Hey Fantastic Families!
I hope the last two weeks of summer have treated you well and it was wonderful seeing you all at Open House this week. It's not the best time to get information from me so if you'd like to continue any discussion anytime, let me know. I am available for before school meetings most any day of the week, should I get adequate heads-up. I'm always glad to sit and touch base.
In literacy, we have started partner reading and are working to get the hang of it. It can be tempting to chat about things other than books when sitting with a friend! We will also be introducing listening to reading on the computer as well. We use a program called Tumblebooks, should you want to investigate it. We will also be starting reading groups on a regular basis once we are finished our reading assessments, next week.
In Writer's Workshop we have begun our discussions about sentences and what they are. The kids are really getting the hang of noticing when a sentence does not make sense, which is the first step. You have to know that it doesn't sound right before you know it isn't written correctly. We are also continuing our hard work on our handwriting. It is our goal in the 1/2 this week to make sure that the kids are really solid on these foundational skills before embarking on formal writing pieces.
We will begin our study about light and sound waves in the coming weeks as well in science. We will also be starting to rotate through some science centers in the morning that involve the weather, investigating a physical science question and an observation station. The kids have been practicing reading a thermometer and graphing the weather each day. They are making some great progress!
I think that's about it for now. Again, never hesitate to get in touch about celebration, questions or concerns.
Enjoy the start of autumn,
~B
Friday, September 23, 2016
Friday, September 9, 2016
Week 2 News
Happy Friday, everyone! We have continued to have a wonderful time in our class getting to know one another, getting familiar with our surroundings and schedule, and building great work habits. The kids and I are having a ball!
In literacy we have introduced two of our choices, reading-to-self and writing. We have been able to build up to 15 minutes of each and are working on transitions between choices. We are working our stamina up to 1 total hour. Next week we will be practicing partner reading.
We are about to kick off our annual fall assessments, so please try your best to make sure that your kids are rested and ready to go. We do a phonological assessment (for some students), a reading assessments, math assessments, an upper and lower case letter name/sound assessment and a spelling assessment. We make sure to spread these out so as not to tire the kids out and to avoid losing as much instructional time as possible. We will be able to talk about any of this information at any time after it is done, should you want to, as well as at parent/teacher conferences.
In Writer's workshop we are continuing our work on handwriting as well as responding to a choice of books that we have done for read-aloud. The kids are enjoying doing this work and are working hard at it. We will discussing and practicing sentence writing next week as well. The goal is to see kids making the connection between the work they are doing in their handwriting and their independent writing. I will be starting to differentiate during this time to work with smaller groups on more discreet skills that are germane to their current skills. Right now I am getting a read on their needs and ho best to meet them.
We will begin morning science tables next week. My plan is to have them rotate through three science tables, one per week and then resetting the activities after the third week. We will have a weather station, observation station and a inquiry/investigation table. They will do these jobs 2-3x per week. We will be learning how to do these stations one at a time and then splitting up the groups and rotating weekly.
Next week we will continue our work in building our class atmosphere, talking about Rumney CARES as well as activities that build our cohesion as a group and classroom expectations. I always find that giving the class a couple of weeks before getting into this work is helpful, as we need to know one another a bit before entering this work, as trust and knowledge of one another, albeit just a small bit, helps. Even without this work, the kids have been doing a great job. Chris and I have been so pleased with how these kids treat one another.
As always, be in touch with any celebrations, questions or concerns.
Enjoy your weekend!
~B
In literacy we have introduced two of our choices, reading-to-self and writing. We have been able to build up to 15 minutes of each and are working on transitions between choices. We are working our stamina up to 1 total hour. Next week we will be practicing partner reading.
We are about to kick off our annual fall assessments, so please try your best to make sure that your kids are rested and ready to go. We do a phonological assessment (for some students), a reading assessments, math assessments, an upper and lower case letter name/sound assessment and a spelling assessment. We make sure to spread these out so as not to tire the kids out and to avoid losing as much instructional time as possible. We will be able to talk about any of this information at any time after it is done, should you want to, as well as at parent/teacher conferences.
In Writer's workshop we are continuing our work on handwriting as well as responding to a choice of books that we have done for read-aloud. The kids are enjoying doing this work and are working hard at it. We will discussing and practicing sentence writing next week as well. The goal is to see kids making the connection between the work they are doing in their handwriting and their independent writing. I will be starting to differentiate during this time to work with smaller groups on more discreet skills that are germane to their current skills. Right now I am getting a read on their needs and ho best to meet them.
