Dec 7, 2021
Winter Concert
The taping for the Winter Concert is on December 10th. Unfortunately with COVID we are not allowed to meet in person to see our children perform. The film should be available for everyone to view later that evening.
Table Talk- Take Two
Table Talk brochures were mailed earlier this week. This is an easy way for parents to talk to their children about what they are learning in school. Enjoy!
Mittens and Gloves
We are looking for mittens and gloves for kids to wear out to the playground if they forget theirs. If you can help, please drop those off in the office. Thank you in advance.
Dress Safely Reminder
Please remember, wear something reflective if you’re walking home after school. It gets dark so early now, if you are wearing dark clothing, it makes it very hard for drivers to see you. Please be safe!
4/5 grade Spiral Trees
2/3 grades Snow People
We are Learning………
6-8 Super Studies
This week, before students decided that they wanted to decorate the classroom for Christmas, they did research on the history of bringing trees and greenery into one’s house in December. They will bring in a small tree and decorate next week. They also practiced using a data analysis tool called Tuva, which they will be using later this year with the WeatherBlur project. Then we began our chemistry unit by introducing a chemistry competition that some students will participate in and learning about the periodic table.
4/5 Super Studies
This week the students took a virtual tour of Old Sturbridge Village to see what pre-industrial life was like in New England before learning about the fiber mills like those in Lowell, MA in the 1800s. They explored primary source documents to learn what life was like for the girls that worked in the mills. The class also practiced using a data analysis tool called Tuva, which they will be using later this year with the WeatherBlur project. For Forest Friday, we made star ornaments out of twigs collected in the woods around the school.
2/3 Super Studies
This week, we studied the different ways that animals deal with winter in Maine. We learned about animals that hibernate, migrate, or adapt their bodies and/or behavior to be able to stay where they are. For Forest Friday, we made star ornaments out of twigs collected in the woods around the school.
Pre-K Turkeys
We are Learning…..
ELA
2/3 ELA
Students read an article by an art critic which analyzed Seurat’s painting “The Bathers.” They learned to look at a work of art by analyzing the artists composition, use of light, and use of form. We also read a article that explained how you can approximate the temperature based on cricket chirps.
4/5 ELA
Students continued reading Bud, Not Buddy We had discussions about how Bud felt when he was at the Sweet Pea. As always there was a lot of discussion about the figures of speech used by the author.
6 – 8 ELA
Students completed a brief introduction to our new novel, Esperanza Rising. They read brief articles about the Mexican Revolution, work on a ranch, and the celebration of a 15 year-old girl coming of age.
6/7/8 grades African Silhouettes
We are Learning….
Math
2nd Math
This week we worked on subtraction one digit from two digit numbers. We did this with snap cubes, rods and place value disks. The students seem to understand it best with the place value disks and we will be working more with those this week.
3rd Math
This week we spent time learning about area. We used inch tiles to measure the area of rectangles on paper and learned that we can multiply the length times the width to get the area of a rectangle. Then we found rectangles in the school and measured them with a yardstick and found the area of each rectangle. We also continued to work on our math facts.
4th and 5th Math
We spent time this week learning about multiplying fractions by whole numbers. We learned how to draw out a model to help us understand what we were doing. We also worked with word problems to help us understand when we would multiply whole numbers by fractions.
6th math
We started our work with proportional relationships this week. This can be challenging to learn at first but is an important part of middle school math. To help the students understand, we looked at proportional relationships in recipes. For example if a batch of cookies calls for 1 and 1/2 cup of sugar how much would you need for three batches.
7th math
This week we looked at comparing relationships with tables and with equations. The students are deepening their understanding of proportional relationships and concepts that were challenging for them a few weeks ago are easily understood now.
8th math
This week the students continued their work with similar shapes as well as started working with slope. Because they started with geometry and comparing shapes their conceptual understanding of slope will be strong.
