SCHOOL 2 EAGLE NEWS
Issue 2
October 2014
School #2
2047 Jones Road
Fort Lee, NJ 07024
Phone (201) 585-4630 Fax (201) 585-8972
SCHOOL 2 EAGLES NEWS
Practicing Pre-Kindergarteners with PKK, PKS, PKY, PKS, &
PKM!
This month started with an assembly on fire safety. They loved
it and were in awe of Firefighter Phil with his amazing magic
tricks. The students learned about many community helpers.
Students observed and experienced the season of Fall and we
created projects. Students have been working hard on their prereadiness skills and continued to make progress. Lately, students
were excited for Halloween and talked about their costumes.
We ended the month of October with a Halloween
spooktacular and pumpkin picking!
Fantastic First Graders with 1M, 1F, 1Z & 1/2C!
The children are becoming more independent each day. In
math, the students learned how to subtract a part from the
whole to find the missing part. In reading workshop, we
discussed how to carefully choose books that we’ll enjoy. In
writing workshop, students learned how to select a topic and
focus on that chosen topic. We look forward to the coming
months and sharing our families’ holiday traditions.
Kind Kindergarteners with KR, KG, KD & KB!
In math, we learned how to read, write, and count numbers 6
to 10. We identified groups of objects that have “more”
“fewer” or “the same as”. In reading, we learned pre-reading
strategies and how to make predictions about a story. In
writing, we learned that people write to tell a story and
brainstormed ideas. We understood that verbs are action
words and nouns name people, places, and things. In phonics,
we learned the letters Mm and Tt. We discovered words that
name colors and foods. In science, we learned about leaves
and the lifecycle of a pumpkin. In social studies, we made
family trees and studied information about Columbus Day.
Super Second Graders with 2DL, 2B and 2DP!
In Math, the students learned different strategies for addition
and subtraction with 20, used doubles facts, and solved twostep questions. In reading workshop, students learned how to
make predictions about their reading and learned to pick/read
their “Just Right” Books. In writing workshop, students created
their own Cinquain poems using 6 traits of writing and started
to work on writing their descriptive paragraphs. Students
learned about different properties of solids and liquids and
landforms.
SCHOOL #2 EAGLE NEWS
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Terrific Third Graders with 3G, 3K, 3H, and 3/4J!
Fabulous Fourth Graders with 4M, 4L and 4A!
Students worked on literacy tasks such as reading
independently, writing, word work, reading to a partner and
reading on the website www.Razkids.com. I noticed an
improvement in their reading skills due to their rigorous
work. They have worked hard in math and are finishing
our second unit. In science, students have mastered building
circuits, understanding magnetism and soon will build electromagnets. In social studies, students studied Christopher
Columbus, wrote about the travels of Columbus and built a
pro/con web of the effects of the Columbian Exchange. Finally,
we read and talked about the meaning and the consequences
of bullying. We participated in the door decorating contest. If
we win, we earn a pizza party!
L.A.: We focused on characteristics of descriptive essays and
drafted their own descriptive essay. They learned to
formulate text-explicit and text-implicit questions in order to
improve reading comprehension.
Fact-Finding Fifth Graders with 5N, 5R and 5/6C!
Serious Sixth Graders with 6J and 6T!
The fifth grade made predictions and asked questions to help
them better interact with fiction and informational texts. We
worked hard to improve our descriptive writing through
discussion about the writing process and the six-traits of good
writing. In math class, we focused on addition and subtraction
with decimals and multiplying whole numbers. In Social
Studies, we discussed America's westward expansion. In
science, we worked with variables through experimentation
and making observations.
Math: Students learned how to use place value to round,
compare, and order whole numbers.
Science: We were engaged in learn about different animals,
especially their characteristics and lifestyles. In FOSS, they
learned about sound discrimination by conducting an
experiment using a “drop chamber.”
Social Studies: Students learned about New Jersey as a
colony and the French and Indian War. They began to
explore what it was like to live the day-to-day life of a
colonist. In addition, students read current events in the
publication entitled, Time for Kids.
In math, we finished learning about variables, expressions, and
equations in Topic 2. Then, we started Topic 3 - Operations
with Decimals. We learned dividing decimals, multiplying
decimals, adding and subtracting decimals. We played division
bingo and we learned a new game called, "Kaboom!" to help
us to divide decimals. In science, we finished Investigation 1 and
moved onto saturation. We saturated a salt solution and we
are beginning to saturate a citric acid solution.
Teacher Recommended Apple Apps
IXL: (Pre-K – 8) Comprehensive coverage of K-12 math curriculum, interactive language arts exercises for grades 2-8, colorful
practice formats, immediate feedback and question-specific explanations.
