Horseshoe Crab Headlines

I hope everyone's 2023 is starting off healthy, productive and fun!

We recently celebrated our 80th and 90th days of the school year with 1980's Day and 1990's Day! Staff and students had a great time dressing up to represent the decades. Feel free to check out Twitter for pictures.

*The 100th day of the school year is now coming up! Let's show school spirit on Monday, February 6th by decorating an article of clothing or an item with 100 items - BE CREATIVE! Our students are 100 days smarter!

Thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Miller, Rhodes students have started rehearsing for the Magic Tree House Spring Musical! We are all very excited to see the performances on March 31st and April 1st (at PVMS, more info to come). Should you have specific questions about the musical or Tuesday afternoon rehearsals, please email pvmsmusical@gmail.com.

Kindergarten families will be joining us soon for the Boston Public Schools (BPS) Animal Showcase exhibit, which is the culminating event for Unit 2: Animals and Habitats. Kindergarten families, please join us on Friday, February 10th - at the time reflected on your paper invitation - to admire your child's work! You are welcome to dismiss your child after the event, or he/she can be dismissed as normal.

Please be sure to review monthly newsletters, weekly memos and the Rhodes website https://rhodes.cpsed.net for any information you may need about our school, academics, programs and staff contacts. Also, the www.cpsed.net website and CPS social media pages are the places to visit to receive the most up-to-date and accurate information about our schools.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Cranston-Public-School-Department-854065021341825 or Twitter: https://twitter.com/CranstonSchools

As always, please reach out with any question or concern, garmstrong@cpsed.net.

Best,

Gina Armstrong

#RhodesUnited

Mark Your Calendar:

Kindergarten Animal Showcase Friday 2/10/23 - check invitation for time*

PTA Meeting - Wednesday 2/15/23 @6pm GOOGLE MEET

No School February Vacation Week 2/20 - 2/24/23

End of SHARE THE LOVE Food Drive Contest 3/1/23

Family STEM Night - Thursday 3/2/23 *more info to come

PD Day - Distance Learning Day For Students - Monday 3/13/23 *more info to come

End of Trimester 2 - Tuesday 3/14/23

PTA Meeting - Wednesday 3/15/23 @6pm GOOGLE MEET

No School April Vacation Week 4/7 - 4/14/23

PTA Meeting - Wednesday 4/19/23 @6pm GOOGLE MEET

No School Eid al-Fitr - Friday 4/21/23

KINDERGARTEN

ELA (English Language Arts): The Kindergarten classes will begin Unit 3 - Construction. The Construction unit invites the students to make connections in physical science, engineering and technology through the building of structures, measurement and comparison and the experimentation of materials. The students will learn about the Design Process (envisioning, researching, planning, executing and revising) and will use this process to construct physical structures, as well as, works of art. They will use clay, legos, sand and blocks to demonstrate their learning. Through read-alouds, the students will identify the characters they meet in the story, setting (where the story takes place), problem and solution (how the problem is fixed).

Read Alouds: The Three Little Pigs, The True Story of the Three Little Pigs, Homes Around the World, The World is Not a Rectangle, The Night Worker, How a House is Built, The Little Red Fort, and Roxaboxen.

Fundations: The Kindergarten classes will begin working in Unit 3. They continue to work on segmenting words into sounds and blending sounds to read real words and nonsense (silly) words.

Writing: The Kindergarten students will write Reports. A report organizes information about a topic. The students are experts on Frogs, Salmon, Owls and Wolves. They will be using their animal “smarts” to write a report. They will be introduced to Procedural writing (How to ….).

Math: The classes have begun Module 4 - Number Pairs, Addition and Subtraction.

• Compose and decompose numbers to 5

• Write number bonds

• Model real life word problems using pictures, a number bond and a number sentence

• Write addition sentences

• Count to 20

• Recognize numbers to 10

Social Studies: Students will learn about construction in their community, using buildings in our community and in our state as inspiration. The focus of this trimester is mapping skills. The students will learn to locate places on a map and a globe.

Science: Through our Science and Engineering investigations, the students will explore force and motion. They will investigate how the size of an object’s base affects its stability when a force is applied to the object. The students will also investigate how the weight of an object affects its stability when a force is applied. The students will learn about pushes, pulls and magnetic force.

Family Connections: Continue to read with your child everyday.

Special Activities - Animal Showcase of Learning- Friday, February 10, 2023

1st Session 1:45-2:05

2nd Session 2:15-2:35

Please be sure to attend your scheduled session. Invitations went home in folders last Friday.

100th Day - Monday February 6, 2023

We will celebrate being "100 days smarter” by engaging in fun activities!

GRADE 1

ELA (English Language Arts): Consonant blends, digraph blends, blending, reading and segmenting up to 4 sounds, R-controlled words, suffixes, contraction not, sounds oo, u

Writing: Genre for Trimester 2 - informational

Math: Place value, comparison, addition and subtraction to 40

Social Studies: Maps, US symbols

Science: Light/sound

Family Connections: Weekly Spelling homework lists will be posted, along with Wonders activities, Freckle and nightly reading

Room 15: The 100th Day of School is on Monday, February 6th. Please bring in a bag of 100 small items that are the same to count. They will not be handled by anyone else.

