BROWN SCHOOL ELETTER ~ MARCH 8, 2015 Read Across America ~ Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss by Cyndi Hoffman To honor Dr. Seuss and his role in promoting children’s literacy, Brown School is celebrating Read Across America. Dr. Seuss did not begin his career as a children’s author. Prior to writing his first children’s book, Dr. Seuss illustrated advertisements and drew cartoons for magazines, such as The Saturday Evening Post. During World War II, Dr. Seuss discovered the art of animation and created animated training films for the Army, featuring Private Snafu. Contrary to popular belief, The Cat in the Hat was not Dr. Seuss’ first book. He had written And To Think That I Saw It On Mulberry Street twenty years earlier. In 1956, he was asked to write a children’s book using only the words on a list of 225 vocabulary words. He had a difficult time coming up with an idea for the book until he decided to use the first two rhyming words that he found on the list. Thus, Cat in the Hat became the main character. After World War II, writers realized that children’s literature had the potential to disseminate good and evil. Dr. Seuss wanted to nurture the good. He not only wanted to teach children to read but also to think. All of his books carry a message. This is particularly true of his books written after World War II, such as The Lorax and The Butter Battle Book. Dr. Seuss was born March 2, 1904 in Springfield, Massachusetts, a mere two hour drive from Albany. Today, Springfield boasts a sculpture garden dedicated to Dr. Seuss. Larger-than-life sculptures of his characters adorn the park, which was dedicated in May of 2002. The art and poetry of Dr. Seuss’ books encourage us to think creatively, participate in society, and do what we can to make the world a better place. This week, Brown School students were encouraged to read nightly and return their completed reading logs to school on Monday, March 9. The classes reading the most minutes per student will earn a reward. The March Birthday Bulletin Board sports a Dr. Seuss theme and classroom doors throughout the school are decorated with the students’ favorite children’s books, some of which are pictured here. How many can you identify? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 9 8 10 11 12 13 14 15
Transcript
BROWN SCHOOLE L E T T E R ~ M A R C H 8 , 2 0 1 5
Read Across America ~ Happy Birthday Dr. Seussby Cyndi Hoffman
To honor Dr. Seuss and his role in promoting children’s literacy, Brown School is celebrating Read Across America. Dr. Seuss did not begin his career as a children’s author. Prior to writing his first children’s book, Dr. Seuss illustrated advertisements and drew cartoons for magazines, such as The Saturday Evening Post. During World War II, Dr. Seuss discovered the art of animation and created animated training films for the Army, featuring Private Snafu. Contrary to popular belief, The Cat in the Hat was not Dr. Seuss’ first book. He had written And To Think That I Saw It On Mulberry Street twenty years earlier. In 1956, he was asked to write a children’s book using only the words on a list of 225 vocabulary words. He had a difficult time coming up with an idea for the book until he decided to use the first two rhyming words that he found on the list. Thus, Cat in the Hat became the main character. After World War II, writers realized that children’s literature had the potential to disseminate good and evil. Dr. Seuss wanted to nurture the good. He not only wanted to teach children to read but also to think. All of his books carry a message. This is particularly true of his books written after World War II, such as The Lorax and The Butter Battle Book. Dr. Seuss was born March 2, 1904 in Springfield, Massachusetts, a mere two hour drive from Albany. Today, Springfield boasts a sculpture garden dedicated to Dr. Seuss. Larger-than-life sculptures of his characters adorn the park, which was dedicated in May of 2002. The art and poetry of Dr. Seuss’ books encourage us to think creatively, participate in society, and do what we can to make the world a better place. This week, Brown School students were encouraged to read nightly and return their completed reading logs to school on Monday, March 9. The classes reading the most minutes per student will earn a reward. The March Birthday Bulletin Board sports a Dr. Seuss theme and classroom doors throughout the school are decorated with the students’ favorite children’s books, some of which are pictured here. How many can you identify?
1
2 34 5 6
79
8
10
1112
13 14 15
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Please visit the Events page on our website for a full calendar of events.
