Hey Folks,
I hope this finds you well. My apologies for the barrage of information, emails and everything else. I am doing my best to make sure this time is productive and as smooth as we can make it. If I am totally overwhelming you, let me know. I recognize it is a lot.
Just so you know, I am available throughout the day electronically via email. Please let me know ahead of time if you'll be calling me (223-3677), if possible, so I can make sure I can prep my little one that I will be off limits. Who would have guessed that working from home could be so confusing for a 4-year old!?
I hope you all have had a chance to sign up for a phone/video conference time next week. I am really looking forward to touching base with you all!
I have added an additional list of resources on a page here on the blog. I encourage you to check them out and give any feedback. I pulled this list from an even larger one that I slashed and I tried my best to vet them...
I am sure there will be more to come but I think this is enough for now.
Be well, everyone!
~B
Thursday, March 19, 2020
Monday, March 9, 2020
Vacation, The Flynn, Workshops Part II
Hello Families,
I hope you all had a restful break and enjoyed the sun this weekend! The kids have come back to school ready to go! I always appreciate the gradual easing back into our school schedule. This week we re-arranged the room, made new table groups and practiced our literacy routine. I hope you are all making sure to get lots of rest to counter-balance the time change!
We will be going to the Flynn to see the Peking Acrobats on Wednesday, the 18th. We will be sending home permission slips as well as other information regarding the field trip such as chaperoning, lunches, etc. this week. We are looking forward to it!
After some discussions with the 1/2 team, we have decided to open up workshop time to all kids in the 1/2 and have offered board games, wood/cardboard working, and crafts. We will be doing this every morning from arrival to 9:15 in our classrooms. As soon as the kids have checked in and done their morning jobs, they can head to their workshop rooms (ours, Ms. Caitlin's and Ms. Babcock's). They will be able to switch up choices every 2-4 weeks. This is going to be a great experience for our kiddos!
Next week we will also be continuing our work on our fiction story writing. The kids are doing a great job editing, adding details and thinking through their ideas. They did an amazing job talking about their story maps before break at the All School Meeting and these tools have been really helpful in them planning their stories and keeping their ideas organized.
We went to the sugarbush this morning and they did such a great collecting. When we came back, we estimated that the kids collected 12 full buckets worth (24 half buckets) which translates to about a gallon and a half of syrup. Not bad!
Last, I've sent home Scholastic packets the past couple of weeks. If you could, please remember to shop under our class code so that we can get bonus points to buy classroom books! Thanks for the help! Class code: MNQC2
Anyway, that's it for now. Please be in touch with any questions, thoughts or concerns anytime!
Best,
Ben
I hope you all had a restful break and enjoyed the sun this weekend! The kids have come back to school ready to go! I always appreciate the gradual easing back into our school schedule. This week we re-arranged the room, made new table groups and practiced our literacy routine. I hope you are all making sure to get lots of rest to counter-balance the time change!
We will be going to the Flynn to see the Peking Acrobats on Wednesday, the 18th. We will be sending home permission slips as well as other information regarding the field trip such as chaperoning, lunches, etc. this week. We are looking forward to it!
After some discussions with the 1/2 team, we have decided to open up workshop time to all kids in the 1/2 and have offered board games, wood/cardboard working, and crafts. We will be doing this every morning from arrival to 9:15 in our classrooms. As soon as the kids have checked in and done their morning jobs, they can head to their workshop rooms (ours, Ms. Caitlin's and Ms. Babcock's). They will be able to switch up choices every 2-4 weeks. This is going to be a great experience for our kiddos!
Next week we will also be continuing our work on our fiction story writing. The kids are doing a great job editing, adding details and thinking through their ideas. They did an amazing job talking about their story maps before break at the All School Meeting and these tools have been really helpful in them planning their stories and keeping their ideas organized.
We went to the sugarbush this morning and they did such a great collecting. When we came back, we estimated that the kids collected 12 full buckets worth (24 half buckets) which translates to about a gallon and a half of syrup. Not bad!
