Room 10 Update!

Dear Parents of Room 10,

            As of late, we have been using some of our class time to prepare for our end of year festivities.  I have asked the children to begin thinking about their final essay of the year, “What Slingerlands Means to Me.”  Next week we will begin to plan for the essay with a planning page I have prepared.  This should make the process considerably more enjoyable as each of them reflect on what has made their experience at Slingerlands so unique and special.  I know quite a few of the children have been in the Slingerlands building for as little as nine months, but as I explained to them, it’s not so much about the physical characteristics of the building that has made their elementary school experience so memorable, it’s more about the people whom have touched their lives.

            In addition to the essay, I wanted to remind you about the request for pictures that I sent out recently.  The pictures will be displayed on a poster (which I will provide) that will be hung throughout the building on the evening of the Moving On Ceremony.  Also, we have begun to work on our scrapbooks.  The end of year is quickly approaching and I hate it!  Preparing to say, “Goodbye” to a group of children I have become very close to over the last nine months is very difficult, to say the least.  I never look forward to the last day of school, and I tend to become emotional as they leave the building for the last time as Slingerlands students.

            We continue to read and recite poetry.  We have been hard-pressed to get outside and enjoy the beautiful sunshine as we look for meaningful and fun poems.  In writing, the children are finishing up their editorials.  Many of them have begun to write it on the good paper I have provided.  This is the final piece that will be included in the portfolio I will send with them to the Middle School.

            In Social Studies the children have completed the maps of the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central American and South America, and they have put them together to form the Western Hemisphere.  They are on display outside our room.  Next week we will begin a study of ancient civilizations:  Incas, Mayas and Aztecs.      Have a happy, safe and restful Memorial Day!                                    Lester B. and Class

Nature's Classroom 2013

Hello Parents of Room 10,

Last week was amazing, despite the unpredictable weather.  It did rain on-and-off, but we benefited from some lovely hours during which the children hiked, took classes and participated in team building activities.  I have been asked numerous times about how Becket measures-up to previous years at Silver Bay.   Silver Bay is indeed truly one of a kind;  but then again, so is Becket.  There may not have been majestic views of Lake George and the Adirondack Mountains, but it certainly has a charm all its own.  The staff of Becket was excellent and the Director and Nurse were both accommodating and knowledgeable.  I went to Becket thinking that I would never like it as much as Silver Bay.  But I was pleasantly surprised.  But most importantly, the children loved it!!!

I am attaching one photo that I took during the trip.  It is just a sampling of the nearly 300 pictures I snapped.  I will be including many other photos in our class DVD, so you will have the opportunity to see others.  Thank you for sharing your children with me last week.  We made many memories together that I will cherish forever.  Take care and enjoy the photos!  Lester B. and class 

"What Slingerlands Means to Me" EXTRAVAGANZA!

What Slingerlands Means to Me…

Please join us as we celebrate the final days of elementary school and reminisce about an amazing fifth grade experience!

When:          Monday, June 17^th

Time:           11:00am

Where:          Room 10

What:           The children will each read their “What Slingerlands Means to Me” essay and I will share our year-end DVD.

Please bring lunch for you and your child!

Deadline for Nature's Classroom Paperwork is this Friday

Greetings from Room 10,
Just a friendly reminder that this Friday, April​ 19th is the deadline for all of the Nature's Classroom paperwork, payment and letters for your children. At this point, I still have not heard from a number of families.  If plans have changed and you are not planning to send your child to Nature's Classroom with us, please let me know as soon as possible so I can arrange for him/her to work with another teacher in our absence.  Thank you very much!  Lester B.

Go West!

Dear Parents of Room 10,

            The last few weeks have been very hectic due, in part, to the 5^th grade production of Go West!  I had the opportunity to see the show and enjoyed the enthusiasm the children brought to this production.  I also plan to join the kids at the cast party tonight.  I am looking forward to a great time dancing, eating and signing posters.  The completion of the 5^th grade play is yet another milestone towards completing elementary school and moving on to the middle school.

            NYS testing begins next week.  The children will be tackling the English Language Arts test, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for about 90 minutes each morning.  This is followed by the Math test which is scheduled for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday the following week.  This test is also about 90 minutes each morning.  Like Mrs. Bonacquist’s letter suggested, I also believe that the best preparation for these tests is a good night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast.

