Growing Together: Plant Buddies

This week, our kindergarteners teamed up with their 6th grade buddies for a special activity that combined science, responsibility, and a whole lot of heart: planting their very own Plant Buddy!

The excitement buzzed through the air as little hands and big hands worked side by side, scooping soil, sprinkling grass seed, and carefully patting everything into place. Each pair planted their seeds in their own little cup and added a face with googly eyes, a pom pom nose, and drew a smile.

Before getting their hands dirty, our buddies sat down to talk about what plants need to grow. They came up with a pretty great list including: sunlight, water, soil and air.

It was a wonderful way to introduce the basic needs of living things in a hands-on, meaningful way. The 6th graders helped their buddies understand the science behind it all, while the kindergarteners reminded us how magical growing something can be.

Together, they made a plan for how to take care of their Plant Buddy in the weeks to come. We can’t wait to see the bright green grass begin to sprout!

Magical Math: Converting Measurements

    In 4th grade, our current math unit focuses on understanding and applying measurement conversions, which directly connects to our learning standard 4.MD.1 (know relative sizes of measurement units within one system of units and express measurements in a larger unit in terms of a smaller unit). To bring this concept to life, we went on a "magical" adventure!

    Students participated in a "scoot" activity to complete "The Wizard's Spell," where they had to solve measurement conversion problems to gather ingredients for a magical potion. The wizard potion cards were posted around the room as stations, and groups moved from one station to the next. Each group received a measurement conversion chart for reference, a "Book of Spells" worksheet, and access to their Chromebooks for a QR code reader.

    The activity required students to solve problems like finding how many ounces are in 2 pounds, converting weeks to years, calculating feet in yards, and more. With each correct answer, students scanned a QR code to reveal a magical ingredient needed for their spell.

    I saw 4th graders working diligently through these problems. The activity required them to convert between different units of measurement, perform various operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) with the converted measurements, use their measurement conversion charts as references, and verify their answers by scanning the QR codes. Students showed genuine engagement when they correctly solved a problem and discovered a new ingredient for their spell!

    We discussed how unit conversions are used in everyday life—from cooking (cups to pints) to travel (miles to kilometers) to shopping (pounds to ounces). Students shared examples from their own experiences, like helping parents follow recipes or measuring ingredients. This activity provided  students with an opportunity to practice math skills while encouraging collaboration and problem-solving. By the end of math, each group had successfully completed their spell with ingredients like "moon," "jellybeans," and "spider venom".

Second Graders Strengthen Math Fluency with Qwixx!

In second grade, students have been building their math fluency by playing Qwixx, a simple yet engaging dice game that encourages quick thinking and strategic decision-making. As part of our math block, this game gives students the opportunity to practice addition and number sense in a fun and interactive way.

Qwixx helps our students practice adding numbers quickly and making strategic choices, all while having a blast. Each roll gives students the chance to calculate sums, compare numbers, and think ahead to make the best move. Not only are we reinforcing important addition skills, but we’re also building confidence, working together with peers, and fostering a love for math.

It’s amazing to see how focused and enthusiastic our second graders become when they’re playing Qwixx. They cheer each other on, talk through their strategies, and celebrate their math successes together.

Games like Qwixx are a great example of how learning can be both meaningful and fun. We’re so proud of our second-grade mathematicians and all the ways they’re growing every day!

Big Buddies to Writing Coaches

Our 6th grade class partnered up with their kindergarten buddies to help them write letters to their families in preparation for our upcoming parent/teacher conferences. The goal was to support our youngest learners as they reflect on what they’ve been learning and share it in their own words.

Watching my sixth graders step into the role of mentors was nothing short of inspiring. They were patient, encouraging, and full of thoughtful questions:

“What’s something you’re proud of?”
“What do you love doing in class?”
“What’s something you’re getting better at?”

They helped their buddies sound out words, structure their thoughts, and even reminded them about capital letters and punctuation. Many letters were finished off with a drawing they want to share with their parent. I’m so proud of how my students stepped up with kindness, maturity, and confidence. They didn’t just help their buddies write letters—they built relationships, modeled empathy, and showed what it means to be part of a learning community!

4th Grade goes to Springfield

Recently, 4th graders took a field trip to Springfield, IL. As part of the curriculum, 4th grade learns about the geography, government and history of Illinois. They also learn about President Abraham Lincoln’s legacy. 

While in Springfield, we stopped at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. Students enjoyed looking at the artifacts as they learned about Lincoln’s childhood, his family life, his presidency and his vision for a united country. 

