Creating Thanksgiving Table Covers

During enrichment classes this week students are working on creating table coverings that will be used during our school Thanksgiving dinner next week. This activity has students working on an authentic project that supports our school community.

Be sure to check out their turkey artwork as you enjoy a meal with family and friends!

Flynn Trips at RES

Each year I work with classroom teachers to plan a trip to the Flynn Theater in Burlington for every student.  Sometimes these trips may tie into curriculum work they are doing in class, but often they are selected because of a belief that they will be of high interest to students.  By the time that RES students graduate to middle school they have attended at least five theater plays about a variety of topics. I feel privileged to support the arts through my efforts as the Flynn coordinator for our school.  I also love the fact that these plays are well attended by parent chaperones.  It is a great opportunity for families to participate in a shared experience and connect with some amazing art.

This year the Flynn Trip schedule is as follows:

Grade K--Complete!
Grade 4 (Erickson/Darby)-- "Mayhem Poets" November 12th
Grade 4 (Erickson/Darby/Ayer) -- "Flamenco Vivo"  January 25th
Grade 1 and 2-- "SkippyJon Jones"  January 30th
Grade 3 and 4 (Senning/Ayer) -- " True Story of the Three Pigs"  April 29th
Grade 3 (Ankerson/Berliner) -- "MOMIX Botanica"  May 3rd


To find out more about the matinee series (they have weekend shows as well) check out the Flynn website:
http://www.flynncenter.org/

Often Flynn shows are accompanied by Companion Workshops.  Although our teachers have expressed interest in these workshops, they are not supported within our current budget.  If you would be interested in sponsoring a workshop for a particular grade, please let me know. These workshops are a great way for students to take their learning and experience beyond the play itself.

A Community Project for Four Winds

Students in Mrs.Robinson's second grade class spent their enrichment session today creating holiday bulbs for the Four Winds fundraiser. (see more information about the fundraiser here: http://resvt.blogspot.com/2012/10/res-4-winds-handmade-holiday-ornament.html )

Students talked about the reasons they liked Four Winds, including: being outside, getting to spend time in school with parents and community members, and puppet shows! This project was a way for the group to reflect on their connection to the community through Four Winds and do something positive.

The pictures below show the artists hard at work and the results.

Fostering a Sense of Community in Grade 2

Second graders have spent the last few weeks during enrichment classes brainstorming ways that they can make their community a better place. After spending time last year studying their community, it has been easy for students to develop projects and plans that support a wide array of ideas.

One area that all classes identified as important was helping the elderly in our community. As a result we have reached out to some local organizations and many students spent time creating cards and letters that will be sent to cheer up their fellow neighbors.

Each class also identified helping those younger than them. Although this idea was common, the ways in which each class have decided to address this relationship is is different. In Mrs. Rigg's class students are working on plays and puppet shows that teach a lesson. They will be making movies to share with kindergarten and first grade friends around the theme 'Don't Give Up'. In Miss Darling's class students have decided to make reading buddies for a younger class. Their idea is to create a stuffed 'monster' that will be available to read to a friend. Students are designing and sewing their creatures in hopes that this will encourage their younger peers to read. In Mrs. Robinson's students are creating a large Richmond mural. Along with their canvas map they are also planning to build many of the important structures around town. This town project will then be made available to younger students to use to both explore and learn.

The Enrichment Room--a Place to Learn!

I feel very lucky this year to be in a new classroom space. Students are filling every corner with learning! At the beginning of the year I put up a sign that said: WE ARE A COMMUNITY OF LEARNERS. Each week we grow towards this motto. Here are a few pictures that capture the type of learning that is happening in the enrichment room. Students use the library, work at tables, play on the floor, create and watch puppet shows, etc. I welcome visitors, so consider dropping by for a visit!

After School Enrichment Program in Full Swing

The after school enrichment program is in full swing! Students are gardening, dancing, creating a newspaper and lots more! Here are a few pictures from classes this week. Interested in enrichment for the next session? Sign ups will be sent home in the new year.

Making RES a Better Place to Learn

This year in enrichment first graders are thinking about their school community. Students were challenged to come up with ideas about how to make RES a better place to learn. The lists they generated are great!

This week we began working on their ideas. We will be creating flower pots for every classroom,building some indoor gardens, and making alphabet items for kindergarten friends. Each idea was developed by the class and we will follow their ideas and plans to create the end products.
Here are some of the students designing their flower pot gifts.