Mother's Day, Part 2

Moms should know that they aren't just appreciated one day a year on Mother's Day. The first and second graders at the Perkins made sure their moms knew by holding a Mother's Day Tea!


Signs were put up.


Tables were set with flowers and hats (crowns, actually) and tea cups--all of which, the moms could take home.




















Many moms, those who could, came to enjoy their day at school. Tea was actually served at the tea, of course, although moms who were coffee drinkers had that choice. Some dads came and chipped in by helping to serve.


















Delicious cookies and cakes filled each classroom.


















As they were sipping and munching, moms got to listen to songs their children had prepared.


















They heard poems and essays about how great they are.























Sweets, presents, love--who wouldn't like a day like this one!?!

The World in Just One Classroom

If you remember, there's a big geography project going on in (and right outside) Ms. Meadow's room. Since people from all around the world are taking an interest in us by visiting our blog, these third graders are returning the favor. They are researching the countries that have shown up on our visitors list and writing down an amazing fact about each one.


They have learned some impressive things. Here is something Raymond learned about Japan:















It's an amazing fact, but also an amazing looking creature!



Talking about spiky things, Andrea found out about a medical use for needles besides giving shots:














What does that look like? Well, check it out. In China, doctors sometimes use acupuncture instead of drugs when patients have an operation. The needles block the pain completely.

















Meanwhile Molly went to the other side of the world to learn about the country of Brazil. It's a huge country, with a huge and long river called the Amazon. Here is one of the things that interested Molly the most:
















And, why not? Look at this guy!

Gotta Love Our Teachers!

Ms. Smith

Mother's Day is coming up very soon, but moms aren't the only ones who deserve appreciation. Yesterday was Teacher Appreciation Day and parents and kids at Perkins knew just what to do.























Ms. Leverett King

What is welcome during the school day? A delicious lunch, that's one thing. How does a catered spread with ziti, chicken, and broccoli sound? Or calzones, lasagna, meatballs and sausage? Don't forget the roasted potatoes and salad.




















Ms. Haney

Then there were the flowers on the table and the two cakes for dessert.























Ms. Breneus

Food is a classic way to say, "Thank you." So is saying thank you! At the end of the school day, a parent got on the loudspeaker so her voice boomed through the building. Thank you, she said, we all appreciate each and every one of you. (Not just the ones we featured in pictures here.)






















Ms. Lynch

Then the school burst into applause. In the classrooms, in the halls, our kids' claps and cheers showed that this is a real holiday to be celebrated.























Ms. Correa

Every Month Should Be Poetry Month

Langston Hughes and Emily Dickinson were wonderful poets. So are the kids in Ms. Leverett King's class. These first graders tackled acrostic poems. An acrostic poem uses the letters in one special word to start each line of the poem. All of the lines of that poem should make sense together. That's not always so easy.

It's worth trying hard, though. Especially when that special word is your very own name. Here are some of their creations! If you can't read them easily, you can click on the picture to make it bigger.




















































































































So, as David asks, "Do you do your work?" How about trying an acrostic poem? We bet your own name could produce something beautiful.

Thanks for the MCAS Memories!

We know that the MCAS Math Marathon--both questions and answers--have been the height of your week. But all good things must end. Now you will have to find another place to test yourself on percentages and graphing. The answers to this week's MCAS questions finish up our marathon. The kids have one more week of prep with their teachers and then math MCAS begin the week after that.

So for the last time this year, we'll say, "Here are the answers to this week's questions."

The third grade's:
























The fourth grade's:
























And the fifth's:























HEY KIDS, WE WISH YOU ALL THE VERY BEST!

The World in Ms. Meadow's Classroom

If you remember, there's a big geography project going on in (and right outside) Ms. Meadow's room. Since people from all around the world are taking an interest in us by visiting our blog, these third graders are returning the favor. They are researching the countries that have shown up on our visitors list and writing down an amazing fact about each one.

For example, did you know this?

















You would think that fortune cookies came from China because, in the United States, we usually get them in Chinese restaurants. Well, you learn something new every day!


On the other hand, the Chinese people managed to come with some pretty delicious things to eat. This is what Cladwyne discovered:












Speaking of snow...
Most of our readers come from the United States. The kids decided that there are plenty of interesting things to learn about our country. Check this out:











How about making that into ice cream!?!

Evacuation Day Reflections #4

Our school play, Evacuation Day, the Musical, is long over, but it is not forgotten. Furthermore, its effects can last for a very long time. Being in a play, trying hard, working in a group--these actions have reap rewards that might be even more important than the applause. Here is our last in the series of interviews with kids about how they felt being involved in the production.

This time we hear from Sophia, a wonderfully enthusiastic performer.


I’m glad that I was in the play because it was fun. It was like acting. I like acting because you can move around. Sometimes it was hard to remember the lines. I was a little bit scared, but then my parents said, “Good job.” Now the first graders will know the play when they are second graders next year.