Special Activities: Black History- stories and writing pieces

GRADE 2

ELA (English Language Arts): Fundations has taken us into multisyllabic words and focusing on r controlled syllables. In Wonders, we will begin Unit 4 with the new theme, “OUR LIFE, OUR WORLD.” We will be reviewing the author's purpose as well as recognizing the genre of the text.

Math: We are finishing Module 4 and will begin Module 5. In this module we will be adding and subtracting multiples of 100 within 1,000. We will learn several strategies in order to solve these problems correctly.

Social Studies: We will be continuing to learn about the world around us. We will be focusing on interesting places and national landmarks. The students will also be working on an in-school project in small groups demonstrating their understanding of different types of communities.

Science: We will be continuing to learn about our changing Earth. We will be learning about weathering and erosion, and be able to tell them apart. We will also learn what causes weathering and erosion and what we can do to help prevent it.

Family Connections: Please remember to check backpacks and folders daily.

Special Activities: Black History Month activities

GRADE 3

ELA (English Language Arts): We have started Wonders Unit 3 which focuses on the Big Idea “What are different ways to meet challenges?” We will discuss and read about being unique, leadership, Earth and its neighbors, nature and how events in history are unique. This will integrate our Science and Social Studies lessons.

Math: Before vacation we will complete our unit on Multiplication and Area and administer the Module 4 Assessment. Although the end of the year expectation is to be fluent in the multiplication facts from 0-10, practicing math facts at home is essential in order for students to achieve this. Our next module will focus on fractions after vacation.

Writing: We are currently focusing on summarizing paragraphs and answering questions with details and text evidence. It is important that the students answer the question being asked. This is a very crucial skill to prepare for RICAS testing in the spring. Our second trimester is focusing on narrative writing which will begin at the end of the month.

Family Connections: At this point of third grade, there should be more independent reading and following of directions before answering the questions. Although we read the directions to the class, it is evident that they are not being followed. Please have a talk with your child about what an important skill this is in life.

Please remember when picking up the students, a picture ID is required. Please have it available everyday! We are very low on tissues. Donations would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

Special Activities: *Just a heads up, we will be doing a project in February that will require an empty cereal box for each student. Please put one aside tif possible. MORE INFORMATION will be coming home with your child.*

Happy Valentine’s Day!!!!!

GRADE 4

ELA (English Language Arts): Second trimester writing focuses on narrative writing. Students will be writing sequels to stories we read in class. They will be practicing their creative writing skills, using precise sensory language and incorporating dialogue. Text structures such as cause & effect and main idea/key details will be reviewed through the Wonders reading program and STEMscopes science program. Text features such as headings and captions will also be reviewed. Students are learning the comprehension skill of identifying the point of view in a text. Figurative language and theme/moral will be focus skills in Wonders and with our read aloud book, Maniac Magee.

Math: Module 3, “Multiplication and Division” - We continue to work on multiplication and division using place value strategies. At home, students can review their basic multiplication fact families by utilizing the Freckle app in Clever. The link provided contains information about our approach to multiplication and division: Module 3 Parent Tip Sheet. Students will continue to have weekly math homework (Monday-Thursday nights). A packet will be given out on Monday and their daily HW assignment will be written in their planners. It is no longer required that parents sign planners. This is to foster responsibility and independence. However, if you want to continue to sign your child’s planner, feel free to do so.

Social Studies: The students will be assigned their first research project. This in-school project will focus on researching a northeast state’s landforms, climate, natural resources and economy, and designing a Google slides project that reflects their knowledge about the state while also strengthening oral communication skills. This project will give them the opportunity to practice and become comfortable with speaking publicly about a topic.

Science: The focus this trimester is “Organism Structures and Behavior.” Students will use what they learn from STEMscopes about “Plant and Animal Parts” and “Sense Receptors” to research an animal of their choice. Their animal research project will be done in school.

Family Connections: The fourth graders have been asked to show parents/guardians graded ELA assessments on their yellow assessment logs. When students have ELA assessments that are ready to be viewed by a parent/guardian, they write it on their “yellow assessment logs” and in their planners. Please sign/return the “yellow assessment log” indicating that you have viewed the assessment. The assessments will have a 1, 2, 3 or 4 grade next to them. The actual test questions/results can be viewed on the Wonders website under “To Do/My Tests.” As a reminder, students should be reading for at least 20 minutes each school night and completing their reading logs Monday-Thursday. Thank you for your support with checking and signing these logs!

Special Activities - Black History: The fourth graders have been discussing, reading and writing about civil rights leaders/activists such as Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Westley Wallace Law and Nelson Mandela. We are focusing on answering the question, “How can one person make a difference?”

