Harvest Party Sign-Up

Here is a link to the Room 9 Sign-Up Genius for our Harvest Party on Wednesday, October 31st. Everyone is welcome to attend this low key event! We will eat some goodies and read a Halloween story!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a0c48abaa22a13-harvest1

Watershed

We have been busy learning about how Lake Champlain helps our town of Colchester. Yesterday, Stephanie Larkin, from the Lake Champlain Basin Program at ECHO, came in to teach us all about our watershed. A watershed is basically a piece of land that drains into a river, lake, stream, or ocean. We talked about ways that we inadvertently harm Lake  Champlain and ways that we can fix it. Stephanie brought a watershed model and the students were able to sprinkle various environmental hazards on the model.  A few of the ways that we were able to “act out” on the watershed model were animal waste, harmful fertilizer, soil erosion, grass clippings, litter, excess winter salt, and oil. Ways that we talked about to fix these issues are scooping up animal waste, composting, planting grass, shrubs and building fences, picking up litter, using salt sparingly during storms and finding more “earth friendly” ways to melt snow and ice, and fixing leaks in cars.  The kids LOVED the hands on experience and they really learned a lot!! We’ll be making a google slide presentation next week! 

Harvest Celebration

We are having a Harvest Celebration on Wednesday, October 31st from 2:00 - 2:50.  Click on the sign up genius link to help bring a treat!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0C48ABAA22A13-harvest1

Fire fighters

October is National Fire Safety Month. Yesterday, The Colchester Fire Department came to UMS to review fire safety with our students. We talked about having a family meeting spot outside of the house if we have to leave fast, how to crawl under smoke, and what to do if your clothing catches fire -stop, drop, cover your face, and roll. We were also able to see a firefighter dressed up in all her gear and hear what it sounds like when she breathes, which sounds like Darth Vader. Take a look at some of our fun!

Conference Sign Up

Here is the link for parents to use to sign up for conferences in November.  Please remember that each child is allowed one time slot, so please plan accordingly!  I look forward to talking about all of the wonderful successes that your child has had so far this year!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a0c48abaa22a13-mscollins

Reading

We've started our reading groups in earnest this week. Students have been busy picking "Good Fit" books, working independently, and practicing our reading strategies. I'm so proud of the growth that these kids have shown in such in short amount of time!