Check out some of our fourth and fifth graders playing a familiar tune on mallet instruments!
Art/Music/P.E./Library
News from the Gym… and Mrs. Sugerman
We are off to a fabulous start to our new school year,
Below are some exciting highlights, in case you didn’t hear.
Pre K loves playing with whatever equipment we put out,
But shooting baskets is their favorite… we have no doubt.
Fruit basket, switch and soccer bowling are just some of the games played by Kindergarten and Grade 1,
They are learning to play cooperatively while having so much fun.
For Grades 2-5 it’s been mostly about games played with bases,
Plus a game of crab soccer and a class of relay races.
Be sure to check in with your child(ren) if you want to learn more,
About all their action-packed experiences from the gym floor.
Summer Reading Lists for Students Entering Grades 1-5. K.White, librarian
THE JCDSRI SUMMER READING PROGRAM Link to all Reading Lists:
http://archive.
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
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
Buggy about Bug Books! K. White, librarian
Swat! Scratch! The bugs are back! We are featuring our great collection of fiction and nonfiction insect/spider books. This week, PreK was “oohing” and “aahing” over the delightful lift-up counting books:
In library class, we read the funny and thoughtful book The Very Ugly Bug by Pichon. The “ugly” bug does not look like other bugs and would like to until he discovers how special his body is. The story made us think about: What is beauty? What is ugly? What does it mean to be different? After the story the children had fun making and naming their own bugs.
Alaskan Tales of Sea Ice and Totem Poles
Do you know that the raven, a massive bird, is extremely smart with complex problem solving skills? We have been learning about ravens and other animals especially valued by Northwest Native Americans. While looking at totem poles, we noted that the ravens were frequently on them. To the Northwest Native Americans, the raven symbolizes intelligence, heroism and the “bringer of light” (creation). Totem poles usually tell a story, perhaps about a family, an event , etc. Students assembled traditional totem poles and then created their own totem poles that reflect their lives.
In addition, we read an exciting book about Inuit Indians, A Promise is a Promise by Munsch that tells a tale about the Qallupilluit, mythological creatures who live under the sea ice. The students loved this story and were amazed at how a serious problem was so cleverly solved! They enjoyed drawing Qallupilluit.
My Dog is as Smelly as Dirty Socks – take 2
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
Culinary Arts in the Library
Once we started reading about Gladys Gatsby, a sixth grade gourmet cook in the delicious book, All Four Stars by Tara Dairman, the library became the JCDSRI Culinary Arts Department. We began by choosing chef names. After reviewing some material, the chefs brainstormed and decided what type of food shop or restaurant they would create. Choosing names for our establishments was fun! Talk about creativity and excitement! We are also learning about marketing.
Gladys enjoys writing very witty food reviews and to help us become food critics we are having food samplings and rating the different samples. We have had jelly, bread and olive samplings. I am so impressed with their professional attitudes during these activities. Like our aprons?
News from the Gym…
Here’s what has been happening the past 2 months with
Pre K in the Gym….(March and April)
Students:
- learned how to properly use scooters:
how to start and stop
how to be safe using scooters
how to generate enough speed to glide
- played on the gym mats
- enjoyed playing several activities with the parachute
ask them about making the parachute into a “punching bag”, or playing “shark” and “cat and mouse”
- are learning all about relay races and how to be part of a team (in preparation for field day)
- ran an 1/8 mile in the gym
Here’s what has been happening the past 2 months with
Kindergarten and 1st grade in the Gym….(March and April)
Students:
- participated in silly “minute to win it” activities for Purim
- played a Mrs. Sugerman made up activity call “garbage” which involves throwing and kicking balls over the volleyball net
- played an activity called big ball gaga (quickly becoming a class favorite)
- played steal the chicken or frog…students like to use different critters for this game
- played “fruit basket” to highlight Purim and Passover concepts
- started to learn the basic skills and rules of kickball such as:
how to kick the ball and what to do after you kick the ball
how to throw to a base
what it means to make an out
- are learning all about relay races (in preparation for field day)
Here’s what has been happening the past 2 months with
Grades 2-5 in the Gym….(March and April)
Students:
- played backwards kickball to commemorate Purim
- played on scooters
- played several games using the volleyball net which included:
beach ball volleyball, nu come and a game called prisoner
- are participating in a review of all the games/activities that we have focused on this year (two weeks dedicated to each sport)
- are participating in daily “minute to win it” sports challenges in the gym
(These challenges have become very popular)
Be sure to ask your students about all their experiences in the gym!
All Kinds of Families-Books K.White, Librarian
Our school will welcome many family members and friends next Friday, May 8, our annual Special Visitors Day. It is such an awesome happy day! While reviewing books about families, I discovered some great stories that reflect the diversity of families. Families come in all shapes and sizes and are more diverse than ever before. Today’s picture books provide insight into interracial families, families with non-biological children, same-sex parents and intergenerational relationships.
Enjoy this thoughtful book list: http://bit.ly/1GAZASK
Some of our favorites: (NOTE We love Todd Parr’s books http://www.toddparr.com/index.html )