GRADE 5

ELA (English Language Arts - Reading/Writing): How many verb tenses do you know? We will be studying progressive and perfect tenses in grammar. Our writing focus this trimester is NARRATIVE writing, and we will be using sensory language to set the scene and pull the reader in. As always, the best WRITERS are also STRONG READERS, so please encourage your child to read DAILY!

Math: We are moving our way through Module 4 (multiplying and dividing fractions) and will hopefully begin Module 5 (addition and multiplication with volume and area) before vacation. Please remember the students should be practicing Freckle at least 20 minutes nightly.

Social Studies: We are currently studying the Pre-Revolutionary War, which will lead to the foundations of our democracy.

Science: Plants, glorious plants! We’re learning about matter and energy in plants, food chains, food webs and the amazing decomposers! Our classroom walls are lined with our optimistic January “plantings” of seeds in sealed plastic bags.

Family Connections: Ask your child about the Stock Market game.The spring session for the SMG begins the first week of February. Ask your child what they invested in and why? Make sure your child reads EVERY day. Encourage your child to get plenty of rest, eat nutritious food and play outside! This is how their brains and bodies develop!

Special Activities - Black History and/or Lunar New Year: In ELA we read about Rosa Parks and discussed how her actions led to real change in our country. We also used this text to further explore narrative techniques, examining how the author used figurative language to help convey the theme.

LIBRARY

Students have shown great responsibility toward library resources by remembering to return books on time and taking good care of them at home. Please remember that books are borrowed for two weeks and must be returned to check out another book. Students were reminded to keep their library book in a safe place and put it in their backpack when they are finished reading it so they are sure to have the book ready to return on the next book week.

Library lessons will be focused on these topics over the coming weeks:

Grade K: Characters, Setting and Theme

Grade 1: Caldecott Medal books

Grade 2: Elements of Nonfiction and Caldecott Medal Books

Grades 3 & 4: Digital Citizenship

Grade 5: Research Skills

Self-Contained Classes: Caldecott Medal Books

PHYSICAL EDUCATION/HEALTH

Grades k-5: I am very happy to announce that in the month of February The American Heart Association Kids Heart Challenge is back!! The students will be participating in a jump rope unit along with our big fundraising event The Kids Heart Challenge the week of February 13th. This event will be lots of fun for all involved with the students practicing their jump rope skills and learning new skills to enjoy. Plus it is a great opportunity for the students to participate in raising money and awareness for a great cause. Also in this month the students will be participating in some fun winter sports themed PE activities!

Health Classes Grades k-5: February is National Heart Health Month so all grades will be studying heart healthy topics such as the anatomy of the heart, ways to keep our hearts healthy and strong, heart diseases and preventions.

Kids Heart Challenge Materials will be sent home soon.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

MUSIC with Ms. Bobola

K-3

BEAT-Move and play percussion instruments to the macro and micro beat.

TIMBRE- Instruments from the percussion family-recognize by sight and sound.

RHYTHM-Chant same/not the same patterns in duple meter. Identify and create patterns made up of quarter, and eighth notes/rests.

FORM-Create movements to show different sections of music.

SONGS-Hello Everyone, Hey Hey, This Little Light of Mine, Get On Board Little Children, Little Johnny Brown, 1-2-3 Who Will It Be?, Somebody Loves Me.

4/5-Ms. Eminger

Students will continue to work on their recorder skills and reading pitches B A G on the staff.

RHYTHM-Identify and create patterns made up of quarter, half, eighth notes/rests.

SONGS-Hey Ho Nobody Home, Follow The Drinking Gourd, Down By the Riverside, I’m not Gonna Be Your Valentine, George Washington.

BAND and STRINGS

As a reminder, Band and Strings meet EVERY Wednesday. Please help your child to remember their instrument and music. Super proud of the progress our musicians have made!!!

MUSIC with Ms. Barbieri

Music: 4th and 5th grade students received recorders in school that they will use to practice songs for the upcoming Link Up with the Orchestra program in May. When it’s complete, students will be able to keep and take home their recorders.

ART

It’s been another creative month at Rhodes! Students in older grades have been finishing self-portraits and learning more about watercolors in the process. They learned about proportions, continued with color theory, and had a chance to express themselves creatively. Some students even had a chance to create mixed media poems to accompany the portraits. Students are now working on learning how to draw using a technique called one-point perspective. They will be applying this new skill to create imaginative streets called “dream streets” where they turn ordinary buildings into extraordinary destinations.

Younger students have been working on a mix of landscapes and cityscapes. Students learned about how color and size can convey distance as well as how horizon lines can come in many different shapes and sizes! Students will take what they’ve learned during their landscape projects and build on it during their next project about cityscapes. Students will also be making mixed media works of art that give them a chance to explore printmaking for the first time this year!

Students in all grades will continue to explore new mediums and ways to express themselves through art. Looking forward to another month of Rhodes students growing as artists and getting creative!

Email: garmstrong@cpsed.net
Website: rhodes.cpsed.net
Location: 160 Shaw Avenue, Cranston, RI, USA
Phone: 401-270-8110
Twitter: @garmstrong331