Upcoming DatesTuesday, March 10• School Wide Photo Day - Wear Brown
School Clothing OR maroon and white; 5th-8th graders bring sports jerseys
Friday, March 13• Faculty/Staff and Family Open Mic Night -
6:30 p.m.
Friday, March 20• No School/PLUS Open - Professional Day
for Faculty
Wednesday, March 25• Little Folks Musical (Grades N-4) -
8:45-9:45 a.m.
Friday, April 3• No School/PLUS Open - Good Friday
April 6-10• No School/PLUS Open - Spring Recess
Monday , April 13• PALS Meeting - 6:30 p.m.
Friday, April 17• Upper School Social - 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 21• No School/PLUS Open - Parent Teacher
Conference Day
Wednesday, April 29• Fine Arts & Music Fair
Join us for the Faculty/Staff and Family Open Mic night at the Art and Music Café,
Friday, March 13 beginning at 6:30. To reserve stage time and seating please
The children in Mrs. Achtyl and Mrs. Smith's class are having fun making different puppets for their Nursery Rhyme Unit. Baa, Baa, Black Sheep, made out of a sock, is a favorite. Watch out for those singing Baa, Baas!
Middle School Science BowlThis Saturday, March 7, ten students from the 7th and 8th grade represented Brown School in the New York State Capital District Regional Middle School Science Bowl, the regional competition of the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Science Bowl. Our students competed against other local schools in two competitions: A model car race and fast-paced questions in science and math. This year’s car race challenge was to propel a model car across a track powered only by the dropping of two kilograms of mass. Using the force of gravity alone, the students had to find a solution to not only move the vehicle along a track, but doing so faster than the opposing teams. During the question-based competition, students were given mere seconds to answer challenging questions from various fields of science and math.Results will be posted soon!
Day of School
Report cards will be mailed out mid-March. Remember to bring good report cards to First New York Federal Credit Union to receive $5.00 in your student account. Note: the amount has changed from $10.00 to $5.00 due to budget cuts. Please bring report cards to the bank in a timely manner. There is a short window of opportunity for this.
•Anonymous•Martha and Edward Asselin•Susan Bardack•Joan and Tom Brooks•Roger and Phyllis Chericoni•Jeff Corbin and Janette Schue•Drs. David and Micheline Ford•Mary Frawley•Bob and Debbie Geer•Krishna Govindarajan and Helen
Hanson•Hugh Graham and Tina Sciocchetti•Pamela Hoeffner•Gregory Jabaut•Prof. Bernhard Kuhn•Shane and Kristen Mahieu•William and Beth Massmann•Sue and James McClymonds
•Felipe Paez and Patti de Paez•Lisa Perrone and Ray Lipani•Susan Youmans Place•Alec and Gretchen Platt•Earl and Marna Redding•Drs. Jill and Joseph Salvo•Fardin Sanai and Michele Susko•Kelli and Mark Smachlo•Dan and Catherine Smitas•Tom and Suzanne Smith•Michael and Carolyn Sterthous•Hon. Paul D. Tonko•The van der Veen Family•Hon. Vincent and Tina Chericoni
Thank you to all the members of our Mamma Mia! Honorary Committee. We are so grateful for your support.
Interested in joining the Honorary Committee? There is still time. Contact the Main Office to purchase your tickets or download this form. Regular ticket sales will begin mid-March. Look for the Mamma Mia! invitation to arrive in mailboxes in 2 weeks and return the reply card to purchase regular tickets.
Read Across America Classroom Door Answers:1-ish by Peter H. Reynolds, 2-Strega Nona by Tomie dePaola, 3-Hop on Pop by Dr. Seuss, 4-The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien, 5-Eloise by Kay Thompson, 6-Matilda by Roald Dahl, 7-Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss, 8- Elephant and Piggie by Mo Willems, 9- Clifford by Norman Bridwell, 10-Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes, 11-Oh, The Places You’ll Go by Dr. Seuss, 12-The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle, 13- Duck! Rabbit! by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, 14-Yertle Turtle by Dr. Seuss, 15-Hickory Dickory Dock
Kindergarteners have been busy celebrating Dr. Seuss’ birthday with a pajama day, stuffed animals and Oobleck. They also built incredible structures in the block room!
