Frenchtown PTG: Academic Newsletter

Mr. Eric from POW! Science will be in on Tuesday 6/2 to teach us more about balls and ramps.
Make sure you are using Reading A-Z with your student. If you've lost your login information, please let us know.

Grade 1
Math:

We are reviewing all of our first grade standards in math and will be working on our "Step Up to Grade 2" worksheets from our enVision math series.

E/LA:

We are working on our fourth quarter writing prompts.
We continue with spelling tests.

Science:

We are wrapping up our science kit on Pebbles, Sand and Silt.
We have also begun our final unit on Space.

Other:

We are looking forward t our field trip to the Providence Children's Museum on June 16th. If you wish to chaperone, we need to submit names to the superintendent by Wednesday so please send forms back. You must have a BCI on file.

Grade 2

Math:

We will be reviewing various mathematical concepts learned earlier in the school year, such as additional and subtraction within 1,000, money and time.

E/LA:

We are having a greta time reading "fractured fairy tales"and looking at these stories from different characters' points of view. We are even practicing rewriting some of the original fairy tales from a different perspective.

Science:

Don't forget the Insect posters are due in school on Wednesday, June 3rd. Please make sure to punch two holes near the to of the poster and put either string or ribbon through these holes in order for your child to wear the poster during the display time. The string must be large enough to fit over our child's head.
The Insect Museum will be held for parents during the afternoon of Friday, June 5th. Hopefully, your children have all given you the written invitation by now.

Monday, May 18, 2015

Academic Newsletter For the Week of 5/18

From Mrs. Vaughn:

January 19: Liam WApril 14: Maxwell HMay 17: Mrs. Foley

May 18: Sophia R. & Jade W.
May 19: Stella B.
May 21: Anthony D. & Amanda W.
May 23: McKinnon N.

FRENCHTOWN NOTES

Our last Fun Friday for the year is this Friday, May 22nd. AM K will run from 10:30-11:10 am, and PM K, Grade 1 & Grade 2 will run from 1:00-2:00 pm. Please sign up to volunteer HERE.

First and second graders will be doing an outdoor activity and suggestions are welcome! Please contact the class liaisons if you have any ideas (Howard Faunce and Linda Settipane for Grade 1 and Judy Hart, Denise Lopez and Donnah Plante for Grade 2).

Send a thank you to a teacher you appreciate and Target will donate $25 to Frenchtown! It's easy to do - just click HERE and follow the instructions.
Thank you for your generous Jump Rope for Heart donations. We raised $1,995!
Field Day is coming to Frenchtown on Wednesday, June 10th and Ms. Carr needs volunteers to make it a success. Read more and sign up to volunteer HERE.
Upcoming events:

May 18th: Jester & Pharley Visits
May 22nd: Fun Friday

IN THE CLASSROOMS
Kindergarten
Science:

We are working on Balls & Ramps. We will be discussing force, gravity, bouncing and rolling.

Other:

Make sure you are using Reading A-Z with your student. If you've lost your login information, please let us know.

Grade 1
Math:

We continue to work on strategies for adding and subtracting 2 digit numbers.
The students have been reading word problems and learning to pick out key words and phrases to help solve the problems.
They are also learning multiple ways to show how they know their equation to be true, using either words or pictures and symbols.

E/LA:

We continue to work on spelling and conventions in written language.
Children should be able to start a sentence with a capital letter and end with proper punctuation.

Science:

We continue to learn bout rocks in our science kit.
The children have learned about various ways to sort rocks and will soon sift earth materials to see the various sizes of rocks (large/small rocks, pebbles, gravel, sand, silt).

Grade 2

Math:

Students are continuing to practice using mental math to add and subtract two one-digit numbers.
At this point in time, they are aware of different strategies to solve multi-step addition and subtraction word problems.

E/LA:

The students are continuing to research and take notes on their assigned insect.
They should be thinking about what supplies to collect in order to start working on the insect poster. Please let your child's teacher know if you are having problems finding supplies.

Science:

Each class has been observing the larvae stage of the painted lady butterfly. They are all anxiously awaiting what happens next!

Monday, April 13, 2015

Academic Newsletter For the Week of 4/13

From Mrs. Vaughn:

January 19: Liam W

April 14: Maxwell H.
April 16: Isabella B., Keyonna D. & Kaylee V.
April 17: Constantin G.
April 19: Mrs. Sullivan
April 20: Peighton F. & Sophia W.
April 21: Markus R.
April 22:Brady N.
April 24: Miranda T.
April 26: Catherine S.

