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Gala & Auction: April 28, 2012               Family Fun Night: February 24, 2012 www.barnesvilleschool.org joy. support. excellence. News of the POD     Did you know that EC-3, Pre-K, Kindergarten and First Grade all meet together at the end of the day twice a month?  On one day, we acknowledge all the birthdays that month and have a character lesson.  April's character lesson is on responsibility.  On our other day together, we have a health lesson.  In March, we learned about good nutrition.  The culminating activity was one that first graders asked to do at home, too.  It is an interactive computer game by the United States Department of Agriculture that allows kids to fuel their rocketships by making good food and physical activity choices.  If your family is interested, the game site is http://www.mypyramid.gov/kids/kids_game.html#. Standardized Testing     Barnesville students will do the ERB (Educational Records Bureau) Assessment on the mornings of April 11 through April 15. These tests are given to determine the strengths and weaknesses of our curriculum.  There is nothing you can do to academically prepare your child for these tests, although we will do papers both at home and at school beforehand to prepare for the "fill in the bubble" format of the test. However, you can be sure that: your child gets a good night’s sleep each night. your child eats a good breakfast, including some protein. your child brings a healthful snack. your child attends school on time every day that week, with no appointments scheduled for the mornings. your child pursues things after school that they find relaxing and enjoyable.  No homework will be assigned. In first grade we call the ERB's work booklets. The children seem to enjoy working in them each day and usually ask to do them for the rest of the year!  The sections of the test are not timed, so your child will be given all the time they need to complete each section.  There are items your child will find easy as well as items they are not expected to know.  Children are encouraged to answer all questions. Incorrect answers are not counted against their final score. Results of your child’s testing will be available to you later this school year. If you have any questions or concerns about ERB testing, please contact your child's teacher or Vickie Roos. Guest Speaker     The following story was dictated by first graders: Doctor Beinart, or Doctor Daddy to one of us, came to talk to our class.  First, we told him that a heart valve opens and there is a push. The blood goes to the lungs to get oxygen. Then the blood comes back to the heart. Next it gets pushed all over the body through the arteries. We also sang him the blood song about red cells for delivering oxygen, the white cells for fighting germs and the platelets for scabbing cuts. Then Dr. Beinart shared information with us. After putting on his lab coat, he passed around a model of the heart. We could lift a flap and see the valves. We used a stethoscope to listen to our own heart beat.  Then we looked at different fake pacemakers. If someone's heart goes too fast or too slow, a pacemaker will make their heart go the right speed.  He gave us doctor supplies like a hat, a mask and gloves because we were going to pretend to put in a pacemaker.  At the end, he blew up some gloves, tied them and we used them for balloons. Physical Education     The first graders were bending in every direction the past month; working on their gymnastics skills. They spent time working on different walks and crawls on the floor mats. They rolled and flipped their way down the wedge mats. The balance beam allowed them to practice different poses and balance maneuvers. The first graders finished with the vault. They were flying high and sticking landings!! Gold Medal performances!! Music     In Music Class, First Grade students are listening to parts of two quintets:  the finale of Dvorak's Piano Quintet in A Major, Opus 81, and the third movement of Mozart's Clarinet Quintet in A Major.  They are steadily expanding their song repertoire with both folk songs and composed songs, including a song in French, "Savez-Vous Planter Les Choux?"  They are learning solfege, which is the classical and widely-used method of teaching basic singing skills.  They enjoy playing singing games together, such as "See How I'm Jumping" and "Old Roger".  They are learning some fun Irish songs and rhymes and children's play-verse in honor of St. Patrick's Day.    Spanish     We have been working hard getting to know your child and his or her strengths as well as areas of need. All second trimester topics continue to be reinforced during our third trimester. In addition we will cover domestic animals during April. Please, your encouragement to make connections with Spanish language and culture is very valuable and helpful. Thank you. Art     In art we will be completing all of our projects for the Mexican Market on Cinquo de Mayo Day. The children are working on their Mexican fiesta pole puppets. They will use yarn to learn how to make God's Eyes and they will make nearika designs. They will also glaze their tripod pots. Get your pesos ready to make some terrific artifact purchases on May 5th!      Upcoming Events     April 4-Field trip Glen Echo April 11-Casual Picture Day April 11-15 ERB testing April 20-Field trip Md. Science Center April 21-1:30 Dismal April 22-Good Friday, school closed May 5-Cinco de Mayo May 7-Spring Gala May 6– May Day   Who Are We?     Earlier in the year, we wrote whole class acrostic poems in both Science and Reading class.  Recently, we each wrote a descriptive poem about ourselves.  Keep reading to see what we think of ourselves.   Caroline Cute Amazing Runs Open hearted Loving Interesting Nice Excellent   Della Delicate Excellent Likes kitties Learns Awesome   Emma Elegant Manners Music Amazing   Grace Great Rainbow, lucky charm Amazing Cat lover Explorer   Greer Good Reads Energetic Excellent Runs   Jessi Jumpy Excellent Silly Stunning Interesting   Michael Man Incredible Cool Hockey player Awesome Excellent Large boy     Mira Yael Magnificent Ice cream lover Ready Asks Young Amazing Excited Likes lollipops   Samuel Squeaky Around Manners Un ugly (handsome) Expert Likes lollipops   Serena Silly Excellent Runs fast Easy on people Nice Acts funny   Sean Soccer player Explores Airplane trips Nice   Sydney Silly Yodels Dancer Nice Excellent Young Return To:   Home Page  |  Newsletters Section