First Marking Period Newsletter

I am very excited to share with you THE KOALA QUARTERLY, a quarterly newsletter that will be shared at the end of each marking period, aligned to when report cards are available on OnCourse. In our 1st marking period Koala Quarterly, I am very pleased to highlight our 1st marking period celebrations, events and learning activities.

Being the Principal of T.G. Connors Elementary school is a precious gift that I appreciate everyday. It is so delightful to see the happy faces of our students engaging in our incredible learning activities throughout the day. It is also so gratifying to see our incredible teachers in action, whom I admire tremendously. I have never been more proud of our staff, students, PTO and Connors families.

In your child's backpack is a letter on how to access your child's 1st Marking Period Report Card on OnCourse as well as their Fall 2023 Linkit Scores. I am linking the letter here as well. Linkit and Report Card Letter K-5

Lastly, for students in grades K-2, there are hardcopies of your child's individual DRA-3 scores. I am also linking the general DRA Letter for K-2 Parents, our DRA3 Correlation Chart and DRA 3 Level Descriptors Google Site here as well. Please be sure to check your child's backpack today for the hard copies of these letters with your child's individual DRA level information.

I am looking forward to you reading about all of our learning activities throughout the 1st Marking Period. As always, if you ever need anything, please don't hesitate to contact me as your partnership is golden.

All the best,

Principal Addi

juliana.addi@hoboken.k12.nj.us

September 15th marked the start of Hispanic Heritage Month. Each morning we celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month over the announcements. 5th grade students interviewed our faculty members who have Hispanic Heritage and shared their interviews with the school during the morning announcements! Faculty shared some of their favorite Hispanic foods, what being Hispanic meant to them and a little bit about the countries that they are from!

Partnered with the Hoboken Public Library, we had our first Pop Up Library event of the year! Students browsed the many exciting book choices and checked out a book from the pop-up library. Each of our students found a book that was perfect for them. We hope everyone enjoys reading their library books at home.

During the week of respect we celebrated with a themed spirit week! We had #Blueup day for World Day of Bullying Prevention, Pajama Day to Put Bullying to Bed, Favorite Shirt Day to show respect for classmates and learn about diverse interests, Never Give Up Day where the NED Show came to Connors, and School Spirit Day where children wore their Connors gear to show respect for their school.

Students learned about digital citizenship and their online presence through reading "The Technology Tail" read by Officer Fesken and Officer Oquendo. They engaged in lessons on staying safe and kind online.

Students also engaged in 5 weeks of School Safety and Security lessons, including topics on Good Citizen Safety, School Safety, Fire Drill Procedures, Shelter-In-Place Procedures and Lock Down Procedures. The lessons were made with both input and review by school guidance counselors, school psychologists, school social workers, school resources officers, parents and principals. The Safety and Security lessons were designed after authentic questions our students have regarding school and community safety. The setting of the stories all take place in Hoboken in order to help our students relate to our characters and the real life scenarios that our characters will experience. The safety storyline from the lessons equip our children with safety procedures via honest and developmentally- appropriate scenarios. We encourage you to review these lessons with your children and encourage them to reflect and ask questions. Safety and Security Drill lessons

During Red Ribbon Week, students and staff focused on good choices and healthy habits by participating in a spirit week with daily themes. Students wore red as a reminder of Red Ribbon Day and the importance of healthy lifestyles. Students teamed up against unhealthy habits while wearing their favorite jerseys. Students focused on making the "right choices in life" by SOCKing it to unhealthy decisions. Students demonstrated their commitment to being part of a community by showing their school spirit and wearing their Connors spirit gear. Lastly, students showed how bright our futures are by wearing bright colors!

Ms. Vayda's class was the focus of a documentary for IMSE! This was being produced by the program, Viewpoints. The purpose of this documentary is to highlight the district's work in powerful foundational literacy practices anchored in the Orton Gillingham model. Everyone did an outstanding job! Ms. Vayda's class modeled how teachers in our district implement our sound boxes, red word books, sand trays, blending boards, and spelling dictation. This was such a special experience we were a part of.

Our annual Connors Halloween parade was so exciting! Students and staff walked around the block to Halloween themed music to show off their amazing costumes! Our Faculty and Staff especially loved the BARBIE theme! It is so nice to create such wonderful memories for our students and their families!