December
12/7 3-4:30 PM Basketball Practice
12/8 3-4:30 PM Basketball Practice
12/9 3-4:30 PM Basketball Practice
12/13 3-4:30 PM Basketball Practice
12/14 3-4:30 PM Basketball Practice
6:00 PM School Board Meeting
12/15 3-4:30 PM Basketball Practice
12/16 3-4:30 PM Basketball Practice
12/17 12:30 PM Early Release
12/20 3-4:30 PM Basketball Practice
12/21 3-4:30 PM Basketball Practice
12/23—1/3 Winter Break
January
1/4 Return to School
Oct 25, 2021
Pre-K Ghosts
Halloween Parade
On Friday, October 29th at 11:45 AM, students and staff will walk to the center of town on our annual Halloween Parade. We will have fire trucks lead the way and bring up the rear for safety. Please join us by watching from the church parking lot. This is an early release day and parents may take their children home after the parade, just let a teacher know you have them before leaving.
Jackets or Sweatshirts
Morning recess can be a bit chilly and students may need a jacket or sweatshirt. Also remember, due to COVID, classroom windows are open with a fan running and are chilly too.
Schoodic Trip
On Tuesday, October 26th, the 6-8th grade will go to Schoodic Education Adventure in Winter Harbor, Maine. Students will be transported by our school van and one of the chaperones personal car. Chaperones for this trip will be Mrs. Sproul and Mrs. Bebell We will leave the Brooklin School at 7:45 AM and return around 4:30 PM. Students need to pack a lunch.
Holbrook Island Sanctuary
The 4/5 will go to the Holbrook Island Sanctuary in Brooksville on October 28th to attend a Science Field Day. Students will be transported by our school van and one of the chaperones personal car. Students need to pack a lunch, dress comfortably and appropriately, bring water, and wear sturdy walking shoes. Students will be back in time for afternoon dismissal.
What Students are Learning!
Ms. Julie
Pre-K students were happy to be back at school, and are looking forward to Halloween! Students loved singing along with the “What will you be for Halloween ” classroom book, making our own books and re-telling the story of the 5 little pumpkins with playdough. On Thursday we joined Mrs. D in the garden and harvested carrots for school lunches and the backpack program.
Ms. Baird
‘In literacy this week the kindergarten and first graders worked on creating CVC words with alphabet cards. They began with the word “mad” and then switched out one sound at a time to make “man, can, cab, cob,” and so on. We will continue practicing this as it is a wonderful way to help practice letter-sound correspondence. For forest Friday this week, we found leaves of all different colors to make art on the sidewalk! This week in math the kindergarten listened to a story called Room on The Broom. They worked on recognizing numbers using subitizing cards. They also continued to enjoy the connecting cube activities and using their math boxes. The first grade also listened to the story Room on The Broom. They also learned a new activity by Steve Wyborney called Splat. There are a number of dots and then some are covered by a Splat, they have to figure out how many are covered. They also played with a new pop it game. On Friday afternoon they played math games on education.com.
Mr. Kennerk
PK—This week we have had Halloween themed stories followed by cut and glue construction paper Jack-O-lanterns, finger painted ghosts, and Mickey Halloween coloring sheets.
K/1—This week we made a cut and glue construction paper Brazilian flag to accompany the students’ focus on South America/Brazil/Pele’. This gave us the opportunity to recognize and fashion certain basic shapes and understand how they are composed together.
2/3—During the Remote Week, we explored the theme of LEAVES. The children would go out each day for sun, fresh air, and leaves to bring back into class. We did leaf rubbings. We traced and cut leaves. We rubbed and cut out leaves. And we drew leaves in pencil with a rhythmical hand patterning inside the form. This past week, we made cut and glue construction paper Jack-O-lanterns to take home for decorations.
4/5—During the Remote Week, we explored the theme of LEAVES. The children would go out each day for sun, fresh air, and leaves to bring back into class. We did leaf rubbings. We traced and cut leaves. We rubbed and cut out leaves. And we drew leaves in pencil with a rhythmical hand patterning inside the form. This past week, we continued to finish up our big mapping project—it is a few weeks later than expected due to unforeseen circumstance, but that will soon be complete.
6/7/8—These students finished up their big mapping project. The work speaks for itself!
Ms. Bebell
6-8 Super Studies
This week we didn’t have much time for Super Studies because of NWEA testing, but we were able to continue learning about the limiting factors responsible for natural selection by using a digital simulation of rabbits and wolves and by playing a tag game simulating how the population of deer is impacted by the availability of habitat resources.