RAZ-KIDS: (ESL/KBL) Online guided reading program with interactive eBooks, downloadable books, and reading quizzes.
ABC MOUSE: (Pre-K to 3) Helps kids learn to read through phonics, and teaches lessons in math, social studies, art, music, and
more.
SCHOOL #2 EAGLE NEWS
Beverly Delaney, Music
In Pre-K, we studied steady beats, sang, danced and played
rhythm instruments. In kindergarten, we learned about fast/slow
music (tempo), high/low music (pitch), sang and danced. In 1st
grade, we learned about clapping rhythms on sight, “sol” and
“mi” in musical solfege (pitch). In 2nd grade, we learned how to
read notation rhythms, and learning notes and their beat values.
In 3rd grade we explored how to play B, A, and G notes on the
recorder, and theory. The fourth graders visited the Metropolitan
Opera on Oct. 27 and learned about story, characters, listened to
musical excerpts from “Aida”. In 5th grade, we discovered
Beethoven’s life and his music, Veteran’s Day celebration songs.
In 6th grade, we composed a small group song, Veteran’s day and
select songs.
Denise Beffre, Physical Education
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Maria Castano, Media
Our media center received 6 iPads (mini) to help integrate
different types of technology into the media program.
Students in grades K-6 visited the iPad Center to read various
e-books from ABC Mouse, RAZ-KIDS and IXL, where they
practiced their mathematical skills that are categorized by
grade level. Students in grades K-2 will exchange books every
week. Students in grades 3-6 will exchange books every other
week. Since our school received a 4th cart of Chromebooks,
we will be using the Chromebooks in library class, as well as
using the Chromebooks in the classroom.
Tara Deady, Reading Recovery
Please check my fusion page for the Physical Education class
schedule.
Reading Recovery is an early intervention program, lasting
approximately 20 weeks for first grade students. Students,
identified by their teachers, are given Marie Clay’s The
Observation Survey. The students who are behind their peers
are chosen for the program.
Each student is taken
individually and receive a daily 30 minute lesson specific to
their needs.
Reading Recovery builds confidence by
developing word attack and decoding skills along with
fluency and accuracy.
Corrine West, Art
Pre-K students have been working with fall leaves and
pumpkins. Kindergarteners are finishing up their unit
on lines. First graders are finishing their cityscape
drawings. Second graders are finishing their pattern
pictures. Third, fourth and fifth graders contributed
artwork for the Halloween Dance. Sixth graders have
started their project for Surrealism.
SCHOOL #2 EAGLE NEWS
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Michelle Dawson, BSI Math Teacher
Math Basic Skills Instruction is a supplemental math program
designed to provide intensified math instruction to those
students who have been identified as, “At Risk”. The students
are identified for BSI using multiple measures. These measures
include their NJASK scores, teacher recommendations and
report cards/class performances. It is small group instruction
that meets 2 to 3 times a week. Some of the activities include
“hands on” math activities that meet the students’ targeted
needs.
Christine Teitelbaum, World Language – Spanish
My 3rd grade students learned the Spanish words for parts of
the house. They identified many similarities between the
English language and the Spanish language for parts of the
house. One of the words they enjoyed learning was “la
chimenea”. My 4th grade students learned the Spanish words
for school subjects. Some of the objects I brought to school
included a jump rope, a paint brush and a tambourine. The
students associated these objects to the school subjects.
MaryAnn Ciraulo, BSI Reading & Language Arts
Welcome to BSI Reading and Language Arts! The goal of all of
my classes is to help your children to love reading and language,
while improving their comprehension and all its components.
This is accomplished by using a variety of strategies. We read a
plethora of texts related to science, social studies, the arts etc.,
to peak the interest of the children.
Rosa Sgro, ESL & Kristine Han, KBL
We welcomed and screened the new students in our school. At
the end of September, we held our ESL and Bilingual
Orientation Meeting and had the opportunity to meet many
new parents to discuss and answer questions about our
program. In October, we began classes. Our students are
motivated and ready to learn! On October 17, we hosted our
first Parent Advisory Council Meeting, where we had the chance
to hear an informative presentation about the referendum.
Halloween Tips from KidsHealth.org
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Choose a light-colored costume because these are easily seen at night. Add reflective tape or glow-in-the-dark tape.
Only buy a costume that is labeled "flame-retardant." This means the material won't burn.
Make sure wigs and beards don't cover your kids' eyes, noses, or mouths.
Kids shouldn't wear masks — they can make it difficult for them to see and breathe. Instead, use nontoxic face paint or
makeup.