On Halloween teachers incorporated fun Halloween themed twists to their lessons and the PTO also donated crafts for each class to do! Some of the fun activities included painting pumpkins, decorating their own tote bags, making spooky slime and more! Halloween became HALL-O-WEEK at Connors!

Right before Thanksgiving break teachers incorporated thanksgiving themed activities to their lessons! Students made turkeys, created writing pieces, flapbook's and persuasive essays about who and what they were thankful for this season!

For the Week of Respect, we had our first assembly of the year, called NED’s Mindset Mission which focused on teaching children to NEVER GIVE UP and Growth Mindset. Here are a couple of our favorite follow up home resources from the Mindset Mission website. You may want to use these with your child as they are designed to go hand in hand with the program, NED Coloring Face Masks, Parent Encouragement Notes and additional resources are available here. And don’t forget to ask your student what they learned in the show about having a growth mindset from YET the Yeti, Captain Kindly and during NED’s visit on the spaceship!

Veolia Water Company instructors came to Connors to provide lessons on water to our grades K, 3, and 5 science classes. Our Kindergarteners learned the importance of water and how their footprint matters in conserving water through "When I Think of Water". Our 3rd graders became water droplets and traveled through the water cycle through "The Incredible Journey". Our 5th graders joined the H2O Olympics and learned the properties of water including lessons in cohesion and adhesion. The Veolia Water Company will come back to Connors to present lessons for our grades 1, 2, and 4 classes.

The Tenafly Nature Center came to Connors to present lessons on owls and hawks to our grades 3-5 classes. During the Remarkable Raptors Assembly, students met a live hawk and owl and learned just how amazing these birds of prey are. We met Ruby, a Red-Tailed Hawk, and Wonnack, a Barred Owl. Students discovered the specific characteristics that classify a bird as a raptor, as well as their diurnal and nocturnal adaptations and how they use their senses to locate and obtain prey. Thank you for the insightful and exciting visit, Tenafly Nature Center!

During the first marking period our 4th-5th graders engaged in weekly theatre classes with Ms. Rotondi. Students practiced all marking period towards putting on a performance. The students worked hard each week dancing and singing to create an awesome showcase for their families. Our theatre showcase featured the theme of celebrating our unique selves. We discussed topics of fears, strengths and how we can celebrate who we are. The showcase was the finale to a great marking period together.

Traditional Earth Skills came in and they began their discussion with the plants and animals of NJ, along with a discussion of Ice Age NJ where their story begins. This discussion included museum quality artifacts of numerous Ice Age animals including Woolly Mammoth, Short Faced Bear, Megalodon, touch real animal pelts and more... After which we discuss ( with many life sized handmade displays ) food, clothing, shelter, tools... of the Lenape, and describe how these items were made!

Our annual Fall Festival was a HUGE success and a LOT OF FUN. The fesitival was filled with incredible raffles, prizes, carnival games, SWAG sales, music, delicious pizza and treats! Even with all of the rain, everyone had an amazing time. It was a beautiful team effort. Our Connors PTO is truly so special! Click this link to view event photos + add any you want to share!

What a FUN AND MEMORABLE night at our Halloween Dance! Our Halloween Dance was filled with dancing, delicious treats, fun crafts, picture booths, games, and super creative costumes! Safe to say our Connors Koalas love to dance and have a good time. Their smiles and excitement were contagious. Check out our album of photos + videos. Thank you to our Connors PTO for making such a fun event!

To celebrate Diwali, the Festival of Light, Kulture Kool came to Connors and gave a presentation about India and its culture, clothing, food and music. They also explained all about the meaning and celebratory customs of the holiday of Diwali. Please check out our Diwali Video

What a great turnout at our first parent social event of the year – thank you to all who attended! Huge thanks to the Schmitt family (and the entire Schmitty’s team) for being generous and gracious hosts. Check out this fun video recap courtesy of Sasha Nizgoda. Thank you also to Amy Duskin and Sasha Nizgoda for planning!

We got into the Halloween spirit with our inaugural "Frightfully Free Costume Frenzy"! Our Connors PTO made a free costume pop-up shop for our Connors families! It was a great way to be green and find new owners of our gently used and new costumes! The event was a huge success!

The TREAT TROLLY from our Connors PTO has been a lovely monthly treat for our staff! Our Faculty are so incredibly THANKFUL to our Connors PTO for providing all of these fun and delicious treats!

