Overdue Library Books

As the end of the year approaches, please be on the lookout for overdue notices from the Library.  Many will be sent home on April 25 in Friday folders.  If you have questions, please contact Mrs. Duffina at lduffina@chestnuthillacademy.com.
Don't forget to look for books in lockers, under beds, and in cars.  When I remind most of the children that they have an overdue book, they usually know where it is.  A gentle reminder from home to bring it back to school is appreciated.  Thank you!

Cascarones in Spanish class

CASCARONES!!!! Kindergarten and First graders had a GREAT time making Cascarones (Confetti filled eggs) in Spanish class.

Working with Reference Materials

For the past few weeks, students have been working with dictionaries and atlases.  The older students have been using almanacs and encyclopedias as well. We've had scavenger hunts, quizzed one another, and taken assessments.  By far their favorite activity has been looking through the atlases to show their friends where they have been!

 

Birthday Books

If your child has had a recent birthday or will be celebrating one soon, why not think about donating a book to the CHA Library?  I have many students who love a certain book which is not already in our catalog, and they donate it to the Library.  We usually read it aloud, and then I catalog it for check out for others to read.  If you're interested in donating a book, please let me know, and I can give you a list of suggestions.  Thanks!

The Big Bus

Kindergarten and First Grade students have been enjoying the new Internet-based games called "The Big Bus."  Thanks to a CHAPTER grant, we were able to enjoy some new, age-appropriate activities in the Tech Lab.  Students have been enjoying the literacy and math games.  There are spelling, reading, and listening challenges as well as sorting, counting and math challenges. 

 

Read Across America Week

Thanks to CHA's Student Council, the students have enjoyed many activities focusing around "Read Across America Week."  In Library, students had the opportunity to hear books written by Dr. Seuss and vote on their favorite out of 9 popular titles.  The Lorax was the clear winner, followed by How the Grinch Stole Christmas, then Yertle the Turtle.  Results are posted outside the Library door. 
We also discussed the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award given each year for the best children's book for beginning readers.  This year's winner was The Watermelon Seed by Greg Pizzoli.  The students enjoy hearing these books, regardless of their age.  They make wonderful read-aloud books too!

 

Penguin Power Point Presentations

For the past few weeks, the first grade students have been working diligently on their PowerPoint presentations on penguins.  Using the information from their reports completed in class, the first graders learned how to add text, pictures, and transitions to a four-slide presentation.  Next week, I should have the presentations loaded into a drop box so that you all can see their hard work!

Celebrating Author Robert Munsch

For the past few weeks, the younger students have been enjoying hearing books by Canadian author, Robert Munsch.  Many of the titles shared were illustrated by Michael Martchenko.  Student have especially liked Thomas' Snowsuit and Andrew's Loose Tooth while checking out many others.  The children have enjoyed giggling along to these silly books.  Ask your child which one they thought was the best!

Farm Animals and Snowmen in First grade!

 Last week first grade students began learning "La granja" (The Farm) Vocabulary and the names of animals on the farm. They also began learning the Spanish song "El granjero tiene una granja" (The farmer has a farm).

First graders began creating their own farms and labeling the pictures with the Spanish vocabulary.



First graders also reviewed the song "Mi hombre de nieve" (My snowman) and created their own snowmen our of shaving cream and glue. They had a blast creating their "Hombres de nieve"!!

Miss Alaineus: A Vocabulary Disaster

In the upcoming week in Library, students will be hearing and discussing Miss Alaineus: A Vocabulary Disaster by Debra Frasier.  This book, written by the author of On the Day You Were Born, follows Sage, a fifth grader who has misheard and misunderstood her teacher's weekly vocabulary homework.  This "disaster" eventually turns into a triumph as it inspires a vocabulary parade.  CHA will be participating in a Top Hat Parade on Friday, January 31 and this book helps them prepare for the project.  Focused around Science vocabulary, the Top Hat Parade allows each child to create a top hat using a Science word that is grade appropriate.  More information about the project will be sent home soon by your child's science teacher.

Sharing Folktales

One way to learn about a country's culture is to read and share folktales.  This week in Library, students have been hearing stories and facts about the countries they are studying for the Multicultural Fair. Kindergarten heard Possum Magic by Mem Fox.  First graders heard two tales from South Africa while second graders heard some animal stories from Brazil.  I found a book written from a Singapore author called The Elephant and the Tree for third grade.  In fourth grade, students heard and shared Greek myths.

Supermercado in First Grade

First grade students are having fun leading calendar in Spanish. They are also practicing with "Cuanto cuesta" to ask how much something costs and we have started setting up our "Supermercado" to sell our fruits and vegetables. First grade students are very excited to set up the supermercado!

K-3 Music: Takin' It Back to the "Old School" When Times were So Cool, with selections from the "Blue Moo."

Younger students have been doing a lot of voice exploration and vocal development in music. We've been working on pitch and projection while singing songs for upcoming performances. 5th grade has been working on a Guatemalan marimba song, and students are coming a long way with their mallet technique. Here a 1st grade class warming up with the "voice-parachute."

