CONGRATULATIONS

CONGRATULATIONS to the parents of our students.  On Monday, September 26th, Mrs. Doiron sent home 19 Mid-Term Progress Reports.  All 19 students returned the signed page the next day.  Way to go, parents !!

Comparing objects on the playground

On Friday, September 23rd, our kindergarten students collected sticks, leaves, pine needles, acorns, and pine cones from the playground.  During Science, we went outside to compare these items.  Which is heavier and which is lighter?

Our Little Scientists

The little scientists in our class have been learning that scientists can use tools to learn.  They have already used magnifying glasses and balances.  Here are photos of our students comparing the weight of objects in our classroom.  We were all surprised to learn that the black socks are heavier than the markers we keep inside them!

Independent Reading

Each day during Reader's Workshop, our students practice "reading" books quietly during Independent Reading.  We started out with 3 minutes and are adding time each week, working towards a goal of 25 minutes.  Each student has his/her own folder containing 4-8 books.  They are required to sit quietly in their "Work Spaces" and look at their books until the timer rings and Independent Reading is over.  Following Independent Reading, students log in one book that they have read in their Reading Logs.  A big thank you to Mrs. Fick, who volunteers in our classroom each Friday.  She assists the children in choosing their own Independent Reading books, then adds a new page to the children's Reading Logs for the next week.

Jack Be Nimble

Students in our class are learning Nursery Rhymes.  On Thursday, September 15th, we focused on "Jack Be Nimble".  Mrs. Doiron brought two candlesticks to school and the children practiced jumping over the candlesticks (minus the fire, of course!)  It was fun!

White Board Math

Our students each have their own individual white boards and markers.  (We use black socks for erasers, then we keep the markers in the socks for storage!)  We have been learning how to correctly print numerals 0-5, and enjoy using our white boards for practice.

Working Together

Thought you might like to see these photos of the children in our class working together in Centers.

College Interns

Two Education students from the University of North Florida (UNF) will be doing Pre-Internships in our classroom this semester.  They will be in our classroom 5 hours a week for 10 weeks, and will teach three lessons each during their time with us.  They are never left alone with the class and are under Mrs. Doiron's supervision.  Ms. Pesce comes to our class on Wednesdays, and Ms. Moran comes on Thursdays.  We are happy to have these college interns in our classroom.

Retelling Goldilocks and the Three Bears

 
Our first STAR Book was Goldilocks and the Three Bears by James Marshall.  STAR stands for Story Telling And Retelling.  After reading the book each day during the week of August 29 - September 2, our students identified the setting (in the forest), characters (Goldilocks, Papa Bear, Mama Bear, and Baby Bear), and the sequence of events.  Students used six pictures, depicting important events in the story, and laid them out in order to practice retelling the story.  Please encourage your child to retell the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears to your family.

FIRST FLAG RAISING

On the first Friday of each month, EVERYONE at Merrill Road Elementary School attends the Flag Raising.  We all gather in the courtyard around the flag pole.  Students and faculty recite the Pledge of Alliegence together, as well as the School Conduct Pledge.  Our children enjoyed waving their small flags, while the teachers with August and September birthdays raised the flag.  Parents are invited to attend our Flag Raisings each month.