Our Barnum Bobcats have been immersed in a shower of April activities across the grades!
Kindergarten students just finished learning about the seasons and weather, the solar eclipse, and Earth Day. They will be moving on to taking care of the Earth in our CKLA reading program. Mrs. Bradley helped the children play fun quiz games in Kahoot on their Chrome Books. Mrs. Black, our guidance counselor, and Mrs. Pissanos, our health teacher, have been visiting the classrooms to discuss social skills and feelings.
Spring has sprung, and excitement is in the air in our first-grade classrooms. As the weather warms and the days grow longer, the first-grade students are diving into all sorts of fun and engaging activities that celebrate this wonderful season. The children were so intrigued to learn about the phenomenon of a solar eclipse. They dove into the science and wonder behind solar eclipses through a variety of engaging activities and discussions, from learning about the Earth, Moon, and Sun’s positions to understanding why eclipses occur. They even spoke about safe viewing and the importance of wearing solar eclipse glasses. The first-grade classes have been discussing Earth Day and working on activities that promote environmental awareness and sustainability. The children learned about recycling, conservation, animals and habitats. They even got their hands dirty as they planted seeds and learned about the importance of plants in our ecosystem. The children are also learning about the core value, respect, this month. They have been involved in discussions about “seeing value in all people and things and treating them with care.” We have also reinforced the meaning of the Golden Rule as Barnum continues to “Run on Respect”.
Second grade is continuing to prepare for VIP Day by researching famous people and are very excited to present what they’ve learned during the upcoming VIP classroom visits. They are also finishing up their Civil War unit and beginning a study of the human body in CKLA. The children are studying shapes and fractions with math to get ready to tell time after the spring break! Everyone is looking forward to their field trip to East Meadow High School to celebrate Earth Day!
Third graders loved learning about and experiencing the solar eclipse! It was such a wonderful event for both students and staff! The third graders have successfully finished the New York State ELA assessment and are working hard to prepare for the upcoming math exam to be administered next month. Happy spring one and all!
The fourth graders know that National Poetry Month in April is a special occasion to celebrate the importance of poets and poetry in our culture and to express creativity. Shel Silverstein’s poem “The Poet Tree” planted the seed of creative expression for the fourth graders at Barnum Woods Elementary School. The students were introduced to the many elements of poetry and applied what they had learned to write their very own poems. Students wrote poems on pieces of paper then arranged them under a large “poet-tree” on two bulletin boards in the fourth-grade hallway. The fourth graders at Barnum Woods are poets, and now they know it! The fourth graders are excited about their upcoming visit to Old Bethpage Restoration Village in Old Bethpage. The students have been learning about what life was like in New York during colonial times. While walking the grounds of the Old Bethpage Museum, the fourth graders will be able to visit buildings and homes dating between 1660 and 1875. This field trip will feel like we have been transported back in time and give the students a sense of what life was like on a manor and farm.
Grade five just finished taking the NY State ELA assessment. They will be taking the math state assessment and the science state assessment in May. Our fifth graders are working on writing "Dear Earth" letters for Earth Day. Our Invention Convention is set for May 21st, and teachers are so excited for our fifth graders to participate in this project. Our students have begun to brainstorm ideas for their inventions and will be working on their projects both in class and at home. The Exit Interviews for our fifth-grade students with Mr. Bottari will begin in May. Information will be coming soon.
The Recycling and Repurposing Club has collected eclipse glasses for recycling. These glasses will be sent to Latin America for children to enjoy for the August 2024 solar eclipse. The club is also very excited to begin planting vegetables outside. Thanks to Covanta's generous support, we have a Barnum vegetable garden growing, which will be re-planted in the outdoor garden beds!
All of the teachers and students want to thank the PTA for all that you do for the children! As you can see, the Barnum Bobcats are taking learning to solar levels here at Barnum Woods!