the adoption process! 🙂
Reminders:
- I will be at a literacy conference this Wednesday, so there will be a substitute teacher.
- Students will lead their first assembly a week from Wednesday.
- The Rag Coat book bag project will be going home to families.
- Remember- homework is due every Wednesday and Friday. In addition, every Friday student reading logs will be due. Lastly, students should be reading and studying their math facts nightly.
- Students MUST be bundled up with winter attire. It is cold outside and students need to be prepared for recess and outdoor excursions that might be spontaneous at times!
Thank you!
Mrs. Davis
Gratitude on Gobble Day
There is so much to be grateful for, Mr. Tilove has been emphasizing the importance of Gratitude (Hakarat Hatov) and Responsibility (Achriut) during our Kabbalat Shabbat service together on Friday. The answers the students gave were so powerful, especially when some of the students answered “I am gratitude for my family or my dog or my toys. Some said, plants, food, my sister, my brother, the world, our school and our teachers. It was so inspiring to hear each voice and it is those voices that have inspired my list of Gratitude.
I am grateful for my beloved ( and very) patient family, Antibiotics, Probiotics, my incredible colleagues who have stepped up and took such good care of my students while I have been out for the count, my thoughtful, kind and loving class parents and finally my resilient fabulous first grade students. I can’t wait to give a hug to each and everyone of them! Thank you all for your well wishes and love.
Lego Parking Lot
We did some fall Lego clean-up as supplies were getting low and a cleaned up of the Lego gallery was a must. Now everyone works on one “ship” or “structure” at a time. We created a Lego parking lot (labeled, reserved parking for all!) The kids asked me to take pictures of the structures before they destroyed them and put back into the box for further communal use. Enjoy!
First Grade Torah Scholars
Our Torah study has evolved in magical ways. We are using the medium of ripped paper to show our interpretations of the events in Bereishet (the first book in the Torah) Students are writing about their collages and many of their “I wonder” questions that they think of as they listen to each new Parasha (chapter). These writings will be included in their personal Torahs and be displayed at our milestone event. Please see email for important information about upcoming events.
One Last Egg-experiment
It was fascinating to discover that it was the apple juice that caused most damage to our pearly whites. The culprit being the natural acid that is in the juice. I couldn’t resist and we had to do one more follow-up egg-spiriment and brought in two common household acids; White vinegar and Apple cider vinegar each containing 5% acidity. We wondered what would happen to a raw egg if soaked in vinegar. Students were fascinated to watch the bubbling and slow disintegration of the shell. It has been a while since we have checked them and will be interested to see what has become of them after the Thanksgiving break.
1st and 2nd Grade Daven (pray) Together
On Thursday mornings, 2nd grade joins us for T’fillot. It is a very special moment in the week as my students welcome 2nd grade into their classroom. We all look forward to it and it is magical to close my eyes and listen to their sweet voices praying as one. We share snack together where they have the time to socialize, listen to a good book or do a word problem..
..
And speaking of word problems…..
There Are Two New Jobs in First Grade!
I was so inspired by the Literacy for All conference that I attended several weeks ago. I learned about the importance of the language of math in the classroom. One of the tricks of creating as many opportunities to talk about math is to add two more jobs to our classroom responsibilities. The Surveyor is in charge of creating a daily class survey for each member to vote on with their individual photos. (More photos to follow!) and the Mathematician who is in charge of a different number each day.
Here is Ruben, our first Mathematician showing how many ways you can show the number 19.
The 1st Grade declares the pomegranate myth-“BUSTED”!
It is traditional to eat this fantastic fruit during the high holidays because it it symbolizes fruitfulness. Also, it is said to have 613 seeds, which corresponds with the 613 mitzvot or commandments of the Torah.
Here in 1st grade, we put this idea to the test and discovered that we were the proud consumers of a pomegranate oozing with mitzvot. We counted each and every seed together. It became a lesson that incorporated Math, Science, Chagim and collaboration. We also practiced showing Kavoad (respect) for each other (especially while waiting for each group to count their seeds; kavod is a skill that we have been working on this month)
It was fantastic to see the sparkle in their eyes as they finished counting the last seeds and shouted “710 seeds!” In science we talked about the properties of the fruit both on the inside and outside. Below is a fun chart that I found while preparing for this lesson. According to this chart, 613 is the average number of seeds the data gathered from average sized Pomegranates from all over the world.(We counted a large sized fruit) This is truly fascinating. Enjoy!
