• May072012
    Merry May

    POSTED AT 11:53 AM

     

          May is a busy month in room 212.  The children are continuing to practice expository writing by researching an organism and sharing that knowledge through writing and art.  Our class will have an Open House the morning of the 25th to share the culmination of that learning with you. 

          The third and final neighborhood Audubon field trip will occur this month. The focus will be similar to that of the fall and winter explorations with emphasis on plants/trees and the life cycle.  I will notify you of the date once it is confirmed.

          Looking ahead to June, we will make a trip to the tide pools at Sandy Point Reservation at the south end of Plum Island on June 7th.   This will come at the conclusion of the grade level study of tide pools.  We welcome all parents as chaperones.  We regret that siblings are not able to accompany us on this trip.  I hope that you can join us for this experience as students explore familiar habitats with knew knowledge and interest.

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    Apr022012
    April Showers, please!

    POSTED AT 07:08 PM

     

         Spring is definitely in the air as evidenced by our Cole School first graders preparing for the Expo.  The children are working on projects in art, music, physical education and library sciences to share with on you Friday, April 13th.  When you come to the cafeteria for the musical portion of the program, I suggest that you sit on the right side of the cafe’ facing the stage. This will ensure optimal viewing opportunities.  You do not want to miss a moment!  They sound terrific and sing with gusto and heart. 

         A word about the weather: just because the thermometer promises to reach 50 degrees, it can still be very cold on the playground.  I urge you to err on the side of multiple layers.  Gloves tucked into a pocket can be handy on these windy days.  

         Conversely, when it is promised to be a hot day, our classroom is extremely warm.  Tee shirts and shorts are a must for these days.

         Please continue to send water bottles with your child.  The children consume more water when they are drinking from a bottle then they do when drinking from the water bubbler. 

         Our classroom is wishing for some disinfecting wipes for cleaning the tables each day.  If you have any extra in your home and are able to share, we would appreciate it.  Enjoy the Spring!     

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    Mar062012
    Spring?

    POSTED AT 02:28 PM

         Although the winter has been exceptionally mild, we are looking forward to celebrating the Spring equinox.  In keeping with an eye on spring, each day when the sun shines, we check the movement of our shadows when we are out at recess.  We know that at lunch recess, if we face our shadows, we are facing due north.  This observation fits in nicely with our map studies.
        March is nutrition month.  Not only are we correctly answering the nutrition question of the day, we are having daily conversations  about healthy eating and living. The kids are interested and wanting to know more. Keep an eye out for more nutrition information coming in the backpacks. 
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    Feb022012
    February

    POSTED AT 12:00 PM

        As I write this message the thermometer reads 52 degrees!  It is hard for me to think of Valentine's Day and Super Bowl games in spite of what the calendar says. None-the-less, it is February. 
       Our class is collecting small boxes to use as Valentine's catchers.  The classic holder is an empty tissue box.  If you have any other vessels that would serve the same purpose, please send them in to class.  If you have extras, please send those as well.  We will be decorating them as the day draws near.
         Please be mindful of how cold our playground can be even on these mild winter/spring days.  The wind blows through with purpose making recess a chilly event.
         Our classroom continues to discuss how we can include all children.  Our class is filled with "friend detectives"  who seek out children on the playground who appear to be alone.  They invite the child to play with them making the world a kinder place to be.  We share these stories, and others of kindness towards others following recess.  It only takes a minute to make someone go from "lonely" to "wanted".
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    Jan122012
    A New Year

    POSTED AT 11:59 AM

        We begin our month by talking of the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  He is an inspiration and an American hero.  The children have enjoyed adding to their knowledge base of  Dr. King.  We have likened his teachings to the atmosphere at Cole School where we work to include each other and treat each other with respect.  We have concluded that we are fortunate to be living in a post Dr. King world.  May we never forget his lessons of creating change through peace.
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    Dec012011
    December Thoughts

    POSTED AT 12:12 PM


           I look forward to seeing you at our conference.  If for some reason you cannot make our time,  please let me know. We can easily reschedule 
          We will have a Solstice Celebration on December 22.  It will involve p.j.'s and flashlights.  Watch for more information as the time draws near. 
         As part of our awareness of others, the Super Stars of room 212 have been charged with being "Friend Detectives."  Ask your child to explain this concept to you.
         Best wishes to you and your family.

     Debbie Holt
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    Oct052011
    Salutations!

    POSTED AT 07:34 AM

        Your student may have told you that I want them to make mistakes.  It is true.  I have told them from the first day of first grade that if they do not make mistakes, they are not doing their jobs as learners.  I liken it to the Goldilocks principle: if the work is too easy, no errors; if the work is too difficult, hopelessness; if the work is just right, mistakes are made as risks are taken and thoughts are processed. We celebrate academic risk taking and are champions of errors.  Through our mistakes, we learn so much. 
         Keep your eye out for a notice from Mr. Middleton-Cox about our annual Halloween parade. (Hint: it is on Halloween!)  It will be a goulish time for all!
         Enjoy!
     
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