It's fun to take a singing break with 'hits from way back never,' via the Blue Moo Jukebox. It features bands and singers from past decades, in a variety of styles and genres. Some favorites include Christopher Kale Jones, The Uninvited Loud Precision Band, The Sparklets, and John Ondrasik. It's fun to see which students/grades like which songs.


"Do you wonder how a cow can touch your heart and soul? I don't know, but anyhow, it's what they call Rock-and Roll."

Spooks Galore in K-2 Music

 Halloween is a fun time in music class, whether it be spooky sounds, songs, or crazy sounding instruments. Pictured top left and right, K-1 students sing and switch instruments during the tune "There Was an Old Witch."

Pictured in the middle, 2nd graders sing the spooky tune "Hoo's in the Forest."  Students scattered as trees sing louder and softer to help the hunter locate the owl who's been causing mischief in the forest. 3rd grade also revisited the tune!

 Here's some shots of the Haunted House transformation. Thank you to all teachers and families for a great Fall Festival! I especially wanted to thank Senora Malewiski and the Specialist team. It is wonderful to work with such a dedicated and talented group!

First Graders Try Some Physics Concepts

Using the program, Crayon Physics, first graders have been practicing their mouse skills, problem solving, and helping one another.  One of the benefits of this game is that no one student will solve the puzzles the same way.  We all draw our lines, boxes, and anchors differently using a mouse.  The purpose of the game is to have the ball drop onto a star.  Sometimes you have to make the ball fall the right way, other times you have to think of a solution to make it seemingly travel uphill.  The students have a lot of fun thinking of different solutions!

Wish Lists

Students spent the first few days this week creating "wish lists" at the Scholastic Book Fair.  The Book Fair opened Tuesday and will be opened through Fall Festival.  A big thank you to all the volunteers to make this Book Fair be so successful! 
Remember, if you're unable to come to the Book Fair in person, you can always shop on-line: http://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bookfairs/cptoolkit/homepage.do?method=homepage&url=chestnuthillacademy.  The link is also found on the CHA website.

So many books!!

Preparing for the Scholastic Book Fair

This week in Library class, the students watched the promotional Book Fair video based on their reading interests and grade levels.  They were very excited and already have some ideas on what titles they would like to purchase at our Book Fair next week.  If you'd like to preview the titles, you may take a look at the website designed just for the CHA families:

http://bookfairs.scholastic.com/homepage/chestnuthillacademy

 

On Monday and Tuesday next week, students will have an opportunity to fill out wish lists.  The Book Fair hours are as follows:

Tuesday, October 22: 3:30 - 5:30 pm

Wednesday, October 23: 2:30 - 5:30 pm

Thursday, October 24: 7:45 - 9:15 am AND 2:30 - 5:30

Friday, October 25: 2:30 - 7:30 (during Fall Festival)

 

We hope to see you there!

Dia de los Muertos!

Dia de los Mertos(day of the dead) is a Mexican celebration honoring loved ones who have passed. This vibrant holiday calls elaborately decorated skeletons, Catrinas.

This week at Art, my 1st graders had a great time learning about Dia de los muertos and creating their day of the dead Catrinas.

his vibrant holiday calls the elaborately decorated skeletons, Catrinas. My second grade students loved creating their Day of the Dead Catrinas using paint and paper. - See more at: http://www.deepspacesparkle.com/2009/10/25/day-of-dead-art-project/#sthash.iRn3zIy2.dpuf

The Dead of the Dead is a Mexican celebration honoring loved ones who have passed. This vibrant holiday calls the elaborately decorated skeletons, Catrinas. My second grade students loved creating their Day of the Dead Catrinas using paint and paper. - See more at: http://www.deepspacesparkle.com/2009/10/25/day-of-dead-art-project/#sthash.iRn3zIy2.dpuf

Their Art turned out AMAZING!!!

The Dead of the Dead is a Mexican celebration honoring loved ones who have passed. This vibrant holiday calls the elaborately decorated skeletons, Catrinas. My second grade students loved creating their Day of the Dead Catrinas using paint and paper. - See more at: http://www.deepspacesparkle.com/2009/10/25/day-of-dead-art-project/#sthash.iRn3zIy2.dpuf

Library Reminders

This week, students who had overdue books from the Library received notices in their Friday folders.  Students are allowed to check out one book a week, however, the older students may check out an additional book if it is for a school project. If students haven't finished their book in a week, they may also request to renew it for an additional week.  Most students have done a fantastic job making sure their books are returned on time.  Thank you!

Next week, we will officially start our Book Fair kick off by watching a promotional video and hearing excerpts from books featured in the Fair.  More information will follow.

Read for the Record!

This week, Kindergarten and First Grade students heard the book Otis by Loren Long.  CHA was invited to be part of Jumpstart's "Read for the Record" where schools all over the country share this book and try to break the world's record.  There were 83 students who participated. This book is about a tractor named Otis who makes friends in the most unlikely of places.  There are sequels which will be shared later this month.