October Fun!

This month we have a lot going on. In science, we will be studying leaves and photosynthesis. We are also studying pumpkins. We will be carving a pumpkin next week and roasting the seeds for a delicious snack. We are also working on following directions on recipes to make yummy food items. Next week we will be making fresh applesauce. Yummy!




In social studies, we are working on our calendar skills each day. We will be working hard to understand the election process in our country. We are also working on various life and social skills.



In language arts, we have finished our parts of speech unit. We will be looking at writing correct sentences and beginning a writers' workshop.



In reading, we have enjoyed reading David Lubar's short stories from his latest book, Attack of the Vampire Wienies. We are working on reading strategies that good readers do to improve comprehension of what they read. I am happy to report that the students were so excited by one of the stories they took it even further and developed their own version of an old fairy tale. We will be publishing them for all to read.



In math, some students are finishing up a unit on division. Others are finishing with counting change and dollars. While, others are working on addition and telling time. All students are working hard to be great mathematicians.

MARE

Students have been enjoying class trips with their grade level classes this month. While in school, they continue to work on their individual reading goals. We are also reading Lemony Snickett's A Series of Unfortunate Events. We are working on various activities in relation to the book. We'll watch the movie when we finish the book.

The math students just finished learning about place value of decimals. To help us relate place value to real life, we play The Price is Right on the Wii on Fridays. It gives the students an opportunity to undestand the cost of items as well as apply their knowledge of place value in determining the price. We are moving on to learn about probability before the end of the school year.

Each grade level contributed to out MARE bulletin board. We are all looking forward to Ocean Night at OCS.

May

The 7th grade has finished testing. Yahoo! My 7th graders tried their best each day on the NJASK test. This week the 5th and 6th grades are testing. They are also working very hard to apply all that they have learned to answer test questions.

The 7th graders are finishing up their research papers. They are putting on the final touches. The papers will be due on Friday, May 11. They are also working on reading comprehension this week by reading articles about Native Americans and answering questions based on their reading. This ties into what they jusat finished learning about in Social Studies class.

In Math, we are working on activities that require remembering basic math facts.

In Science, 6th grade is learning about the Galapagos Islands. The 7th grade is learning about the Coral Reef.

April

This month many of the students will be working on test taking strategies. We will be practicing using grade-level test practice books so that the students are familiar with test wording and set up. We will do this in Language Arts and Math classes. In addition to test prep, we will still work on the core goals during class.

In science, we are beginning to study physical and chemical changes. We will be conducting experiments to learn about each.

In social studies, we are learning about the Monroe Doctrine and the Trail of Tears.

Please call or e-mail me with any questions.

Mrs. P.

Nicholas Edward Pettinelli

I am still out on maternity leave, but wanted to add a link to the baby's birth announcement. I am enjoying time at home with my family, but am looking forward to finishing out this school year with my students!
Nicholas Edward Pettinelli

Conferences Are Around The Corner

Students have been working hard in room 214. The math class put their knowledge of polygons to the test to decorate the room for Halloween. The students made pumpkins and monsters by cutting paper into polygons and gluing it together to make their decorations.

In Reading and Language Arts, the students are busy editing their stories for our Halloween bulletin board: What's Brewing in 214? We continue to work with phomemes and sight words to improve pur reading skills. Also, students are reading independently and working on activities based on their independent reading. Two students are using the Tumbleweed Online Books through the Warren County Library. Others have selected novels they are interested in reading. All students are reading fictional books at this time.

Our science class is finishing up our unit on Erosion and Weathering. Soon we will be blasting off to study the moon and space.

Finally, I will be meeting with parents for conferences on Monday, November 7th at night and Tuesday, November 8th in the afternoon. Starting November 9th, I will be on maternity leave until April 1. Miss Megan Lynch will be filling in for me. She is currently the classroom aide for 6th grade here at OCS. She is very knowledgeable about current advances in special education and I know she will do a wonderful job teaching your children!

A few things

The end of the first month of school is upon us. Grade progress reports will be going home on Friday, October 7. Next week, some of the students will be working on independent reading packets at home. Others have reading homework packets that address the particular reading skills that need extra practice.

Students continue to learn more about geometry in math class. We are moving on from quadrelaterals to learn more about circles and circumference.

My science students are learning more about earth science. We explored the dirt around us to and will be exploring the effects of erosion and weathering on our planet.