Continent Projects
Second Graders created a piece of art to represent each area as they have studied the continents of the world.
The Three Little PigsRecently there was an assembly in our gym. The show was called The Three Little Pigs. It was a very nice program with four actors and a musician. They used a scarecrow, bricks, books, straw, sticks, and wooden swords as props. Guess what? The show was an opera. An opera is a play that is sung. From the expressions of the audience, they were impressed. The performers only learned the play in three days! I thought that the show was enjoyable. By A.P. - Grade 4
Found PoemsStudents used only interesting words that they had found in their environment to create a
found poem.ScorpionThe villainous scorpionThe gigantic scorpionThe happy scorpionCrawling towards a kinkajou
by Gage
Penguins and Koalasfunawesomekoalasrejoicerejoice!slowwalkpenguinsrejoicerejoicekoalasandpenguinsrejoicerejoice!
by Asa
Poetry CentersStudents in 4th and 5th Grades have been working together to complete a series of Poetry Centers, where they have been learning about elements of poetry, visualizing poetry, and exploring and writing different types of poetry. Some of the poems they have been learning about include found poems, Kennings, shape poems and rhyming poems. Students have also participated in a literature discussion about the book Love that Dog by Sharon Creech. Students have been working on writing additional types of poetry within their own classrooms as well. We hope you enjoy our poetry collection!
Kennings PoemsA Kenning is a two word phrase describing an object often using a metaphor. A Kennings poem is a riddle
made up of several lines of kennings to describe something or someone.
Visualizing PoemsAfter reading a classic poem, students drew their
interpretation of the meaning.
Book Spine PoetryStudents use book titles to create a new poem
Up and DownWhen I go up I feel like I’m flying,I certainly don’t think I’m dying.When I go up I feel free,So won’t you go up with me?
When I go down it’s such a bore,Let’s not do this anymore.Going down it’s not real fun,Just like going on a run.by Emilio
Sweet Tooth Am II like candy so much I could dieI will eat it all my lifeIf I'm ever told no I will fightCandy is so sweet I will eat all in my sight
Candy, candy is so yuckyIt will rot all my teethI will say no to candyCandy is so un-dandyby Isabel
Up vs. DownUp high in the sky,it’s where the planes fly,The peaks of the mountains,the arcs of fountains.Where it likes to snow, instead of rain,Far above, our dusty lane.
Down in the underwater caves,deep below the ocean waves.It’s cold down there,but we don’t care.Because the caves hold lots of wonders,thousands and thousands of really high numbers.by Charlie
Ocean and LandOcean, ocean big and bright,Ocean, ocean big and light.Ocean, ocean home to fish,Ocean, ocean swish, swish.
Land, land long and flat,Land, land like a mat.Land, land home to peoples,Land, land home to steeples.by Olivia
Bookworm?I am crazy as a little flyand my energy doesn't ever dieI'll never sit and learn some wordsWhen I want to run and eat some nerdsI will never sit down and read a bookbecause what's the point, it won't change your look
What's up with that little guyShe just thinks she's as smart as a flybut I'll be the better one and read a bookand that will be the better lookbecause when mom walks in right through the doorshe'll look at me and I'll be the most adoredby Mia
I saw a worm,It liked to squirm,He had awesome hair,With some flair.by Natalia
DogI see a dog walking,I see a dog barking.The dog caught a bone,And came back with a stone.by Arjun
Monsters Eating Ice CreamMonsters eating ice cream,Can’t believe they fly.They are very chubby,And they’re very tubby.by Peter
I always put my candy in a bowl,Unless I see a mole.I have no idea whyI’m done with candy,Now I’m going to eat pie.by Devin
I was eating my candy in a bowl,then I saw a butterfly on the roll.It was so light,It looked like a moth for it was white.by David
Ice Cream TruckWhat’s that magical sound?It’s the ice cream truck.Everyone’s rushing all around.Mom says yes, just my luck.by Katie
BearI am a bear,I’m so cool, yo.I live in a fair,I love fro-yo.by Amanda
Flying swiftly all around,Lands gently on the ground,Spreads its wings and holds its head up high,I stare in awe as it flies toward the sky.by Eva
My friend had a ball,She threw it at me.I would rather be at the mall,But I need glasses to see.by Morgan
Rhyme PoemsAfter exploring the rhyme patterns of different poems, students tried writing
their own rhyming poem using their favorite rhyme scheme.
