August 31, 2016

Class 216 First Day News

August 31, 2016

 

Dear Families Of Class 216 Students,

The first day of school went pretty smoothly.

I know it is an adjustment to go from summer routines (or lack there of) and time schedules to school rhythms and expectations.  That is why I try and ease students back into the swing of school, by ensuring outdoor play time and indoor work time are balanced.  That being said, our first day was spent just like that.

OUTDOOR PLAY

We managed to get outside 3 times today.  During these experiences, we played“jail tag,” “hide and seek eagle eye,” went swinging, hid under slides, played ball games, and simply breathed the fresh air – all important to our well being.

NAME CARD DESIGN

Students used pencils, sharpie markers and crayons to design on the insides of their classroom name tags.  Many artistic juices were flowing!

MATH…ORIGAMI

During our math block today, we warmed up to math concepts of addition, multiplication, division, fractions and geometry, ALL within the context and experience of making origami.  We are on our way to each constructing a 16-pointed modular origami star (hopefully to be brought home Friday as a representation of our “math” work).

READING WORKSHOP

Students spent 1/2  hour of their day with Ms Slesar for Reading Workshop.  They got a chance to meet her, see their reading space/classroom, and learn a little about Reading Workshop this year.

READ ALOUD

Today, we began our first chapter book read aloud, titled The Hundred Dresses. This story of compassion and understanding is perfect to begin a new year, as a new community of learners.

FIND A CLASSMATE WHO…

In an effort to get to know one another better, we did an activity where students had to find out information about each other.  This lent itself to finding similarities and differences among us!

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL STORY

We ended the day with a cute story, appropriate for the first day of school – ask your child about it.

LOOKING AHEAD…

Next week, we will begin an oral presentation unit called, This Is Me and What I Believe.”  Your child does NOT need to worry about preparing for this, yet, but keep an eye out in the coming days for more information about this. 

Weekly Homework will NOT start this week, and likely NOT next week, either.  However, there may be little homework assignments that I may need them to do over the next couple weeks (see attached homework for Wednesday night).

SCHEDULE REMINDER

Interactive Arts

Monday:  Music

Tuesday: Tech/Library

Wednesday: Art

Thursday: PE

Friday: PE

Recess / Lunch : 12:15-1:05

CONTACT INFORMATION

Email:  BrendanM@mpsvt.org

Tele:  225-8216 (though presently not working)

Blog:  class216.blogspot.com