The First 8 Days

Hey Families!

    I hope you all had a great weekend! It has been a super start to the year, establishing routines and expectations. The kidsa re all doing well and I had the sense that they (and I!) needed the long weekend by the time Friday came around.

    Last week we read some books that covered, broadly, making mistakes (Down the Road), what it means to be part of a group (Wolf Watch), and saying goodbye to the old and welcoming the new (Country Frog, City Dog). We did some writing about making mistakes as well and the kids got to use a rubric to help guide their work. It was interesting discussing and reading work from the kids that drew a distinction between making mistakes and taking risks. They also did personalized collages and did some writing about their choices. In read-aloud, we are reading Harris and Me, a book about many things. The theme we will be focusing on is around belonging and what that word means, looks like, and feels like. We'll also be doing a spelling assessment to get a look at their spelling needs, the Acadience reading diagnostic as well as the iReady reading diagnostic. 

    In math class we have been doing review and getting settled into the routine of Math Menu. The kids are working hard on getting their math brains back in shape. We also will be rolling out iReady in the coming week or two. This week they will be doing their math diagnostic, giving us some baseline data.

    In the coming week or two, we will be shifting the focus of our literacy time to roll out routines and to start to integrate our first unit of study, Exploration and Contact, which focuses on the first contact between european explorers and the indigenous peoples of the northeast US. We'll touch on some of the other exploration going on during this time, but our focus will be on the explorers of the northeast as a context to set for the treatment of indigenous peoples and the effect colonization had, the 7 Years War and the American Revolution. As an important note, we'll be studying about this time from multiple perspectives. I always make sure the kids know that while they are in no way responsible for the actions of others in the past, that it is important to see events through as many perspectives as you can in order to see the full historical picture. It is complicated. 

    I think that's about it for now. I'll be sure to update you as needed as more school events start popping up. Please be in touch with any questions, concerns or otherwise. 

    Have a great week,

            ~Ben

Picture Day Friday, September 4th

 Hey Families,

Happy first day! 

We just got word that Friday, September 4th, is Picture Day. Be on the lookout for more information about how to order pictures, etc. in the Doty Newsletter.

 Please be in touch if you have questions.

Take care,

~Ben

Beginning of the Year Letter

 Hello Fifth Grade Families!

I hope this finds you all well, enjoying these beautiful summer days. I am excited for a great fifth grade year with your kiddos! We have so much to learn about ourselves, our new friends and the world around us and I am so excited to serve as a guide for our journey together.

As a little back story, this is kind of a wild full circle moment for me. This is the school that helped inform my early years, having attended what was then Worcester Elementary School (until my brother’s fourth grade class researched and changed the school name to Doty Memorial School) here and across the street for pre-K in the Worcester Historical Society building. I also get to be in the same building as my daughter and am going to have front row seats to what this year brings in regards to the future of this building. All this to say, I have biases that are going to be important for me to track and be reminded of, when needed. I am hoping you all can help me if you see or sense these popping up as I don’t want any of them to bleed negatively into the experience your children are having in our class. 

During our first few weeks, we will be focusing on getting to know our new classmates as well as finding our places in our new social landscape. We will be focusing on work around building new connections and helping kids navigate the inevitable feelings of loss as new friendships arise. The current plan Allison and I have is to align in our focuses of study throughout the year to ensure, as best we can, that these kids are getting equitable, albeit different, experiences. We will be doing lots of activities together as well and I am looking forward to seeing what incredible experiences our 36 or so fifth graders have together. 

In regards to meeting the needs of the kids, breakfast and lunch are available to students, daily. The kids are free to snack as they want during the morning and afternoon. To that end, I will try to keep some snacks available for kiddos who may not have any. I also encourage kids to get breakfast and save parts of it for their snack during the day. I encourage your child to bring in a change of clothes that can live here in the room in the event they are needed. Water bottles are always a good idea as well. I have a hot water heater in the room so kids are free to make tea for themselves. I’d appreciate support in purchasing caffeine-free tea for kids to have available to them. They are also free to bring in their own mugs, though I have some in the room for them to use, if needed. 

Allison and I will be sending out a newsletter twice a month at the start of the year, likely less frequent as we move through the year as we settle into our work. These will be sent out through IC. I am updating my Blogger page where you will find additional resources and information. I’ll let you know when it is up and running.

Last, feel free to reach out whenever you need to. I’d only ask that you try to reserve calling me at home for emergencies or urgent matters. Feel free to have your child reach out and write to me as well if they’d like to if that would be helpful to bridge the gap between now and next week.

Email: bweiss@u32.org

School Phone #: 802.223.5656 x138

Home Phone #: 802.223.3677 

I look forward to meeting you all and getting the year started. Again, please reach out with any questions, concerns or otherwise, any time.

Take care,

~Ben

A Short Family Note...