Last, I've sent home Scholastic packets the past couple of weeks. If you could, please remember to shop under our class code so that we can get bonus points to buy classroom books! Thanks for the help! Class code: MNQC2
Anyway, that's it for now. Please be in touch with any questions, thoughts or concerns anytime!
Best,
Ben
Friday, January 31, 2020
February is (Almost) Here!
Hello, Friends!
It has been a great few weeks in class! We have started Winter Wellness, we are writing stories, and I got the chance to do lots of great reading with your kiddos!
We are sending home report cards over the weekend. Your kids are all working so hard and I am super proud of the progress they have all made. I also got to do our mid-year check-in on their reading and it was such a treat to get 1:1 reading time with them.
Our story maps are coming along really well and some kids have started to work on starting their stories. We have been working hard on thinking about beginnings, the main problem, events through the story with juicy details and then a satisfying ending. We will continue to work on these ideas as we continue writing. We have been working hard on thinking about beginnings, the main problem, events through the story and then the ending.
Thank you all for your support of the Winter Wellness program! The kids are doing great and having lots of fun. It is always so amazing to see the kids make progress in the areas that they choose. As for me, as a person who goes skating, this is especially true. It is amazing to see kids falling down and getting up over and over again. These are the experiences that kids take for a lifetime.
Monday is the 100th day of school. If you want, send in a brown paper bag (if you have one) full of 100 (reasonable, non-edible) objects. We'll be sending home information about this. If you have extra bags, please consider sending them in for other kids to use who might not have any.
Also on Monday, Ms. Lanpher has arranged for members of the VSO to come in and share some music at 2:30. Please be sure to thank her for helping provide this experience for our kids!
Next Wednesday we will be celebrating Global School Play Day. The kids will be signing up for a classroom to go to (we are offering different options). Please leave personal toys at home. We'll have plenty to do here! Check out the link to the TED Talk regarding the power of play.
https://www.globalschoolplayday.com/
TED Talk
We used a ton of our accumulated Scholastic points to buy a bunch of books. Ask your kiddos about them! I am sending home order sheets for ordering books. Please use our class code to get points for our class! I will not be accepting checks to do the ordering. Any ordering needs to be done online.
Class Code: MNQC2
Last, our class will be presenting at the February All School Meeting. We have not decided what we will be presenting, but it would be great for you to show up and support your kiddos if you can!
I think that's it for now, please let me know if you have other questions, concerns or celebrations!
Goodbye, January! See you next year!
~B
It has been a great few weeks in class! We have started Winter Wellness, we are writing stories, and I got the chance to do lots of great reading with your kiddos!
We are sending home report cards over the weekend. Your kids are all working so hard and I am super proud of the progress they have all made. I also got to do our mid-year check-in on their reading and it was such a treat to get 1:1 reading time with them.
Our story maps are coming along really well and some kids have started to work on starting their stories. We have been working hard on thinking about beginnings, the main problem, events through the story with juicy details and then a satisfying ending. We will continue to work on these ideas as we continue writing. We have been working hard on thinking about beginnings, the main problem, events through the story and then the ending.
Thank you all for your support of the Winter Wellness program! The kids are doing great and having lots of fun. It is always so amazing to see the kids make progress in the areas that they choose. As for me, as a person who goes skating, this is especially true. It is amazing to see kids falling down and getting up over and over again. These are the experiences that kids take for a lifetime.
Monday is the 100th day of school. If you want, send in a brown paper bag (if you have one) full of 100 (reasonable, non-edible) objects. We'll be sending home information about this. If you have extra bags, please consider sending them in for other kids to use who might not have any.
Also on Monday, Ms. Lanpher has arranged for members of the VSO to come in and share some music at 2:30. Please be sure to thank her for helping provide this experience for our kids!
Next Wednesday we will be celebrating Global School Play Day. The kids will be signing up for a classroom to go to (we are offering different options). Please leave personal toys at home. We'll have plenty to do here! Check out the link to the TED Talk regarding the power of play.
https://www.globalschoolplayday.com/
TED Talk
We used a ton of our accumulated Scholastic points to buy a bunch of books. Ask your kiddos about them! I am sending home order sheets for ordering books. Please use our class code to get points for our class! I will not be accepting checks to do the ordering. Any ordering needs to be done online.
