As 2017 winds down we have been busy in the classroom working cooperatively, writing, sharing reading responses and doing various Montessori sorting activities for math, language and culture.

We encourage making more friendships and building community. One example is by changing up the lunch tables. On Wednesday, we sort students randomly to lunch tables. On Friday, we make large group tables of 6-8 seats and the students choose the table they prefer.  To build community we play group games periodically when we have a few free minutes during the day.

This is a close-knit Upper Elementary classroom consisting of students that love to work together!  They have created a supportive classroom community of learners.  Whether it is during language or math lessons the students are an extension of the teachers as they assist and go to one another for help throughout the day.

Students have been sharing a lot of reading responses lately. A few are game boards based on the books they have read.  Their classmates love to listen and then ask questions or make comments about the books that are shared.

 

Last week the students worked together in three groups to make bread for our school Thanksgiving celebration.  John Dixon ambitiously challenged the students to make bread from scratch using yeast. They made Amish white bread, honey wheat bread and oatmeal bread. We enjoyed the bread together Wednesday before the holiday.

Our field trip to the Hartford Science Center was a blast! We explored all levels of the museum including the newest exhibit, Alien Worlds and Androids. The students had the most fun in the Sight and Sound exhibit.  An extra “thank you” to our parent chaperones, Chris Bojarczyk and Rob Schultz!

We have been very busy over the past week. On Thursday evening we enjoyed Parent/Child Night as children engaged in various lessons with their parents.  Thank you for stopping in to spend some time with your child in their classroom.

Monday was our second sandwich making event.  The students worked together for a worthy cause to provide food for those that are less fortunate. These individuals and families spend time at the St. Vincent DePaul Mission in Waterbury, CT.  We have so much to be thankful for. Thank you again for the donations of supplies and time.

Literature circle began on Monday.  Each group joined together to share their individual role sheets for the first assigned reading selection. Literature role sheets are due each Friday until we complete the book.

Lastly, Jayne, Max’s mother got us connected to a very exciting NASA science experiment.  On Sunday, a rocket was blasted into space to the International Space Station with supplies and experiments. Our classroom will host one of those experiments connected to plant growth.  We watched the video of the rocket launch on Monday.

We concluded our previous week with a community Walk-a-thon around the perimeter of the school to support relief efforts in Puerto Rico. It felt great to not only help a community in need, but to unite as a whole school in this process.

The students completed their self portraits or drawings for the Kageno cultural exchange. They put tremendous effort into their drawings and should be proud of their efforts. We look forward to seeing the drawings and writings from the children in Africa.

Our new class mascot (pygmy marmoset) arrived on Monday. On Tuesday the students provided names to vote on for our new mascot. Those names included, Walla-walla, Fursby, Jason, Ginger and Todd.  The majority of the students were fond of the name, Todd. Please join us in welcoming him to the classroom!  Each weekend a different student will take Todd home and write in his journal about the fun or interesting things they did together. On the following Monday the journal will be shared on circle.

 

Last week the students worked with a partner to design and carve their own pumpkin. We had parent support and assistance from a few Middle School students. Each pair came up with their own unique and interesting design. Once the seeds were removed we seasoned and baked them for a tasty snack.

Prior to the weekend we told the students that they would each have an opportunity to bring home Captain Nibbles at least once this school year.  I recall having an opportunity like this when I was in first grade, although it was a baby chick.  I still remember how excited I was and I will never forget the experience. We want to offer the students that same experience so please consider allowing your child to bring Captain Nibbles home for a weekend.

On Tuesday, we enjoyed a Halloween celebration with treats and great costumes! The weather cooperated so we could all enjoy the Halloween parade around the perimeter of the school.

In class the students began work on their drawing and writing for our cultural exchange with the students from Africa. We are looking forward to learning more about the students once their information and drawings arrive.