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Lower School Newsletter Archive Winter Newsletter 2002-2003

Greetings! Winter is unquestionably here and while the urge to hibernate is sometimes compelling, I'm happy to report that both teachers and students are directing their considerable energy in most industrious ways.

Mid-year progress reports are underway and should be mailed to you during the second week of February. Our intent is for each report to offer an insightful, accurate reflection of your child's engagement in learning and progress to date. The report includes an overview of the curriculum, goal statements and narrative commentary from each classroom teacher. Most specialists use a checklist format with accompanying remarks, and the art department continues to help each child create a representative portfolio of the year's work which will be sent home in June. We hope that by reporting at least four times a year, twice during parent conferences and twice through written statements, that you gain a clear understanding of your child's stance as a student as well as timely information about his/ her progress. As always, if you have particular questions or concerns, please be in touch.

Projects and explorations are underway in every classroom. Here is a sample of what the children are currently investigating:

• Pre-k-K: Our youngest students began the winter season by studying light. Flashlights were used for experiments with shadows and they acted out a story about the solstice. Candle dipping was a favorite culminating activity.The children just finished an author study of books by Leo Lionni. It inspired the class to rewrite and illustrate a favorite Lionni
  story, Swimmy.Opposites are being explored through word games, books and observation of the world around us.
• K-1: Trips to Sprout Creek Farm are temporarily suspended during these cold winter days. Meanwhile, children will write letters to the farmers and their favorite animals as a way of keeping in touch. Brian is making arrangements to have other local farmers visit the class to tell personal stories about growing up on a farm. The next trip to Sprout Creek Farm will be in late February.
• 1-2: By early February each class will have visited the Mohonk Preserve to participate in an educational program called, "Animals in Winter". They will learn about hibernation and other ways that animals adapt their behavior to seasonal changes. The students will donate the $250.00 they raised during a bake sale to help the Preserve clear trails that were damaged during a November storm. At an all school assembly that celebrates "Peace Makers", the 1-2 classes will sing a song about Harriet Tubman which they learned together during their "Community Sing" time on Fridays.
• 2-3: Preparations are underway for a dramatic presentation of an Iroquois tale, How Buzzard got His Feathers. The play will be presented on Wednesday, February 5, in the theater. Don't miss it! Sue's class is also working on mapping skills and an exploration of U.S. geography as they get ready to learn about the Lewis and Clark expedition. Their study will include a biographical account of the life of Sacajawea..
• 3-4: All three classes are currently using The Captive as their read-aloud novel. This work of historical fiction by Joyce Hansen will be the basis for many discussions about African life and the first Africans enslaved in America. In March, the classes will travel to Kingston to see a production of HarrietTubman/Freedom Trail at the Ulster Performing Arts Center.
  As the students continue learn more about daily life in West Africa they will look at clothing, both western and traditional. They will be extending the project into the art room where children will be designing and printing their own fabric in the tradition of West African Adinkra cloth.
• "Math Guy": At a recent lower school assembly Stephen told all the students about the upcoming "Coolest Car Poetry Contest". Entries have been coming in daily and it will be a delight for all of us to hear these original poems! Many students have been enjoying the "Problem of the Week" and the "Math Tubs" are still being circulated among the classes.
• Espanol Juana says that winter is the perfect time to learn about tropical fruit! Children will learn new vocabulary and tasty recipes as they try to forget about the cold.

Teacher News
Brian Reid attended a workshop on guided reading and brought back many useful ideas to share with the faculty.

Fantasies, Fanfares and Jigs (Oh My!) is the title of the organ recital being presented by our own, John Sullivan, at Christ Episciopal Church on Sunday, February 9, at 3:30 pm.

Kudos to author (and math guy) Stephen Currie on the publication of his new book, Viking, Merchant and Wanderer, about early explorers.

As many of you know, Emily Hayes made the difficult decision to leave teaching during the winter break. We are extremely fortunate to have Lenae Madonna joining our 3-4 teaching team. She is an experienced teacher and former administrator who is passionate about her work with young children. Please help welcome Lenae to PDS!

As a group, the faculty continues to look closely at literacy instruction within the lower school. During our first meeting of the New Year we focused on journal writing in grades pre-k through four. As we shared writing samples with one another we talked about the role that journals play in the curriculum at various developmental stages. It was interesting to note that the journals of our youngest children are full of illustrations that help the emerging writers organize their ideas. They are often a wonderful chronicle of experiences and ideas that the writer is encountering for the first time. As the children mature, we see the journals being used in different ways. Illustrations are fewer and many children use the journal as a place to do some important self-reflection or preliminary problem solving. We also discussed the ways in which this type of writing differs from other types of written assignments.

As we have been enriching our collection of shared reading resources for children, we have discussed methods of using guided reading with emergent readers as well as the various ways of using running records as assessment tools. Our conversations are fruitful and we always run out of time rather than ideas. Sometime in spring we'd like to get teachers and parents together to think and talk about some of these and other important topics. More on that later…..first we need to finish writing mid-year reports!

Friendly reminders
The cold, dark mornings surely don't make it easy, but it is still very important for your child to arrive at school between 8:15 and 8:30. The few minutes of transitional time before morning meetings can go a long way in helping your child get off to a positive start. Please do all you can to get here on time.

Extreme weather has caused us to keep the children inside during recess on a few occasions this winter. However, this is a rare occurrence and whenever possible it is our intention to be outdoors, at least briefly, everyday. Please be sure your child is dressed appropriately for the weather and in the case of the younger students it might be wise to check on their stash of extra, dry clothes.

And, last but not least...thanks

• For remembering to sign up for the "After" program in advance
• For all your support during the Book Fair
   
• For setting up play dates that can span three counties
   
• For your continued trust and support

Please don't hesitate to be in touch with questions, concerns and good ideas!