4/5 Super Studies
This week we didn’t have much time for Super Studies because of NWEA testing, but we were able to start learning about why we have seasons. Students were introduced to the idea that the earth’s axis is tilted, which is responsible for different amounts of sunlight on different areas of the planet. They also made miniature paper globes that we will use in class next week to model those different amounts of solar energy.
2/3 Super Studies
This week, students continued to study the geography of where they are. They worked together to create a large map of Maine that features the places we have “visited” online and in books. Children at this age often struggle with understanding the difference between states and countries, so we practice talking about and identifying places that we’ve been to and on maps to try to clarify those differences.
Mrs. Sproul
2nd grade math – We continued working with data and bar graphs and had a quick quiz. The students are also working hard on math fluency and learning their addition strategies so they can become fluent in addition facts.
3rd grade math – We went back to working on graphing and data. We had taken a short break from that to solidify multi digit subtraction with regrouping. They are also continuing their work with fluency in the math facts.
4th grade math – We did NWEA testing during most of our math time. When not testing we continue our work with equivalent fractions. We made a number line on the floor and students stood at 1/5 2/5 3/5 and 4/5. Then I had other students find 2/10, 4/10 6/10 and 8/10. They were able to see that they were equivalent fractions. We are also continuing our work with fact fluency.
5th grade math – We did NWEA testing for most of our math time. When not testing we worked more on dividing fractions. We also continued our work with fact fluency.
6th grade – We did NWEA testing for most of our math time. When not testing, we started looking at surface area. We also continued our work with fact fluency.
7th grade We did NWEA testing for most of our math time. When not testing, we finished up our work with scale. We also continued our work with fact fluency.
8th grade We did NWEA testing for most of our math time. When not testing, we were working with triangles and the sum of their interior angles. We also continued our work with fact fluency.
Mrs. Thoner
2/3 ELA
This past week students spent time taking the NWEA tests. We also read some stories about Halloween.
4/5 ELA
This past week we continued reading Bud, Not Buddy. Students worked together to take notes about important events in Chapter 6 (after we read it aloud together). Students were then to write a paragraph to give the gist of the chapter. We also talked about “theme” as it is related to the book.
6 – 8 ELA
Students continued their reading of A Long Walk to Water. They are writing gists on each chapter and studying some of the vocabulary that is new to them. Finally, students are polishing their understanding of “theme” as we analyze what some of the themes are in this text. We also have continued to work on creative writing on Wednesdays with Ellen Booraem.
Mrs. Hicks
PK – This week in Performing Arts we practiced our Holiday song for our upcoming show on December 10th. We played some action song games including a special spooky haunted house action song in honor of Halloween next week. This weeks’ Performer of the week is Lily Bollinger
K/1 – This week in Performing Arts we practiced our song for the Holiday show on December 10th. We also congratulated two of our classmates who will have speaking parts in the show Asa Blake who will be playing little Scrooge and Alida Lewandowski who will be playing little Belle. We played some actions song games including a special spooky haunted house action song in honor of Halloween next week. This weeks’ Performer of the week is Kelley Plante
2/3 – This week in performing arts we practiced our Holiday song and learned which of our classmates will have speaking parts in the Holiday show. We read through some of the show and played some action song games including a special spooky haunted house action song in honor of Halloween next week. This weeks’ Performer of the week is Alden Brown
4/5 – This week in performing arts we learned which of our classmates will have speaking parts in the Holiday show. We began a read-through of the show and will continue that next week. This weeks’ Performer of the week is Maggie Cowart.
6/7/8 – This week in performing arts we learned which of our classmates will have speaking parts in the Holiday show. We began a read-through of the show and will continue that next week. This weeks’ Performer of the week is Connor Gillen.
Ms. Russell
Pre-K We are learning about personal space and general space. We are learning how to move around safely. We have been practicing skipping and galloping in general space. We also have spent time hiking in the woods.
K-1 We are practicing moving safely in general space while playing lead up games and tag games. I introduced Yoshi this week.
2-3 We have been practicing sportsmanship and teamwork while playing lead up games such as capture the bean bag and Yoshi.
4-5 We have been practicing sportsmanship and teamwork while playing lead up games such as capture the bean bag and Yoshi.
6,7,8 We have been practicing sportsmanship and teamwork while playing lead up games such as capture the bean bag and Yoshi.
