PTF Boxtop Celebration for Fourth and Fifth Grade

The fourth grade classes of Ms. Whyte and Ms. Luck, and fifth grade class of Ms. Sands all celebrated their hard work in collecting boxtops for the school fundraiser. The students were rewarded for their efforts with an ice cream social at the end of the day. Special thanks must be paid to Mrs. Spurling and Mrs. Pozz for organizing and helping out in the event.

 

 

Sixth Grade Studies Ancient Greece

 

Ancient Greek Pottery

by Emory P.

            Pottery is one of the most famous works of art done by Greeks, and yet used in everyday life. Sixth graders at Blanchard have been studying about Ancient Greece, and for the past week we have been focusing on their wonderful, unique pottery. The pottery is one of historians’ major helps to learning about the ancient civilization and culture. During the Dark Ages, when Greece was taken over, around 1200 BCE-800 BCE, writing and literature was all lost. Nobody wrote anymore, and the only information was gathered from oral tradition. But even though there were no written inscriptions to learn from, there was pottery. On the jugs and pots, there would be paintings of famous myths or stories, such as Athena’s birth or Pandora’s curiosity. That way, historians were also able to learn with pottery!

            Professor Connors, who helped with the sixth graders’ archaeological dig in October and is a professor at Harvard, came in to talk with us on Monday and Tuesday (March 25-26). She taught us about the different types of Greek pottery, their uses, and shared with us her discoveries on her archaeological digs. She told us about types from amphora to krater, all with their own specialty in life. Amphora was used for transporting wine, and has a pointed bottom. The Greeks discovered that with a flat bottom, it would store less wine, as well as the fact that sediment would gather. With a pointed bottom, it would easily hold more wine. Besides amphora, there were also krylix, used to drink wine. The krylix is shaped like a soup plate, with large handles that were used to hold the krylix when drinking. Kraters were large basin-like pots that were used to store grains. Ancient Greek pottery is certainly very widespread, from tiny oil-holding pots to large, grain storing ones, and yet the art is so popular yet important to Greek culture. Thankfully, we are all able to study it today.

 

Sixth Grade Student Council Collects Books for Book Worm Angels

Book Worm Angels Drive

During this 6^th grade community service project, we collected 206 books for the Book Worm Angels Foundation!  These books are going to kids in Fitchburg who don’t have books to read for fun and education.  We supplied books that went to all ages with all different genres.  So, now a young adult can now read a mystery novel and a kindergartener can now read Dr. Seuss.  Thank you to all the people who donated, it was a phenomenal contribution. Remember to read with love and care for your books and enjoy every word.  You should never to take them for granted and appreciate them because some other people don’t have the same privilege you do. We are ecstatic because all the kids in Fitchburg that got a new book have entertainment at a different dimension!

                                                                        ~The Sixth Grade Student Council

Social Media and Elementary School Students

Teaching students to be good digital citizens is a big part of instructional technology at Blanchard Memorial School.  While students have discussed and demonstrated understanding of appropriate use of technologies and online communications during library lessons and in their classrooms, recent incidences of improper online behavior by students at our school remind us that children of all ages continue to be at risk of cyber bullying and making other unwise decisions when using the Internet. It’s clear that their teachers and parents must provide constant guidance as they navigate their increasingly digital world.

We must all recognize that students are exploring and experimenting with social media at increasingly younger ages.  Because they lack the developmental skills to always use good judgment, they are at risk for engaging in online communication that is unsafe, hurtful, or inappropriate.  Text messaging, chat rooms (often part of online gaming forums), and social networking sites like Facebook provide tempting opportunities for children and teens to exchange private information or engage in cyber bullying. 

Families can help prevent improper online behavior by establishing some rules and talking to their children about appropriate use of networking sites, emphasizing that any online communication is permanent. Once something is posted, it can't be taken back. The following resources offer some excellent guidelines for helping children benefit from the incredible opportunities provided by the Internet while avoiding potential risks: 

|Rules of the Road for Parents in a Digital Age from Common Sense Media

Social Media and Kids | Common Sense Media

Social Networking and Tweens

Tween Parents

Second Grade Auction Is All About the Money!

The second grade students held their annual auction today, April 3rd. The auction is the culminating activity in the economics unit to teach students the units of money and how to spend money wisely.  The teachers held discussions about students' wants versus their needs.  Throughout the economics unit, students have been producers of items.  Today, it was the students' turn to be consumers.   As the auctioneer, I did my best to motivate the students to spend their hard-earned money, but the second grade students were well aware of how much money they earned and could spend and were not easily parted with their Blanchard dollars.  It was hilarious to see very confident boys and girls bidding intently on a pink soccer ball and friendship bracelet kit with equal enthusiasm as they bid on a basketball hoop and legos.  Thanks to all the parents who could be there to help.  All the teachers commented on how much they appreciated your work today. 

 

 

 

National Geographic Giant Map of North America

National Geographic's Giant Traveling Map of North America visited Blanchard Memorial School on March 28th and 29th.  Mrs. Eisenberg led students in all grade levels on an adventurous exploration of the basketball-court sized map, where they found themselves putting their hands and feet on every corner of the continent. The giant map is rented to schools by National Geographic to promote geography and map reading skills for students in an exciting, fun, and educational format.  

National geographic map 2013 from peggyharvey

Welcome to Blanchard Buzz

Blanchard Buzz is a new way to connect the Blanchard community.  The format will be a mix of text, pictures, video, and slide shows showcasing the events happening at Blanchard Memorial School in a more timely manner, rather than waiting to write about the event or curriculum in the traditional monthly format of the Blanchard Bits.    In addition, there was some confusion about the Blanchard Bits published by the faculty rather than the PTF.  By creating a separate blog from the PTF, I hope to eliminate any confusion.  The intent of the blog is to help parents and children talk about the events happening around the school and see pictures of students learning (for those who have given permission).  Nothing would make me happier than to hear that the Blanchard Buzz is providing good conversations in the car or at the kitchen table. 

Please let me know if the Blanchard Buzz is useful to you.  I welcome your comments and feedback, so please feel free to tell me what is on your mind.  However, it is important to establish good digital citizenship and to provide a role model for our students in how to blog responsibly.  Since this is a blog for the school community, I will refrain from publishing any comment that seems inappropriate for the audience as well as any completely anonymous comments (first name and last initial will be fine). 

I am excited to join the Blanchard blogging community and hope you are too. 
--Karen Tower