Our Connors PTO gave thanks by giving to others. Our annual tradition of providing Thanksgiving care baskets – with everything needed for a full Thanksgiving Dinner – to the Hoboken community continued this year. We appreciate those who organized these activities as well as all those who participated and made them successful!

Congratulations to our Students of the Month for September, October and November! The students who have been awarded Student of the Month have been nominated by their teacher and grade level team. Students have been nominated for this award because they are excelling acadmically and/or have had tremendous academic growth. Awardees exhibit the KOALITIES of a Connors Koala in trustworthiness, respect, resonsibility, kindness, care and good citizenship. Congratulations to all of our Connors Koalas who have earned this award!

Below are all our September Student of the Month for grades K-5!

Below are all our October Student of the Month for grades K-5!

Below are all our November Student of the Month for grades K-5!

ELA: Throughout the 1st marking period, kindergarten students actively participated in multiple literacy and language arts activities. These activities included learning sight words, identifying letters and their corresponding sounds, listening to stories, and demonstrating reading comprehension by retelling these stories. Additionally, students had the opportunity to engage in various learning centers, which enhanced their learning experience. The weekly essential questions revolved around crucial topics such as family, making new friends, and utilizing their senses to learn. These questions were the prompts to our class projects such as drawing their family members and a place they'd like to go, focusing on the sight word "can" and the essential question "what can you do?". They wrote fall poem's with the nouns they learned and worked on blending boards and produced sight word sentences! They had thorough reviews of the letters, sounds, and sight words learned thus far. In this review, students participated in learning centers that focused on several skills, in an effort to reinforce their learning and progress. Our KOALAfied Kindergarteners did an amazing job applying their Orton-Gillingham skills in daily ELA tasks. Keep up the good work, Kindergarten!

Math: During the first marking period, kindergarteners delved into Unit 1, Investigation 1, which introduced them to fundamental concepts of counting and sorting. They started each day with an attendance routine and a calendar routine, focusing on learning the days of the week, months of the year, and special days. They progressed into Investigation 2, where they continued to hone their counting skills and develop their ability to describe attributes. Here students were introduced to the counting jar activity and played the counting jar game during math workshops. Students also began to collect data and assessments by having a "classroom question," and worked on recording after using the counting jar. In Unit 2, they concentrated on skip counting by 2s and 5s, calendar completion, and math workshop centers such as roll & record, grab & count, counting jar, apple roll, count, & color, and a sequencing game called Plenty of Pumpkins. We played the compare game and completed our November ECR district assignment. We reviewed our three benchmarks: counting out a set of 10 objects, describing lengths and identifying what is longer/shorter, and comparing two quotes up to ten and determining which number is greater.

Social Studies: In Kindergarten, students are taught about the importance of community and working together. By listening to stories about kindness and family, students learn how to be comfortable within the classroom community. Students also learn about community helpers such as police officers, firemen, EMTs, doctors, and nurses, and how they serve to protect our community and keep citizens safe. Throughout the school year, students will continue to grow their knowledge on communities and work together to complete tasks. Students also learn about Hispanic Heritage Month, time, and safety. During Hispanic Heritage Month, students learned about the history of Hispanic culture, accomplishments of Hispanic idols and learn about the different Hispanic countries their independence days. Students learn about diversity and uniqueness through our “Young Citizens” book. Our friends Peyton, Minar, Roger, and Leena teach students that everyone is unique and our unique qualities make us special and about the concept of time! Students learn about days of the week and how it relates to their special's schedule. They also focused on the time of day, and learned about the different stages of our day through an interactive activity. During safety week, they focused on topics such as being a good citizen, school safety procedures, fire drill safety, and lockdowns!

ELA: The ELA class started Smart Start Week 1, reviewing skills learned in kindergarten. The essential question was "Who am I?" Students wrote about their favorite books and practiced asking and answering questions while listening to stories. They also learned the 3-part drill, focusing on letters, sounds, and blending. The class reviewed what Writers' Workshop looks like and created heart maps. They also learned to use the CUPS writing checklist and started learning personal narratives. Smart Start Week 2 was about the question "What can you imagine?" and focused on fairy tales. The class continued to review important skills before starting Unit 1 and practiced using the CUPS writing checklist and sound boxes. The class focused on non-fiction texts, making connections, and learning high frequency words. Students worked in centers to complete fun learning activities to help them master new skills. Throughout the marking period, students focused on different topics, including what they do at school, where they live, what makes a pet special, what friends do together, and what jobs need to be done in a community. They read different texts related to these topics and practiced various skills, such as phonics, vocabulary, identifying main story elements, making predictions, using graphic organizers, and writing complete sentences. They also learned new red words and grammar rules. our first graders also had so much fun celebrating their published personal narrative stories! They all took time to brainstorm and create new stories about a personal moment in our lives. Great Job First Graders!