FRENCHTOWN NOTES

Biomes was a huge hit! Special thanks to our talented actors and parent volunteers: Susan Morandi, Donnah Plante, Jen Right, Denise Lopez, Betsy Aulisio, Brian Leahy, Sean Foley, Sara Foley, Stephanie Elevate, Katie Erickson, Stephanie Ferguson, Judy Hart, Lora Marci, Maura McCarthy, Danielle Medina, Kerry Rowe, Carla Molina, Elyssa Engelman, Edda Garcia, Mandy Lehne, Beth Gibson, Sarah Meleski, Ruth Okere, Jennifer Parisi, Sarah Quigg, Cindy Speranza, Renee Syed, Meenu Vedantham and Bethany Verret. Also, thanks to COA for their support. And big thanks to Miss Valerie and Mackie Saylor for bringing out the talent in each of our gifted student actors!
The Reading Fair is Thursday night from 6:00-7:00.
April vacation is April 20th-24th.

IN THE CLASSROOMS
Kindergarten
Math:

Writing and representing numbers to 20
Parent Newsletter

E/LA:

Goal: RF.K.3 - Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words.

Theme:

Elson: Jj, jobs, jack and the beanstalk
Rakovic: Uu, Up, /u/

Other:

It's Spirit Week! Make sure to check to see what the theme is each day.
Make sure you are using Reading A-Z with your student. If you've lost your login information, please let us know.

Grade 1
Math:

We continue to work on multiple ways to solve and explain ways to solve addition and subtraction facts to 20. Methods include doubles, doubles +1, related facts or fact families, decomposing to 10 and using subtraction to solve addition facts.
We continue to drill addition and subtraction facts for fluency. Please continue to reinforce and practice this at home. Subtraction is a particular challenge.

E/LA:

The children have been focusing on comparing and contrasting factual texts.
They are doing informational writing, referencing the texts for similarities and differences.
Children are also being introduced to homophones and "r" controlled vowels.

Science:

We are beginning our Pebbles, Sand and Silt kit with some lessons on volcanic rocks (tuff, scoria and basalt).

Other:

Don't forget about Spirit Week!
Congratulations to our young actors in the Biomes play. Bravo!

Grade 2

Math:

Now that second graders have finished up the data and measurement unit, it's time to learn about arrays. This will allow for an easy transition to multiplication next year.
We will also be learning to tell time to the nearest five minutes. This is something that should be easy and fun to practice at home as well.

E/LA:

Students will be writing a biography on George Washington, and practicing writing poetry as well.

Other:

Don't forget to check your child's backpack for information on Spirit Week!

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Academic Newsletter For the Week of 4/6

From Mrs. Vaughn:

January 19: Liam W

Happy Birthday to our Frenchtown Friends:
April 7: Mrs. Anderson
April 8: Madeleine A.
April 9: Ellie P. & Adeline P.
April 10: Sophia S. & Mr. Feuti
April 11: Natalie F. & Rishi G.
April 12: David A, Lauren E. & Daven G.

FRENCHTOWN NOTES

Don't miss BIOMES at the Odeum on April 10th & 11th!

IN THE CLASSROOMS
Kindergarten
Math:

Identify, describe, analyze, create and compare 2-D and 3-D shapes.
Parent Newsletter

E/LA:

Goal: RI.K.4 - With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about unknown words in a text.

Theme:

Elson: Review
Rakovic: Zz, zebra, /z/

Other:

Make sure you are using Reading A-Z with your student. If you have lost your log-in information, please let us know.

Grade 1
Math:

We are working on learning a variety of strategies ti solve addition and subtraction problems to 20.
We are working on doubles facts, doubles +1, doubles +2 and decomposing numbers to 10.

Further informatio on these topics was sent home last week.

E/LA:

Children are learning to compare and contrast two texts.
Children are learning to find information in texts and reference that information in their writing. This lays the foundation for reports they will be writing in future years.

Science:

We will be beginning our new science kit on Pebbles, Sand and Silt shortly. The first unit focuses on rocks and other earth materials. They will learn to compare and sort rocks. They will learn the qualities of various types of rocks.

Other:

Families are encouraged to join in the Reading Fair project. The children are excited about the idea and have been learning about it in class and in library.

Grade 2

Math:

Second graders are enjoying plotting information into various graph forms.
Please keep practicing adding coins and measuring with a ruler to the nearest 1/2 inch as well.

E/LA:

Children will be reading and comparing different texts on the same topic. We are trying to introduce them tot he idea of researching multiple sources when they are working on informational writing.
Since April is "Poetry Month" we will be reading and writing carious forms of poetry.

Science:

We will be starting our unit on Insects. Stay tuned for further information!

