Husky Howler
December 2, 2022
This Week's Note From Mr. Evan Chelman, Principal
Dear Hill-Roberts Families,
It’s hard to believe that the official start of winter is around the corner! This time of year, it’s natural for children and families to be spending a little more time inside. While we fully encourage outdoor fun when possible, this colder weather brings an opportunity to focus on some cozy games that will captivate and motivate your child and promote their learning at the same time! (These games, along with age-appropriate books, also make wonderful gifts if you are celebrating upcoming holidays or have winter birthdays in your family!) Please see some suggestions below:
Board Games that use Math
Addition, Subtraction, and Counting Skills
- Connect Four (7+)
Sorry! (6+)
Trouble (5+)
Hungry Hungry Hippos (4+)
Pay Day (8+)
Uno (6+)
Spot the Dots - Addition (6+)
Sum Swamp - Addition and Subtraction (5+)
Patterns, Attributes, Shapes, and Geometry
- Crazy Eights (4+)
Guess Who? (6+)
Rummikub (8+)
Category 5 (8+)
Tangrams
Jigsaw Puzzles
Strategy, Reasoning, and Spatial Perception
- Mastermind (8+)
Monopoly, Junior (8+)
Mousetrap (6+)
Apples to Apples, Junior (9+)
The Game of Life (9+)
Yahtzee (9+)
Cadoo (7+)
Battleship (7+)
Clue Jr. (5+)
Clue (8+)
Connect Four (7+)
Othello (8+)
Jenga (6+)
Blokus (5+)
Mancala (6+)
Sequence (7+)
Board Games to Practice Math Facts
Yahtzee – This classic dice game from Milton Bradley combines luck and strategy. Players practice sequencing, critical thinking skills, and addition and multiplication facts. The game retails for approximately $10; score pads can be purchased separately for around $4.
Bunco – A game entirely based on chance, rather than strategy, Bunco can provide a lot of educational fun for even very small children. The object of the game is to collect points for rolling certain combinations of dice. Keeping score can help to practice basic addition, and regularly calculating how many points are needed to reach the goal of 21 can be encouraged as a way to practice subtraction facts. Bunco rules can be found easily in an online search or the boxed game including dice, score cards and complete rules can be purchased at many large retail stores for around $15.
Phase 10 Dice Game – The Phase 10 Dice Game by Fundex Games uses a unique set of 10 dice, numbered 1 through 12. Players move through each phase of the game by achieving the sequence of dice noted for each level. The game requires strategy, teaches sequencing and patterns, and provides plenty of opportunities for practicing addition and multiplication facts. The rules can easily be modified with an easier system of score-keeping for younger players. Phase 10 is a fun, affordable (less than $10) game that works well for single and multiple players.
Sum Swamp – This fun and engaging game from Learning Resources is the winner of the Oppenheim best toy award. Kids practice addition and subtraction math facts by rolling the dice and adding and subtracting their way around the swamp, getting caught in the loop and hoping for a land on the Crocodile Short Cut. Recommended for ages 5+, this game retails for under $20.
Monopoly and Monopoly Junior – This classic board game by Hasbro Games now comes in so many versions it's hard not to find the perfect fit for any game lover! Monopoly provides endless opportunities for adding, subtracting, estimating, and general wheeling and dealing. Choose Monopoly Junior for simpler rules and smaller bills – a great option for younger children. Original versions retail for less than $20, with some specialty-themed versions costing a little more.
Questions to Ask Your Child About Their Reading
Talking to your children about the books they read is one of the best ways to support your child’s literacy development. Your child needs to engage in critical thinking to discuss a book — a key skill for success in school as well as life. Here are some tips on how to start and sustain a book discussion with your child:
Before your child reads a book, ask:
Why did you select this book?
What makes you think this book is going to be interesting?
What do you think the book is going to be about?
Does this book remind you of anything else you’ve already read or seen?
What kind of characters do you think will be in the book?
What do you think is going to happen?
While your child is reading a book, try asking:
Will you catch me up on the story? What’s happened so far?
What do you think will happen next?
If you were that character, what would you have done differently in that situation?
Where is the book set?
If the main character in that story lived next door, would you be friends?
What does the place look like in your head as you read? Would you want to visit there?
Have you learned any new words or facts so far?
After your child has finished a book, ask questions like:
What was your favorite part of the book? Why?
Who was your favorite character? Why?
What was the most interesting thing you learned from the book?
Why do you think the author wrote this book?
Would you have ended the book differently? Did it end the way you thought it would?
Did the problem of the book’s plot get solved?
If you could change one thing in the book, what would it be?
Sincerely,
Evan Chelman, Principal
***TERM 1 REPORT CARDS ACCESSIBLE IN ASPEN THE AFTERNOON OF 12/9/22***
Hill-Roberts' donations were picked up today! Thank you!
Some Friday Photos!
During the month of December, we are focusing on Celebrations Around the World, in the music room. We sing songs, play games, and learn about the many holiday traditions practiced by people of different cultures. Here are some pics of kindergarten students learning how to spin dreidels.
Cafeteria Mural
See the flyer below to be sure your APS APP is functioning for you!
Howliday Shop Update (flyers below)
Join us at the Howliday Shop TOMORROW (9-1)!
We’ll have lots of great gifts in the Student Gift Shop, yummy treats in the Family Café, a Bake Sale, and the Giving Tree!
There’s still time to volunteer or donate to the Bake Sale! Please see the QR Code on the invitation below!
Looking forward to seeing you there!
Race for Education
Ms. Dileo’s class got to celebrate their Top Class Earners achievement this week with ice cream sundaes! Great work, Ms. Dileo’s class!
Save the Date!
TOMORROW – Howliday Shop 9-1
12/12 – Restaurant Night at Chipotle
12/13 - Next General PTO Meeting at 6:30pm in person or via Zoom
HRES PTO GENERAL PTO MEETING
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87883686781?pwd=TlN2Rnk0QnY0OWd4blhsZkxEaFAwdz09
Meeting ID: 878 8368 6781
Passcode: HUSKY
Upcoming Important Information & Dates
December 9: Term 1 Report Cards Posted in ASPEN
December 9: Winter Wonderland Lights: Elementary Event (see flyer above)
No School December 23 - January 2
Hill-Roberts Elementary School
Email: echelman@attleboroschools.com
Website: https://hres.attleboroschools.com/o/hres
Location: 80 Roy Avenue, Attleboro, MA, USA
Phone: (508) 399-7560
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hillrobertselementary