Greetings from Room 10!
     It was a great start to the new year! I am pleased to say that the children are settling in nicely. I am really looking forward to our first full week of school. It will give us the opportunity to get better acquainted and to develop classroom routines. 

     One of my focuses this year is to create a sense of community/family in room 10.  We spent some time on Friday discussing how we can support each other both in and outside the classroom.  I asked the children to identify both a "high" and a "low" for the first day of school.  This exercise gave us a "jumping off point" for our class discussion.  In addition, we began listening and responding to "Jeff's Journey" an anti-bullying program.  I have used it for many years, and I find that the children both enjoy it for its entertainment value and develop a better understanding of what it means to be a bystander.
     Next week we begin DARE with Detective Kenneth Beck.  We are trying a new approach to DARE this year by participating in two sessions each week. We are hoping that it will provide more consistency in the program delivery.  Be sure to ask your child about DARE on Tuesday after school.
     Once again this year, Mrs. Clarkson, Mrs. McCaffrey and I are chairing the Slingerlands Family Picnic.  We look forward to see you all there on Friday, September 19th.
     Finally, I am attaching a few photographs that I took of 5B on the first two days of school.  Enjoy!!  Have a terrific weekend!  Lester B. and class

Special Friends and "Wacky" Kids

      

Greetings from Room 10,

          This was our last week of spelling, and our focus was science words.  Next week we will work on Mixtures and Solutions, our final science unit of the year.  Also, we will be joining Ms. Bush’s class on Monday to learn about HIV/Aids.  We have begun to work on our “What Slingerlands Means to Me” essay.  We have completed a planning sheet, we have discussed how to write the opening paragraph, and have written one or more opening paragraphs.

        Don’t forget that June 18^th at 11:00am will be our “What Slingerlands Means to Me” party.  Scrapbooking has been a focus in class this week, and we have completed September through January.  Next week we will tackle the remainder of the school year.

        Wacky Wednesday was wonderful!  At the conclusion of the day we celebrated with Italian Ice.  Here are a few photos of my "wacky" kids!

      On Thursday, Isabella’s grandparents brought us cannolis and cookies.  Yummy!   

           The district upgraded our computers in late May and, as a result, it may no longer be possible to burn DVDs of the iMovie I have made for my class.  Over the last several years, I have enjoyed giving each of my students a DVD as a parting gift and memento of their year in 5B.  I used iMovie to create the class movie and Apple no longer syncs iDVD (the vehicle I have used to burn the iMovie) with iMovie.  Currently, we have our district tech office working tirelessly to come up with a way for us to burn the iMovies.  However, I may need to call on you for help, so starting thinking of ways for me to be able to provide your children with a copy of this treasure!    Have a wonderful weekend, and think of me as I send Shelley off to her Senior Ball this evening!  Thank you for your continued support!  Lester B.

More Nature's Classroom Photos!

Dear Parents of Room 10,
       I am attaching additional NC photos that I took during our trip.  It was certainly an amazing trip!  Have a wonderful weekend, and I hope to see everyone well-rested and ready to work on Monday!  Next event?  Friday, May 16th we are off to the Middle School for a visit.  Your child may either pack a brown-bag lunch (recommended) or purchase lunch in the cafeteria.  Happy Weekend!  Lester B.

We are having a ball!

Greetings from Becket!

        We had a great night last night! I just wanted to add a couple of photos from yesterday afternoon.  We had gorgeous weather and the kids had a blast!  Right now they are in the woods playing a giant game of "Predator and Prey!"  This is actually a photo on a different rock!!!  See you guys around 1:30pm

Greetings from Becket, MA!

Greetings from Becket,

       This is my eleventh trip to Nature’s Classroom and I must say, it was the BEST bus ride ever.  The kids totally occupied themselves by chatting, playing cards, drawing, and writing.  We arrived about 10:15, and the kids enjoyed playing some games with the NC teachers.  This was followed by the “move in” and a yummy lunch of hot dogs, macaroni and cheese and a run to the salad bar.  Right now they are attending their first class.  Some of the kids are making water rockets, building a geo-dome,  and making catapults, to name a few.  They are LOVING it so far!  We are so psyched that the weather is GORGEOUS; blue skies, sunshine and 64 degrees.  I will keep you updated for the remainder of the week. 

       Enjoy the picture of our class on the “rock.”                Lester B. and Class

Whale Museum 2014 - A HUGE Success!

Greetings from Room 10,
          This year's Whale Museum was the best ever!  The children did an amazing job capturing the likeness of each of their whales and enjoyed sharing facts about them.  I know the second graders certainly enjoyed coming in and learning about these amazing aquatic mammals!  And many parents and grandparents made it a point to come over to me to express how impressed they were with the children's knowledge!  To top off this year's celebration, I invited "The DelMariners" to join us in song.  They performed many original whaling songs that captured the attention of all of us.  A special "Thank You" to Will Vail for enthusiastically agreeing to come in to share his talent with us!  It was a HUGE success!!!
          Below is a list of important dates to deep in mind as we move through the remainder of the school year. 

Important Dates

·      April 30 – May 2: NYS Math Testing

·      May 5:                 BCMS 6^th Graders Visit Slingerlands 9:30am

·      May 7 – 9:           Nature’s Classroom, Becket, MA

·      May 14:               8:30am Choir Rehearsal

·      May 15:               Art Show, 4:30 – 7:30

·      May 16:               5^th Graders Visit Middle School

·      May 19:               Spring Concert at the High School, 7pm

·      May 19 – 21:        Growing to Maturity

·      May 30:               Survivor Day, Town Park

·      June 5:                Pit Party, 5:30 – 7:30

·      June 6:                Slingerlands Carnival

·      June 23:              Moving on Ceremony 7pm

·      June 24:              Field Day

·      June 25:              Last Day of School, 12:10 Dismissal

Twin Day!!

Greetings from Room 10,

         Today was Twin Day in 5B!  The kids looked incredible and seemed to enjoy the festivities.  We ended the day with a party complete with cupcakes and ice cream.  Here are some photographs that I took today to commemorate our Twin Day!

          There are two important dates coming up after the break.  First, the 3D whale is due April 23^rd.  The children have completed their posters in school.  The Whale Museum will be April 25^th at 1:30pm in our classroom.  We look forward to sharing this event with you.  The 4^th Betor’s Bulls-Eye project is due April 23^rd as well.  Some of the children have already presented this project, so feel free to encourage your child to finish up over the break and bring it in earlier.

         This week “Homeslice” came from Nature’s Classroom to chat with the kids and share a presentation.  The bills for the balance of our Nature's Classroom trip will be sent home after the break.

         The kids wanted me to mention that yesterday they had a good time with their buddies persuading their peers to believe that the cutout was either a rabbit or duck.  If that doesn’t make sense, be sure to take a look at their project and ask them to explain.                                                         Happy Spring Break!  Lester B. and class