Opposite Rhyme PoemsAfter writing rhyme poems, students tried writing a 2 stanza
poem about a pair of opposites using the same rhyme scheme for both stanzas.
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Platinum Level Donors: ($2,500 and above)Jose and Kirsten Almeida
Gold Level Donors: ($1,000-$2,499)AnonymousJanet and Allen BarnettLara Turney and Frank CoonDavid and Micheline FordKrishna Govindarajan and
Helen HansonHugh Graham and Tina
SciocchettiBeth and Bill MassmannScott PowhidaMichele Susko and Fardin
SanaiThe Sandvik FamilyKelli and Mark SmachloTom and Suzanne SmithMichael and Carolyn SterthousVincent Versaci and Tina
Chericoni VersaciSalvatore and Patti Vitale
Silver Level Donors: ($500-$999)Dr. and Mrs. Michael BurkeJeffrey Corbin and Janette SchueGE FoundationPamela and Doug HoeffnerGreg JabautChris Kelly and Kris LowneySue and James McClymondsPrincipal InvestmentsJill SalvoArt and Joan Storey
Bronze Level Donors: ($250-$499)AnonymousTom and Joan BrooksCarlo CioffiJim and Mary FrawleyRobert GachRobert and Debra GeerMohammed and Rae HaouaouiDawn and Michael PrzekuratKevin Rosenberg and Natalie
LopasicLotfi SayahiWilliam and Karen SmithArend van der Veen and
Christine ClarkMaureen VinciquerraLiz and Joe VinciquerraKathryn West and John
Ciovacco
Maroon & White Level Donors: ($100-$249)
AnonymousAnonymousSusan Arnold and Edward
MuhlDr. James and Dr. Lynn BolerJim and Lucy CesareScott and Linda CurtisMyron Dytiuk and Areta
PidwerbetskyMarie and Michael FarielloMary Ann and Tim FrameAnna and Jason GabreeThomas and Cynthia
GoodmanDavid and Sheila GriffinSharon KieltyJim and Emily KlotzErika KoutelisTeri and Carmen LomonocoJoan MahieuDenise MartinCarla MastrianoRob and Betsy MessengerDonna Mitchell and Ronald
TysJames Noviczski and Jonina
WilkinsLisa PerroneLauren Pine BernsteinThomas and Evelyn ReadChristine RichardsonNancy Sciocchetti
Tom and Sandra SmithWayne P. SmithKaren and John Spinelli
Friend Level Donors: (Up to $99)Patricia AchtylCheryl AcknerAnonymousJason and Nina BenwayPat and Jim BolerTeresa BurkeStephen and Elizabeth
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GreensteinJeffrey and Jessica HladikAmanda KeilMichael and Maryellen
KoutelisMelanie McGannPamela and Timothy
McLeronDoulla and Brian MertikLinda and Gerald MosseyKaren MuhlFrank and Mary SalvatoreUnited WayWilliam and Nancy WinklerKatie ZeregaLei Zhang and Ye Ding
2014-2015 Annual Appeal UpdateWe are very grateful to the following people for their donations. The total gifts and pledges to date to the 2014-2015 Brown School Annual Appeal are $34,230.
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