Class Code: MNQC2
Last, our class will be presenting at the February All School Meeting. We have not decided what we will be presenting, but it would be great for you to show up and support your kiddos if you can!
I think that's it for now, please let me know if you have other questions, concerns or celebrations!
Goodbye, January! See you next year!
~B
Monday, January 13, 2020
Woodshop, Winter Wellness, Writing and More
Hello Families,
I hope you are all off to a great new year! In class we have been getting back into routines and getting started on some new work.
I am going to be sending home permission slips for your children to participate in our "Woodshop" in the room. Kids will be able to design, model and build creations of their own. We go through an extensive training period where the kids are practicing on cardboard before moving into wood. For the wood part of our project, we'll be needing scrap 2x4s, brace and bit drills, egg beater drills, hand saws, vices and miters. We have some to use in the room but probably not for everyone to use.
Winter Wellness will be starting on January 24th. We'll be letting the kids know what they are signed up for soon. Our class was one of two to get their slips in on time!
In writing, we have started our work on fictional narrative writing. I always stress that to be able to write a story, you need to be able to tell a story. We have talked about how stories can be in written and spoken words, pictures, and video. Two short video stories that I have used are from Coldplay and Of Monsters and Men. The links are below. The main idea is that in fictional stories there are almost always a problem and solution with some bumps in between. I encourage you to talk about it with your kids.
Coldplay Video
Of Monsters and Men Video
We will be getting through the Winter battery of reading assessments over the next couple of weeks. This is when we get to get a more formal look at your child's reading progress. I will try to get that information into the report cards though this will be challenging due to my days I have scheduled to read with the kids not aligning completely with the report card window. In any case just reach out if you have any questions about your child's progress.
The kids have earned their second bonus recess for all of their hard work, kindness and flexibility. They are close to earning a Read-All-Day day. I'll be sure to keep you updated with their progress!
I think that's about it for now. I hope everyone is well and be in touch if you have any questions, concerns or celebrations!
~B
I hope you are all off to a great new year! In class we have been getting back into routines and getting started on some new work.
I am going to be sending home permission slips for your children to participate in our "Woodshop" in the room. Kids will be able to design, model and build creations of their own. We go through an extensive training period where the kids are practicing on cardboard before moving into wood. For the wood part of our project, we'll be needing scrap 2x4s, brace and bit drills, egg beater drills, hand saws, vices and miters. We have some to use in the room but probably not for everyone to use.
Winter Wellness will be starting on January 24th. We'll be letting the kids know what they are signed up for soon. Our class was one of two to get their slips in on time!
In writing, we have started our work on fictional narrative writing. I always stress that to be able to write a story, you need to be able to tell a story. We have talked about how stories can be in written and spoken words, pictures, and video. Two short video stories that I have used are from Coldplay and Of Monsters and Men. The links are below. The main idea is that in fictional stories there are almost always a problem and solution with some bumps in between. I encourage you to talk about it with your kids.
Coldplay Video
Of Monsters and Men Video
We will be getting through the Winter battery of reading assessments over the next couple of weeks. This is when we get to get a more formal look at your child's reading progress. I will try to get that information into the report cards though this will be challenging due to my days I have scheduled to read with the kids not aligning completely with the report card window. In any case just reach out if you have any questions about your child's progress.
The kids have earned their second bonus recess for all of their hard work, kindness and flexibility. They are close to earning a Read-All-Day day. I'll be sure to keep you updated with their progress!
I think that's about it for now. I hope everyone is well and be in touch if you have any questions, concerns or celebrations!
~B
Friday, December 6, 2019
Post Thanksgiving Break
Hey Friends,
I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving with your friends and families. I was grateful for the time to give pause and take some purposeful time to be thankful for all I have.
One of my biggest joys and parts of my life that I am thankful for is the time I get to spend with your wonderful children, watching them grow and learn. It grounds me and reminds me daily of the reason I became a teacher.
As far of our activities here at school, we have been working hard on wrapping up our small moment stories in Writer's Workshop. The kids have been working on writing their hooks, filling out details using transition words like first, then, later, etc. and then stretching out details.
