Vernon Trends!
Check Out What's Happening in the Vernon Schools!
VTHS Artists Learn the "Value" of Art
VTHS students in Mrs. Sabia's photography classes are working on a "Value Project." The inspiration for the assignment begins with one of the students' photographs which can be placed anywhere on their paper. The objective is for the students to add values and designs that both replicate the original photo and compliment it as well. The goal for the student is to create something both visually pleasing and illustrate an understanding of the Elements and Principles of design. The project always seems to even the playing field for the "Beginner" art student compared to the "Advanced" art student, and solidifies the key concepts of the course and discipline.
1st Graders "Buddy-Up" with Numbers
Walnut Ridge 1st graders in Mrs. Talerico’s class are learning about the power of having a buddy in math. To teach the concept of “ten,” Mrs. Talerico introduced the numbers "nine" and "one" as two friends who are buddies on their way to the "Tens Dance," "eight" and "two" are buddies… and so on. The buddy system helps students quickly make a group of ten when adding. When she sees a student struggling, Mrs. Talerico reminds students, “Who is seven bringing?” The students can also refer to the Ten Buddies Chart and quickly respond with, “Three.” Eventually the students will stop referring to the chart and recall who the buddies are through their burgeoning number sense. Manipulatives help reinforce the concept.
GM Students Get "Hooked" on Writing
Mrs. Clifford's and Ms. Roth's 7th grade Language Arts classes have been working on broadening the types of hooks they write and use for introduction paragraphs. The class has created a game called “Hook It!” Some of the strategies practiced include using similes & metaphors, anecdotes, definitions, comparisons, quotes or sayings, and descriptive scenes as hooks. Partner pairs are given a strategy and a possible writing situation. They are asked to develop a hook to grab attention using the given strategy. The winners in each class receive the “Golden Hook Award” for the best written hook. Most importantly, the students get a chance to experiment with different techniques, share ideas, and listen to the ideas of others.
21st Century Differentiation
There are many ways to reach out and help students excel, and the Edmentum PLATO learning environment helps students learn at their pace in a fun, interactive environment. With over 30 courses available to Vernon students in a variety of subject matters, students are able to learn at their own pace while teachers guide and support them. Mr. Ferrara’s classes recently piloted two courses, Introduction to Fashion Design and Principles of Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security. Over the next several weeks these students will learn through games, videos, and assessments. This is one tool that teachers have to help differentiate learning.
5th Graders Dual Code Information
Students in Mrs. Sousa's class use their Chrome books on a daily basis. In the pictured assignment, they are utilizing a split screen to view both their online social studies "techbook" and a cause and effect graphic organizer. Best practice in instructional delivery indicates that students of all ages can benefit from the use of graphic organizers. Their use helps students to "dual code" information and allows them to see information in both linguistic and non-linguistic forms, thus allowing for a deeper exploration of the content. Pictured here, students are working collaboratively to type into a cause and effect chart to discuss and review events and facts regarding the early New England colonies.
Youngsters Learn Through Play
Currently, in Mrs. Cook's preschool classes students are transforming their classrooms into different restaurants. They have a fancy sit down restaurant, a drive thru, a pizzeria, fast food restaurant, and an ice cream shop. Students are practicing their social skills in centers by pretending to be customers and asking politely for food choices when the waiter comes to the table. Children are practicing their literacy skills by creating menus and reading them in the pizzeria. Youngsters are putting their math skills to use by counting money, using patterns to create pizza toppings, and give the correct number of scoops of ice cream to the customers.
Biographies Come to Life at CM
Several famous leaders, athletes, and entertainers made cameo appearances in Mrs. Percey's Second Grade classroom, as Cedar Mountain students celebrated "Meet Your Hero Day." Students presented biography book presentations and transformed themselves into their notable person, boosting their interest level in learning life stories. Students learned about people who overcame problems, faced obstacles and criticism but persevered to succeed. The class had appearances by Rosa Parks, Abraham Lincoln, Babe Ruth, John Chapman (aka Johnny Appleseed), George Washington, LeBron James, and Florence Nightingale, to name a few.
6th Grade LA Students R-A-C-E to Writing
Students in Mrs. Papandrea’s 6th grade Language Arts classes are working in small groups to break down and better understand how to attack a Research Simulation assignment in Language Arts. With the support and planning of Jessica Rostami, Literacy Coach, students have been able to dissect questions, write thesis statements, and read with a lens to properly answer questions. Students are given tools to read and take notes, highlight important information and finish with an essay written using the R-A-C-E format. (Restate, Answer, Cite and Explain/extend). The strategy allows students to deeply explore their writing potential and gain the skills necessary to write thoughtful, coherent, and well-organized pieces.
Your Artists Blossom at RHPS
In fulfillment of Scott Adams' quote which asserts: "Creativity is allowing yourselves to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep," Rolling Hills students are busy creating, assessing, and appreciating art. Students' study of art across the K-12 curricular continuum focuses, in part, on the Elements and Principles of Design or the building blocks of art. Recently, Rolling Hills fourth graders, under the tutelage of Mrs. Ulrich, practiced and explored the concept of abstract art through their focus on line design. The final products are currently on display in the board office and reflect an exciting and engaging exploration of the concept. Congratulations to the schools' young artists!
9th Graders Pyramid Their Way to Success
In VTHS's Freshman Academy, teachers are not only supporting the growth of strong academic students, teachers are working towards helping students develop the character skills that create a well-rounded individual too. Lessons are created using John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success that guide and enable students to make good choices that promote both individual and academic success. Throughout the year, students who exemplify these character traits are awarded certificates and are recognized at Freshman Academy Assemblies.
Vernon Township School District
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Website: www.vtsd.com
Location: PO Box 99 Route 515, Vernon, NJ, 07462
Phone: 973-764-2900
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Twitter: @VernonTwpSD