Monday, March 30, 2015

Academic Newsletter For the Week of March 30th

From Mrs. Vaughn:

January 19: Liam W

Happy Birthday to our Frenchtown Friends:
March 30: Patrick B. & Scarlett R.
April 1: Owen M.
April 2: Colin A. & Raymond S.
April 3: Sam F. & Brody T.
April 5: Gabrielle S. & Vivian S.

FRENCHTOWN NOTES

The next Parent Forum on Teaching and Learning is March 31st at 5:30 pm. The agenda is a review of Frenchtown's mid-year learner outcomes.
Thank you to our wonderful After School Activity Coordinators, Kerry Rowe and Jen Righi, for all of your hard work! The programs were once again huge success.
The April 1st PTG Meeting scheduled for 9:30 am is CANCELLED. Instead, there will be a meeting that afternoon at 3:00 at school to plan Spirit Week, which runs April 13th-17th. Please join us!
REMINDER: There is no school Friday, April 3rd.

IN THE CLASSROOMS
Kindergarten
Math:

Identify, describe, analyze, create and compare 2-D and 3-D shapes.
Parent Newsletter

E/LA:

Goal: W.K.5 - With guidance and support, respond to questions and suggestions from peers and add details to strengthen writing as needed.

Theme:

Elson: V, violets, volcanos
Rakovic: Y, yellow, /y/

Other:

Make sure you are using Reading A-Z with your student. If you have lost your log-in information, please let us know.

Grade 1
Math:

We continue to focus on interpreting data in graphs.
We are working on counting by 5s to 120.

Please reinforce this at home as this is important in counting tally marks in graphs.

We continue to drill basic math facts to 20.

E/LA:

We are finishing up our writing unit on re-telling a story in sequence and identifying main idea and character traits.
We will being learning to compare and contrast two texts.
Spelling tests continue weekly.

Other:

Families are encouraged to join in the Reading Fair project. The children are excited about the idea and have been learning about it in class and in library.

Grade 2

Math:

Second graders will continue to practice working on bar graphs, line plots and pictographs.
Don't forget to keep counting change at home!

E/LA:

Students are beginning to make comparisons between two versions o the same basic story. This is especially fun with "The Three Little Pigs" or "Cinderella."

Science:

It's hard to believe that we will soon begin out final Science Kit for the year. We will be studying Insects. This is typically a favorite among the children.

Sunday, March 15, 2015

Academic Newsletter For the Week of 3/16

From Mrs. Vaughn:

January 19: Liam W

March 17: James M.
March 19: Addison F. & Mrs. Sullivan
March 20: Emily G.
March 22: Clara M. & Maggie M.

FRENCHTOWN NOTES

Sign Up for the Reading Fair!
March Fun Friday Volunteers Needed on March 27th. This month's theme is "Friendship".
The next Parent Forum on Teaching and Learning is March 31st at 5:30 pm. The agenda is a review of Frenchtown's mid-year learner outcomes.
If you are dropping your child off in the morning, please remember that supervision is available until 8:20 am. If you're dropping off after 8:20, bring him or her to the office.
Special thanks to our district Technology Integration Specialist, Donna Wayles, for providing presenters for National Digital Learning Days! Kindergarten students were visit by Aisha, a Japanese student to learn all about school life in another culture. Grade 1 & 2 students enjoyed a visit from Dr. Bonk, a pharmaceutical chemist.

IN THE CLASSROOMS
Kindergarten
Math:

Understanding Subtraction and Addition Newsletter

E/LA:

Goal: RF.K.3 - Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words.

Demonstrate basic knowledge of one-to-one letter sound correspondences by producing the primary or many of the most frequent sounds for each consonant.

Theme:

Elson: W, Weather, Wind /g/
Rakovic: Qu, queen, /q/

Grade 1
Math:

We are introducing fractions and will concentrate on 1/2 and 1/4 with the understanding of the term "equal parts"
We continue to review addition and subtraction facts to 20. First graders are expected to be fluent in these facts by June.
Parent Newsletter

E/LA:

We continue to learn new spelling words.
Children are also learning to answer text based questions by writing complete sentences that reference the text.
They are also working on making connections to themselves and to other texts when reading texts.

Science:

We are currently waiting to begin the Pebbles, Sand and Silt kit at the end of the month.

Other:

Children are learning about creating projects for the upcoming Reading Fair in April. We encourage you to join this family friendly project.

Grade 2

Math:

Second graders are practicing solving word problems involving adding and subtracting money.
They should continue to practice counting change at home whenever possible.

E/LA:

The children have completed the Liquids/Solids unit and should be able to clearly explain to you the three states of matter.

Special Day!

Second graders are invited to wear as much green as they like on Tuesday, March 17.
A healthy green snack is also welcome.