Green Meadow Update
Robert Rouleau
Preschool News
Dear Families and Friends,
This week we will continue to learn about dinosaurs and volcanoes – how volcanoes are formed and why they erupt. Last week we learned the meaning of the word “extinct” and discussed the differences between living vs. non-living things and what living things need in order to live and grow. We will continue to talk about dinosaurs, their habitats, and how they were the same but different. There are a lot of hands-on science activities planned for this week!
For a copy of this week’s activities, please click on the following link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lii7hUv9R5zCHmL5necK5qEmCeXQs2Gc/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=115159854781554423139&rtpof=true&sd=true
Important information and reminders:
- Friendly reminder for families of children entering Kindergarten in the fall – If you haven’t already done so, please return completed registration forms as soon as you can. Thank you.
- Last Thursday evening we held our Preschool Information Night for new parents/caregivers who might possibly be interested in enrolling their child for the 2022-2023 school year. Applications for next year were distributed at that time and are now available in the front office. Please spread the word to any parents/caregivers you know who might be interested!
- Friday, January 28th – no school for preschool students
- Friday, February 4th – no school for preschool students
- Monday, February 14th – Friendship and Valentine’s Day. A class list of names will be sent home if you would like your child to distribute Valentines to classmates.
- Week of February 21st – February vacation
jvasta@maynard.k12.ma.us
Preschool Application
If you were not able to attend the Preschool Night on Thursday, January 20, 2022, please keep an eye out for the PK application which will be available on our school's website early this week.
The Green Meadow Preschool Program offers 3 day and 5 day options with AM, PM, and Full Day Sessions.
3rd Grade News
Ahoy 3rd Grade Families,
This week in Fundations we focused on reviewing base words and suffixes, as well as using -s and -es to make words plural. Students completed the activities of "Base Word Suffix Detective" and "Pick the Right Word" which reinforced these skills. We are now working with "sound alike words" and have practiced know/no and which/witch.
During our literacy routine, students continued using Lexia and ReadWorks. Lexia is an adaptive blended learning program that accelerates the development of literacy skills for students of all abilities, helping them make that critical shift from learning to read to reading to learn. ReadWorks is a platform driven by cognitive science and thoughtfully designed to provide differentiated high-impact instruction that builds better readers. Students viewed/listened to Emmanuel's Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah by Laurie Ann Thompson, and made connections to our social studies discussions. We also spent time with our "good fit" books for Read to Self.
During Writer's Workshop we continued the unit on OPINION ESSAY. Students are hard at work drafting their "Reason" paragraphs for their essay. Using a graphic organizer, each student types a reason and three supporting example sentences. Then they combined all four sentences into paragraphs.
We continued our read-aloud chapter book, Molly Moon's Incredible Book of Hypnotism by Georgia Byng. Through read-aloud time I model what good readers are thinking and doing while spending time with text. Molly and Rocky are tasked with the impossible jewel robbery of Shorings Bank. Ask your child why they are agreeing to do this crime, and what they predict will happen. For more information about the story, please visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molly_Moon%27s_Incredible_Book_of_Hypnotism
In math we are exploring multiplication strategies with factors. We learned how to use 2 when seeing 4 as a factor, and strategies for using 5 and 10 as factors. Ask your child to explain them. I am highly encouraging students to practice SKIP COUNTING by 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, and 9 so that they become as fluent as when they skip count by 2, 5, and 10. Students have also been working on Khan Academy, Symphony Math, and Reflex Math to strengthen their independent skills.
For science we have begun a Life Science Unit on ECOSYSTEMS. Ask your child to define "ecosystem" (we use physical movements to help us remember!). We've discussed the basic needs of living organisms, and how changes in the environment can affect them.
This afternoon we will do another "FUN FRIDAY" where we will play whole-class virtual interactive games of Kahoot! This multiple-choice quiz platform is a fun way to review important lessons and skills. Today's games will focus on Snow! and a review of Multiplication using 0, 1, 2, 5, and 10.
Please remember both you and your child can always access our Google Classroom to review materials and strengthen the home/school connection.
Now that winter weather is upon us the outside grounds can become wet/slushy/mucky/snowy/icky...etc...We go out to recess every day!
I am asking students to please bring a change of shoes EVERY DAY so that they have a dry, clean pair to wear in our classroom. It would be greatly appreciated if you can help your child remember to wear boots to school for outside recess AND bring sneakers/other shoes to change into once inside our classroom(***especially on FRIDAYS for GYM). If you prefer to send in sneakers/shoes which they will keep in our room all week (and take home for the weekends) that would be fine. Otherwise we will make sure they pack up all their belongings to leave each day. Also, please be sure their snow pants are LABELED with their NAME. Many pants look similar and students can accidentally grab another pair by mistake. Please let me know if you have any questions/concerns.
KIND REMINDER: If you need to change your child's dismissal plan, please send in a WRITTEN NOTE including my name (Mrs. McPhail), the date, your child's name, and a brief description of the plan. Please do NOT email me with the change during the school day for that afternoon. I cannot guarantee I will see the email because I'm teaching/working with your children/not near my computer, or there could be a problem with the technology system in the building on any given day. The SAFEST, BEST WAY is to always send a note with your child.
Until next week....BON VOYAGE ! -------------------------------------------------------------------
THINGS TO REMEMBER/UPCOMING EVENTS:
- EARLY RELEASE DAY---------->FRIDAY, JANUARY 28th
- EARLY RELEASE DAY---------->FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4th
- Scholastic Online Book Order due--------->Thursday, February 10th [class activation code: FPM6Z]
- FEBRUARY VACATION-------->MONDAY-FRIDAY, Feb. 21st-25th NO SCHOOL
Melissa McPhail, M.Ed/CAGS [She/Her/Hers]
Grade 3 Teacher
Green Meadow School
Maynard, MA
Green Meadow School Visioning Committee
Workshop 1, encompassed discussion about educational priorities and considerations including: whole child approach, innovation, hands-on learning, and integrated use of technology.
The workshop also included discussions regarding architectural priorities. The discussions were centered around creating a safe and welcoming environment, inspiring learning spaces, making sure the building is ready for the future, and making sure that it's sustainable as well as functional and cost effective.
We are looking forward to the upcoming meetings and are hopeful that one day in the near future all of these plans will come to fruition.
Thank You!
All parents will be invited to a future presentation in the upcoming weeks. Please be on the lookout for the information that's to come.
Upcoming Events / Important Dates
February 4 - Early Release Day / Dismissal at 11:45 AM / No Preschool
February 14 - Valentine's Day
February 21-25 - No School / February Vacation
About Us
Email: rrouleau@maynard.k12.ma.us
Website: https://www.maynard.k12.ma.us/o/green-meadow-school
Location: 5 Tiger Drive, Maynard, MA, USA
Phone: (978) 897-8246