Hello Wonderful Families,
It has been such a great pleasure getting to talk to all about the progress and future goals for your children, and I really appreciate your insight and openness. If ever any of you need anything, be sure to let me know.
We had the pleasure of watching Willy Wonka yesterday and the kids were thoroughly amazed with their performance. The Rumney Theater program never ceases to amaze! Congratulations to all of the actors and stage helpers. There are shows on Friday night at 7, Saturday afternoon at 2 and Saturday evening at 7. Also, check out mychamplainvalley.com to see our Cool School segment. I think Mr. Rosen has a future in television!
We have started to work on next writing genre, information writing, and the kids have done a great job mapping out their ideas. They chose their topics yesterday which were animals from specific habitats. Ask your child what they are going to writing about. We are learning about the structure of these types of writing pieces as well as focusing on writing and spelling conventions.
We will be wrapping up our reading, spelling and sight word assessments after vacation, starting in mid May. Be sure to keep on reading over vacation! We want to make sure that we don't slip right before the finish line.
We are also sending home placement forms for next year. I spoke to many of you about this at conferences, and we take your input into strong consideration. We try our best to make sure all of the kids get what they need during this process and because the kids will be getting mixed up to accommodate the new 1/2 classroom, your input is appreciated.
I hope you all have a great weekend, and think spring!
~B
Friday, April 8, 2016
Thursday, March 31, 2016
Conferences, Projects and More!
Hey all,
I hope this warm weather has found you doing well. There has been a lot of sickness going around, so please be sure that your children are getting lots of rest and not getting too stretched out. The kids have been doing a fabulous job here in school, getting through the last long stretch of school in the year (can you believe it?).
We have been working hard on our land form projects and finished today, Thursday. I hope you get a chance to see them at conferences or when they come home. Speaking of which, since they are big, they will not be staying at school. I can hold onto them until the end of the day Tuesday at which time they will get recycled. I'll make sure the kids know, but please try to get a plan together to get them home by the end of the day on Tuesday. The kids will be presenting them on Monday morning during morning meeting time.
In Writer's Workshop we are going to be starting to work on some informational texts on animals in one of the habitats, related to our study on land forms. We will be focusing our work not only on the content and organization of these kinds of writing pieces but the grammar usage specific to their grade level. You can see the writing rubrics in the writing section of this blog.
Willy Wonka is being shown by our amazing Rumney theater production team. Please consider bringing your family to check it out. They never disappoint! Also, thank you to all of the parent volunteers who have helped out with boiling. The kids at Rumney get a great experience that helps them connect to the land under their feet. Not many public schools, elementary schools especially, provide their students with this kind of opportunity.
Again, if you need, here is a link to the conferences:
http://grades.wcsuonline.org/rumney/conference/
Again, I am looking forward to meeting with all of you!
~B
I hope this warm weather has found you doing well. There has been a lot of sickness going around, so please be sure that your children are getting lots of rest and not getting too stretched out. The kids have been doing a fabulous job here in school, getting through the last long stretch of school in the year (can you believe it?).
We have been working hard on our land form projects and finished today, Thursday. I hope you get a chance to see them at conferences or when they come home. Speaking of which, since they are big, they will not be staying at school. I can hold onto them until the end of the day Tuesday at which time they will get recycled. I'll make sure the kids know, but please try to get a plan together to get them home by the end of the day on Tuesday. The kids will be presenting them on Monday morning during morning meeting time.
In Writer's Workshop we are going to be starting to work on some informational texts on animals in one of the habitats, related to our study on land forms. We will be focusing our work not only on the content and organization of these kinds of writing pieces but the grammar usage specific to their grade level. You can see the writing rubrics in the writing section of this blog.
Willy Wonka is being shown by our amazing Rumney theater production team. Please consider bringing your family to check it out. They never disappoint! Also, thank you to all of the parent volunteers who have helped out with boiling. The kids at Rumney get a great experience that helps them connect to the land under their feet. Not many public schools, elementary schools especially, provide their students with this kind of opportunity.
Again, if you need, here is a link to the conferences:
http://grades.wcsuonline.org/rumney/conference/
Again, I am looking forward to meeting with all of you!
~B
Friday, March 18, 2016
Mid March Madness!
Hey All,
Well, it looks like winter still has some fight in her! On that note, please be sure to continue to send in winter clothes with your children daily, until we give the all clear here at school. When kids don't have their outdoor gear, we see an up-tick in resistance to going outside as well as playing in the way they usually do due to the lack of appropriate clothing. Water-resistant wear (pants especially) can be a big help, especially as we get more snow and the ground continues to be wet. Thanks for your support on this.
