Kindergarten Math with James and the Giant Peach

We recently read James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl.  The students are always encouraged to make pictures in their minds when hearing the words of chapter books.   We tell them that their imagination is a key to enter the world of books.  

In kindergarten, we seek to connect academic work to topics that genuinely interest the students. When we told them that they were going to make math word problems about James and the Giant Peach, they were excited!  Needless to say, the lift-the-flap-to-find-the-answer format made the activity even more fun!

This activity integrates math and literacy and meets the students at their level of skill.  Some kindergarteners chose to do single digit addition problems, while others used larger numbers, subtraction, and even multiplication!

Poetry in Fourth Grade

The fourth grade has been exploring ideas about themselves and the world they live in while also delving into questions that may have no answers through their poetry. Each day we tried something new and went in different directions. The students are now busy revising and editing. They have been working on figuring out where they can take away words that weaken the feeling of their poems and examine if there might be a more concise expression or stronger word to express an action or idea. Here's a sampling of our work:

Kids

Dancing kids

Flattered modern children

Grown-ups, children, parents, children

Ordinary child, capable child

Baby child, kid mother

The schoolboy weeping fury

Bullied child so vulnerable

Little cruel heartless child

Magnificent loving child

~Samara

BARN

Sweet smelling horses

Birdsong a melody

A kind gentle nose, a touch to the hand

Cobwebs line the ceiling

Hay scattered on the floor

An old barn at the end of a twisted lane

Grass up to your knee tickles at the touch

Tall trees sway like dancers with the song of birds you can't see

Wooden barn painted white

You are beautiful in many ways

That is why I always come back to you.  

~ Grace 

Good

It’s hard to be poor.

But it makes people think that it’s easy to be rich.

But that is a lie

There is no man who is better because of money

People think that money is how you make a great nation.

For people must not waste food

For there are people who are hungry

Everyone must be grateful for what

they have.

~ Ian 

Students also read poems and analyzed them in an attempt to get at  different voices. They were challenged to write about what they felt like in order to express their own unique voices. 

Challenges

My mom loves cappuccino.

 I wish I never had a low heart rate.

 I  hate raw eggs. 

Is it bad to confuse someone?

It’s like a challenge. 

I wish it was summer. 

My friends look at me in disgust. 

I look at the pipe cleaners.

~ Elise 

A Perfect Day

      

Today was a perfect day. 

It was warm.

I didn’t even need a sweatshirt.

The air felt warm and smooth.

It was perfect for me.

I saw Mohan walking home.

He looked happy.

Because he also loves warm weather.

I needed water.

The water fountain had cold water.

Exactly what I needed.

The sky was blue and pretty.

It was the first time it felt hot this year. 

In the winter it’s so hard putting coats on.

And parents are always reminding you – put your coat on Laszlo!

But on a day like today,

You can just run outside

Jump around

You don’t need your parents reminding you to wear your coat,

Because you don’t need one.

~ Lazlo 

Goldilocks and A Friend Venn

       A Friend Venn in Susan and Dana's First Grade


First grade enjoyed a visit from some of our 12th grade friends last week. We were thrilled to include them in our activity of creating a Venn diagram. We had fun getting to know our friends by noticing attributes and favorite things that were exclusive to each person, listed in the circles, and those that were shared by both, listed in the intersecting space. This was a chance to have an informal and fun meeting time with some seniors in anticipation of the upcoming activities with our partners soon. 

Next week we will be meeting with our official senior partners to practice for Arbor Day!

The Goldilocks Venn

Earlier in the week we made a class venn diagram by comparing two different versions of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. The diagram was used as a tool to help students compare and contrast the two stories and deepen their comprehension. The first story we read was Leola and the Honeybears, an African-American retelling, by Melodye Benson Rosales. Then we read Abuelo and the Three Bears, a Hispanic version, by Jerry Tello, in English with a little Spanish. Alicia later read Abuelo Y Los Tres Osos, the Spanish version. 


Below is a picture of our Goldilocks Venn. We have loved our Fairy Tale theme and have found many interesting versions of Goldilocks. 






















Little Red is next!

We have just begun exploring various versions of Little Red Riding Hood and next week we will begin our non-fiction research of wolves with Ann BB. We can't wait to learn cool and interesting facts about wolves!

Egypt Night

All Good Things Must Come to an End...

Second grade has recently wrapped up their study of Ancient Egypt. Our study concluded with our Ancient Egypt Museum Tours. We presented to our families and friends our research findings throughout our study. We are so glad families had the experience of visiting our Ancient Egypt Museum. It was wonderful to see our second graders proudly sharing their wealth of knowledge.

Abington Monthly Meeting Day of Service

AFS families are invited to join us for a day of service!

April 28 from 9:00 – Noon

Help us clean the interior and exterior of our beloved 

Meeting House! 

Bring your buckets, mops & brooms, lysol or pinesol cleaners, Murphy’s Oil soap, windex, paper towel or clean rags, Swifer dusters, & vacuums. Or, bring your chain saws for cutting wood, trucks for hauling  wood to the stables, & children’s wagons for hauling small sticks to the stables.  

Meet in the John Barnes Room for Interior and/or Exterior Assignments

Many hands make light work!

Coffee, tea, water, juice, pastries and fresh fruit will be available.