Math: This marking period first grade students engaged in various math activities, such as using number lines, ten frames, and pattern blocks to learn counting, addition, subtraction, and problem-solving skills. The first graders were introduced to new strategies for counting up to larger numbers using objects and numbers on a line. The Start With/Get To activity was introduced as a year-long classroom routine, where students mark start and end numbers on a line and count between them. They also played math games such as Fill the Hexagons, a new game, where students take turns rolling a shape dice to try to fill 6 hexagons using pattern blocks to learn about shapes! they worked on their mathematical vocabulary, and strategies to solve equations with missing addends. Students were grouped in small teams and rotated through different math activities, including IXL, guided math table, and Math Workshop. The students can count on and back from a given number to find out the sum or difference. Additionally, they practiced math fluency using one-digit addition equations up to 10.

Social Studies: The first-grade Social Studies class covered several topics including getting-to-know-you activities, family and responsibility, Hispanic Heritage Month, and town governments. Students learned about different family traditions and the responsibilities of town leaders. They also explored Hispanic Heritage Month by learning about Mexico, Spain, and famous Hispanic figures. The class engaged in creative activities such as designing their own Frida-inspired self-portraits, making fans for flamenco dance, creating maracas, and designing their own paleta flavors. 1st grade students learned about geography by locating their state and town on a globe and identifying natural features. They studied map symbols and state and local governments. The class continued their School Safety and Security lessons, covering fire drill and lockdown procedures. Students shared safety protocols practiced in their classrooms and practiced them. They also read stories and defined terms related to safety. The lessons were fun and engaging for the children.

ELA: Second-grade students learned ELA routines and procedures, including the use of materials like O.G., Wonders companion books and online platforms. They read realistic fiction and fantasy stories, identifying story elements like characters and setting and learning about themes like family and friendship. Phonics skills included short and long vowels and blends. Students worked on graphic organizers and writing their own realistic fiction stories. In second grade, students reviewed reading skills such as theme, story elements, and phonics. They began learning about expository texts and researching animals for their informational books. They also learned about fables, sequencing, and author's purpose. Phonics focus included short and long vowels and consonant digraphs. Students shared their realistic fiction stories and continued to work hard on their research reports throughout the week.

Math: In math class, 2nd graders completed diagnostics and assessments before starting their first unit. They learned about math tools and classroom routines like recognizing 2D shapes, counting money, and using the 100 chart. They played games and practiced addition and subtraction strategies, including number strings and subtracting numbers with dice. They also started Investigation 2 and learned new routines like "Time Routine" where they practiced telling time to the hour using both analog and digital clocks and "How Many Pockets?" where they collected data about the total number of pockets our class is wearing for the day. Students worked on number strings, practiced counting and comparing quantities, learned about coins and their values, and played games to strengthen their knowledge of equivalent coins. They solved addition and subtraction story problems, learned strategies for adding and subtracting with regrouping, they also started Unit 2, where they are learning about the attributes of 2-D and 3-D shapes using a math tool called GeoBlocks.

Social Studies: The second-grade students had a great first marking period, familiarizing themselves with classroom routines. In social studies, they learned about respect, responsibility, and caring. They started using the Young Citizens textbook, identifying characters and settings, exploring maps, and learning about different text features to navigate resources. They located various places on the map of the fictional town, Maplewood. The students completed the Introduction chapter and began Chapter 1, which focuses on how families change. They used Young Citizens website to check their understanding of the lesson and created illustrations and wrote about the ways families change. They also completed a Hispanic Heritage Month project and presented their research and posters to the class. The second graders also learned about internet safety, including balancing time with technology, staying safe online, being kind to others, recognizing digital footprints, and verifying information. They also learned about internet privacy and identifying private information. Additionally, they read and created timelines, comparing and contrasting events and learning about different units of time.

