Pan Balances in 4th grade...the Know Atom Science curriculum!

4th grade Pan Balance
Mr. Sforza's class recently made pan balances during Science.  The  Know Atom science curriculum gives our students many hands on opportunities like this one!  The objective of this lesson was for students to build pan balances to compare the mass of paper clips and classroom objects.  Students are taught that the pan balance is a set of pans used to accurately compare the mass of two objects.  This is a great way to teach students about mass!  If you have a student in 4th grade....ask them about this!  Know Atom is the science curriculum that is used in grades 3-5 in MERSD.  

Every student in the class made their own pan balance!  Young scientists and engineers in the making!!!!!

Our fourth grade students are fortunate to attend the Lexington Symphony each year.  The reason we have chosen this symphony is twofold.  Our very own Mr. Carpenter plays in this orchestra and it is a wonderful opportunity for students to see him perform.  They appreciate knowing that he teaches music, but he "lives it" as well.  Also, the Lexington Symphony does an outstanding job in educational outreach.  Click on this link and learn more about our fourth grade students' experience.....and see if you can spot Mr. Carpenter!  :)

http://youtu.be/IJYzDqBa_rw     

First School Meeting

Such talent!!!!

Our newest students enjoying their first school meeting.

A second grade student leads the Pledge of Allegiance at each school meeting.

Singing as a whole school.

Mrs. Roberts presents certificates to four third grade students for demonstrating one of the core values.

The purpose of a school meeting is to build a sense of community throughout the whole school.  We hold six school meetings over the course of the school year.  The first one is in early September and provides us with an opportunity to explain the Core Values at EES.  It also allows us to demonstrate the structure of school meeting to our new students.  Subsequently, each school meeting focuses on one specific Core Value.  In October, students in one grade will present on Responsibility and representatives from each grade will share their individual goals for the year.  December's school meeting focuses on Caring, February is Honesty, March is Respect, and June is Achievement.  I am proud to say that our teachers and students live by these Core Values.  When a student might need to speak to me about a challenge they are having they routinely can tell me which Core Value they have not been upholding.....it is impressive, and leads to many good discussions.  Ask your students about today's school meeting and see if they can tell you about the Core Values.   

PTO Welcome Back Night

Welcome Back Night was a huge success!  It was a beautiful evening and everyone enjoyed the festivities.   Thank you to the PTO for kicking this school year off in style!

Morning meetings at EES

Morning Meetings take place each morning at EES.  This routine is part of the Responsive Classroom approach to developing a strong classroom/school community.  Students come to school each morning and play outside for approximately 15 minutes.  They line up and come into the building in a respectful manner and join their class on the rug for Morning Meeting.  The purpose of this routine is to set the tone for a respectful learning environment and to develop a climate of trust in each classroom.  The hope is that the tone of Morning Meeting will extend to the rest of the school day.  Another purpose of this routine is to motivate children by addressing two human needs:  the need to feel significant, and feel a sense of belonging.  The other purpose is for students to have fun!  The routine for this meeting includes a greeting where students welcome each other and make eye contact with their classmates as they say good morning.  After the greeting there is usually an opportunity for students to share and then participate in some group activity.  This helps to build a whole class identity.  The meeting wraps up with news and announcements.  This includes a written message from the teacher and an overview of the day.  I hope this information about our daily routine is helpful to you as a parent.  Staff at EES instill a strong sense of community within our school in order for students to feel a sense of belonging!  Ask your child about their morning meeting routine....it will be interesting to hear what they have to say.