In literacy we have been focusing on using our time well as well as working hard in our reading groups. The kids have really gotten into working on their sight words as well as dabbling in free-writing their own stories about pirates, jail breaks and the like.
We have also been working on our transitions between activities as well as recognizing kindness in our room. During this time of the year, kids can get pretty distracted and it is always important to remain grounded in our agreements from the beginning of the year: being kind, working hard and having fun.
In science we have been looking into the states of matter - solid, liquid and gas. We have also had a lot of discussion about how scientists answer the question they are investigating. Scientists can answer their questions with a "yes", "no" or I am not sure. "Kind of" is not in their vocabulary. This has been a challenge for some, as some kids really like to try to find the sneaky way around answering these kinds of questions. example:
Teacher: Can you pick up water in the same way you can pick up a solid with your hands?
Sneaky kid: Kind of
Teacher: Show me using the water in the sink. Did it work?
Sneaky kid: Kind of
All kidding aside, it has been great and all in all, the kids are really doing a wonderful job.
I think that's it for now. We'll be starting our Artist and Residence next week. Thanks so much to Jen Campbell for helping organize this great opportunity for our kids!
Have a great weekend, everyone. Remember, bow/crossbow/muzzleloader season is starting for the next nine days, so be careful in the woods.
Be in touch if you need anything or have any celebrations, concerns or questions.
~B
I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving with your friends and families. I was grateful for the time to give pause and take some purposeful time to be thankful for all I have.
One of my biggest joys and parts of my life that I am thankful for is the time I get to spend with your wonderful children, watching them grow and learn. It grounds me and reminds me daily of the reason I became a teacher.
As far of our activities here at school, we have been working hard on wrapping up our small moment stories in Writer's Workshop. The kids have been working on writing their hooks, filling out details using transition words like first, then, later, etc. and then stretching out details.
In literacy we have been focusing on using our time well as well as working hard in our reading groups. The kids have really gotten into working on their sight words as well as dabbling in free-writing their own stories about pirates, jail breaks and the like.
We have also been working on our transitions between activities as well as recognizing kindness in our room. During this time of the year, kids can get pretty distracted and it is always important to remain grounded in our agreements from the beginning of the year: being kind, working hard and having fun.
In science we have been looking into the states of matter - solid, liquid and gas. We have also had a lot of discussion about how scientists answer the question they are investigating. Scientists can answer their questions with a "yes", "no" or I am not sure. "Kind of" is not in their vocabulary. This has been a challenge for some, as some kids really like to try to find the sneaky way around answering these kinds of questions. example:
Teacher: Can you pick up water in the same way you can pick up a solid with your hands?
Sneaky kid: Kind of
Teacher: Show me using the water in the sink. Did it work?
Sneaky kid: Kind of
All kidding aside, it has been great and all in all, the kids are really doing a wonderful job.
I think that's it for now. We'll be starting our Artist and Residence next week. Thanks so much to Jen Campbell for helping organize this great opportunity for our kids!
Have a great weekend, everyone. Remember, bow/crossbow/muzzleloader season is starting for the next nine days, so be careful in the woods.
Be in touch if you need anything or have any celebrations, concerns or questions.
~B
Friday, November 8, 2019
Conferences and Other News
Hello Friends,
I hope you are enjoying the beauty of the fresh snow on this crisp Friday!
A few of reminders:
1. Thanks to those of you who have signed up for conferences. I am looking forward to meeting with all of you and talking about the great progress your kids are making! I have sent out sign-ups via Signup Genius. Look in your inboxes if you need to find the link.
2. The long Vermont tradition of youth hunting season this weekend, followed by regular rifle/muzzleloader weeks starting next weekend, is upon us. Please be safe and careful if you choose to spend time in the woods.
3. The Food Drive is in full swing and we are trying to get 1,000 items for the Middlesex Food Shelf. Please consider sending in some boxes/canned goods if you can. The Rumney Food Drive continues both in our classroom and in the school lobby. Our goal is to bring in 1,000 non-perishables/toiletries
I think that's it for now, please let me know if you have any questions, concerns or celebrations.