October
10/29 11:45 AM Halloween Parade
12:30 PM Early release
November
11/2 Election Day
11/7 Daylight Savings Time Ends
11/9 6:00 PM School Board Meeting
11/11 Holiday—NO SCHOOL
11/19 12:30 PM Early release
11/24—11/26 HOLIDAY BREAK
Feb 24, 2021
Art from PK/K
Animal Art
The 3/4 Class Iroquois Longhouse
Calendar
February
2/26 Rosanna’s Reader’s Circle
March
3/5 Coffee Social via Zoom
3/19 Workshop Day/No School
April
4/2 Coffee Social via Zoom
4/3 Town Meeting
4/19—4/23 April Vacation
May
5/31 Holiday/No school
Feb 10, 2021
Art from the Puffin Class
Curriculum Updates
Performing Arts
PK/K – This week we continued our study of instruments in the orchestra. We played a musical instrument family sorting game where we sorted different instruments into the families they belonged to. We danced to some action songs and watched the next part of the orchestra performance of Peter and the Wolf which we will finish next week.
1/2 – This week we continued our study of instruments in the orchestra. We watched videos on the Oboe, Bassoon, and French Horn to learn more about what these instruments sound like and how to play them. We danced to some action songs and watched the next part of the orchestra performance of Peter and the Wolf which we will finish next week.
3/4 – This week we continued our study of instruments in the orchestra. We watched videos on the Oboe, Bassoon, and French Horn to learn more about what these instruments sound like and how to play them. We danced to some action songs and watched the next part of the orchestra performance of Peter and the Wolf which we will finish next week.
5/6 – This week we continued our study of music that came from the Holocaust. We watched a video of a woman who was a prisoner and Terezin and Auschwitz and talked about her experiences in both places. We read the poem “The Closed Town” from the book I Never Saw Another Butterfly. We talked about an upcoming video project where students will choose a poem from the book and create their own music to go along with the poem and then create a video with the words to the poem overlaid on images and their song playing in the background.
7/8 – This week we continued our study of music that came from the Holocaust. We watched a video of a woman who was a prisoner and Terezin and Auschwitz and talked about her experiences in both places. We read the poem “The Closed Town” from the book I Never Saw Another Butterfly. We talked about an upcoming video project where students will choose a poem from the book and create their own music to go along with the poem and then create a video with the words to the poem overlaid on images and their song playing in the background.
Curriculum Updates
First and Second Grade
This week in math and literacy in grades k-2, students took the NWEA tests. We take this test in the fall when school starts, again in the winter, and we will take it again in the spring. Students showed great growth in this test since the fall, and I am so excited to keep teaching and learning to see how they do in the spring!
We were so excited and grateful for the snow, and I enjoyed watching as every single student in our class worked together to build this awesome igloo! If I had let them have an unlimited amount of time building this, I’m sure it would have ended up twice as tall and include a roof!
Finally, we moved our classroom to the cafeteria! We now have more space and don’t feel so cramped.
ELA
3/4-This week we continued the introduction to the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Nation. We revisited the Thanksgiving Address and listened to a read-aloud book about Hiawatha. Students will start their new books this week. Students were also able to take their NWEA reading tests this week. Everyone made growth – some made double-digit growth!
ELA – 5/6
Students continued their study of The Story of Gilgamesh. Central standards include theme, figurative speech, and poetic form, along with others. Students were also able to take their NWEA reading tests this week.
ELA – 7/8
Students are finishing up the final touches on the children’s books they have been writing and illustrating. They also continue to work on their fiction pieces for “Ellen Writing”. Students were also able to take their NWEA reading tests this week.
Super Studies
3/4 Super Studies
The students began collecting information about the 50 states to compile in a digital notebook. They are getting better at identifying the states on a map every day! On Forest Friday the students built towers out of snow, and even then they were noticing chunks of frozen snow that were shaped like different states.
5/6 Super Studies
This week, students connected what they have been learning about Ancient Egypt to the geography of that region of Africa. They learned about how the landscape influences human behavior and the development of civilization. They also began learning about the ancient Nubian Kingdoms to Egypt’s south and how the two civilizations were connected. On Forest Friday, we had a lovely time snowshoeing through the woods and discovered that it can be much more tiring hiking with snowshoes on!
