Welcome to the new Vtdigger.org design

Welcome to the new Vtdigger.org design

I've just discovered this new online journal resource for fresh voices
in Vermont news and opinion. Journalists wishing to preserve traditional
values in reporting have put together a site that offers a fresh look and
strong news content. Take a look!

season of shadows

First grade has been reading about the science of shadows and the imaginative offspring that literature provides. We shared in the fun of Robert Louis Stevenson's poem, and read two books by Paul Fleischman - one that reinterprets city shadows, and one that imitates a shadow puppet play. Having tried our hands at hand puppets, we use paper cutouts to tell shadow puppet stories with the overhead projector.

Second grade will move from biographies to an author study. Reading a variety of books by one author allows students to recognize the elements that are shared due that authors style of writing and approach to storytelling. They understand that it can be fun to look for more books by the author of a story that they love.

Third grade is done with their Native American celebration and are learning some basic tools for accessing information in non-fiction books: table of contents and index, then on to online catalog and database use.

Fourth grades will enjoy a short novel read-aloud that encourages some critical analysis. They will be learning to make their own interpretations rather than answering questions with the "right" response. It requires risk-taking to take a point of view and support it with evidence from the story.

beyond apples

So here we go, passing from apples and foliage to deer hunting and the flight of the Canada geese. The real blessing of November is in the sky - amazing sunsets and dramatic dark clouds on a late afternoon horizon.
So far this month, there's been nothing to hate about November as we experience day after day of mild Indian summer days.


We had another great book fair this week. Older students scooped up copies of the Hunger Games and The Leanin' Dog, while younger students
looked for Fancy Nancy and Skippy Jon Jones. Parents found some interesting cookbooks, and teachers bought new supplies of gloved pointer hands on dowels to make the Smartboard taps a bit more fun. It was a lot of fun working with parents who volunteered their time to make it all happen. We are fortunate to have such a supportive community of families who join in so many fun events at school - bravo to all!


Sixth grades are doing research for their survival fair after reading the book Hatchet. They are learning how one can be prepared for severe weather, lack of shelter, wild animals, finding wild edibles, and more. They will prepare displays that cover all the hazards of a northern boreal climate, and that demonstrate preparedness for wilderness survival. Look for the display boards at parent-teacher conferences!