Best,
B
I hope you are enjoying the beauty of the fresh snow on this crisp Friday!
A few of reminders:
1. Thanks to those of you who have signed up for conferences. I am looking forward to meeting with all of you and talking about the great progress your kids are making! I have sent out sign-ups via Signup Genius. Look in your inboxes if you need to find the link.
2. The long Vermont tradition of youth hunting season this weekend, followed by regular rifle/muzzleloader weeks starting next weekend, is upon us. Please be safe and careful if you choose to spend time in the woods.
3. The Food Drive is in full swing and we are trying to get 1,000 items for the Middlesex Food Shelf. Please consider sending in some boxes/canned goods if you can. The Rumney Food Drive continues both in our classroom and in the school lobby. Our goal is to bring in 1,000 non-perishables/toiletries
I think that's it for now, please let me know if you have any questions, concerns or celebrations.
Best,
B
Wednesday, October 30, 2019
Nominations, Food Drive, Personal Narrative, and Conferences
Hello, Friends,
I hope you all have been enjoying our transition into the real fall weather and enjoying all that comes with it!
We have been doing so much in our room, I almost don't know where to start. We have begun to nominate one another for list of good deeds throughout the day by filling out nomination sheets. You may have seen some of them come home in your child's folder. It is enormously powerful to see kids noticing the great work they are doing, not by me, but by one another. We earn class and individual rewards for all of our wonderful work.
Our list of behavior/deeds to notice are:
Facing Their Fears
Working Hard
Taking Turns
Apologizing Without a Teacher Asking Them to
Taking Care of Nature
Helping a Friend
Being a Good Listener
Being Kind
Being Generous/Sharing
Also, we are starting a Food Drive here at school. Please feel free to send in non-expired non-perishable items to us here at school. Our goal is to collect 1,000 items by November 26th. If you are able, please consider helping out families in need in your own neighborhood.
The kids are working hard on their personal narratives and are thinking about times when they had an experience when they learned something about themselves. The variety of experiences they are writing about is so incredible! They are thinking about feelings, senses, and details about their experiences. We'll be stretching out the moment using as much detail as we can muster. I can't wait to see how they shape up.
As far as conferences go, I'll be sending out times soon. I understand that families will be getting a notice regarding a new sign-up system we are going to try and use. I may or may not use it because the slots available are only for 20 minutes and I like to allow for a 30 minute meeting. It seems like 30 minutes is the least I can offer you all! More details will be coming soon.
I think that's it for now. Please have a safe, fun time this Halloween!
Be in touch with any questions, concerns or celebrations any time.
~B
I hope you all have been enjoying our transition into the real fall weather and enjoying all that comes with it!
We have been doing so much in our room, I almost don't know where to start. We have begun to nominate one another for list of good deeds throughout the day by filling out nomination sheets. You may have seen some of them come home in your child's folder. It is enormously powerful to see kids noticing the great work they are doing, not by me, but by one another. We earn class and individual rewards for all of our wonderful work.
Our list of behavior/deeds to notice are:
Facing Their Fears
Working Hard
Taking Turns
Apologizing Without a Teacher Asking Them to
Taking Care of Nature
Helping a Friend
Being a Good Listener
Being Kind
Being Generous/Sharing
Also, we are starting a Food Drive here at school. Please feel free to send in non-expired non-perishable items to us here at school. Our goal is to collect 1,000 items by November 26th. If you are able, please consider helping out families in need in your own neighborhood.
The kids are working hard on their personal narratives and are thinking about times when they had an experience when they learned something about themselves. The variety of experiences they are writing about is so incredible! They are thinking about feelings, senses, and details about their experiences. We'll be stretching out the moment using as much detail as we can muster. I can't wait to see how they shape up.
As far as conferences go, I'll be sending out times soon. I understand that families will be getting a notice regarding a new sign-up system we are going to try and use. I may or may not use it because the slots available are only for 20 minutes and I like to allow for a 30 minute meeting. It seems like 30 minutes is the least I can offer you all! More details will be coming soon.
I think that's it for now. Please have a safe, fun time this Halloween!
Be in touch with any questions, concerns or celebrations any time.
~B
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