Monday 4/29

The children started their morning with Writing.  Some first graders worked on their feelings books based on the book Courage.

There was a rehearsal for the spring concert today with another first grade classroom. We hope you can make it to Town Hall on Friday at 9:00.

Kindergarteners did some research about animals today to prepare for their trip to the zoo on Wednesday, May 8th.  Please send back the permission slip asap.  If you would like to chaperone please send an email to ldichter@arlington.k12.ma.us

First graders learned about food that is bought at a Saturday market in Mexico.  They will be recording the temperature daily both in Arlington and Mexico City for the week.

We split into two groups to learn new math games.  Tomorrow the kids will buddy up and teach someone else their game.

The day ended with Open Circle.

**Please send in empty toilet paper rolls and paper bags (the kind from Traders Joes and Whole Foods) for upcoming projects.**

Reminder-1:00 Early Release on Tuesday

Friday 4/26

Thanks to everyone that came to our Math-In!

After reading a Time for Kids, we spent time talking about how we can help- others, our neighborhood, our environment. Ask your child for one of their great ideas.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Thursday 4/25

The Ks put on a wonderful assembly today!! First we listened to a story called Heartprints. Ask your child what they do to leave heartprints wherever they go. Then the kids surprised the audience with a catchy song. Finally we all sang the Stratton Pride chant.
We hope to see many of you at our math in tomorrow!

Wednesday, 4/24

We had math twice today!!  This morning the kids learned how to play Two Dice Toss.  Ask your child how they know when the game is over.  Some kids got to a place value activity as well.  Practice counting by tens at home.  This afternoon the kids moved through math stations and one art project.  The stained glass flowers look beautiful hanging up on our windows.  Ms. Serrao read a fairy tale with a twist- Princess Pigtoria and the Pea.  First graders learned about temperature today.

**Please send back the completed permission slip for the concert rehearsal and concert as soon as possible.  Thank you!**

Important Upcoming Dates

Friday, April 26th 8:10-8:45 Math-In

Tuesday, April 30th 1:00 Early Release

Wednesday, May 1st 12:00-2:00 First Grade Cinco de Mayo Celebration

Friday, May 3th 9:00 Spring Concert at Town Hall

Check this out!

After learning about African animals for a few weeks, the first graders created African Animal Research Books on Explain Everything.

Tuesday 4/23

**Pride assembly on Thursday. Please wear your pride colors**

wish list- glue sticks please!

During math, the kids were introduced to place value. When collecting cubes, the kids are learning to put 10 together in a tower of 10.
There are 10 digits. What if you have two digits-2 and 6. What two numbers can you make out of these two digits?

We had music this morning instead of afternoon. I stayed for the beginning of the special, and got a sneak peek of one of the songs for the spring concert next week. I hope you are able to come to Town Hall next Friday. The kids also moved to the high and low notes.

Monday, 4/22

Welcome back!  We hope everyone was able to find some time to spend with those they love.  The children had a smooth transition back to school.  Here are some resources from Open Circle if you need some support with the recent tragedy:

• A National Tragedy: Helping Children Cope
• Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers - English

We started our morning with writing about our vacation.  It sounds like most families were very busy!  We spent much of our day learning about Earth Day.  Here are some of the ways we celebrated: 

--watching a video clip about the holiday (above)

-reading Time for Kids about reducing, reusing, and recycling 

-watching a clip about recycling paper

-playing an Earth Day game

-making an Earth Day bookmark

-writing about how we can help the Earth

-read-aloud of Miss Rumphius- Here's an online version if you would like to listen to the story with your child 

Ask your child one way they plan on helping our Earth. 

Some great ideas were: picking up litter at the park, using both sides of the page, helping the grown-ups bring the recycle bin to the street, turning off the water when brushing your teeth, donating toys when you are done with them.

**wish list- glue sticks :) 

Friday 4/12

What a fun day we had!!

We started our morning singing our moon song on the intercom after the pledge.

First graders finished publishing a story-They came out great! First graders are wrapping up their study of Africa.
Kindergarteners had finish up time and book time.
We had a mystery reader this morning-Jane's grandfather from Canada!

We had an author celebration this afternoon with 2 other first grade classes!

Our day ended with a visit from Jill's
Grandfather Tutti & Carol & their 3 day old chicks!!

**Wish list- glue sticks**

Have a wonderful week!

