BMS STUDENTS TAKE TO THE GARDENS!

I'm so excited to share this link to Mrs. Tucker's photos of her students planting in the BMS garden.  This is a perfect example of project-based learning and ties into the new MA Science Frameworks for fourth grade.  In addition, produce from the garden will be used in the cafeteria preparation of healthy lunch choices.  What a valuable lesson for our students!
Check it out at: http://mtuckerbms.blogspot.com/2016/05/fourth-grade-plants-in-school-garden.html

STEM Meets Staff at Berlin Memorial School

Members of the Berlin-Boylston STEM Advisory Board presented at the Berlin staff meeting today.  The team of engineers brought their expertise to the table as they shared science kits they created with the group.  The STEM Advisory Board meets monthly at Tahanto Middle/High School and includes parents, community members, staff and administrators.  

Author Greg Mone Works with Fifth Graders on Persuasive Writing

Should the United States explore travel to Mars?  Why or why not?  If we do decide to make the journey, what would we need to take with us?  If we don't support Mars exploration, what are the factors that impact our decision?

This is the challenge question that fifth graders at Berlin Memorial School and Boylston Elementary School wrestled with as they prepared to write persuasive letters to NASA defending their position.

Author Greg Mone led the brainstorming discussion that merged facts with imagination to build a model draft from which students could launch their own writing piece.

Mr. Mone will return to both schools on January 21st to follow up with a revision session and culmination of the writing process.

Greg Mone Speaks to Grades 3-5 at Berlin

NY Times best-selling author Greg Mine speaks to students at Berlin about his journey to becoming a published author.  Mr. Mone shared a copy of his first book, complete with illustrations, that he recorded in a speckled

composition notebook that his mother had saved for him.  Mr. Mone told the children that he didn't always plan to be an author but wanted to be an NBA basketball player like his older, and much taller, brother.  

Hour of Code in Our Elementary Schools!

This blurb appeared on the Boylston Principal's Page this past Friday, however, students at both Boylston Elementary School AND Berlin Memorial School grades K-5 experiences a level of coding during technology time this past week. 

Last week, students across the world participated in An Hour Of Code!  Here is what Mr. Belanger had to say about the week:

"The Hour of Code is a one-hour introduction to computer science, designed to demystify code and show that anybody can learn the basics." - Code.org Our district joined again for our second year in a row in ALL Elementary grade levels!! Making changes with technology will help improve our future for all ages!! So, what are you waiting for?? CODE!"

Coding teaches students planning and sequencing, it also supports mathematics while allowing another venue for student creativity. I'm so happy that we were able to once again participate and potentially inspire some future computer programmers.

A Cross-Curriculur Teaching & Learning Opportunity

I was walking through classrooms the other day and happened to notice this group of first graders from Mrs. Ellen Sabourin's class actively engaged in project-based work in the classroom.  Mrs. Sabourin explained that the students were combining their unit on the community in the Reading Wonders series with their Social Studies unit on mapping.  The students were drawing a map and using their imagination to tell a story about the characters and buildings located on each of the streets.  Much lively conversation was taking place while I was watching.  This is a perfect example of learning across the content areas.  Thanks, Mrs. Sabourin!

STEM Comes to Boylston Staff Meeting

The Boylston Elementary School staff meeting this past Monday, December 7th, hosted members of the Boylston S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math) Committee, who spoke about the  work they are doing to support teachers in bringing their knowledge and expertise to the classrooms.  The members, all of whom work in STEM-related fields, also provided time for teachers to see what types of activities and presentations can be offered.

The STEM Committee members are also part of the larger district-wide STEM Advisory Board.  Our next meeting is this Monday, December 14th, at 7:00 pm in the Tahanto Regional Middle/High School multipurpose room.