Thanks for sending in permission slips for our trip to the Flynn in May. I know it is a long way off, but we wanted to make sure people had plenty of time to make plans and think about chaperoning. The kids are already looking forward to it, as many are reading Henry and Mudge books right now.
I am going to be boiling tomorrow down at the Rumney Sugar house. Feel free to come on down and say a quick hello when you go to the amazing Pie Breakfast! It would be lovely to see anyone who'd like to. If you can't make the breakfast, consider a donation to the Rumney PTO instead, who make so many amazing things happen in our school.
We are doing some great work in science, where kids are working on a definition book of different kinds of major land forms and designing and building a landscape or poster that shows the different features as well. They are excited about this work and are doing a great job!
It has been a real pleasure to be reading and writing with your children at literacy time. It has been so wonderful to see how their writing and reading are progressing. I am looking forward to seeing you all at conferences on April 1st, or sometime around it. In Writer's Workshop, the kids are working on their land form books and writing about their favorite land form that they have been to. I look forward to finishing up both of those next week.
Conferences: I have set up times at http://grades.wcsuonline.org/rumney/conference/
Be sure to sign up for a time and if you can't find one that works for you, please be in touch.
Enjoy the pie and be sure to stop into the sugar house for a short visit on Saturday!
~B
Well, it looks like winter still has some fight in her! On that note, please be sure to continue to send in winter clothes with your children daily, until we give the all clear here at school. When kids don't have their outdoor gear, we see an up-tick in resistance to going outside as well as playing in the way they usually do due to the lack of appropriate clothing. Water-resistant wear (pants especially) can be a big help, especially as we get more snow and the ground continues to be wet. Thanks for your support on this.
Thanks for sending in permission slips for our trip to the Flynn in May. I know it is a long way off, but we wanted to make sure people had plenty of time to make plans and think about chaperoning. The kids are already looking forward to it, as many are reading Henry and Mudge books right now.
I am going to be boiling tomorrow down at the Rumney Sugar house. Feel free to come on down and say a quick hello when you go to the amazing Pie Breakfast! It would be lovely to see anyone who'd like to. If you can't make the breakfast, consider a donation to the Rumney PTO instead, who make so many amazing things happen in our school.
We are doing some great work in science, where kids are working on a definition book of different kinds of major land forms and designing and building a landscape or poster that shows the different features as well. They are excited about this work and are doing a great job!
It has been a real pleasure to be reading and writing with your children at literacy time. It has been so wonderful to see how their writing and reading are progressing. I am looking forward to seeing you all at conferences on April 1st, or sometime around it. In Writer's Workshop, the kids are working on their land form books and writing about their favorite land form that they have been to. I look forward to finishing up both of those next week.
Conferences: I have set up times at http://grades.wcsuonline.org/rumney/conference/
Be sure to sign up for a time and if you can't find one that works for you, please be in touch.
Enjoy the pie and be sure to stop into the sugar house for a short visit on Saturday!
~B
Thursday, March 10, 2016
If at first you don't succeed...
Hey all,
A couple of things.
One, we will have a morning performance practice as well, starting at 10:00, if the afternoon doesn't work for you. It won't be exactly the same, probably because of some pauses and some last corrections, but it is an alternative for folks who may not be able to make the afternoon show. I don't know if other parents will be there, but I thought I'd throw out the offer.
The other is a video clip I showed the kids today. For context, it takes place in Japan and it is at an all-school performance. I talked to the kids about how in other countries, struggling and supporting one another is something that is encouraged and accepted, as shown by the video. While recognizing the cultural differences (such as encouraging the student to keep going, despite the fact he/she was crying), I think the message and lesson is a powerful one.
Drive safe on those sloppy roads!
~B
A couple of things.
One, we will have a morning performance practice as well, starting at 10:00, if the afternoon doesn't work for you. It won't be exactly the same, probably because of some pauses and some last corrections, but it is an alternative for folks who may not be able to make the afternoon show. I don't know if other parents will be there, but I thought I'd throw out the offer.
The other is a video clip I showed the kids today. For context, it takes place in Japan and it is at an all-school performance. I talked to the kids about how in other countries, struggling and supporting one another is something that is encouraged and accepted, as shown by the video. While recognizing the cultural differences (such as encouraging the student to keep going, despite the fact he/she was crying), I think the message and lesson is a powerful one.
Drive safe on those sloppy roads!
~B
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
The Circus is Coming to Town!
Hello Families!
I hope this letter finds you well and enjoying our fine spring weather! The kids got a chance to go down to the sugar house and help collect sap and stack wood. The sap is really running hard! Mrs. Theresa's class went down today and collected sap and Mrs. Costello's class did as well. The buckets were filling fast!