7/8 Super Studies
This week, students simulated the process that a bill goes through to become a law by working in three groups (to represent the three branches of government) to create a pretend lunch menu. They also learned about the 6 goals of the Constitution as described by the preamble. In between NWEA tests, students also found time to quiz themselves on how well they know the locations of the 50 states.
Art from Pre-K
Math
3rd-grade math – Students took their math NWEA, had a snow day, and continued to work on subtraction with regrouping. We spiced it up a bit on Friday and did our practice in the gym with scooters!
4th-grade math – Students took their math NWEA, had a snow day, and worked with multiple ways to divide with remainders.
5th-grade math – Students took their math NWEA, had a snow day, and worked with fractions, decimals, and measurement conversions.
6th-grade math – Students took their math NWEA, had a snow day, and continued their work with multiplying decimals.
7th-grade math – students took their math NWEA, had a snow day, and continued their work with expressions using rational numbers.
8th-grade math – students took their math NWEA, had a snow day, and continued their work with linear equations.
Art from Grades 1/2
News from GSA
GSA Virtual Info Night on Wednesday, March 3rd, 6:00 – 7:00pm. This evening will focus on how we support students during their time at GSA, and it will offer a deeper peek into our exceptional Athletic, and Visual and Performing Arts programs. Parents and students are encouraged to join! Please register at c.snow@georgestevens.org and include your child’s name, grade, current school, and your home email address. You will receive an email invitation link directly from Zoom approximately 48 hours prior to the event. This invitation link is required for security purposes. Questions? Call the Admissions office at 374-2808 or email the address above.
Calendar
February
2/12 Winter Carnival
2/15—2/19 February Vacation
March
3/12 Coffee Social via Zoom
3/19 Workshop Day/No School
April
4/3 Town Meeting
4/19—4/23 April Vacation
May
5/31 Holiday/No school
Oct 22, 2020
Thank You:
- PTF for the Brooklin School shirts.
Halloween Parade
On Thursday, October 29th at 2:30, students will line up on the sidewalk, socially distanced, all the way around the school. Parents, friends, neighbors, and members of the community will drive by the students. We will not be able to walk to the General Store this year, however, Blossom, from the Brooklin Candy Company and Jenna, from the General Store, are exploring safe ways they can hand out candy and treats to the students.
Rosanna’s Readers
Our first Rosanna’s Readers Birthday Books. Each student will receive a birthday book the month of their birthday from the Sherman Family in honor of Rosanna. Thank you to the Sherman family for making this happen!
Camp Out
The 7th and 8th-grade students will be having campout on the soccer field. Mrs. Bebell and Ms. Russell have an afternoon, evening, and morning itinerary filled with kickball, star gazing, and night hikes. A permission slip will be coming home shortly.
Brooklin School Votes
Today students in grades K-8 participated in the statewide Student Mock Election. The winners of the school election were Joe Biden, Sara Gideon, and Jared Golden.
Curriculum Updates
Pre-K and K students had the wonderful opportunity to meet and listen to author Michael Chabon read his newest book this week. It was fun to see some of the students have an A-HA moment when Michael began to explain about the dedication page of the book, as we have been learning about book nomenclature- and the concept of the dedication page has been tricky- but hearing Michael talk about it connected the kids to the concept. We cut out our own paper pumpkins and created jack-o-lantern faces on them during Art with Mr. Kennerk, and during library time we began listening to Charlotte’s Web.
First graders and kindergarteners this week worked on letter sounds and creating words on their whiteboards and by manipulating physical letters. They also did some partner reading with their books at their level. In math, kindergarten students continued to work on recognition of numbers to 10. They also worked on hidden partners in a number using unifix cubes, 1+4 =5. The first grade worked on ways to make 10. They also continued to work on counting the ten way and they worked on solving math stories. First grade continued to work on math facts. If I have 8, how many do I need to make 10? Second graders continued writing and spelling common sight words, and sentences involving their sight words. They also worked on handwriting, and spelling and word families. In math, the second grade worked on taking from ten within 20, 11-9=10-9=1+1=2. They also worked on taking from 10 within 100. K-2 also explored their Math boxes and enjoyed playing with cards and dominoes.
3/4 Super Studies: This week, the students discussed and brainstormed ways that the energy that is made by playing on the playground could be transformed into other kinds of energy, like a swing that turns on a light. They also explored solar energy by playing with how shadows change over time and collecting data on how direct rays from the sun generate heat. On Forest Friday, the students gathered brightly colored leaves to make themselves a crown.
