Reminders:
Please read the email from your teacher about today’s blog post and conference sign up.
No school Monday, February 23 - Friday, February 27, 2026.
Donation request: Our classrooms are in need of tissues and cough drops. If you are able to make a donation to our squad, our noses and throats would appreciate it. 🙂
Save the date: Friday, March 13, 2026 Writing Celebration 7:30-8:15
If you would like to register your child for an afterschool club for session 4 of SPARK, please note that sign-ups close Sunday at 11:00 PM.
The following clubs still have availability:
- K–4 Spanish
- 5–8 Spanish
- Dungeons & Dragons (4th–8th)
- Public Speaking & Creative Presentations Club (3rd–6th)
- Chess Club (K–8th)
- Pickleball Club (5th–8th)
- Library Bingo (2nd–8th)
- K–8 Buddies (K-8)
Word Study: Over the past two weeks in Word Study, students learned spelling patterns that help them read and write longer words. We focused on open syllables, learning that vowels often say their long sounds when a syllable ends in a vowel, and how the letter y can act as a vowel with different sounds depending on the word. Students practiced spelling one- and two-syllable words, including words with doubled consonants and words that end in y. We also explored how prefixes and syllable patterns help students decode and understand unfamiliar words.
Math: In math, we wrapped up Unit 3 by working with addition and subtraction story problems that students wrote and solved themselves. Along the way, students used strategies such as the open number line, shorthand strategy, and splitting strategy to help solve problems efficiently and explain their thinking. We then began Unit 4, which focuses on measuring length using inches, feet, and yards. Our class read How Big Is a Foot? by Rolf Myller, Jim and the Beanstalk by Raymond Briggs, and Inch by Inch by Leo Lionni and used those ideas to explore real-life measurement through hands-on activities.
Writers’ Workshop: In Writer’s Workshop, our class focused on opinion writing, learning how writers clearly share their opinions and convince their readers. We practiced using strong and precise language, including character traits and emotion words, to support our reasons with evidence. Writers also reflected on their work, set individual writing goals, and worked in small groups to strengthen specific parts of their writing, such as leads, organization, and endings. Students are continuing to work on using these strategies as they develop and revise their opinion pieces.
Readers’ Workshop: In Reading Workshop, our class focused on reading nonfiction to grow knowledge. Students practiced previewing nonfiction texts, using text features, and asking questions like “What is this book teaching me?” to support understanding. When encountering tricky words, readers used decoding strategies first, along with what they know about word parts, text features, and the topic, to solve words accurately. Students also worked on learning and using topic-specific vocabulary so they can talk and think like experts about what they read.
Second Step: In Second Step, our class focused on managing strong feelings, including worry, anxiety, and anger. Students practiced noticing how these feelings show up in their bodies and learned ways to calm down, such as belly breathing, counting, and positive self-talk. We also talked about why calming down first helps us think clearly and make respectful choices.
Science: In science, our class continued our Pebbles, Sand & Silt unit by closely observing river rocks and describing them using their properties, such as size, color, and texture. Students worked like geologists to sort rocks in different ways and notice patterns in how earth materials are alike and different. We then explored how rocks can be separated by size, using screens to sort a mixture into gravel, pebbles, sand, and very small particles. Through hands-on investigations and careful observations, students built an understanding of how rocks change over time.
Kindness Month: Our second activity focused on how we take care of our own light; the idea of kindness to yourself as a precursor to being kind to others. We reflected on quotes by Amanda Gorman, Oprah Winfrey, and Sogyal Rinpoche and then brainstormed what it looks like, sounds like, and feels like when we are kind to ourselves. We then grew our self kindness by creating sunflowers focused on self kindness.
100th Day: We celebrated the 100th Day of School! K-4 participated in a 100th Day Kindness Challenge! Second graders also created 100 hearts to celebrate 100 things we love about CCS!
UVM Basketball Game: Our squad had a blast at the UVM Women’s basketball game!
Quiet Time: Our students have ‘traveled’ far these past two weeks!
Quiet Time: Our students have ‘traveled’ far these past two weeks!
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