ELA: Third-grade students began the year by learning the "RACES" strategy for effective written responses, focusing on restating questions, answering questions, and citing evidence. They analyzed genre and story elements in the novel "The Littles" and learned about character traits. As students read various fiction texts, they also explored narrative writing, evaluating writing pieces and producing narratives themselves. They evaluated their own narrative writing using the Narrative Writing rubric and analyzed problem, solution, plot, character development, sensory details, and dialogue within their writing pieces. Third graders focused on theme and character development in their first core novel, "The Littles", and completed their first ELA unit by writing book reviews, creating posters or commercials, and reviewing important skills through Review Centers. Students then transitioned to their second gore novel study, which prompted them to analyze the nonfiction genre, practice RACES responses, and read "Real Stories from my Time: The Underground Railroad" by Bonnie Bader. They focused on identifying and asking "thin" and "thick" questions, analyzing illustrations, and finding clues to make inferences. Students were also introduced to expository writing, beginning Literary Analysis Task instruction. Third-graders look forward to continuing to develop these skills as the year continues!

Math: In math, 3rd graders have been reviewing and learning about addition, subtraction, and the number system. They learned about place value, counting up to 100 and 1000, and strategies for adding and subtracting double and triple-digit numbers. The students also practiced solving word problems and learned about different subtraction strategies. They played math games and used resources like number lines and drawings to guide them to correct answers. The students worked on subtraction stories and comparisons of lengths, heights, and quantities. They used standard subtraction or addition to solve equations, and started a new unit on understanding equal groups multiplication and division, identifying multiplication and solving word problems. They learned about multiplication by using 100s charts to identify multiples of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 10 using skip counting, equal groups, and repeated addition. They created multiplication monsters and explored arrays as a new strategy for multiplication and connected them to finding the area of shapes!

Social Studies: This marking period, students explored the Young Citizens student book and curriculum, learning about nonfiction text features and comparing maps and globes to understand the world. They also celebrated Hispanic heritage by studying influential Hispanic activists, artists, and musicians such as Frida Kahlo, Selena Quintanilla Perez, and Cesar Chavez. Third graders learned about Hispanic and Latino influences, explored raised relief maps, and studied the four geographic regions of New Jersey. They completed a biography project highlighting various Hispanic and Latino leaders, and started an end-of-unit project creating a postcard advertising a region in New Jersey. They also completed their Unit 1 Performance Task, which involved creating a postcard highlighting one of New Jersey's four regions. They reviewed safety lessons and celebrated Diwali. Furthermore, they began their second unit, focusing on a case study of New Jersey's government and learned about cause and effect relationships, specifically in regards to how citizens chose where to live.

ELA: 4th Grade students started the school year strong with a district-wide writing pre-assessment on comparing and contrasting animal relationships. They also worked on their reading skills, including analyzing nonfiction text features and learning about Sonia Sotomayor's challenges. In Writer's Workshop, they focused on writing a compare and contrast Research Simulation essay about building in flood zones. 4th-grade students have been busy with writing and reading tasks. They have analyzed prompts, wrote essays, and evaluated their work. In reading, they focused on analyzing plot details, using context clues, and analyzing texts for the central idea and relevant details. Concluding the core text "Who is Sonia Sotomayor?" and completed culminating activities, including comparing and contrasting versions of texts and analyzing different chapters for character traits. Students wrote research simulation essays about the Anasazi and the benefits of tiny houses, followed the Writer's Workshop process, and completed a district writing task. They also reviewed reading skills like plot/conflict, central idea/relevant details, and idioms, and suffixes. The students showed significant growth and improvement in their writing skills since September and started a new writing unit focusing on narrative prompts.

Math: 4th Graders learned about arrays, factors, and multiplicative comparisons in their first math unit. They discussed arrays, learned new vocabulary, and solved problems using PEMDAS. They also played Factor Pairs & Multiple Turn Over with their peers to challenge themselves. The 4th-grade students were assessed in Math, and they did a great job. They started studying Unit 3, which involves multiplication problems and learning the distributive property of multiplication. The students are also learned how to solve word problems and challenging themselves to show multiple ways to solve them. They did an amazing job with multiplication, building multiple towers to further their understanding of multi-digit multiplication. The 4th Grade Mathematicians started studying division in Unit 3 of Investigations. They solved problems with 2-digit numbers, multi-step word problems, and learned different situations in division problems, sharing and grouping. They also practiced long division and interpreted word problems that involved multiplicative comparisons. Students helped each other with division strategies.