Tashlich with the whole school @ India Point Park, RI
Our first school wide field trip took place on Erev Yom Kippur. At Indian Park,we formed a wide circle of teachers and students and reflected on our past year. Mr. Tilove challenged us to think of one thing we can try to work on in order to be a better person. Then we had the opportunity to apologize to each other for possibly hurting or insulting one another over the past year. the root of the Hebrew word Tikkun means “ to fix “
Many of the students were a little shocked with me, as I made sure to look each one of them in the eye and apologize. As a teacher, it is really important to model the behavior we want to see in our students. I wanted to show them that everyone is obligated to participate in Tikkun – even (or especially!) grownups.
Then the students were divided into three groups and participated in three stations:
Station #1: Students played a Yom Kippur version of “Pass the Stick” and shouted out past indiscretions as loud as they could while running around a obstacles course and passing the stick from one to the other.
Station #2: To climb the fantastic rope jungle gym.
Station #3: We listened to a meaningful story told by Rabbi Goauze and then threw bird seed (instead of bread crumbs) into the Providence Bay to symbolize throwing away our sins from the past year.
1st Grade hard at work doing Guided Reading Word Work Activities and Math Number Lines
We went to the JCC!
1st Grade visited with Artist Jason Freedman spoke about his artwork in his show entitled Monsters Who Don’t Know They Are Monsters. Our students had the opportunity to view the show in the gallery, and asked amazing questions of the artist and do an art project together.
September Highlights
Mystery visitor!
We were blessed to have Nadav’s mom Gaby read to us, She chose It Was Only A Dream by Chris Van Allsburg which is Nadav’s favorite book…ever!) It was a very special moment for all of us.
Unexpected Class Gift!
Every once in a while in my wondering, I stumble upon a toy or object that I have to bring to our class. Last week I found a perfect gift that involves teamwork and engineering! Check out the great photos!
In The Beginning….
We have had an action packed, intense two full weeks of learning.
Egg-cellent Science experiments and Chumash (the study of Torah) were pushed to the forefront of our studies.
Students learned a song to remember the names of the five books of the Torah, (to the tune of Adon Olam, the final prayer we sing in T’fillah (prayers))
We invited Rabbi Gouze to teach us about the Torah, then walked as a group to the Temple Emanu-El Chapel to pick up a Torah. Students sang
“ Torah, Torah, Torah” as we returned to our classroom in a procession.
With great fanfare, we unrolled the Torah and gave the students a chance to examine the Torah. We used Daniel’s Yad( pointer) which he brought in with his miniature Torah to find the word Beershit (In the beginning) . It was wonderful to hear and see the students excitement to having the the Torah in their classroom!
Egg-celent scientific observations
We began our first experiment with our in-depth investigation of human and animal teeth. Our essential question for this unit:
What do human and animal teeth have in common?
Students were introduced to the anatomy of a human teeth and key vocabulary such as: enamel, the crown, tooth decay, and gums.
The importance of brushing our teeth twice a day was driven home with our egg-speriment.
We compared the anatomy of a tooth and the anatomy of a chicken egg and discovered that the shell of an egg is very similar to human teeth. We then wondered what would happen if we smeared one egg with toothpaste and left another without toothpaste and then soaked both of them in sugary drinks over night.
Many students predicted that the egg with the toothpaste would get mushy or explode. One student declared they would change color.
Students worked in groups of four. Each group was given three cups, three hard boiled eggs, a blob of toothpaste, water and one of the following liquids; Regular Coke, Diet Coke, apple juice and chocolate milk. The students labeled each cup, smeared one egg
with toothpaste and one without. There was also a cup of water for the control group.
24 hours later, we observed our results then returned them to the liquids. After 6 days we took the eggs out again and recorded our results. Students used toothbrushes to brush the egg shells with
tooth paste and then washed them.
Below are the results of our experiment.
- Apple juice and Diet Coke turned our eggs the darkest with a texture of “Venus”
- All the eggs covered with toothpaste were significantly lighter.
- There were no change in the eggs when soaked in water.