We also visited Lincoln's Tomb, located in Oak Ridge Cemetery.  Abraham Lincoln, his wife, Mary and 3 of their 4 sons, Edward, William, and Thomas, are also buried there. 

  

Outside of the tomb entrance, there is a bronze bust of President Lincoln. Visitors rub the nose of the statue for good luck. The students cheered each other on as they took turns rubbing Lincoln's nose.

No Springfield trip would be complete without stopping for dinner at Old Country Buffet. The students ate to their hearts content and who can blame them? Imagine all you can eat ice cream and slushies!

 Our trip to Springfield was quite an adventure! I think it’s an experience that students won’t forget. 

Volleyball!

Volleyball is upon us!!  We do so many volleyball type activities but never play a traditional 6 v 6 game.  With the younger levels we start with balloons, work up to beach balls, grocery store rubber balls (you know the ones I'm talking about... the ones you see in the big cage!), then get some some trainer volleyball that are lighter than a real one. 

Today the primary students did a 4-Square volleyball activity.  We often do this two ways.

1. As a team!  See how many hits you can have together before it hits the ground.
2. Traditional 4 Square rules with eliminations.  

All the volleyball activities we do with K-6th grade focus on the setting, passing and serving techniques used in volleyball.  But more importantly the students are learning to MOVE to get to the ball.  They cannot stay in one place and they have to be ready to go.

    

CVC Word Scavenger Hunt

In a first grade reading group, we have been working on using our letter sounds to read and write consonant-vowel-consonant (CVC) words. To help us review this, after spring break, the students took a scavenger hunt around the room to find pictures of consonant-vowel-consonant (CVC) words that were posted in different places. The students had a recording sheet and a pencil and then off they went to find the pictures!

Once the students found a consonant-vowel-consonant (CVC) picture hanging up in the room, they stopped and said the name of the item in the picture. Each picture had a number on it, so next the students found the matching number on their recording sheet. Then the students worked on sounding out the word using their letter sounds and writing the letter for each sound in a sound box on their recording sheet. Each word had three sound boxes since each letter in a consonant-vowel-consonant (CVC) word makes its own sound. After the students recorded a word, they continued their search for the next picture.

After the students finished their scavenger hunt, we went over the words the students wrote for each picture. This helped us to review our letter sounds as a whole group and correct any mistakes we may have made. This activity was a fun way for the students to move around the room and use letter sounds to write and read words!

Spring into Reading!

Spring is in the air, and that means it’s the perfect time to grow a love of reading! Our library has just added a fresh new batch of books, and we can’t wait for the students to discover them. 🌷

From vibrant picture books and laugh-out-loud tales to thrilling chapter adventures and eye-opening nonfiction, there’s something new and exciting for every kind of reader!

Whether you're curled up inside on a rainy day or reading under a sunny tree, there's a perfect book waiting just for you.  Let’s celebrate this season of fresh starts and great stories.

Ask your child if they’ve checked out anything new this week. 📚

Happy reading, and happy spring!

Cross The River

 When you just come back from some time off like Spring Break, playing Cross the River is a great way for everyone to find out what everyone did or did not do during our time off. It is quick, fun and gives everyone a movement break.

How do you play, you ask?  Read on.

1. Have kids write what they did over the break on a note card.

2. Collect the note cards. 

3. Students line up on both sides of the room. 

4. Read one of the note cards.

5. Students “cross the river” if it applies to them.

6. If the message on the card does not apply to them,

7. the students stay standing on the side of the room.

The class gets to see what they have in common with other students by seeing who is crossing the room with them, or by who is still staying on the sides.

We do 4 or 5 cards throughout the day when we start to notice we need to get up and move.

Goodrich Medical Team Hard at Work!

 After weeks of diving deep into the body's most important systems—skeletal, muscular, nervous, respiratory, circulatory, and digestive—my 3rd and 4th-grade students were ready to put their medical expertise to the test! Instead of a traditional quiz, we had something much more exciting in store… real patients!

Parents of the students called in with mysterious ailments, hoping that the students part of Goodrich Medical School could diagnose their symptoms and prescribe a treatment plan. The moment students saw their own parents on the screen, the room exploded with excitement—laughter, gasps, and plenty of squeals!

The "doctors-in-training" are responsible for carefully listening to and analyzing their patients' symptoms to identify which body systems are affected. They also have been conducting a bit of research to confirm their diagnoses. Each group of doctors is responsible for crafting a video response to their patients, explaining their diagnosis and offering a thoughtful treatment plan to help them on the road to recovery.

The students will continue this fun problem solving activity when we come back from spring break!