            We initially began our persuasive writing unit by writing and recording public service announcements.  Since then we have been reading a variety of editorials to get a sense of what should be included in an effective editorial.   The next step in the process will be to select a topic and research it.  Once the children have finished their first draft, I will be looking for parents to come in and help me in the editing process.

            G-E-O-G-R-A-P-H-Y!!  We began our Geography unit in social studies this week by reading about the landforms of the United States and Canada.  Next week we will begin to study geography vocabulary.  I will introduce 21 vocabulary words that will cover both land (i.e., peninsula) and water (i.e., strait) words.  I have no doubt in my mind that the kids will want me to review the words using a Geography Bee!  For some reason, your children love a “Bee!” 

            We just received a schedule for the school’s spring picture day.  Our pictures will be taken on Tuesday, April 30^th at 10:30am.

            REMINDER:  All paperwork and the final payment for Nature's Class are due April  19th! 

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

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Dear Parents of Room 10,

            It has been another very busy week in Room 10.  We’ve reached another 5^th grade milestone with the completion of the children’s whale report and project.  Please join us next Friday morning, March 22^nd at 9:45 for our Whale Museum.  We are joining Mrs. Ward’s class in the cafeteria for this wonderful whale event!  Be sure to bring your camera!

            We have already begun preparing for the whale unit test.  I expect to administer the test sometime the week of March 25^th.  I have already been asked to hold a “Whale Bee” in preparation for this test.  For some reason the kids LOVE “Bees!”

            Speaking of “Bees!” the BOU Community Spelling Bee has been reschedule for Wednesday, March 27^th at 7pm at the Middle School.  Mrs. Clarkson, Mrs. Landrigan, Mrs. Bonacquist, Mrs. Platek and I have been honing our spelling skills in preparation for this event.  We hope that you will all come out to support the BOU and our Slingerlands team.

            Have you heard about the Public Service Announcements that the children are developing?  Mr. Viglucci introduced the persuasive writing unit by sharing a variety of heavily televised Public Service Announcements.  Next week the children, who have been placed in groups of three, will be filming their PSAs.  This is step one in our persuasive writing unit…next stop…infomercials.  The unit will culminate with the children writing an editorial.

            In reading, the children are still enjoying their ocean-themed books.  Be sure to ask your child about the book he/she is reading and how its main character has changed since the beginning of the novel.  The reading response journal entries have been getting better, but I am still looking for more thoughtful and complete responses.

            As a reminder, next Wednesday, March 20^th, is a half-day for parent-teacher conferences.  Have a wonderful weekend and see you all next Friday!                                              Lester B & class

Happy "Cat in the Hat" Day!

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Dear Parents of Room 10,

             

            Happy “Cat in the Hat” Day!  Today, in honor of the Dr. Seuss, the children performed a “Flash Mob” for the Kindergarteners, First Graders and a couple of other classes.  They did an amazing job, and I know they had a ball doing it.  Mrs. Bonacquist, Mrs. Krupner and the teachers thoroughly enjoyed their performance. 

            At this point, your child should be working on his/her tri-fold poster or 3-D model at home.  They are working on their reports in school.  They have also worked on creating a bar graph in the computer room.  The vast majority of children were able to complete this project in school.  However, a few students indicated that they were not able to do it.  In this case, they will be required to complete the bar graph, either on paper or on your home computer.  The final report and whale project will be due March 15^th.  I am hoping to have our Whale Museum on Friday, March 22^nd at 9:45am.  I will provide details in our next Weekly Reflection.

            The Wax Museum last night was truly incredible.  The children did such a great job researching, writing, memorizing and speaking.  The costumes were adorable and the enthusiasm was unmatched.  Thank you to everyone who brought treats to the bake sale and who purchased treats.  All of the proceeds from both the Wax Museum and the bake sale will go to the Marillac Shelter in honor of Dorothy McDonald. 

            In reading, the children have selected ocean themed books.  I will be meeting with the book groups to discuss the novel as we move through the chapters.  Each week, the children will be writing two responses to what they have read.  I have given them a schedule of assignments that we will review prior to each assignment.  I love these books because, in addition to an ocean setting, they all deal with the main characters’ change and growth.

            If you have a chance, come to the “Crazy” basketball game tonight at 6pm at the high school.  Mrs. Clarkson, Mrs. Bush, Mrs. Goff and Mrs. MacMillan will all be playing.

Have a wonderful weekend!                                                                          Lester B. and class