Social Studies: In 4th grade social studies, students discussed being a Super Digital Superhero to stand up against cyberbullying and created their own Digital Citizen Superhero. They also created presentations to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, researching heritage, foods, people, or countries. Students worked hard to read articles, paraphrase and take important information, and add sources to their presentation. They learned about the importance of a citation page and reviewed and edited their projects. 4th graders studied the Age of Exploration, learned about natural resources and history timelines, and worked on digital citizenship during Digital Citizenship Week, engaging in insightful conversations and strengthening their understanding of being a positive digital citizen. They also learned about Connors School safety procedures and fire drill safety, as well as the Maya, Inca Empire, and Aztec Empire. Students studied explorers and their resources, using map reading skills to understand their journeys.

ELA: In 5th grade ELA, students read and analyzed Esperanza Rising, focusing on characterization, theme, author's purpose, problem and solution. They also practiced narrative writing and RACES responses. The class made progress in their reading comprehension, writing skills, and critical thinking. They've practiced finding text evidence to support their RACES responses. Students also learned about figurative language, including similes, metaphors, and personification. They completed various activities and assessments throughout the first marking period, including their Link It assessment, Post Narrative Writing Task, and Reading Wonders Unit 1 assessment. In 5th grade ELA, students have been reading the novel "Coraline" and completing related activities such narrative responses. The class completed a post-narrative writing task and a pre-literary analysis task.

Math: In mathematics, 5th-grade students learned multiplication strategies such as the break-apart strategy, unmarked arrays strategy, and changing one factor and adjusting strategy. They also reviewed the order of operations and used the acronym PEMDAS to solve multi-step equations. They explored cluster problems and starter problems for multiplication. The "Quick Images" routine was also introduced where students write multiplication or division number sentences that match an array. Students in Math class learned division strategies, created posters, solved multiplication and division problems, and reviewed the unit with group work. The new unit focused on volume, with students determining how many paper boxes and cubes could fit inside a rectangular prism and learning how to find the volume of rectangular prisms and solids composed of two rectangular prisms. Students participated in a project-based learning activity to review order of operations in math. They used their knowledge to complete a budget for their "City of Mathematics," applying math skills to real-life scenarios. They also conducted 3D cities using their knowledge of volume and area.

Social Studies: In Social Studies, different topics were discussed throughout the marking period. The events of September 11, 2001 were covered, along with the heroes of 9/11 and how the fireboat John J. Harvey helped during the tragedy. Hispanic Heritage Month was also celebrated, with students learning about the history of the month-long celebration and the differences between Hispanic and Latino. The journey that many migrants endure when immigrating to the United States was also discussed. Yom Kippur traditions were taught by classmates Romy and Maya, and students continued to research and create presentations on Hispanic countries. Finally, Indigenous People/Columbus Day was discussed, and students wrote an opinion piece on whether the Columbus Circle statue should be renamed.

Kindergarten: In Kindergarten science, students learned how to use their five senses, explored dimensions, and engaged in engineering and design processes. Labs included designing a house that the big bad wolf couldn't blow down and creating a device to retrieve a ball from under a couch. Students also learned about water, forces, and solutions, and created marble tracks to change the direction of a marble using force. The labs were fun and educational, and students enjoyed testing their designs.

1st Grade: First-grade science classes are learning about engineering and technology, as well as the design process. They have completed several hands-on activities, such as designing a leash for a dog that holds and protects dog treats and building marshmallow catapults. The classes have also begun to learn about sound and light, exploring concepts such as vibration, pitch, volume, and natural and artificial light sources. The students have also learned about Morse Code and how to use light and sound to communicate across a distance.

2nd Grade: Students carried out an investigation to determine the best material for a pillow filler by comparing the properties of various materials. Students compared the shape, texture, hardness, and flexibility of each one. Students made a plan, tested the materials, and recorded their results. They created bar graphs to show their results. Additionally, the students learned about the design process and patents while exploring the stories of young inventors who created the Popsicle® and crayon holder. They learned how inventors and engineers use the design process to help solve problems.

