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

physical education bits and hike with Mr. Guilmette

Hello Parents,

          I would like to communicate a few things that are going on in physical education and beyond. First what have we been doing in physical education class? First we completed our dance unit before April vacation. During that unit the students in grades three to six had to create a dance in groups of four and perform the dance on the stage. We had several groups perform their dances in front the entire student body and staff at last Friday's community meeting. The dances were fun to watch!

          Since school has started up again after April vacation we have started using scoops and lacrosse sticks to work on their throwing and catching skills and use those skills in a game situation. We will also be working on improving their fitness levels by working on aerobic endurance, muscular endarance and flexibility. We will have a mile run in May and we will test their muscular endurance by having the students do as many push-ups and curl-ups as they can. The students will also do flexibility tests.

          I, Mr. Guilmette will be leading a family hike up Mt. Wachusett which is in Princeton, MA. I think Mt. Wachusett is a great mountain to climb for young children or for anyone. I have been hiking since I was six years old. My first hike was up Mt. Monadnock in southwestern N.H and have been hiking mountains ever since. I have hiked all of the 4,000 foot mountains in N.H and VT. I have also done some hiking in the mountains located in the western part of the U.S. I love being outdoors and I feel hiking mountains is a great way to get exercise and enjoy nature. I thought it would be great to have some Blanchard families get together to enjoy a nice hike on a nearby mountain. Details for hike will be stated below. This event is not sponsored by Blanchard Memorial School. Blanchard Memorial School will not be responsible for any injury that might occur to a participant from Blanchard Memorial School. Parents or guardians will be required to sign a waiver form before hiking.

When: Saturday May 18th: Meet time 10:00
What: Leisurely hike up Mt. Wachusett: The entire hike up and down will be +/- three hours.
Where: Meet and start of the hike will be at the Mt. Wachusett Visitor Center on mountain road about a 1/2 mile past the Mt. Wachusett Mountain ski area
Requirements: Children must be accompanied by an adult, participants should try to wear hiking boots, but sneakers are okay, water and snacks.
Hike will be cancelled if it is raining or if rain is expected.
Questions: If you have any questions or would like to express interest then you may call me at  extension 253 at Blanchard and my e-mail at Blanchard is rguilmette@boxboroughschool.org
Directions: If you have a GPS, if you put in 345 Mountain road Princeton MA as the destination that will get you to the Mt.Wachusett Visitors Center. If you use Mapquest put in 345 Mountain road in Princeton MA that will give you directions to the Mt Wachusett Visitor's Center. The drive will be approximately 40 minutes from Boxborough.

Sincerely,

Mr. Guilmette

Kindergarten Screening is taking place on Wednesday and Thursday of this week, in the Blanchard library and guidance office. Massachusetts special education regulations require schools to conduct screening with all new kindergarten students. This screening is a brief, non- intensive tool designed to identify children who may need to be referred for further evaluation in order to meet their needs as they begin their elementary school journey. 

This is always a favorite day for special education staff and kindergarten teachers, as we get to meet our new young students! Students and parents begin with some snacks and playtime in the guidance office, where they are greeted by the kindergarten teachers and get their pictures taken in front of a picture of the big yellow school bus. These pictures will be waiting for our new kindergartners when they start school in August. Many thanks to Connie Long for allowing us the use of her library for two days.

 

 

 

During my walkthrough of classrooms, I stopped to speak with the sixth grade students who are reading novels during English Language Arts including Stargirl, Where the Red Fern Grows, and Sticks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The fifth grade teachers and students would like to thank the Blanchard PTF for hosting an American Revolution presentation. We have some great pictures to prove the fun, educational experience we had! What an awesome way for the students to learn first hand about the period of history surrounding the Revolutionary War. Thank you!