Granite Street Gazette
February 2025
Pre-K News
Dear Parents and Guardians,
The PK students did a lot of learning about various special days in February with a variety of activities. First, they learned about Groundhog’s Day and shadows. On the 100th day, the students made and wore crowns for the day. Our Valentine’s Day celebration was after break due to students' absences with sickness. We mixed the two PK classes for rotating centers involving Valentine themed crafts. We also had a special trail mix treat that included Valentine shaped Cheerios, gummies, etc. Our fifth grade book buddies continued to visit each week. They made Valentine animals together and did a fun writing activity for the 100th day of school. Dental Health month activities included painting teeth with a toothbrush, making puppets with a replica of the mouth using red paper for the tongue and mini marshmallows for teeth, reading books about teeth, and sorting foods that were healthy or unhealthy for teeth.
Ms. McNally and Mrs. Pangburn
Kindergarten News
Dear Families,
We have been working on composing and decomposing numbers to 10 for addition and subtraction as well as identifying and decomposing teen numbers for math. In literacy, students worked on phoneme segmentation with cvc words. This is being able to take the sounds of words apart when given a whole world that has a consonant - vowel- consonant pattern such as being given the sounds /c/ /a/ /t/ and blending them to make the word cat. They also worked on both reading and writing short i words. We have continued to work on identifying characters, setting, plot in stories as well as what happens at the beginning, middle, and end. We also finished a unit on weather.
Thank You,
Mrs. Hatch and Mrs. Anderson
First Grade News
Dear First Grade Families,
Our students are working on a geometry unit in math. They are learning about 2D shapes including their names, attributes, determining if they are opened and closed, and composing shapes. The classes are also working on naming and knowing the attributes of solid shapes. For literacy, students are working with fiction and nonfiction texts and their features. The focus for spelling has been r- controlled vowels (ar, er, ir, or, and ur). For writing, they have been working on opinion writing and will soon start informative writing.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Waite and Mrs. Petrin,
Second Grade News
Dear 2nd Grade Families,
This month, our students have been focusing on developing their opinion writing skills. We encourage you to ask your child about their opinions and the reasons behind them about various topics. Engaging in discussions at home can further enhance their understanding and confidence in expressing their thoughts.
Our classes have been reading the book "City Green." This beautiful story inspired our students to think about community, nature, and their own ideas for improving their surroundings.
In math class, we are learning about measurement! Students will be learning how to measure various objects and understand the importance of accurate measurements in real-life situations. Please encourage them to practice measuring items around the house!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Michaud and Mrs. Osborne
Third Grade News
Dear Families,
February was quite an eventful month for our third graders. We celebrated Black History Month by highlighting a famous African American each day. We also learned about Ruby Bridges' life and created a display for the hallway to share her inspiring story.
In literacy, we concentrated on nonfiction texts. They learned to identify text features and developed an understanding of how these features help them comprehend texts. Our writing focus was informational writing. Students selected their own topics to research and followed the writing process to create their own research papers.
In math, we focused on using properties to multiply, the connection between area and multiplication, and how to calculate perimeters using addition and multiplication equations.
We celebrated Valentine's Day with a fun chocolate fountain and various treats for the students to enjoy. It was a delicious way to foster community and joy in our classrooms before heading off for February Vacation! Thank you Mrs. Hale for sharing your fountain with us!
We eagerly anticipate seeing you at conferences on March 27th or 28th. Students are thrilled to share some of their work with you! Thank you, Families, for your continued support!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Mooney & Ms. Wheaton
Fourth Grade News
Dear fourth grade families,
We both just wrapped up opinion writing. For literacy, Ms. DeSilva’s students finished reading the book Fish in a Tree and informational texts about African American Heroes. Now they have started reading Percy Jackson. Mrs. Brown's class finished reading Three Native Nations and made presentations on different Native American nations in groups that included posters and shared facts about clothing, pottery and homes/families. For math, both classes completed units on multiplication and division. We have started the 8th unit which focuses on fractions. In social studies, both classes are focused on memorizing the 50 states and capitals. In science, both classes have completed their animal habitats projects.
Warm regards,
The 4th Grade Team
Fifth Grade News
Dear 5th Grade Families,
In literacy classes, the 5th graders finished the novel, The Tiger Rising and discussed their reactions to the very emotional ending of the book. The focuses throughout the book were:
comparing and contrasting characters in the novel and how individual characters changed over the course of the novel
determining multiple themes of the novel and explaining how the author conveys the themes to readers through the challenges the characters in the novel overcome
analyzing the author's use of symbolism in the novel as it connects to the major themes
They also watched the movie adaptation of the book and compared and contrasted the book and the movie, as well as discussed potential reasons for the major differences between the two. Students agreed that the novel provided more vivid details and did a better job of conveying the major themes and also included a higher level of symbolism that they enjoyed tracking as they read the novel. On the other hand, they appreciated that the film provided alternative points of view and deeper insight into the narrator’s relationship with his mother through additional flashbacks that were not part of the novel.
We have begun writing our five paragraph opinion essays on the novel in which students responded to the question: Did the main characters in the novel, Rob and Sistine, make the right decision when they freed the tiger? Students crafted 3-point thesis statements and drafted their body paragraphs with text evidence to support their claims. We will continue writing our essays in the weeks to come.
In social studies classes, we explored and celebrated Black History Month through daily mini lessons on the contributions and achievements of prominent African Americans. Students created a Black History Month Calendar that summarized their daily learning and key takeaways. Additionally, students selected and engaged in research on a famous African American figure and summarized their learning through the creation of a quilt square that highlighted the important life events and achievements of their selected figure. In doing so, students also learned about the important role of quilts in African American culture as a form of storytelling and communication. Quilt squares were then joined together to create a mosaic “quilt” of our learning.
In science classes, we have finished their Spaceship Earth unit. The last activity was studying the moon’s phase in order to better understand how the interactions between the sun and the moon are responsible for the phases.
In math classes, we have finished the Numbers and Base Ten standards with a final unit on dividing decimals. Students need to continue to learn and practice their multiplication facts as we move ahead to fractions.
Reminders: Homework is assigned Monday-Thursday every week for Math. Literacy homework is assigned every Monday and is due on Friday. Students also have weekly spelling tests. Families, please aid in the success of your student by checking their binders daily for homework and other important information. Please encourage and remind students to complete their homework and to study their spelling words. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us via the Remind app or email.
Thank you for your support!
- Ms. Lazareva & Ms. Thibodeau
alazareva@millinocketschools.org and mthibodeau@millinocketschools.org
Upcoming Events:
March 17, 2025 Report Cards will be sent home
March 27 and 28, 2025 Early Release/ Student Led Conferences
April 21st - 25th, 2025 Spring Break
May 20, 2025 K-2 Spring Concert
May 21, 2025 3-5 Spring Concert
Reminders:
Please remember to stay in the pick up line at the end of the school day.
Students should not be dropped off at Granite before 7:30 each morning unless your child has chorus practice.
Students should not have cell phones at school. We are also seeing more students wearing smart watches which is causing disruptions in learning. These should be left at home.