3rd Grade: Third-grade students are learning about science, including the scientific method, forces and interactions, and electromagnets. They conducted a gummy bear experiment to test hypotheses, learned about simple machines and created their own using Vex kits, and created an electromagnet to pick up paper clips. They are also worked on a project to create a machine to relocate a tiger back to its natural habitat. They are completing lab reports via Google Slides and Classroom. Third-grade students also learned about the water cycle, forces, simple machines, and the science of flight. Students completed projects like testing straw rockets and creating a machine to relocate a tiger. They participated in presentations from Veolia water company and completed the Balloons Over Broadway science lab.

4th Grade: Students worked on Enhancing Passenger Safety: A Design Challenge for Students

This design challenge was created to inspire students to develop a restraint system or modify a vehicle's design to provide protection for passengers during collisions. Using the VEX IQ vehicle they built and an egg as a "passenger," students will create prototypes of their designs. To assess the effectiveness of their solutions, the vehicle was rolled down an inclined plane at various slopes. Students will leverage technology to showcase their design proposals, test results, and offer recommendations for refinement.

5th Grade: The 5th-grade science class focused on engineering and technology, examining different types of engineers, the design process, and inventions. Students worked collaboratively in small groups to design, build, and test a weight-holding system. Guest teachers from Veolia visited the class to teach about surface tension and cohesion through hands-on activities.

Individualized Learning Pathway - Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth

During the Individualized Learning Pathway (ILP) period, students who have qualified to participate in the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY) programming engage in a wide array of verbal course offerings that address their specific strengths and interests. Johns Hopkins CTY believes in researching and advancing ways to identify and nurture academically talented learners. CTY furthers research, guides educators and families and inspires students from diverse communities and backgrounds to pursue their intellectual passions and create the world of tomorrow.

FIELD TRIP Grades 4 - 5

Highlights of our grades 4 and 5 field trip to the Meadowlands Environment Center through our membership with the

Hudson County Gifted and Talented Consortium: Down and Dirty with Decomposers

Our 4th and 5th Grade CTY students traveled to the Meadowlands Environment Center where they were greeted by the friendly and knowledgeable educators on-site. The students engaged in a program called Down and Dirty with Decomposers that is designed to introduce them to the many benefits of composting and the role of decomposition in the environment. By observing the inhabitants of a compost bin using microscopes, students got to “unearth” the mystery of how worms convert kitchen scraps and yard trimmings into nutrient-rich soil. Students also got to soak up some of the beautiful weather out in the field while collecting other invertebrate decomposers. They took their findings back to the classroom, where the decomposers were classified based on physical characteristics. It was an incredibly exciting experience at the Meadowlands Environment Center!

FIELD TRIP Grades 2 - 3

Highlights of our grades 2 and 3 field trip to the Meadowlands Environment Center through our membership with the

Hudson County Gifted and Talented Consortium: Marsh Explorers

Our 2nd and 3rd Grade CTY students traveled to the Meadowlands Environment Center where they were greeted by the friendly and knowledgeable educators on-site. The students engaged in a program called Marsh Explorers that is designed to immerse them in the salt marsh habitat. Following the introduction to this unique wetland community, students had the exciting opportunity to act as field biologists, collecting live specimens. They took their findings back to the classroom, where the various specimens were identified based on physical characteristics. Our young biologists were challenged with the task of piecing together a local food chain! It was an incredibly exciting experience at the Meadowlands Environment Center!

CTY Young Readers Series:

The Quests and Challenges course has students summarizing, making inferences, evaluating arguments, and discussing themes with peers while following the protagonists of three novels on elaborate missions. The Dragon Tales course has students reading novels set in mythical lands and secret mountain caves where dragons form special bonds with humans. Students read three unique narratives and one nonfiction selection exploring humans' attitudes and connections with dragons. Both courses develop reading and writing skills. Grammar Fundamentals teaches students about different parts of speech and how they function in autobiographies. Students will develop a personal narrative applying the grammar concepts. Magical Life Lessons is about reading four novels, experiencing magic, and learning life lessons. Students analyzed elements of literature like themes and characterization and completed writing assignments. Both courses involve discussion forums and workshops. The CTY Young Readers Series titled "Robot Encounters" focuses on the impact of artificial intelligence and robots on human life. Students analyze three novels, draw comparisons, and evaluate the usefulness, safety, and benefits of robots for humans. They also practice writing creatively, academically, and persuasively, and design their own robot helper. Ultimately, students will come to their own conclusions about how technology can and should be a part of our everyday lives.

