Friday 10/11/19

Here are a few highlights from the past week:

  • In writing, we worked on strategies for finding things to write about. We are working to build writing stamina.

  • In reading, we have continued looking at reading signposts, which help us read more closely and deeply. We are focusing on making inferences right now. We talked more about Contrasts and Contradictions this week.

  • Students all have an independent reading book they are reading most days for 15-30 minutes. Starting in the coming weeks, they should be reading at home too. More to come on this.

  • We continued our first read aloud book: Restart, by Gordan Korman. It is about a bully who gets into an accident, gets amnesia, and "forgets" his life before the accident, including that he was a bully.

  • I am almost done with F&P reading assessments.

  • In math, we continued with Number Corner each day. This month focuses on data collection, graphing, volume, and grouping symbols. We also spent time in math talking about what makes a math community.

  • Also in math, students have begun using Freckle, which is a program online that helps them practice a variety of math topics. They are using it now to practice their math facts and practice some other computation skills.

  • Also in math we've begun small group math lessons. The 5th graders are exploring volume and the 6th graders are learning about statistics.

  • This week we paused the science unit to work on finally setting up our temporary cafeteria waste station. Each day students did work on this: discussing order, planning a puppet show and demonstration to teach the school, and finally getting to do that on Thursday. This went great and we are successfully using the new waste station!

  • Also on Thursday, we had our first Dairy in the Classroom workshop. We learned all about cows and goats and their milk. Ask your kids about the 3 most common cows in Vermont!

  • No Outdoor Learning this week due to a short week and having the Dairy in the Classroom.

  • Green sheets will go home on Monday. These are weekly reflection sheets that students will bring home most weeks. You'll often see notes from me on them too... You can use them as conversation starters for when kids suggest they don't remember what we did this week :)


Some upcoming dates, important notes, and things to look forward to in the coming weeks:

  • Picture Day- Monday 10/14/19

  • Early Release Day- Thursday 10/17/19. 1150am dismissal

  • No school- Friday 10/18/19

  • Fall Family Conferences- the week of October 21st: afternoons, evenings, and early mornings. I will send reminders soon. If you haven't signed up, check in with me or call the office to sign up with Mr. K.


  • We will finish up F and P reading assessments.

  • In math, we will continue small group lessons and other math work.

  • We will continue with Number Corner daily. This month focuses on data collection, graphing, volume, and grouping symbols.

  • We will be generating ideas for writing in writing journals.

  • We will continue with independent reading and students will do more work with reading response. I will also continue introducing (reintroduce for last year's students) some reading comprehension strategies (signposts) using our read aloud book.

  • We will begin using our Chromebooks more for a variety of activities.

  • We will continue our first science unit on science and engineering practices.

  • We will begin a 3 week series called "Dairy in the Classroom". Each week, we will have a guest coming in to teach us about dairy. This will culminate in a local farm field trip with the K/1 Class who is also doing the 3 week series.

  • Martha Demers (K/1 teacher) and I are hoping to do our first Little/Big Buddy activity sometime in the next few weeks!

  • We will begin with home reading so soon (it was supposed to be sooner, but I'm waiting on our assignment books).

  • And more!