Multiage Team Blog
November 4th - 8th
Responsive Classroom
Morning Meetings continued this week. During Morning Meeting everyone has the right to fun, feel like they belong, and feel that they are in important. Students created guidelines for behavior to make sure everyone has those rights. This week students did things like: Pairs in Chairs, Beetle, and Whose Missing?.
Math
Students started a new calendar grid that focuses on the different types of triangles. Over the next couple of weeks they will talk about vocabulary words such as equilateral and scalene.
5th graders continued fraction work this week focusing on finding common denominators when adding and subtracting fractions. 4th graders continued working on multiplication. They began learning about factors, and divisibility rules. Groups flexibly change based on student needs as we make our way through the skills in these units.
Math Stars
Students are working diligently to earn Math Stars. A reminder that students may not get help from others on Math Stars. We recognize that the problems can be challenging but it is important students learn perseverance skills.
Writing
Mrs. S. Mead's students continued working on their science writing.Today they completed a chart to help organize all of the information they have gathered, and to list the sources they used to find accurate information. The next step is to take the piece through the writing process of creating paragraphs for each question/answer pair, as well as an introduction and conclusion.
Mrs. K. Mead's class is also working on informational writing. We began working on a piece that will compare Earth and Mars. Students grouped their information by similarities and difference between the planets and began filling in a graphic organizer to plan their writing.
Reading
Students wrapped up their book groups this week. They had some great conversations about their books!
Read Aloud
Mrs. S. Mead's Class continued reading: Chomp. As we continue to saga, Derek comes into contact with a Mastiff Bat, that flew into the crew's catering tent by mistake. Instead of rescuing and releasing the scared animal, Derek decides he wants to pretend he encountered it in the wild, and needs to eat it for survival. Of course, the bat does not think this is a good idea, and promptly latches on to Derek's tongue with it's fangs. Mickey Cray is brought onto the scene to coax the bat off of Derek's bloody face. Meanwhile, Tuna and Wahoo continue the conversation about Tuna's abusive father, and Wahoo learns some hard truths about her life, and in doing so, begins to appreciate how safe and loved he is in his own.
Ms. Jeffrey's class is reading The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle. Mason is so happy that Calvin was rescued and is going to be alright. Lieutenant Baird came back to his house to ask him more questions about Benny's death. Mason realized that the lieutenant thinks Mason had something to do with Benny's death. The lieutenant told him that a rung on the tree house ladder had been tampered with and it was apparent he thinks Mason did it. Mason realized for the first time that there are many people in the town who also suspect him.
Mrs. K Mead's class is The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle by Leslie Connor. This is from this year's Dorothy's List. Mason and Calvin Chumsky have become friends. They bonded quickly after both being mistreated by Matt Drinker and Lance Pierson. Calvin has spent some time at Mason's house getting to know his family including his grandma, Uncle Drum and Shayleen. Shayleen was brought home by Uncle Drum after her found her at the local diner unable to pay for her meal and with no place to go. The Buttles have taken her in and she has a very brother/sister relationship with Mason. Calvin is also getting to know the crumbledown and about Mason's past. Mason is starting to open up to him about what happened to Benny Kilmartin. Mason also continues to write through the Dragon which helps us learn quite a bit about him.
Science
Ms. Jeffrey's class wrapped up their learning about the moon and began learning about gravity. They watched a short video and began a Science Court.
Mrs. K. Mead's class focused on gravity this week. We continued our work with gravity this week. Students calculated their height Earth jump then compared how high they would be able to jump on other planets and moons. It was eye opening to see the comparison
Mrs. S. Mead's students learned this past week about stars and constellations. As your child how the seasons/time of year relate to the different constellations we see in the night sky. Next, we'll be moving on to learning about Gravity before wrapping up this Earth/Space unit before Thanksgiving.
Lunch Bunches
Allergy Free and Safe Settings
Allergy Free and Safe Settings
We have some students on our team with severe, life-threatening allergies to tree nuts, peanuts, and sesame seed and oil. That means foods containing those or foods processed in a facility with those ingredients will not be allowed in the classroom. Please read food labels, including the entire ingredient list, carefully. A safe snack list is posted on the team website for your convenience.
Please plan to pack your child's snack in a separate bag or container to keep the snack away from any lunch items containing tree nuts. Lunches do not have to be allergen-free, and may contain any foods. Everyday students will leave their lunch boxes in crates. Please let us know if you have any questions.
A note from the Odyssey of the Mind Coordinator:
Essex Town Odyssey of the Mind: Registration Open
This is our 9th year of Essex Town Odyssey. Odyssey of the Mind is an international STEAM based program that focuses on creative problem solving for students in kindergarten through college. Teams of 5-7 students work together to creatively solve a long term problem and to practice spontaneous problem solving. The team members must solve the problem--coaches facilitate and guide the group, but can not provide any answers or solutions. They present their solution in an 8 minute skit at the State Tournament in March. If you or your student is interested, please fill out the registration form.
Please follow the link to complete the registration form:
https://forms.gle/oM7dRCQtrdbCqhvn7
For more information about Odyssey, you can check out:
http://vt.odysseyofthemind.org/wp/ and https://www.odysseyofthemind.com
or contact Rachel Preston at preston6vt@gmail.com
Music Blog for Mrs. Ferris
Practice Superstars
Jeffrey:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 20, 21, 22
K. Mead: 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21
S. Mead: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16,17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22
Important Dates
November 25-29 No School for Students
December 23 - January 1 No School for Students
Contact Us
Karen Jeffrey: kjeffrey@ewsd.org
Kelsey Mead: kmead@ewsd.org
Stacey Mead: smead@ewsd.org
Kristi Goyette: kgoyette@ewsd.org
Website: https://www.ewsd.org/Domain/379
Location: Founders Memorial School, Founders Road, Essex Junction, VT, USA
Phone: 802-879-6326