3rd Grade: Students learned about different types of engineers and their jobs, identified pictures of engineering and technology, and brainstormed real-world problems for the STEAM Tank competition, with enthusiasm and excitement. They also wrote about the type of engineer they would want to become and what invention they would make. Future Innovators completed a Brainstorming Activity for the STEAM Tank Challenge and researched their innovation/product to cover the required components of the competition. They compiled a Google Slides presentation and worked enthusiastically to make it come alive for video submission. They used their researching skills and the Engineering Design Process to develop their product. They are excitedly preparing to record videos for submission to the judges. They will use a Video Practice Rubric to prepare for classroom presentations.

4th grade: Students learned about the roles in a Mock Trial, including vocabulary terms and their meanings. They watched a video model and discussed it, then recorded the terms in Foldables. They then investigated criminal and civil cases to judge which are criminal and which are civil. These future Court Representatives participate in group discussions to determine verdicts based on case facts from the criminal and civil cases they investigated. They then act out roles in a humorous trial case and drew a verdict. They used sample cases to craft questions for direct and cross examinations. These 4th graders also have upgraded to the next step of their Mock Trial experience, where they thought of different criminal and civil case scenarios for their scripts. After voting on the best scenarios, work is underway to prepare for the case trial.

5th Grade: Students learned about sustainability and sustainable development by taking an Ecological Footprint Quiz to calculate their daily resource consumption. They then analyzed the results and connected the context of sustainability with the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Goals. They read articles about two children from different countries and calculated their ecological footprint. They also explored the 17 SDGs through a Flocabulary video and a template that they filled out by summarizing and presenting their learning. These future environmentalists summarized articles on three UN sustainability goals: Goal 13 on Climate Action, Goal 12 on Responsible Consumption and Production, and Goal 14 on Life Below Water. Using a graphic organizer, they presented each section of the articles to their classmates to prepare for future Ted Talk presentations. They also explored Goal 15, which focuses on life on land, and Goal 4, which emphasizes quality education. They again summarized each article using a graphic organizer and presented it to their classmates. Goal 15 deals with deforestation for agriculture, and Goal 4 highlights the importance of accessible education to prevent poverty.

K-2

During the first marking period our K-2 graders have been learning about drawing and labeling notes and rests on the treble clef, music theory and fun festive songs to sing. Classes have studied the string family from cello to ukulele as well as the vibrations, length and thickness of the strings and how these attributes that affect pitch and sound. Not only have they learned about strings but our K-2 rockstars have also learned about the woodwind family and discovered the different parts of the instruments. Way to go K-2!

3-5

Our third through fifth graders have been practicing and learning different musical skills, such as playing the ukulele, wind ensemble, percussion instruments, and reading notes. The students really enjoy playing the ukuleles and singing along to the various songs. This is not an easy skill to master. It takes years of practice, but there is no better time to start than now! Students are also learning the complexities of music math! For example, adding up whole notes, quarter rests and dotted half notes can be difficult. With lots of practice our students will be experts at this very important skill which helps them play different instruments. That being said our 3rd through 5th graders have been diligently working on their songs for the upcoming winter concert! The students are excited and passionate about learning and practicing.

During the 1st marking period our Mandarin classes have learned about seasons, daily schedules, colors, hobbies, family vocabulary, and the Legend of Chang E. They also played games and sang songs to enhance their listening, speaking, writing, and comprehension skills. The students also discussed the upcoming election day and the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival.

Our first marking period of art consisted of a variety of activities, including drawing games, creating dots to hang around the class, learning about different types of lines with a crazy hair day activity, and starting Square 1 Art. Artists asked, "Why are we drawing the same thing twice?" First on a separate piece of paper and again on our final paper to be submitted. Additionally, the 5th-grade students began working on a unique project with the Barat Foundation; the Animodule Project. They will create patterns and designs for an 8-foot-tall aluminum sculpture of a Koala to be placed in the playground/garden area.

This first marking period Physical Education classes, students tested their baseline cardiovascular ability with the PACER test, we have been practicing our locomotor skills these last couple weeks with a focus on running, skipping, and galloping in activities such as relay races and different variations of tag. Students of all grade levels focused on developing their throwing, catching, and manipulative abilities. While kindergarten-3rd grade honed their overhand throwing techniques and participated in throwing accuracy games, grades 4-5 utilized their newly acquired skills in ultimate football.