We will begin morning science tables next week. My plan is to have them rotate through three science tables, one per week and then resetting the activities after the third week. We will have a weather station, observation station and a inquiry/investigation table. They will do these jobs 2-3x per week. We will be learning how to do these stations one at a time and then splitting up the groups and rotating weekly.
Next week we will continue our work in building our class atmosphere, talking about Rumney CARES as well as activities that build our cohesion as a group and classroom expectations. I always find that giving the class a couple of weeks before getting into this work is helpful, as we need to know one another a bit before entering this work, as trust and knowledge of one another, albeit just a small bit, helps. Even without this work, the kids have been doing a great job. Chris and I have been so pleased with how these kids treat one another.
As always, be in touch with any celebrations, questions or concerns.
Enjoy your weekend!
~B
Friday, September 2, 2016
Week One News!
Hello, Everyone!
I hope you and your child have had many rich discussions about their first week in school. From my perspective, it has been such a wonderful, calm start to the year.
We are easing into our literacy block, revisiting expectations as well as practicing. We use a modified "Daily 5" model. You can find more information about the Daily 5 here:
https://www.thedailycafe.com/daily-5
We have been practicing read-to self time and the kids are doing a great job. We have discussed the concept of "good fit" books and where to find them in the room as well as how to know if they are indeed a "good fit". We will be introducing more and more components of the literacy structure over the next few weeks.
Rumney CARES is an important part of our school philosophy and we have begin to talk about the different components. We have introduced greetings and games during morning meeting and throughout the day to build the cohesion in the group. The kids are learning the names of their classmates and laughing together. This feels like a great place to start.
We will also be starting science stations in the morning. The kids will be beginner meteorologists, observers and experimenters. I look forward to slowly rolling these out and having kids practice these skills. Also, I will be bringing in clay from my house for the kids to start exploring. The cool part about this clay is that we can form it, let it dry and fire it. When it is fired, it turns orange due to the ferric nature of the clay on my property. If you are a potter at home, I welcome you to get some and try it out!
I teach first grade math and the kids have been settling into our schedule and working hard on counting, stretching their brain, and doing some work with dot cluster cards. We will be launching into using cuisenaire rods and place value/adding 1 in the coming weeks. I love watching their math skills emerge!
As always, folks, please get in touch with me about celebrations, questions or concerns. I always enjoy talking to you all! I also invite you to check out the new Rumney Website. Don't forget to do your Rumney Family Handbook scavenger hunt!
Thanks for a great week, and I look forward to many more!
~B
I hope you and your child have had many rich discussions about their first week in school. From my perspective, it has been such a wonderful, calm start to the year.
We are easing into our literacy block, revisiting expectations as well as practicing. We use a modified "Daily 5" model. You can find more information about the Daily 5 here:
https://www.thedailycafe.com/daily-5
We have been practicing read-to self time and the kids are doing a great job. We have discussed the concept of "good fit" books and where to find them in the room as well as how to know if they are indeed a "good fit". We will be introducing more and more components of the literacy structure over the next few weeks.
Rumney CARES is an important part of our school philosophy and we have begin to talk about the different components. We have introduced greetings and games during morning meeting and throughout the day to build the cohesion in the group. The kids are learning the names of their classmates and laughing together. This feels like a great place to start.
We will also be starting science stations in the morning. The kids will be beginner meteorologists, observers and experimenters. I look forward to slowly rolling these out and having kids practice these skills. Also, I will be bringing in clay from my house for the kids to start exploring. The cool part about this clay is that we can form it, let it dry and fire it. When it is fired, it turns orange due to the ferric nature of the clay on my property. If you are a potter at home, I welcome you to get some and try it out!
I teach first grade math and the kids have been settling into our schedule and working hard on counting, stretching their brain, and doing some work with dot cluster cards. We will be launching into using cuisenaire rods and place value/adding 1 in the coming weeks. I love watching their math skills emerge!
As always, folks, please get in touch with me about celebrations, questions or concerns. I always enjoy talking to you all! I also invite you to check out the new Rumney Website. Don't forget to do your Rumney Family Handbook scavenger hunt!
Thanks for a great week, and I look forward to many more!
~B
Monday, August 22, 2016
Hello Wonderful Middlesex Families!
I am really looking forward to our upcoming school year! We have lots to learn about the world around us and ourselves and I can't wait to start our journey together. We have a beautiful number of students in our classrooms and this gives me the ability to better serve their important and varied needs.
I am looking forward to re-introducing studio art time and getting kids working on various projects that are art and construction related, tied to planning and journaling and seeing them develop their core academic subjects as well.
