School Notes

   The kindergarten teachers are practicing Responsive Classroom. Although the kindergarten family is housed in two separate buildings, they make every effort to unite the students by getting together at various times during the month. All the kindergarten children get together on these occasions, at the Indian Fields at Dayton campus, to participate in Responsive Classroom activities such as sing-a-longs, dance and outdoor play on the playground.
First Grade
   After spending time reading non-fiction books about Thanksgiving, the first graders celebrated the holiday by enjoying a Thanksgiving feast. Students dressed as pilgrims and Native Americans wearing traditional garb while feasting on foods such as muffins, grapes and bread with butter made by students in their classrooms. While they ate, students shared with each other the many things they are thankful for in their lives.
Second Grade
   Second grade has just completed their study of life cycles. The highlight of the studies was to nurture and observe the life cycle of the monarch butterfly. It began with the arrival of every tiny larva that began to eat. The children anxiously awaited the arrival of their butterfly friends. After a few days of observation, the students reluctantly released their newly found friends into the world, knowing that each creature had a cycle to complete.Third Grade
   The third-grade student are creating legends. In addition, the students are excited about their crayfish unit. They are learning about their structures, behaviors and observing them daily. Art teacher Katina Ewaskieweicz is integrating this science unit into her art class by having the students sketch and create crayfish papier mache.
Basic Skills
   Operation Bookwork is up and running in K-1. The program provides volunteer reading buddies who share their love of literature with emerging readers. The Reading Connection, a monthly parent newsletter, offers suggestions for literacy activities and is funded by the PTO.
Resource Room
   The students read "Frindle and Hatchet" and enjoyed learning about dictionaries and even experimented with their own new words. The students learned survival skills and came to appreciate suspenseful writing. The younger students have been reading about animals and writing factual sentences.