RES Kids Spring Fling

Sign Up Online: https://tinyurl.com/mru2j92

Contact: Wendy Touchette at wendy.touchette@cesuvt.org with questions.

PS: Rumor has it Mr. G will be there!

Celebrating Culture and Our Learning

A huge thanks to all the families that joined us today to celebrate the awesome learning of our students!  They worked hard to learn about how where you live impacts how you live by comparing and contrasting two countries.  Their writing was amazing and the breakfast foods this morning were very tasty.  

The RES Quest ~ Our New School Song

On Monday, fourth graders had the honor of working with Jon Gailmor.  Jon Gailmor is a talented songwriter, singer and educator.  We invited Jon Gailmor to RES to help us write a new school song!  Fourth graders focused on our core beliefs: Respect Yourself, Respect Others and Respect Your Environment. They thought about how these words that we live by make Richmond Elementary School such an incredible community and place to be.    

 

Link to video:

https://youtu.be/vJFJkLpXkAs

You can learn more about Jon Gailmor on his website:

http://www.jongailmor.com/

Flynn Trip: Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters

Earlier this week, Susanna Olson, a teaching artist from the Flynn Center for Performing Arts came to RES to preview some of the acting techniques the actors will be using when we visit the Flynn to see the show Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters.  We also learned about some of the props that will be used in the show, especially spirit poles and masks.

If you find extra time over vacation, it might be fun to try out some of the additional activities available in the activity guide.  Of particular interest to third graders might be the exploration of the many variations of the Cinderella fairy tale, particularly since we will be diving into a writing unit after the break!

Breakfast Around the World!

Breakfast Around the World

Friday, April 21st

9:00-10:00 AM in the RES Cafeteria

For the past six weeks, students have been researching cultures around the world during Reading Workshop, and are using a variety of note taking strategies to gather and organize the information they've learned.  During Writing Workshop, students have been using this information to write articles about the cultures they've studied, working to find connecting ideas between two different cultures and writing to support their ideas with facts.  With all of this hard work under our belts, we're ready to celebrate!

If you're able, please volunteer to bring a breakfast (or snack) item from around the world on the Sign-Up Genius and join in celebrating all of the learning students have accomplished!

What Does Math Look Like in the Classroom?

In our current math unit, we are focusing on efficient strategies for addition and subtraction.  The goal is for students to strengthen their number sense, so the emphasis is on place value strategies.  That is why we don't rush students into learning the traditional US algorithm for these operations until 4th grade.
While every student develops along the path at their own pace (some might be learning the algorithm earlier), the following video gives you an idea of how it looks.

Learning to Type at Home

Technology continues to be another important tool that we are using to enhance the learning of our students.  One way that you can help them at home is to provide time to practice typing.  Students who are still hunting and pecking to type can find the technology frustrating.

We have been using the new version of Edutyping this year to teach students how to type. Students love that the new version moves quickly through the lessons.  Students can access this program through our school website and continue their practice at home.  

Also, the following is a website with various resources that your student could access to practice their typing:

Resources for Typing

Please encourage your child to spend some time at home each week practicing their typing skills.  It is a lifelong skill that will find they increasingly rely on as they grow!

Coming Soon: Flynn Field Trip! #FlynnAtMySchool

Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters: An African Cinderella Story

On May 1, 2017, we'll be traveling to the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts in Burlington to see a production of this traditional story.  It's a fabulous connection to our "Once Upon a Time: Fairytales" writing until that we'll be starting just after spring break, too.

Here's what the Flynn Center says about the show: 

An audience favorite, this beautiful adaptation of John Steptoe’s Caldecott Award-winning book reveals the splendor of Zimbabwe with traditional chanting, drumming, and dance. Unlike the Cinderella variants in many other cultures, this tale’s notion of beauty is more than skin-deep: goodness, generosity, and integrity prevail when kind Nyasha wins the king’s hand over her selfish and spoiled sister. Acknowledged by critics as a breakthrough book for inspiring African American children to take pride in their ancestry, the story is even more powerful onstage, performed by the stellar Dallas Children’s Theater. 

AND...on April 17th, each class will participate in a Flynn Companion workshop with Susanna Olson, a Flynn teaching artist.  A giant THANK YOU to Mrs. Rankin for organizing all of this for us!

Permission slips were sent home on Monday, April 3rd and need to be returned by April 14th.  Please let us know if you need a new permission slip!