Curriculum & Instruction Newsletter
Fair Haven Public Schools
April 2023 - Volume 5, Issue 3
Spring is in the air! With the weather getting warmer and the daylight lingering a little longer, I am feeling refreshed and energized as we move into our last marking period of the 2022-2023 school year. So much has happened this past marking period, and with March seeming like the longest month ever, teachers took full advantage of the time to accelerate learning and also focus on mindfulness.
I hope you enjoyed Spring Recess with your children and families!
Sincerely,
Cheryl Romano
Director of Curriculum & Instruction
Twitter: @FHCurriculum
“Though I do not believe that a plant will spring up where no seed has been, I have great faith in a seed... Convince me that you have a seed there, and I am prepared to expect wonders.” – Henry David Thoreau
Knollwood Shows Kindness
Students can complete the kind acts throughout the day and mark them off and return the card to the teacher when they have completed every act.
Celebration of Writing
I had the opportunity to visit Mrs. Bufano's 5th grade class during their writing celebration. When I walked into the room, it was complete silence. You may be asking, "How can a celebration be silent?" Every student in the room was immersed in reading their classmates informational writing pieces. As they read, they jotted specific compliments for each student, sharing explicitly what was done well, then had the opportunity to rotate through and review more writing from other classmates.
From what I was able to read, students did such an impressive job, both in writing and in providing specific, complimentary feedback. I learned about so many topics, all of which the students chose to write about. I learned about Maryland, turtles, Maui, drums, restaurants, the inner workings of Disney World, and many other topics! What I saw was students using bold words in their writing, creating glossaries and tables of contents, students using a variety of strong openings, and so much more to celebrate!
The Science of Solids
Shadow Shifting
Read Across America
Having Fun with Math!
Students designed a board game similar to Monolopoly. Depending on the square they land on, they may have to answer a question about a targeted skill or encounter an obstacle. Not only does this help with the practice of math skills, it incorporated design thinking too!
What a great way to incorporate students into the learning process!
Arts Integration with Media Literacy
Check out some pictures of their work!
5th Grade Debate
Debate Day!!
Two teams of students debated for social media , while one team of students was against social media. Each team argued their points, provided counterarguments, and shared their closing statements. Some students even dressed up!
More on Argument and Advocacy!
Making Connections Through Pi Day
The RFH high school students worked with each class and had a lesson plan for each grade level. Students in 4th grade heard the story of Sir Cumference and the First Round Table. They then competed in a game to get the first 10 digits of Pi. Our 5th graders did something a little different. They were presented with the Pi Song and worked through the first 100 digits of Pi! Students worked in groups to create a sound for each number, then when high school students read off the first 100 digits of Pi, every time student groups heard their number, they would make their sound. It was tricky at first, but classes go so into it, they kept trying to do it faster and faster!
This connection provided students not only with the opportunity to learn something new, but to also work with high school students who once attended Knollwood School. It was a fun day for all and we can't wait to have them back.
5th Grade Town Council Meeting
“Touche Mouche”
Space Race
This game wasn't perfect at first, this student had to revise his plan as part of the process. He reflected on the layout of the game, where he would like to include the game rules, and also how to make his board more space-like. He added in a computer screen with the rules and created a plan for the layout of the box to house his game.
Mindful Walks
In Mrs. Leahey's and Mrs. Coffin's class, students took a mindful walk after lunch. They walked quietly through the park and stopped periodically to listen for the sounds of the outdoors, experience the smells of spring, touch their surroundings, and focus in on the beauty around them. I was fortunate enough to be able to take this walk with them and felt noticeably different after doing so. I can only imagine the benefits this has for our young learners!
Kids Heart Challenge 2023
2023 yielded another year of our students becoming heart heroes! This past month, students learned hands-only CPR, facts about strokes, benefits of moving more, and practiced being kind by participating in the Kids Heart Challenge. The school came together to play basketball against our local celebrities and staff. Together we were able to donate $4,368!!!
Thank you to all who donated and supported our events! Go Heart Healthy Knights!
3rd Grade Social Studies
Media and Writing Collaboration
Amazing Evolution
Innovation Lab Creations
Students had a ton of fun, while incorporating Engineering and Design Practices, in Innovation Lab. In Ms. Torbert's 5th grade classes, students got creative with their most recent project, “Create Your Own Board Game.” In 4th grade, students engaged in a bridge-building challenge, with specific criteria and constraints.