Our Field Trip to the Fire Station

The children in the Early Childhood Program have been immersed in a study about our Community and Maps over the past two months! At the beginning of our investigation, we explored the outdoor environment surrounding our school by going on several nature hikes and by searching Google Earth on our iPad.  We made predictions about what we might discover before venturing outdoors.  Some of our predictions included, "a beaver dam", "curvy trees", "the library", and "maybe a dump across the street".  We discovered that the fire station is across the street, not the dump!  The children dictated a letter to the firefighters to request a visit and to ask our important questions in hopes of learning more.

Firefighter Sean read the letter we mailed them and answered all 16 questions!

                                    Can you find Mrs. McLean?

 Firefighter Owen demonstrated a water rescue! 

                            We were so thankful for our new, shiny fire helmets!

"This is firefighter Owen in the pond.  He is getting the ball.  Firefighter John is pulling the rope so he wouldn't have to stay in the pond all day long.  He pulled the rope so he didn't have to stand still or swim.  He won't get stuck."

"This is Mrs. McLean.  She is dressed as a firefighter.  She has an (oxygen) tank on her back."

When we returned from the fire station, we documented our experience with our "thinking pens" in our sketch books! You can check out ALL of our pictures on the bulletin board across from room 214!

                A big THANK YOU to all of the firefighters at the Boxborough Fire Department!

Sixth Grade Students Learn about Electricity and Water

The sixth grade enjoyed their trip to Litteton Electric Light Department.  Thank you LELD!

 

 

Memorial Day Essay Contest

Congratulations to Nicole Doucette (sixth grade)  and Jyo Pan, and Andrew Pak (fifth grade)   for winning the Memorial Day Essay Contest. 

 

Here is part of the letter that the three winners received:

 

On behalf of the town of Boxborough the Public Celebrations and Ceremonies Committee would like to thank you for the essay you submitted for the Memorial Day Parade. Our committee was very impressed with your work and selected you as one of three winners. Congratulations!

 

As the winner you will read your essay in the Memorial Day parade on Monday,  May 27^th.  The parade steps off at 8:30am from Wetherbee Lane at Hill Road, proceeds to North Cemetery, then to Town Hall, and finally arrives at South Cemetery. You will read your essay at the second parade stop – Town Hall. You are welcome to march in the parade along with our local dignitaries. If you are interested you can also help carry a banner in the parade for the veterans or the Town Selectmen.

While you watch the parade, please look for our Blanchard students in the parade or reading their essays!

Sixth Grade Springing

                                            Spring has spring for our sixth grade students!

 

 

 

Poetry Contest Winner

Paloma Burgraff won the local poetry contest sponsored by the Willow Book Store.  She read her poem to an audience in the Willow Book Store on Sunday, May 5th.  Congratulations, Paloma!

Paloma reading her poem to the audience.

 

Paloma and her family

 

 

                          Ms. McMillan congratulates Paloma on her award at Willow Books

Fifth Grade Cape Cod Trip

The fifth grade students had a fantastic time last week.  Here are a few highlights of their trip.

 

 

 

 

Helping our children with math homework

While reading the Marshall Memo this morning, I came across this summary of an article about how parents can help their children with their math homework.  The summary is simple and just includes questions to ask your children about their homework.  I like the idea that parents can help by questioning students about what the students know instead of feeling as if they (the parents)  need to have all the answers to solve the problem themselves.  Let me know what you think and if the questions are helpful.

Helping Parents Help Their Children with Math Homework

            In this article in Teaching Children Mathematics, Regina Mistretta (St. John’s University/New York) shares strategies for getting parents involved in their children’s math learning. Here are questions that teachers could suggest parents ask their children if they are struggling with math homework:

-    What problem are you working on?

-    What do the directions say?

-    What words or directions don’t you understand?

-    Where do you think you should begin?

-    What do you already know that can help you work through the problem?

-    What have you done so far?

-    Do you have similar problems to look at?

-    Can you draw a picture or make a diagram?

-    Can you explain what the teacher asked you to do?

-    Can you tell me where you are stuck?

 

“‘We Do Care,’ Say Parents” by Regina Mistretta in Teaching Children Mathematics, May 2013 (Vo. 19, #9, p. 572-580), www.nctm.org; Mistretta is at mistretr@stjohns.edu