Pre-K and Kindergarten Corner
As the school year unfolds, our youngest students are getting used to routines and to the school schedule. Among other exciting educational skills they discover every day, they are also learning how to walk in a line around the building. And if you ever see them walking, you know that they are already doing an excellent job.
1st Grade Corner
What did the First Graders do?
Our first graders are writing Personal Narratives, exploring more addition and subtraction, and went on their first field trip of the school year to the farm! It was a great day for everyone at Decker Farms, located in the Historic Richmond Town in Staten Island. The day was filled with fun and teachable moments and the children had a great time pretending to work in the farmhouse, dusting the rugs, shovelling and planting. They also joyfully joined an exciting hayride and an adventurous cornstalk maze. Last but not least, each child had a chance to pick and bring home a mini pumpkin.
2nd Grade Corner
We’ve heard from our 2nd graders that they too are looking forward to going on a trip! All Second Grade classes went on Wednesday, October 21 to the Central Library at Grand Army Plaza. How exciting was to visit the local library and especially to hear a presentation by author Lindsay Mattick and illustrator Sophie Blackall! Illustrator Sophie Blackall’s name is familiar to the little readers from many children’s books, including the Ivy+Bean series, and to the older kids from the amazing NYC subway artwork. Collaborating with Sophie Blackall for her book “Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World’s Most Famous Bear,” Canadian author Lindsay Mattick brings a great family story to life, offering the readers a delightful book on the truth behind the beloved fictional bear, Winnie-the Pooh.
3rd Grade Corner
After a month long coverage of Matter and after lessons and discussions about some of the properties of matter as part of their October Science Curriculum, 3rd graders will have a chance to be part of an interactive, hands-on Science class. On Friday, October 29 they will visit the New York Hall of Science in Queens, where they can explore, touch and experience themselves some of the concepts they have studied in class. The New York Hall of Science is always exciting to visit, offering learners of all ages many avenues to explore science.
4th Grade Corner
Friday, October 9 ended in a very happy note as the 4th and 5th graders visited the Magnet Masters Fair in the Gym. They were exposed to the different clubs that will take place on Friday afternoons during the last period of the school day: guitar, trumpet, violin, dance, singing, cooking, fashion design, tennis, chess, and the list goes on! For the rest of the school year each child will be able to attend one club of his/her choice.
October seems to be very busy for 4th grade! On October 26, 4th grade classes will visit the Staten Island Zoo to learn about animals and their environment. What a cool science lesson! A few days later, on October 29, the out-of-classroom learning will continue, as the whole grade will take a free trip to the Central Library at Grand Army Plaza. Organized by our wonderful P.S. 217 librarian Mrs. Barbara Auerbach, this visit will allow our children to meet Jason Chin, author and illustrator of award winning children’s books like “Redwoods,” “Coral Reefs” and “Island: A Story of the Galapagos.”
5th Grade Corner
The Magnet Masters Fair on October 9th was a big success among the 5th graders too. They are anxiously waiting for the clubs to begin.
It’s a busy time for 5th grade families, as they are also busy visiting middle school open houses and tours. Visit every school you are interested in and do take your 5th grade child with you. It is important that your children experience the environment in which they are hoping to start in the Fall.