 Hello Families,

The year is winding down and the kids are winding up! It’s the same every year and that predictable energy, in some ways, brings us comfort in spite of the horrible event in Texas this week.

We want to pass along that we are so proud of your kids. As we watch them grow as young children do, we are especially warmed to see them forming strong bonds and friendships with their classmates. If this past week has shown us anything, it is that our connections to one another ground us, give us comfort, and give us support when we need it. Perhaps this is the real charge of our schools - to keep our children connected with their schoolmates and larger Middlesex  community and to help them genuinely feel a part of something bigger than themselves while celebrating their own uniqueness. 

It is easy to get caught up in the unspeakable tragedy at that small Texas school, as we have found while the adults process it here at school. As fellow parents, we know it hits us all a bit harder. However, we also take great comfort in being with our amazing 21 children. They know and show us the path every day - the path of love, forgiveness, and being truly present. We try our best to follow them. 

That is why now, as we begin to wrap up this amazing year, we give thanks to your wonderful children - children we have had the privilege to spend our days with. They keep us in the here and now, the only time they know. 

With gratitude,

Ben and Honi

Is It Almost JUNE!?!?!?!?

What a Week!

It has been a while! First, I really felt what Ms. Honi means to this room given her absence for a few days a couple of weeks ago. Man oh man, she is such a gift to your children and we were so happy to have her back in class! What would we do without her? It would be great for you to show your appreciation for her and the amazing work she does with your children in whatever way you can. 

When Ms. Honi was out a couple of weeks ago, we had to modify our literacy activities a bit, but the kids did a great job making literacy choices and meeting with me in small groups. They were focused and worked hard independently, a skill that they will be needing much more next year in first grade. This week they have been wrapping up some writing pieces about things they love/think are beautiful and have been reading some of the new decodable texts we have bought. 

 

Books we enjoyed this week

City Dog & Country Frog 

If You Take a Mouse to School

Mouse Was Mad 

Our next writing piece is going to be an opinion based one. We’ll talk about it, write a piece together, and then, using a writing organizer, have them work on one on their own. I wonder what kinds of topics they might have an opinion about…

The weather at this time of the year, as you most certainly know, is variable. Please do your best to make sure kiddos are dressed for the forecast. Also, we blew through a lot of dry changes of clothes on that scorcher of a day a while back. Boy oh boy was it fun, and some kiddos need new dry clothes for their cubbies. Thanks for your help.

I have started to do some iReady math comprehension checks with the kiddos on a number of the concepts they have covered thus far (making different numbers within 10, for example) and have introduced the use of cuisenaire rods to further their understanding of numbers. They are helpful tools to help kids not count when adding numbers and instead seeing numbers as groups of ones and tens as they move toward better understanding place value.

This week we made collage birds with our buddies. These birds will be hanging up as part of a community art project at the Kellogg Hubbard Library. We hope that your family can visit the library and find your child's bird. While you are at the library your (six year old) child can get their very own library card. The form to apply for a library card was sent home in your child's folder this week. Happy reading!  

Please be in touch if you have any concerns, questions or celebrations!

Have a super weekend!

Ben and Honi

Important Updates:

• Please make sure your child has a water bottle and sneakers as well as their winter gear. 

• Drop-off is at the front door.

• Pickup will be at the traffic circle. We will no longer be dismissing your child from the back kindergarten door. You can still park and come and get them or you can do the drive-through, it is up to you!

Conversation starters:

* How did you make pictures of pussy willows in Art?

* What instruments did the "one man band" play? How did your body feel listening to the music?

* What did you write about when you were outside at the rock garden? (Spring)

* Tell me about blowing bubbles on the playground. 

* Tell me about listening to guest student readers.

Other Reminders

Class Blog

You can check out the blog here for the newsletter and resources

Pictures

The folder with class pictures can be found here. 

Book Order Information

 

With a $25 order, you can pick a FREE $5 Book (use code: READS).

Shop Our Class Page: https://orders.scholastic.com/XLZX8

Class Code: XLZX8

Tax Day!

 Phew! We made it!

I really appreciated all of the kindness the kids showed me today for my birthday, it was really sweet. That Ms. Honi sure knows how to keep a secret - and with twenty one 5 and 6 years olds, no less!

Speaking of Ms. Honi, she wants to pass this along:

Join us for a Kindergarten playdate during vacation!

 

If you are free on Thursday, April 21st join us for a playdate on the Rumney playground from 10-12. This is a time for classmates to connect during the week away, and for families to connect. If you have any questions contact Ms. Honi at hbarrett@u32.org. 

The kids have been doing some great story writing both during Writer’s Workshop as well as during their literacy station with Ms. Honi. They are working hard on spelling their word ring wrds (the, is, it, look, etc.) as well as starting their sentences with uppercase letters and ending sentences with punctuation. Ask your kiddo about their story and see what they are writing about and about their beginning, problem and solution.