Our first day of school is next Monday, the 29th, and the kids will have a full week of school. If you haven't yet, now may be a good time to get back on the school schedule to try to alleviate as much back-to-school drag as possible. I will be providing ample time for kids to rest in the afternoons in the first couple of weeks, recognizing that this transition back can be tiring, especially for our younger students. Please make sure you have solid lunch and snack plans for your child so they know what to do. If you feel like they are foggy about it, write me a note or drop an email to let me know their plans. Any afterschool plans need to go through the front office.
On the first day, please make sure your child brings in a spare set of clothes fit for any season and anything they'd like to share about their summer. We'll be doing some of that on the first couple of days as we ease into the year.
The students will be getting folders on their first day with LOTS of important information. Make sure to look at everything, fill out the paperwork as quickly as possible and get it back to school. Since picture day is September 1st, it is really important to get that information back to school. Otherwise, picture make-up day is going to be mighty busy!
I will be updating our schedule and other parts of the blog as the week goes on, so if you see something dated or not functioning, wait a bit or drop me an email at bweiss@u32.org. I'll try to help you out in any way I can!
I'll be writing more over the next week or so and I'll notify you via email about blog updates for anything you need to know.
Be in touch any time and I look forward to seeing you all soon!
Warmly,
Ben
I am really looking forward to our upcoming school year! We have lots to learn about the world around us and ourselves and I can't wait to start our journey together. We have a beautiful number of students in our classrooms and this gives me the ability to better serve their important and varied needs.
I am looking forward to re-introducing studio art time and getting kids working on various projects that are art and construction related, tied to planning and journaling and seeing them develop their core academic subjects as well.
Our first day of school is next Monday, the 29th, and the kids will have a full week of school. If you haven't yet, now may be a good time to get back on the school schedule to try to alleviate as much back-to-school drag as possible. I will be providing ample time for kids to rest in the afternoons in the first couple of weeks, recognizing that this transition back can be tiring, especially for our younger students. Please make sure you have solid lunch and snack plans for your child so they know what to do. If you feel like they are foggy about it, write me a note or drop an email to let me know their plans. Any afterschool plans need to go through the front office.
On the first day, please make sure your child brings in a spare set of clothes fit for any season and anything they'd like to share about their summer. We'll be doing some of that on the first couple of days as we ease into the year.
The students will be getting folders on their first day with LOTS of important information. Make sure to look at everything, fill out the paperwork as quickly as possible and get it back to school. Since picture day is September 1st, it is really important to get that information back to school. Otherwise, picture make-up day is going to be mighty busy!
I will be updating our schedule and other parts of the blog as the week goes on, so if you see something dated or not functioning, wait a bit or drop me an email at bweiss@u32.org. I'll try to help you out in any way I can!
I'll be writing more over the next week or so and I'll notify you via email about blog updates for anything you need to know.
Be in touch any time and I look forward to seeing you all soon!
Warmly,
Ben
Friday, June 3, 2016
The End of the Year is Approaching!
Hey Wonderful Families,
I hope this letter finds you well. The kids are having a great end to the last days of school what with the play, projects, and end of the year field trips.
The kids are finishing up their wonderful writing pieces and covers. They should be so pleased with their final results. I can't wait for you to see them, sometime next week. These writing pieces are a great representation of the progress they have made on their writing skills this year.
As far as field trips, we have a couple coming up:
1. Shady Rill
2. Field Day at Wrightsville
I hope this letter finds you well. The kids are having a great end to the last days of school what with the play, projects, and end of the year field trips.
The kids are finishing up their wonderful writing pieces and covers. They should be so pleased with their final results. I can't wait for you to see them, sometime next week. These writing pieces are a great representation of the progress they have made on their writing skills this year.
As far as field trips, we have a couple coming up:
1. Shady Rill
- Leaving at 11, walking down. Taking a bus back, returning at 3:15
- Bring a lunch or order one from school (you did this on the permission slip)
- Scheduled date:6-9, Rain date: 6-14
2. Field Day at Wrightsville
- Leaving at 9:30, returning at 3:20, all by bus
- Lunch is coordinated by class, you should have received a yellow slip indicating what we're asking you to provide. Some of you are not being asked to send in anything.
- Kids signed up for a hot dog, hamburger, or veggie burger. We encouraged kids to sign up for one, even if they usually get cold lunch to ensure that there is enough for everyone.
- Scheduled date: 6-10, Rain date:6-13
We are finishing up our end of year assessments and the kids have been doing a great job with our crazy schedule and being pulled out of things to complete them.
