Old Posts

2017-2018

Progress Reports in Aspen

Students will receive their last progress reports on Wednesday, June 20. Parents can view and print progress reports in Aspen, Newton's new online student information system. Parents should have their own login and password. Click here to get to the site: Aspen.

All parents are invited to come to the ELL classroom on Friday, June 22 from 8:20-8:45am to get help with printing progress reports in Aspen.

Or, you can watch the video below for directions on how to view and print progress reports yourself. Click here for more detailed information: Aspen Family Portal.

Posted 6/20/18

Jun 14, 2018 2:00 PM.webm

*HAVE A GREAT SUMMER!!

**READ EVERYDAY over the summer!

Active Listening

During the school year, students have been learning about active listening skills. When students do active listening, they are able to have more dynamic academic conversations with their peers by paraphrasing, adding on, clarifying, and stating their opinions. Active listening means students...

  • listen to what the speaker is saying.
  • stay on topic.
  • look at the speaker (eye contact).
  • have a lot of dialogue back and forth.
  • disagree respectfully.
  • keep hands and body still.
  • nod and show understanding.

Posted 6/5/18

MCAS Testing

Most students in grades 3, 4, and 5 are required to take the MCAS tests in English, Math, and/or Science. MCAS tests will begin the week of 4/10 and will end the week of 5/21.

Please make sure your child sleeps well and eats a good breakfast for each day of testing.

Posted 4/2/18

Summer Camps

Hello families. Looking for camp opportunities this summer? Below is a helpful camp brochure.

Posted 3/20/18

18_summer_camp_Parks_and_Rec_brochure.pdf

Growth Mindset

2nd grade ELL students learned about the brain, growth mindset, and growth mindset language. Growth mindset is when you believe that you can become smarter and grow your brain by working hard on challenges, practicing, and making mistakes.

Instead of saying...

  • I can't do this.
  • I quit.
  • I'm not going to practice because I already know this.

I will say...

  • I can't do this YET.
  • I will try again.
  • I will work on this even more.

Students read books about this topic, had discussions with each other, and created a final project (a poster or a slideshow presentation) that highlighted their learning. They practiced speaking and presented their final projects to their whole class.

Posted 1/25/18

Growth Mindset-Walson L.

ENGLISH CONVERSATION HOUR FOR KIDS

Join fellow English language learners and boost your English speaking skills in this just-for-fun after-school class. In this friendly and supportive environment, we'll just talk. You can share stories about your favorite school activities or personal interests, introduce your classmates to unique aspects of your culture, or just enjoy our group conversation. We may play games and do some crafts too. You'll improve your vocabulary and listening skills, but most importantly, you'll make new friends to share your journey into the English language. All levels welcome; grades 1-5.

Register online at newtoncommunityed.org or call 617-559-6999.

ELL Conversation Hour

Where: Bowen Elementary School

When: Wednesdays 1/24/18-4/08/18 3:15-4:15

How Much: $195.00

OR

Where: Zervas Elementary School

When: 1/25/18-4/09/18 3:15-4:15

How Much: $195.00

Informational Paragraph Writing

In ELL, 3rd and 4th graders have been practicing writing informational paragraphs using a topic sentence and supporting details. We practiced choosing the most important details by putting facts on a bullseye. The most important facts are closest to the center yellow circle.

Posted 1/12/18

ACCESS Testing for ELLs

Starting 1/8 through 2/2, all ELL students will do annual ACCESS testing to measure their progress with their English language development.

ELL students in grades 1-5 will complete four computer and/or paper tests in listening, reading, speaking, and writing. Kindergarten students will also be assessed in these areas in a different format.

    • Make sure your child gets enough sleep and eats a good breakfast every morning for testing.
    • Students do not need to study or prepare for ACCESS testing. They are just encouraged to do their best to show their English skills.
    • Families will receive a score report in late spring.

Posted 1/7/18

Speak English with Others!

Posted 12/12/17

ELL_Flyer_1-42018.pdf

Pumpkin Carving

When some students first arrive to the U.S., they are not only learning English, but also the American traditions for different holidays and seasons.

After reading and learning about the life cycle of a pumpkin, we drew and labeled the steps in sequence (order) using words such as first, next, then, and finally.

Then we had a lot of fun carving a jack o'lantern for the first time!

Happy Fall!

Posted 11/13/17