5/6 Super Studies: This week, the 5th and 6th grade historians learned about how to describe time going back thousands of years by using B.C. and A.D. They also started planning for creating a timeline that they will add to throughout the year and read about the neolithic revolution. On Forest Friday, the students gathered brightly colored leaves to make themselves a crown, necklace, or garland.
7/8 Super Studies: This week, students continued exploring how citizens are involved in the democratic process. Also, after discovering that they didn’t know very much about past presidents, we changed Wednesday’s plan and spent some time discussing a general timeline of the US presidency instead. We will explore out presidents in more detail later in the year.
3/4 ELA: This week we have focused much attention on the book Thank You, Mr. Falker, by Patricia Pollaco. Students have been given their own personal copy of the book to keep. For those of you who have not read it, you should – better yet, have your child read it to you. It is based on the author’s own experience in learning how to read. We have spent a lot of time discussing various aspects of the book, including how difficult it is for some children to learn to read, how much work might need to go into it for some, and how rewarding it is when the hard work pays off. The message is one of both empathy for those who struggle to succeed at something and of the importance of sticking to a difficult task.
5/6 ELA: This week we have continued working on an analysis of Eight Days: A Story of Haiti. Students have worked in groups and independently to try to dissect both the events of the story and the illustrations. They will be writing a literary analysis, following the formula they have been practicing.
7/8 ELA: Students have continued a close reading of Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, focusing on vocabulary, literary interpretation, and the author’s purpose.
3rd grade math – This week we have looked at various ways to do multiplication and division for twos and threes. The students continue to be eager to learn. Learning the basic math facts will greatly increase their confidence when doing upper level math. Please review the multiplication facts with your kids when you can. I like to ask my children a few problems when we are in the car. Repetition can be really helpful in getting them in their long term memory. I can’t tell you how many middle schoolers I have worked with that didn’t master their facts early on. It really cripples their ability to understand the higher levels of math. Please take the time now to help them learn the facts, it truly will pay off later!
4th grade math. We have been continuing our work on rounding and working on adding large numbers using the place value chart. We also have been reviewing math facts with the third graders to solidify them in their long term memory.
5th grade math – We have continued to work rounding using the vertical number line. We also have been working on adding decimals.
6th grade math – We continued our work with ratios and started comparing using tables and number line diagrams.
7th grade math – We continue our work with ratios using fractions and unit rate. Some students are working on finding proportional ratios using different methods.
8th grade math – Some students have been working on magnitude, scientific notation and operations with scientific notation. Others are also working on choice of units and manipulating numbers in scientific notation.
PTF News:
- We hope you received your new Brooklin School shirts! If you did not get one please email brooklinschoolptf@gmail.com or call 207-266-1298. If a family member or friend would like to order a shirt please be in touch.
- The next PTF meeting is outdoors, October 27th @ 3:15. We already have so many new members this year and we are hoping even more of you will join us!
- Brooklin School PTF is considering a children’s warm clothing swap. This event would be held outside. We are hoping the kids can be outside as much as possible this year but that can be cold and outdoor gear is $$$$. Hang on to your children’s outdoor gear that they have outgrown and in preparation, you could get it washed and ready to go. We will choose a date soon and send out the details.
- Any feedback about the backpack program can also be emailed to brooklinschoolptf@gmail.com or text 207-266-1298
- Brooklin School PTF is having a fundraiser! https://givebutter.com/brooklin If you know someone that is interested in donating to our great organization please send them the link. Thank you!
October
10/23 12:00 Dismissal
4:00 pm Camp Out
10/27 3:15 pm PTF Meeting
10/29 2:30 pm Halloween Parade
10/30 NO SCHOOL—Teacher Workshop
11:00-11:30 am Parent Social with Principal and Staff ZOOM
2:00-2:30 pm Parent Social with Principal and Staff ZOOM
November
11/1 Daylight Savings Time Ends (set clocks back one hour)
11/6 12:00 Dismissal
11/10 6:00pm School Board Meeting
11/11 Holiday—No School
11/25-11/27 Holiday Break
December
12/8 6:00pm School Board Meeting
Sep 25, 2020