If you need any information, have any questions or need new permission slips, let me know.
Have a great weekend!
~B
Friday, May 20, 2016
Plays, Pond, and Plenty More!
Hey All,
I hope this letter finds you well and enjoying our beautiful spring weather. The kids are certainly feeling the wonderful weather as well! I hope that you all get a chance to make it to our amazing Spring Fair at Rumney tomorrow, 10-2. Our fantastic PTO has put together a great collection of activities and opportunities for people to help support our wonderful school. A huge thanks to them for making our school a better place!
We went to the frog pond and the kids did some great observations on what they saw. There are some kids in our room who see things I never would have! We then drew pictures of our habitats at our houses. We barely started to then talk about Venn-Diagrams and how they are useful tools in comparing things and started to use that tool to compare these two habitats. They made lots of great observations.
The stage for the plays has made the annual entrance into our room and the kids had a great time exploring it. We talked about the expectations around it and we all appear to be on the same page. As for the plays, they are next Thursday, the 26th. We will have two showings, one at 10:45 and one at 2:15. After the 2:15 performance we usually do a cast party. If you'd like to volunteer to send something in, it would be appreciated. Let me know what you are thinking via email so that I can make sure we aren't too loaded with any one thing. Please make sure that all food sent in are gluten, egg, nut, and dairy free.
In Writer's Workshop the kids have been working on their information writing. We are working on revisions and making sure that we are filling our books with lots of facts. Their final products are shaping up to be a great representation of their amazing progress in writing. I can't wait for you all to see their finished products. They will also do some form of a visual products as well for the animal they studied.
Ms. T and I have decided to bring our classes down to the Shady Rill picnic area toward the end of the year. We have blocked out June 9th and 14th as possible days that work. We are open to as many chaperones as possible and will be walking down from school around 11:00. We'll have a picnic lunch and then enjoy the afternoon by playing in the brook and playing large and small group games.
Please be in touch if you have any questions about this busy time of year.
Enjoy the fair!
~B
Dates to Remember
Thursday May 26th -- Ben's class plays 10:45 and 2:15 showtimes
Friday May 27th -- Book Buddies Field Trip at U-32
Monday May 30 -- NO SCHOOL (Memorial Day)
Friday June 3rd -- Mrs. Fox's class plays 2pm
*NEW* June 9th (14th raindate) 1/2 River Day at Shady Rill
Wednesday June 15th -- The Last Day of School (1/2 Day)
I hope this letter finds you well and enjoying our beautiful spring weather. The kids are certainly feeling the wonderful weather as well! I hope that you all get a chance to make it to our amazing Spring Fair at Rumney tomorrow, 10-2. Our fantastic PTO has put together a great collection of activities and opportunities for people to help support our wonderful school. A huge thanks to them for making our school a better place!
We went to the frog pond and the kids did some great observations on what they saw. There are some kids in our room who see things I never would have! We then drew pictures of our habitats at our houses. We barely started to then talk about Venn-Diagrams and how they are useful tools in comparing things and started to use that tool to compare these two habitats. They made lots of great observations.
The stage for the plays has made the annual entrance into our room and the kids had a great time exploring it. We talked about the expectations around it and we all appear to be on the same page. As for the plays, they are next Thursday, the 26th. We will have two showings, one at 10:45 and one at 2:15. After the 2:15 performance we usually do a cast party. If you'd like to volunteer to send something in, it would be appreciated. Let me know what you are thinking via email so that I can make sure we aren't too loaded with any one thing. Please make sure that all food sent in are gluten, egg, nut, and dairy free.
In Writer's Workshop the kids have been working on their information writing. We are working on revisions and making sure that we are filling our books with lots of facts. Their final products are shaping up to be a great representation of their amazing progress in writing. I can't wait for you all to see their finished products. They will also do some form of a visual products as well for the animal they studied.
Ms. T and I have decided to bring our classes down to the Shady Rill picnic area toward the end of the year. We have blocked out June 9th and 14th as possible days that work. We are open to as many chaperones as possible and will be walking down from school around 11:00. We'll have a picnic lunch and then enjoy the afternoon by playing in the brook and playing large and small group games.
Please be in touch if you have any questions about this busy time of year.
Enjoy the fair!
