Winter Sing Along

This afternoon we had our Winter Sing Along, one of my favorite Chamberlin traditions.  Your children did a great job performing, and then listening to other children for nearly an hour (that's a LONG time for a group of 5 and 6 year olds to sit).  Here are a few photos.

Building and Giving

Dear Families,
Today we did a special project in the media center.  We made small wooden frames with the help of some folks from Lowe's.  Each child got to keep their apron and goggles, so you can look for those to come home.

Many people give gifts at this time of year.  So... our fifth grade helpers are going to visit some folks who live at an assisted living facility to give theirs away.  Mrs. Brown's daughter works at an assisted living facility in Shelburne and will be dropping off our frames.  Some of your children wanted to keep their frames, but we talked about the importance of giving and how good it makes us feel to give a gift to someone.  Here are a few pictures of your children in action.

Super Readers

Today when we got back from music, we found a note and some Super Pointers.

The note said:

Dear Super Readers,

I heard that you are using your superpowers to read.  I thought you might like some super pointers to help with pointer power.  

Read On!

Love,

Reader Man

We are excited and can't wait to use our new pointers in Readers' Workshop tomorrow!

Word Collectors

We read a book called Max's Words.   Max collects words.  Your children decided they wanted to collect words too.  Here are a few pictures of them cutting out words today.  Fred said we would need a much bigger container for our words.

If you have any catalogs or flyers (ones with at least some larger font words are more helpful!), please send them in.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am so thankful for my wonderful friends in Room 4.  Aren't they adorable?  I'm looking forward to talking to families next week at conferences.

Long Ago and Today

We have been learning about Long Ago and Today.  This is Ibrahim holding a VERY heavy pot.  Not too heavy for him though, he is VERY strong!

Here are some kids using a modern version of a hornbook. This is how children used to learn how to read and write their letters.  Their hornbooks would have been made out of wood with a think sheet of animal horn covering the letters.

 This is Tasneem playing a game called Hazard.  She is using pewter dice because long ago they didn't have plastic dice like we usually use.

Farmer Corie Had a Farm, E-I-E-I-O

After our visit to the farm, Mrs. Brown re-wrote an old song to thank Farmer Corie.  Check it out!  My favorite verse is the last one--about kale (I am pretty sure that Old MacDonald did not grow kale!)

Bread and Butter Farm

Farmer Corie (Sami's mom) welcomed us to the farm.

The pigs seemed to like Matthew.

In the greenhouse with Farmer Bekah.  We tried many vegetables.

Farmer Henry showed us how they milk the cows.  This machine is like your vaccuum at home!

Today we went to Bread and Butter Farm.  What a great field trip!  We saw cows, pigs, chickens, and some barn cats.  We made butter and got to try it on some yummy bread.








Farmer Corie let us get right in with the pigs.  Lots of kids tried this out and got nuzzled by some very curious and friendly pigs.  We learned that pigs use their snouts as tools to root around in the ground for roots and other yummy things to eat.









You might ask your child if they liked any of the veggies we tried:  kale, cilantro, beet greens, and more.

Bat Book

Here is a book that your children made showing off their knowledge about bats.  Enjoy!

Half Day Wednesday and Field Trip Thursday

Just a reminder that Wednesday is a half day for students.  Dismissal is at 11:30.  We are headed to Bread and Butter Farm on Thursday.  Please dress your child for the weather.  Boots would be a great idea and warm layers.  Children need to either pack a lunch or order one from school.  I need to know by Wednesday if you want a lunch for your child.

FoodPlay Assembly

Today we had an assembly where two people came and taught us about healthy eating and moving our bodies in a very fun way!  We learned about "Go" foods and "Whoa" foods.  "Go" foods fuel our bodies and help us be strong, alert, and healthy.  "Whoa" foods are those treats we should only eat occasionally.  Here is a  photo of the performers from today and a photo of your children up and dancing.

Halloween Party

Today we had our Halloween Party.  Thanks so much to the families who sent in food, games, or crafts and those who came in to help us out.  It was a very smooth afternoon.  Maxim said, "This party is so much fun!"  I think that was what all the children were feeling.  Here are a few photos.

Top Photo:  Maxim at the "Ghost Bowling Station"

Middle Photo:  Making Spider Webs

Bottom Photo:  blowing spiders across the table into a bucket