Thursday, 4/11

We had a blast this morning as we wrote a class song about travelling to the moon with Liza!!!  Is your child humming the tune of the song like I still am!?
Recording coming soon....
Ks watched a Magic School Bus video about space.  They also wrote another page in their space fact book. 

1s listened to Zomo the Rabbit and created puppets to act out the story.  They also took a Fundations test-Look for it in your child's folder tomorrow.
Ks spent some time in Ms. Marsh's Kindergarten class practicing for the assembly.  They also had choice in there for the second time!

1s spent their indoor recess time in Mrs. Frost's first grade class making new friends and seeing some familiar faces from last year.

It's hard to believe that we are already thinking about expanding our friendships groups to include people that might be in our class next year!

Note from Mr. Hanna: Changes in morning drop-off

Dear Stratton Community:

Some families have cited concerns about the safety of students when they arrive to and depart from Stratton School.  Specifically, the faculty and visitor parking lot is very active, with live parking, and many cars coming and going at the same time as many students are walking through it.  The School Council took up the issue at our January 14^th meeting.  Some members of the Council shared history of trying to make the drop off and pick up as safe as possible.  It was agreed that there are, and always have been pros and cons to any proposed solution.  However, it seemed prudent to the Council and to me to close the parking lot to entering cars at the times that are high traffic for children and their parents coming in and out of the building. So beginning on the Monday after April break – April 22 - we will block off the entrance and exit to the parking lot from 8-8:30 am, and again from 1:45-2:30 pm.  The Council and I believe that this will be the best way to improve safety for all children.  The following are some recommendations to families to prepare to adjust to this changed procedure:

·         Arrive earlier: Students can safely arrive on the blacktop or inside starting at 8am.  For this year, they may come between 7:45-8:05 to have breakfast in the Cafeteria.

·         If you must park in order to escort younger children, park further down on Mountain Avenue, or on Pheasant Street.  There seems to be some under-utilized parking on Pheasant near the blacktop

·         With the parking lot closed only to foot traffic at 8am, you could drop off on Mountain Avenue near the parking lot, and allow your child to walk to the blacktop or entrance

·         If you drop off in the Mountain Circle, make sure your parking is live

As with all procedure changes, this may cause some initial inconvenience.  I hope that it is clear that we are interested first and foremost with children’s safety, and it is for this reason that we are making this change.  Please call or write anytime with any questions or concerns.

Kind regards,

Mr. Hanna

Wednesday, 4/10

Kindergarteners were very engaged this morning during a read-aloud to gain more background knowledge about space... They are also in the middle of listening to Midnight on the Moon.

Ask your child to tell you one fact about space.

First graders listened to Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears.  They also watched a clip of it:

http://video.nhptv.org/video/1689064464/

Ask your child to tell you about one African folktale they have enjoyed.

Please help remind your child of good hygiene habits as many yucky bugs are going around our classroom!  Washing hands, sneezing/coughing into elbow, keeping fingers out of noses/pants, etc.

Have a great night!

Thompson Play: Looking for K-2 participants!

Dear Thompson K-2 families:
Thompson Drama Project is continuing with our 7th season of our wonderful school playtradition and this year's production, We'll Be Better Later - A Comedy for a Computer Crazed World, is in the works! The cast of 50 children from grades 3-5 as well as crew members, parent volunteers, costume sewers and set builders have been busy pulling together what promises to be an exciting production!
But we're missing a big piece: we need K-2 boys and girls to be a part of the CYBER DREAM TEAM! They will represent the dreams that the kids in the detention center are having about the technology (cell phones, ipads, computer games, etc) that they are missing. The kids will have costumes which include technology laden hats, and will walk about amongst the "inmates" during their dreams. While K-2 students traditionally have non-speaking roles, new for this year is that K-2 kids will appear ON STAGE (that is, on the big stage at Arlington High School)! It's a great way to introduce our younger students to the stage and hopefully many will want to continue in the years ahead. For K-2, no auditions are necessary; anyone who signs up will be a part of the dream scene ensemble. There is no fee to participate and a fabulous costume is provided (kids will need to wear either a black shirt and black pants OR a white shirt and white pants underneath).
The K-2 kids will need to come to 2 rehearsals and 2 performances, all at the Arlington High School (AHS) auditorium. We're hoping K-2 actors will be available to come to both rehearsals and both performances, but let me know if you have a conflict—if your child wants to participate, we'd love for them to be a part of it - however they can.
Rehearsals: 
Friday, April 26 at 3:30-5:00 at the AHS auditorium
Monday, May 6 at 4:00 - 5:30 at the AHS auditorium (this is the dress rehearsal)
Performances (K-2 kids will need to arrive at 6:15pm both nights): 
Wednesday, May 8 at 7:00pm at the AHS auditorium (play lasts approx. 1 hour)
Thursday, May 9 at 7:00pm at the AHS auditorium (play lasts approx. 1 hour)
And of course we can use some parental help in supervising kids and helping with costumes, so don't be shy!
To sign up your K-2 child and/or to volunteer, go to: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/904044AAAAD2-k2actors
Please add your child's name, grade & teacher to the "My comment" box. PLEASE SIGN UP BY FRIDAY, APRIL 12. Those who sign up will be contacted with further details after school vacation.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Thanks. 
Angela Alton
mom of Eve (gr 5) & Hannah (gr 7)

