Ms. Hartshorn’s Classroom News
February 10, 2011
Dear Families,
“Ahhhhh! Maaaamaaaaaaaaaaa! Help meeeeeee!” That was me one day last week on the back of a sled coming down the sledding hill at the end of recess. One of the children convinced me I should ride down with her when it was "in time," at the end of recess. Needless to say, several children found it quite funny to watch me hang on for dear life as I slid down the hill with the snow flying in my face. If you haven't been sledding as an adult recently, I highly recommend it—takes all of your cares away as you live in the moment.
By the time this classroom newsletter is sent to you, it's hoped that we will have been cross-country skiing twice thus far. The first time we enjoyed this sport as a class this year went very well. I was quite impressed with the determination and enthusiasm of each child. There were some first graders who were a bit unsure about this experience at first, but once they got on skis, they were had a blast and realized it wasn't as hard as some of them had imagined it might be. We have begun without the use of poles, so as to help with balance and "feeling" how the cross-country skis can glide along the snow. Great exercise while enjoying the nature in our own schoolyard!
This newsletter is being written before the Winter Concert (scheduled for Feb. 9th), and I must say the energy and excitement is building for this event in our classroom. We've been practicing "Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" each day in preparation for the concert. I think it's working! We certainly have had a bunch of snow falling from the skies lately—maybe there's something to rain dances and snow songs.
In science we have been finishing up our unit on magnets. We've completed two different individual assessments. One assessment was an opportunity for each child to test, sort and classify what objects are and are not attracted to a magnet. The second assessment was more involved, and required each child to determine a question about magnets or magnetism. Once the question was decided upon, each child planned, set up, and implemented his/her own "fair" test or experiment. This assessment was an opportunity for each child to demonstrate his/her understanding of the scientific inquiry process by first designing an experiment based on a question or wonder about magnets. Each child also had to determine a way of recording observations, and then summarize the results of the experiment in order to answer the original question.
This is a new science assessment being asked of all 1st and 2nd graders in the WWSU. We spend a great deal of time in the primary grades learning about scientific process and inquiry, discussing and practicing the many components involved in setting up "fair" tests and controlling variables in our experiments. However, this is the first time they are asked to do all of the steps involved in asking a science-related question and responsible for all of the planning and implementation, totally on their own. There are some great photos on Shutterfly of some of these experiments in progress.
Our next science unit will focus on Sky and Earth. To begin this unit of study I'm asking families to help us out at home. Your child is bringing home a packet to help keep track of the phases of the moon. This is a month-long assignment and asks your child to observe the moon either in the morning before school or at night before bedtime, and to color in a circle to show what the moon looks like on each particular day. More complete directions are included at the beginning of the packet that is traveling home today. I'm also emailing this packet to you in case it doesn't make it home. If you have any questions about this month-long assignment, please contact me before February vacation so I can further explain. I will not be available during February vacation, since I will be visiting my parents.
I ask that your child continue this assignment as best as possible all during February vacation. I am committed to do this also, even though I will be viewing the moon from a different part of the United States—my parents live on the west coast of Florida.
The data that your child collects in the form of shaded moon pictures will be very important information for us to view, and use later in March I would like the moon phase charts to be returned to school on Monday, March 14th . We will be using these charts in school beginning that week for our next science unit. Thank you!
The week just before February vacation is one we are all looking forward to—It will be Spirit Week at Moretown School. Each day will have a different theme. Monday, being Valentines' Day, we are encouraged to wear red, white, or pink. Tuesday is Crazy Hair and Hat Day. Wednesday will be Whacky Wednesday—do your own thing. Thursday we may each decide on a color of the rainbow, and try to dress all in that color. Friday is Your Favorite Sports Team Day. Also on Friday we will enjoy a Winter Carnival as part of the Wellness initiative at MES—thanks to the planning and implementation of Mr. Drake and the Moretown School Wellness Committee. There will be several stations set up for groups of children to enjoy, including snow sculpture-building, snowshoeing, etc.
Our Four Winds lesson about snow crystals and snowflakes had to be postponed due to the snowstorm on Feb. 2. Sharon Stafford (Jack's Mom) and Lo Thamm (Zuzu's Mom) have rescheduled to lead us through this lesson tomorrow—Friday, Feb. 11th.
100th Day of School was celebrated last Friday. During math lessons that day, we stood on one leg for 100 seconds, completed an activity booklet with several tasks involving 100, and explored how many groups of two, five, ten, twenty and twenty-five are in sets of 100. One child took it upon himself to bring in a collection of 100 Matchbox cars. Of course, it wouldn't be 100th day of school at Moretown School without the traditional 100 Day crowns and goggles we all wore. Check out the photos on Shutterfly!
We have talked about Chinese New Year this week. It is the year of the Rabbit. The celebration began last week, but we were not able to explore this celebration and Chinese culture until this week due to last week's snow day, Ground Hog Day, and the 100th Day of School. Since many of us will be wearing red next Monday for Valentines' Day as part of Spirit week, we will plan a short parade through the halls of Moretown School first thing in the morning, This week we are preparing by coloring long paper dragons, learning about some of the traditions, including the meaning behind some traditional foods and colors found in Chinese New Year celebrations, learning about the characteristics of the Rabbit, and working in a mini Chinese New Year booklet of activities.
Last week Mrs. Lesure visited our class and led the children through a group activity where they had to work cooperatively to put together a large floor puzzle. The puzzle had several insects, including butterflies. Each child had two or three puzzle pieces and their challenge was to complete the puzzle without talking. I happened to be away this day leading a math data training in the district for K-2 teachers, but Mrs. Lesure reported to me how adorable your children were as they worked cooperatively. She said they were "whispering" to each other so that everyone would be successful in finding where their puzzle pieces went. They followed the directions, and didn't talk. After all, whispering isn't really the same as talking—right? What was so nice to hear was how invested they were in making sure the whole class was successful together. Although one child may have found a place for all of his or her puzzle pieces to go, it was understood that success would only come if everyone was able to place their puzzle pieces in the correct places, so there was support and guidance offered by children to other children—whispers of encouragement.
Valentines' Day reminder: We will have a friendship party on Monday afternoon (Feb. 14). Please remind your child to bring his/her Valentine cards to school for his/her classmates. Children may bring these in any day ahead of Monday if that would be helpful. I would appreciate it if children not bring candy to school for classmates on Valentines' Day. There has been an effort at Moretown School to model nutritious snacks and respecting wishes of parents who would prefer not to have their children given candy and other sweet treats. Many of us enjoy something sweet once in a while, however, by limiting sugary treats at school, families are better able to monitor what their children do and do not eat in any given day. Thank you for your support.
Hope you're able to enjoy all of this great snow in some way that doesn't involve a shovel~ Brenda