~B
Dates to Remember
Thursday May 26th -- Ben's class plays 10:45 and 2:15 showtimes
Friday May 27th -- Book Buddies Field Trip at U-32
Monday May 30 -- NO SCHOOL (Memorial Day)
Friday June 3rd -- Mrs. Fox's class plays 2pm
*NEW* June 9th (14th raindate) 1/2 River Day at Shady Rill
Wednesday June 15th -- The Last Day of School (1/2 Day)
Friday, May 6, 2016
Green Up!
Hey Folks,
First and foremost, I'd like to extend my thanks to our amazing PTO. The PTO helps to put on amazing programs for our students here at school and helps it become a more rich and vibrant place to learn and work. Thank you all for your support, I know I couldn't do my job without it.
Also... It was a great a end to our week! We got to write some cards, do some Greening Up outside, and had a great 4 Winds activity on nests. The kids got to end their work with smiles on their faces, which is a great goal to have at this end of the year, when emotions and energy run so hot.
The kids have continued their amazing work on their information writing pieces. They are assembling their books to have the correct number of pages and we have started to talk about the editing process to ensure that the work that goes into their books is their best work. We talked about how it is a great gift to look at your first and second grade work years down the road and how it brings you back...
In literacy, we are looking toward the end of the year. The kids are making their last pushes and gains toward making the end of grade benchmarks for spelling, reading and writing. No matter how your child fares on these assessments, please remember that they are only 7 and 8 years old, after all. Development in academic and social areas happens in a varied way. Grades and seasons are not black and white indicators of where children should be in their learning progression. Learning and skill acquisition happens on a broad spectrum, and I have been happy with all of their progress.
In Science, we are reading a big book about tadpoles and we are planning on doing some near-Rumney field trips to the frog pond and practicing how to observe, draw, and label what they see. We will also be trying to do some work on erosion to cap it all off. Time is fleeting...
We have started working on our plays and poems as well. The kids are seriously excited about this work. If you'd like a script for home to practice, please let me know. We will be working on our sets and props over the next couple of weeks.
As always, be in touch with anything on your mind.
Enjoy your well-deserved Mother's Day!
~B
Dates to Remember
Friday May 13th -- Field Trip to see "Henry and Mudge" at the Flynn Theater
Thursday May 19th -- All School Meeting 2:30 (Primary Singers performing!)
Thursday May 26th -- Ben's class plays
Friday May 27th -- Book Buddies Field Trip at U-32
Monday May 30 -- NO SCHOOL (Memorial Day)
Friday June 3rd -- Mrs. Fox's class plays 2pm
Wednesday June 15th -- The Last Day of School (1/2 Day)
First and foremost, I'd like to extend my thanks to our amazing PTO. The PTO helps to put on amazing programs for our students here at school and helps it become a more rich and vibrant place to learn and work. Thank you all for your support, I know I couldn't do my job without it.
Also... It was a great a end to our week! We got to write some cards, do some Greening Up outside, and had a great 4 Winds activity on nests. The kids got to end their work with smiles on their faces, which is a great goal to have at this end of the year, when emotions and energy run so hot.
The kids have continued their amazing work on their information writing pieces. They are assembling their books to have the correct number of pages and we have started to talk about the editing process to ensure that the work that goes into their books is their best work. We talked about how it is a great gift to look at your first and second grade work years down the road and how it brings you back...
In literacy, we are looking toward the end of the year. The kids are making their last pushes and gains toward making the end of grade benchmarks for spelling, reading and writing. No matter how your child fares on these assessments, please remember that they are only 7 and 8 years old, after all. Development in academic and social areas happens in a varied way. Grades and seasons are not black and white indicators of where children should be in their learning progression. Learning and skill acquisition happens on a broad spectrum, and I have been happy with all of their progress.
In Science, we are reading a big book about tadpoles and we are planning on doing some near-Rumney field trips to the frog pond and practicing how to observe, draw, and label what they see. We will also be trying to do some work on erosion to cap it all off. Time is fleeting...
We have started working on our plays and poems as well. The kids are seriously excited about this work. If you'd like a script for home to practice, please let me know. We will be working on our sets and props over the next couple of weeks.
As always, be in touch with anything on your mind.
Enjoy your well-deserved Mother's Day!
~B
Dates to Remember
Friday May 13th -- Field Trip to see "Henry and Mudge" at the Flynn Theater
Thursday May 19th -- All School Meeting 2:30 (Primary Singers performing!)
Thursday May 26th -- Ben's class plays
Friday May 27th -- Book Buddies Field Trip at U-32
Monday May 30 -- NO SCHOOL (Memorial Day)
Friday June 3rd -- Mrs. Fox's class plays 2pm
Wednesday June 15th -- The Last Day of School (1/2 Day)
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