Tuesday 4/9

Yesterday, our read aloud was The Listening Walk. We all went on a listening walk this afternoon! We also used our senses of touch, smell and sight.

Look at these scientists:

Monday, 4/8

Today the Kindergarteners were busy creating a huge outer space scene on the blacktop, complete with rocket ships and Pluto, which, as we know, is "not really a planet!"

First graders continued to work on their African animal research projects.

Friday 4/5

We started our morning with Friday finish-up! Everyone was so busy!
After the third grade assembly about peace, all classes were encouraged to spend time thinking about what makes you feel peaceful. Ms. Dichter read A Little Peace with beautiful photographs from around the world. Each child drew and wrote what makes them feel peaceful.  Our peace signs are right outside of our classroom.

Choice time fun!!

Creation Station!

It's your turn... 

Doggies building their dog houses!

We ended our day reading a Time for Kids about author/illustrator Dan Yaccarino. There was a quote from him in which he said kids should turn off the TV sometimes and play outside or play with people. We had a great conversation about this! I read one of his funny books- Boy + Bot.

Enjoy this beautiful weather!!

Thursday 4/4

We started the morning with math stations.  The kids learned a new app to practice the friends of 10-Math Tappers.  Practice saying the combinations to ten at home (0+10=10, 1+9=10, 2+8=10, etc...)

1s working hard to create an African animal fact book.  

The kids amazed me with how quickly they learned to use a new (complicated!) app.  They'll continue to add photos, find pictures online, and snap photos of their drawings.  Once they are completed, they'll be shared out.  

Ks exploring the NASA app to increase their background knowledge of space!

Look how creative some Ks are during choice in their astronaut gear!!

Wednesday 4/3

We started our day with P.E. and writing.  The kids had a nice book time after snack.  Some kids read independently with others chose to read with a buddy. 
This afternoon we focused on two springtime activities!  The children wrote spring poems and made creative flowers out of many materials.
We made up a list of spring things we are excited to say hello to and things from the winter that we are saying goodbye to.
Some ideas were:
hello sun, goodbye snow
hello green grass, goodbye snowy grass
hello flowers, goodbye empty gardens
hello short sleeve shirts, goodbye long sleeve shirts
hello sneakers, goodbye boots

We ended our day with math stations.  Ask your child to tell you about one game they played.

Ice Age iMovie

Here is Ms. Dichter's first iMovie!!! 
Ice Age iMovie

Tuesday 4/2

Regular Tuesday in Room 8!

Most first graders finished up their African animal packets. They will work on an iPad project later this week.

Mrs. Bouhafs led fun activities about Egypt.

Kindergarteners are writing facts in their moon and space fact book.

Kindergarteners were so excited to see themselves as astronauts on the moon!!!

Each child taught their math game from yesterday to a partner.  Ask your child who their partner was.

Monday, 4/1

We hope everyone had a nice long weekend!

Did March go out like a lion or a lamb? Ask your child what they think!

The third graders hosted a PRIDE assembly this morning.  We listened to The Peace Book. 
Ask your child what makes them feel peaceful.

Ks worked on making the background for a space bulletin board.  Picture to come later...
1s made their own clocks.  Practice telling time to the hour at home.

Our new topic for math is subtraction.  We watched Annie & Moby... You could watch it again at home! It's called "Basic Subtraction."  Then we split into two groups during math.  One group learned how to play Bulldozer.  The other group learned 10s Frame Subtraction.  Tomorrow the kids will partner up and teach the game to someone from the other group.