Thank you, Mystery Readers!

We are enjoying our Friday afternoons! We love having mystery readers! We have listened to great stories. So far, thanks to Nate's Mom and Caroline's Mom. We have also had 2 special mystery readers! Ms. Donovan and Mr. Hanna!

Science

This week we finished up our study of pumpkins. We did a science experiment with sinking and floating! First we made predictions about whether apples and pumpkins would sink or float. Then we observed what happened and made further predictions about testing bigger pumpkins. After these experiments, the kids turned and talked about what might be making apples and pumpkins both float but to different degrees. We then tested a water bottle with just air inside and a water bottle filled with water.
Take a look at our Venn diagram comparing apples and pumpkins.

Open Circle Parent Workshops

OPEN CIRCLE PARENT WORKSHOPS 2012
For Parents of children Grades K-5
Three-week program Mon. Oct. 22, 29, and
Nov. 5 REGISTRATION REQUIRED
**Meeting Location- Arlington High School Room- 303 7:00-8:30 p.m.
We invite you to join a Parent Group based on the Open Circle Program developed at the Stone Center, Wellesley College. In this three week program, you will learn how to reinforce the social and problem solving skills learned by your children at school.
Here is an opportunity for a limited number of parents to join an interactive program that focuses on the skills your children are learning in the Open Circle Program. This program will suggest ways by which parents can successfully reinforce these lessons at home. The program is designed to teach parents the language and skills their children use in Open Circle in order to develop cooperation, problem solving, self-control and responsibility. The parent forum will help you to adapt these same techniques at home and to develop more effective parenting.
PRESENTER: Debby Broadley MA LMHC is leading these Parent Workshops.
Debby has over 30 years of experience working with children and families. She has worked for many years as a mental health clinician for a large Early Intervention Program and she currently consults to the Arlington Public Schools. Debby leads a variety of parent groups and seminars and has a private psychotherapy practice.
**Debby is a K consultant in our classroom and she's fantastic!**
RESERVATIONS: Since the group will be limited in size to allow for discussion. Spaces will be filled on a first come first-serve basis.
Please call Carlene Newell at 781-316-3571 or e-mail her at cnewell@arlington.k12.ma.us to reserve a place or to obtain more information. Leave or include your phone number and e-mail address when you call. There will be a $25.00 charge for course materials. Payment must be received to save your spot. Checks should be made out to TOWN OF ARLINGTON
And mailed to Carlene Newell A.H.S.Collomb House 869 Mass. Ave. Arlington,Mass. 02476
DIRECTIONS TO LOCATION: Park in front of A.H.S. Enter the School Committee Door (to the left of the main entrance there is a door to get to School Committee Meetings) enter, take a left, go through two red doors and room 303 is on the left after you go through the second door. 

Pop! Pop! Pop!

We explored with our five senses today!  

The kids used their senses with popcorn and came up with fantastic describing words.

 

A big thank you to our fabulous Wednesday afternoon volunteer-  Tanya (Jane's Mom).  She also works with Ms. Rowley in Kindergarten.  Thanks, Ms. Serrao!

Open Circle: Nonverbal signals & compliments

Dear Family:

In Open Circle recently, we talked about nonverbal signals. A nonverbal signal is a way of communicating without using words. We tried out many nonverbal signals that we already know, such as the signals for okay, no, great job, and let’s be quiet. We talked about why it might be helpful to have some nonverbal signals in the classroom that everyone agrees to and is clear about instead of using words. The class chose several nonverbal signals that we agreed to use this year in the classroom. Ask your child to demonstrate these signals. Ask your child to demonstrate some other nonverbal signals and have you guess what they mean. You and your child might want to develop your own nonverbal signals to use at home.

At another Open Circle Meeting, we talked about giving and receiving compliments. A compliment is saying something good about someone, such as something they do well or something they did that was helpful. Giving compliments in a classroom community is important because it makes others feel noticed and appreciated. Getting a compliment is similar to getting a gift. We learned that when you receive a compliment, you should say, “Thank you!” Each student in the class was given a compliment and practiced responding. At home, be sure to compliment your child often for doing good deeds, being thoughtful, and doing things well. If your child gives you a compliment at home, be sure to say, “Thank you!”

Yours truly, Nicole & Lynne

Literature Connections

Here are some books that relate to the topics we discussed in Open Circle. You might want to check out one or two at the library and read with your child:

Aliki. Manners. Greenwillow Books, 1990.
Short cartoon-format “essays” discuss manners, giving examples of good and
bad manners.

Cheng, Andrea. Grandfather Counts. Lee & Low Books, 2003.
Helen and her grandfather use nonverbal signals to communicate with each other until they learn each other’s languages.

       Curtis, Jamie Lee. I’m Gonna Like Me: Letting off a Little Self-Esteem. Joanna Cotler Books, 2002.

A little girl gives herself compliments for all the things she does, or tries to do! This book gives children good examples of the behaviors and traits that they might observe and compliment in themselves or in other people.

Calling all volunteers!

*In class volunteers 

    ~weekly, bi-weekly or monthly

*At home volunteers

    ~help out on the comfort of your     

         couch!  cutting, gluing, sorting...

    ~as often as you can!

Email us if you're interested in helping out in Room 8!

Come be a mystery reader!  A one-time commitment! 

Fridays 1:30-2:00 or contact us if that time never works for you.

Sign up here: http://tinyurl.com/mysteryreaders

Our first PRIDE assembly!

Look at us in our tie-dye shirts!!! Purple for K and blue for 1.

Show your PRIDE:

Perseverance

Respect & Responsibility

Independence
Dedication
Empowerment

We end each assembly singing the Stratton Pride Song.  Mr. Hanna shared an audio clip on Twitter. 

Listen to it here:  http://chirb.it/FIBBcM