As you might have heard, the circus is here at Rumney for our amazing residency. For our act, we will be dressing up as dogs. Please do not buy a costume, but rather help your kiddo figure out what color dog they are going to be. Please, no pink, blue, red, etc. dogs! The performance will be Friday at 2:15. Our class should be on sometime in that first 15 minutes.
Also, we had a short discussion in class about the upcoming election. Many kids are asking me about who I am voting for, which is not information I give out to students. Adult opinions are based on ideas and concepts that (hopefully) don't fit on a bumper sticker, and instead deal with social and global issues that are far beyond what is developmentally appropriate for 6,7 and 8 year olds. What we see here at school during these times is that children emulate the polarized view we have unfortunately become accustomed to. Today we had to talk a little about how people were saying hurtful things to people who were supporting one candidate or another. "Oh, my dad says he's crazy,", or "My mom says she's a liar," were two from today. The political process is confusing for young kids, who largely see this whole thing as an American Idol popularity contest. Your assistance in helping kids understand that supporting a candidate doesn't make someone inherently a bad person is a helpful message. Thanks for your support on this.
In science we are working on identifying different types of land forms and are working toward building models, maps, and drawings of them. The kids are working on making definitions for the different land forms and will be incorporating them into their projects. Our next step will be tying together different kinds of animals into their ecosystems.
Writer's Workshop work is coming along great as well. We are writing about a land form that they have been to and writing about it. It has been great to see the variety of land forms the kids have been to. You may be surprised that some of your children have been to the ice caps at the North and South pole!
As always, folks, please be in touch with any updates from home. I'm always happy to hear from you.
Enjoy early Spring!
~B
I hope this letter finds you well and enjoying our fine spring weather! The kids got a chance to go down to the sugar house and help collect sap and stack wood. The sap is really running hard! Mrs. Theresa's class went down today and collected sap and Mrs. Costello's class did as well. The buckets were filling fast!
As you might have heard, the circus is here at Rumney for our amazing residency. For our act, we will be dressing up as dogs. Please do not buy a costume, but rather help your kiddo figure out what color dog they are going to be. Please, no pink, blue, red, etc. dogs! The performance will be Friday at 2:15. Our class should be on sometime in that first 15 minutes.
Also, we had a short discussion in class about the upcoming election. Many kids are asking me about who I am voting for, which is not information I give out to students. Adult opinions are based on ideas and concepts that (hopefully) don't fit on a bumper sticker, and instead deal with social and global issues that are far beyond what is developmentally appropriate for 6,7 and 8 year olds. What we see here at school during these times is that children emulate the polarized view we have unfortunately become accustomed to. Today we had to talk a little about how people were saying hurtful things to people who were supporting one candidate or another. "Oh, my dad says he's crazy,", or "My mom says she's a liar," were two from today. The political process is confusing for young kids, who largely see this whole thing as an American Idol popularity contest. Your assistance in helping kids understand that supporting a candidate doesn't make someone inherently a bad person is a helpful message. Thanks for your support on this.
In science we are working on identifying different types of land forms and are working toward building models, maps, and drawings of them. The kids are working on making definitions for the different land forms and will be incorporating them into their projects. Our next step will be tying together different kinds of animals into their ecosystems.
Writer's Workshop work is coming along great as well. We are writing about a land form that they have been to and writing about it. It has been great to see the variety of land forms the kids have been to. You may be surprised that some of your children have been to the ice caps at the North and South pole!
As always, folks, please be in touch with any updates from home. I'm always happy to hear from you.
Enjoy early Spring!
~B
Wednesday, February 17, 2016
Getting ready for winter to begin!
Hey all,
We'll be starting to build some of our land forms this week before putting together big models for the kids to display their knowledge. They'll be writing, reading and creating to build our content knowledge about this subject.
Here are the NGSS here that we will be covering:
http://www.nextgenscience.org/sites/ngss/files/2%20combined%20topics%206.11.13.pdf
This will be it before break, folks. It has been a great stretch since I have been back. I have you and your kids to thank. So, thank you. Have a wonderful time with your families, and I look forward to seeing your children's bright sunny faces when we get back from break.
Best,
~B
This was a great way to (almost!) end last week! We have lots of thanks to give to our AMAZING PTO for their amazing efforts to make our school the best place it can be for our kids. Through their hard work, we get to have amazing residency programs for our kids and many other great learning opportunities! Thanks so much from this appreciative staff member!
Kids are working steadily on their writing at Writer's Workshop. This week we did a handwriting check-in and I'll be look over them this weekend. Next week we'll do a refresher course as well as having handwriting sheets to practice. We also have started an opinion writing prompt piece for us to check in and see how the kids are doing with their organization, handwriting, and use of complex language.