- Chocolate milk eggs (though the smelliest) were the only eggs – after being brushed and washed – that returned to their original white state.
Conclusions:
- Don’t drink sugary drinks and go to bed without brushing your teeth or your teeth will turn brown (if you do it every day)
- The shells showed no change in consistency after one day but were easily cracked after 6 days.
Highlights in First Grade!
While conferencing privately with students at the end of the day, I overheard the sweet voices of a group of students singing the Hebrew alphabet and reading from the miniature Torah and using a yad (the pointer)to follow along. So Precious!
Shavouah Tov to all!
(a good week)
Looking forward to meeting all of you on Tuesday!
Hey Now, You’re a Rock Star!
Brain breaks are one of the keys to success in First grade. I have discovered that my kiddos crave this five minute break of dancing to refocus themselves after a group discussion. Here are some snap shots of the kids boogying on down a dance video. By the end of the week everyone was doing it.
heck out the dance moves on these kids!
T’kiyah!!!! The Shofar was blown in First Grade
Rosh Hashanah was our main focus this week in Kitah Aleph. Student learned how to blow the Shofar and welcome the new year. They learned new Rosh Hashanah songs by using the words of the song as props.
For many students, it was their first time blowing the Shofar!
בראש השנה אומרים שנה טובה
Highlights of the week:
Math Centers!
Students reviewed how to read a graph by looking carefully at the number of letters in their names and analysing the data. Conclusion: Ruben wins first place for the longest name of 23 letters and Yaniv a close 2nd place with 20 letters!
Students also reviewed the hundreds chart and skip counting.
Kindness and acceptance reigns in First Grade
This week we read two books related to kindness towards each other in the classroom; Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes an The Family Book by Todd Parr. We had a meaningful conversation about how many families may look different but that all families share similar many things in common such as, their parents love of their children.
Below is a student generated list of what all families share in common and our smoothed out (but still a little wrinkled) heart complete with bandaids to help heal a heart that had been hurt by mean words.
Weekly Update
First Stop: Video News
We had a wonderful week in second grade. One student brought in an owl pellet for us to dissect together as a class. We learned that owls eat moles, mice, shrews and small birds. We discovered skulls, skin, teeth, and other interesting bones inside of the owl pellet.
We also celebrated a wonderful milestone of completing our first published books. Students celebrated by reading their books to their buddies and having a publishing party!
We also learned and talked a lot about Thanksgiving. We read books about the story of Thanksgiving, we talked about what we are thankful for, and we learned that gratitude is an attitude! I hope they show their gratitude to their awesome families, because they sure feel it.
I hope you all have a terrific Thanksgiving, filled with family, friends, and delicious food!
Pre K Specials Schedule
Tuesday:
Art (9:45-10:35) Design Center (12:35-1:25) Gym (2:15-3:05)
Wednesday:
Library (9:45-10:35) Music (2:15-3:05)
Thursday:
Gym (10:45-11:35)
Friday:
Garden (10:45-11:35 every other week)
Kindergarten Specials Schedule
Tuesday:
Art (9:45-10:35) Design Center (12:35-1:25) Gym (2:15-3:05)
Wednesday:
Library (9:45-10:35) Music (2:15-3:05)
Thursday:
Gym (10:45-11:35)
Friday:
Garden (10:45-11:35 every other week)
Weekly Update
First Stop: Video News
We had another fabulous week in second grade filled with reading, writing, math, science and even some social studies!
We are beginning a new unit all about immigration and family history. Students will be learning about why people immigrate to another country, where people landed when they came to America, and much more. Additionally, they will be learning about their own personal family history; where their ancestors came from, why they came to this country, and languages they spoke. Stay tuned for this fabulous family project.
In science this week, Ronan brought in some fascinating flower buds, and we spent some time dissecting these cool specimens. Students had to ask their own scientific question for the activity, and attempted to discover their own answers. We also planted the seeds that we harvested a few weeks ago during our seed counting activity. Pretty soon we might have an apple tree or an avocado tree. Let’s keep our fingers crossed!
We enjoyed our last garden trip of the season, as we planted garlic, and protected it from the cold with straw.
During reading time, we have been learning about making text-self, text-text, and text-world connections. Next time you read with your child, ask her if she has any connections she wants to share.