October has been an exciting month. KV was able to go to Green Meadows Farm on our class trip. We were able to pet and feed farm animals, enjoy a hayride, and pick out pumpkins. Kindergarten had a great time and enjoyed baking pumpkin seeds the next day in class.
Miss Velez
In the month of October, the English 10th grade class has been making our way through “Oliver Twist”, by Charles Dickens. Getting the students to spend time at home reading the book was challenging at first. As we discussed the novel in class more and accompanied the discussions with a short viewing of the movie here and there, the interest of the students was sparked and questions flooded the room. Exciting class discussions have borne from this novel, which included the life and experiences of a child and the treatment of orphans. Watching the movie allowed an expression of shared pain and sympathy. It is so exciting. At times the movie is the only thing that is desired, but we must – read on, at home and as a class! I have had the students use their creativity to start writing their own introductions of the book. Some humorous, some sarcastic, some filled with questions and all exceptional. I hope to include some of their own acting and drama with a narrator and judges, sort of like a mini-production. I’ll propose a choice of activities and we’ll see what the class chooses.
Ms. Farrell
In the month of October, the English 9th grade class has been making our way through “A Christmas Carol”, by Charles Dickens. Although the reading may be challenging due to the author’s language and numerous vocabulary words, the story is captivating and allows frequent opportunities to survey our life as it stands today. We have engaged in lively discussions which included the topics of: ‘How do you want to be remembered’, ‘How can you strive to live a life free of regrets’, ‘If you could change one thing in your life, what might that be’, as well as other similar topics of discussion. Usually there are so many responses; the discussion has to be cut off at some point, as we need to move on. We are spending much focus and proceeding with continuous momentum in this novel, because we have a goal to reach and prize to gain, which is to go to the theatre and view the movie on November 9th!
Ms. Farrell
We have been discussing key elements in reading. We have covered Main Idea, Finding Details, Comparing and Contrasting as well as Cause and Effect. While we were discussing comparing and contrasting I had each student put their foot up on the table and we compared our footwear. Although there were many similarities, such as color, laces, or brand, there were also many differences. I explained that you can take 2 items and compare them. The students are also beginning to connect the concepts they are learning in reading and implementing them in other subjects.
Mrs. Bienemann
We have been discussing key elements in reading. We have covered Main Idea, Finding Details, Comparing and Contrasting as well as Cause and Effect. While we were discussing comparing and contrasting I had each student put their foot up on the table and we compared our footwear. Although there were many similarities, such as color, laces, or brand, there were also many differences. I explained that you can take 2 items and compare them. The students are also beginning to connect the concepts they are learning in reading and implementing them in other subjects.
Mrs. Bienemann
While reading the story Rain Rain Go Away, the students were puzzled by the family in the story who was so consumed with the weather. At the slightest chance of rain the family would go inside and hide. When they poured a glass of water they made sure that no water touched them. It wasn’t until the end of the story that we found out the family was made of sugar and dissolved when they got wet. Everything made sense at the end of the story. Sometimes you can’t judge a book by its cover you have to read it to the end.
Mrs. Bienemann
We are beginning a Unit titled Doing the Right Thing. We are talking about kindness and how being kind is doing something for someone without expecting anything in return. We will read about different charities that show kindness to children with terminal illness. One organization named Locks of Love makes hairpieces for children who have lost their hair due to cancer. I explained to the students that I have donated my hair to Locks of Love before and am planning on doing it again in the near future. One student also has donated her hair in the past as well. It is exciting to see that even at a young age you can show kindness to others around you.
Mrs. Bienemann
We have just finished a Reading Unit about exploring the United States. The students have read about the diversity around the country. We also took a look at historic Route 66 and the different tourist attractions on that famous highway. Finally we explored the Southwest and Western United States. The students were very intrigued when reading a story about surfing. They enjoyed comparing skateboarding to surfing.
Mrs. Bienemann
Tuesday October 13th Second Grade went to the library. They were really excited about the trip. They began to sing “There’s joy in our Father’s house” on thier way to our trip, and once we arrived the librarian took us to a special room. She read a story about a Tsunami. They were truly fascinated. Afterwards the librarian took us to the kids’ section, and even allowed the kids to pick a book to read in the library. It was interesting to see some of our girls giggling over a magazine of teen stars. Our boys were engrossed with books of airplanes and dinosaurs. And, of course, we have our girls who love to read Barbie books. Some of the kids commented that they will tell their parents to bring them to the library. What an awesome experience!
Mrs. Boodram
In 10th grade Algebra, we have been studying the properties of exponents. I have been using my new SMART board to show the students the way exponents work. The students are doing a great job learning these concepts.
Mr. Boyd