We'll finish our read aloud this week, the epic tale of Moomintroll, the first moomin to live through a winter. We'll begin our new read-aloud after break. The kids are so much fun to read to! I am looking forward to our many discussions about the next book we read.
In science, we have started to learn about land forms. We used the Smartboard as an introduction to the unit and the kids enjoyed it a lot.
Check it out here:
http://www.learningliftoff.com/1st-grade-science-activity-spot-landforms/#.VsSbFPkrLIU
We'll be starting to build some of our land forms this week before putting together big models for the kids to display their knowledge. They'll be writing, reading and creating to build our content knowledge about this subject.
Here are the NGSS here that we will be covering:
http://www.nextgenscience.org/sites/ngss/files/2%20combined%20topics%206.11.13.pdf
This will be it before break, folks. It has been a great stretch since I have been back. I have you and your kids to thank. So, thank you. Have a wonderful time with your families, and I look forward to seeing your children's bright sunny faces when we get back from break.
Best,
~B
Thursday, February 4, 2016
February, or March? The weather is confusing me!
Sorry for the long break, folks. Life has become infinitely more complicated... Thanks for understanding. It has been messy outside, so thank you ahead of time for sending your children in with the appropriate clothing for outdoor recess. We try to get them outside as often as possible.
Well, we have really settled down into our old routines and are working hard in class. The kids are all finding their strides and settling in. Today was one of the best literacy times we have had this year. The kids were focused and worked super hard.They are continuing to work on their sight words, writing and reading. Check in with your child to see what they are reading and writing about, as well as which sight words they are working on reading and spelling. Watching them continue to grow is one of the most rewarding parts of my job.
In Writer's Workshop we have been working on our opinion writing pieces. Yesterday we started to write about some bus topics, which continue to be a hot topic. More to come about the buses below... Next week, the kids are going to do a writing prompt to show what they know about this kind of writing. They will have three options to choose from and the use of the graphic organizer that we are using in class to help them in their work. It will not be timed to help alleviate stress and anxiety. We are only interested in seeing their best work! We will be looking at spelling conventions, organization, handwriting, and content when looking at their writing.
Next week in science, we will be starting our unit on the landscape around us and how it changes. We will be discussing and looking at different kinds of land forms and how the weather changes them. I always look forward to the melting snow in this unit when the river runs behind the school toward the parking lot and makes its own path!
We have been talking a lot about the bus in our class, as this continues to be a time in the day that is often challenging, scary, and unpredictable. We have been doing writing around this problem, talking about this problem, and encouraging people to solve these problems on their won by using Rumney CARES. That said, if your child comes home with bus issues, please get in touch with Mr. Rosen or I. We are committed to making our buses good places for our kids and it will happen faster with your help. The school has started making steps by assigning seats, but it is only a start.
I hope you got to look at your child's report card. Please be in touch if you want to meet and discuss it or if you have any questions. I am always happy to meet and talk about anything.
I think that's about it for now. Please be in touch if anything comes up.
Warmly,
~B
Well, we have really settled down into our old routines and are working hard in class. The kids are all finding their strides and settling in. Today was one of the best literacy times we have had this year. The kids were focused and worked super hard.They are continuing to work on their sight words, writing and reading. Check in with your child to see what they are reading and writing about, as well as which sight words they are working on reading and spelling. Watching them continue to grow is one of the most rewarding parts of my job.
In Writer's Workshop we have been working on our opinion writing pieces. Yesterday we started to write about some bus topics, which continue to be a hot topic. More to come about the buses below... Next week, the kids are going to do a writing prompt to show what they know about this kind of writing. They will have three options to choose from and the use of the graphic organizer that we are using in class to help them in their work. It will not be timed to help alleviate stress and anxiety. We are only interested in seeing their best work! We will be looking at spelling conventions, organization, handwriting, and content when looking at their writing.
Next week in science, we will be starting our unit on the landscape around us and how it changes. We will be discussing and looking at different kinds of land forms and how the weather changes them. I always look forward to the melting snow in this unit when the river runs behind the school toward the parking lot and makes its own path!
We have been talking a lot about the bus in our class, as this continues to be a time in the day that is often challenging, scary, and unpredictable. We have been doing writing around this problem, talking about this problem, and encouraging people to solve these problems on their won by using Rumney CARES. That said, if your child comes home with bus issues, please get in touch with Mr. Rosen or I. We are committed to making our buses good places for our kids and it will happen faster with your help. The school has started making steps by assigning seats, but it is only a start.
I hope you got to look at your child's report card. Please be in touch if you want to meet and discuss it or if you have any questions. I am always happy to meet and talk about anything.
I think that's about it for now. Please be in touch if anything comes up.
Warmly,
~B
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