Again, as we get into the muddy and wet days of spring, please be sure your kiddo has a change of clothes here at school as well as a pair of indoor shoes. These kiddos sure know how to enjoy the outdoors! 

We have been to the woods a couple of times this week, with more on the way. We’ll be doing some nature journaling as well as water coloring when we come back from vacation.

In math we are working in stations with some kids spending time with teachers (Matt, me, Ms. Honi), using the iReady program and practicing skills in their iReady journals. We have also started to do some word problem work in math journals as well. 

The kids had a great day with their buddies today! This is one of the highlights of the Rumney experience for the kids and adults and I hope your kiddo has been enjoying themselves. They got to spend time in the rock garden, the basketball courts and the playground. It was fantastic!

Please be in touch if you have any concerns, questions or celebrations!

Have a wonderful vacation!

Ben and Honi

Important Updates:

• Please make sure your child has a water bottle and sneakers as well as their winter gear. 

• Drop-off is at the front door.

• Pickup will be at the traffic circle. We will no longer be dismissing your child from the back kindergarten door. You can still park and come and get them or you can do the drive-through, it is up to you!

Conversation starters:

 

*What did you write about with your buddy this week?

*What tools do you like to use when sitting on the rug?

*What is fun to do when you go to the gym?

*Did you draw on BIG paper at Art? What did you draw?

*Here are two current favorite Spanish songs to enjoy with your child: 

   https://youtu.be/P0jBXo2JhZA

   https://youtu.be/0qdlMipcsWQ

 

 

Other Reminders

Class Blog

You can check out the blog here for the newsletter and resources

Pictures

The folder with class pictures can be found here. 

Book Order Information

 

With a $25 order, you can pick a FREE $5 Book (use code: READS).

Shop Our Class Page: https://orders.scholastic.com/XLZX8

Class Code: XLZX8

April Fools!

 What a super week!

The kids are all working super hard here in class and we can really feel them growing into almost first graders. Can you believe it!? We can’t, either!

The focus of this week’s newsletter is about this time of year for many kiddos. As I mentioned to many of you during conferences, my daughter is a kindergartener as well. She is going through a period of high emotion at home and school and it has been tricky as a parent to navigate. I am sure many of you are (or have) seeing this from your kiddo. While not a medical journal, I found a good article in the New York Times that talks about these periods of big growth, both physical and mental, for kids of all ages. It was reassuring to read and mirrors what I see at my own home as well as what many of you mentioned to me as well. I hope you find it helpful. We are always here to help support your families in any way we can, so please let us know if you need any support. 

I thank you all for your flexibility around our masking policy for students. I know this was tricky for some folks, but I appreciate our district’s commitment to keeping immunocompromised students, their family members, preschool aged children who are not yet eligible for a vaccine and our staff. I look forward to the days when this is all a distant memory but in the meantime, again, thank you for your support. 

As a reminder, as we get into the muddy and wet days of spring, please be sure your kiddo has a change of clothes here at school as well as a pair of indoor shoes. These kiddos sure know how to enjoy the outdoors!

We have been doing a ton of work in leveled texts during literacy. It has been fantastic to see kids applying the many skills that they are learning from Ms. Honi, Ms. Kobb, myself and through their own hard work, independently. I hope you are getting a chance to do some reading with your kiddo at home as well. You may even see them noticing words elsewhere. The days of spelling out loud from adult to adult in your homes may be coming to an end soon…

The kids are going to start writing stories between now and April break. We have talked about how stories have a beginning, a problem (middle) and solution (end). I am looking forward to seeing what they come up with over the next 10 days!

Since Winter Wellness was canceled as well as A Spring Fling, we will be celebrating with our fifth grade buddies on the day before vacation. Details will be coming.

Please be in touch if you have any concerns, questions or celebrations!

Enjoy the weekend,

Ben and Honi

Important Updates:

• Please make sure your child has a water bottle and sneakers as well as their winter gear. 

• Drop-off is at the front door.

• Pickup will be at the traffic circle. We will no longer be dismissing your child from the back kindergarten door. You can still park and come and get them or you can do the drive-through, it is up to you!

Conversation starters:

 

*What did you write about with your buddy this week?

*What tools do you like to use when sitting on the rug?

*What is fun to do when you go to the gym?

*Did you draw on BIG paper at Art? What did you draw?

*Here are two current favorite Spanish songs to enjoy with your child: 

   https://youtu.be/P0jBXo2JhZA

   https://youtu.be/0qdlMipcsWQ

 

 

Other Reminders

Class Blog

You can check out the blog here for the newsletter and resources

Pictures

The folder with class pictures can be found here. 

Book Order Information

 

With a $25 order, you can pick a FREE $5 Book (use code: READS).

Shop Our Class Page: https://orders.scholastic.com/XLZX8

Class Code: XLZX8