Roderick School Blog

Roderick Review Week 21 (1/25/16-1/29/16)

Is Recess Important?

YES! Recess is important and students return from recess with a greater ability to pay attention, and focus on the task at hand. In addition, students are learning how to resolve conflicts that may come up as a group tries to agree on the rules of the game or they need to negotiate changing the rules as differences arise. A large part of students' ability to be successful in school and beyond is the ability to cooperate and collaborate with others. Recess is one of the few times when students are able to apply the successful strategies they have learned independently. The social, physical, and emotional benefits make this a brief, yet valuable part of the school day.

There is also great benefit in finding ways to infuse opportunities for movement throughout the day. As students are moving around, they are providing more oxygen to their brain, thereby activating more brain cells. Teachers may have students stand or move around as part of the learning happening in the classrooms (as pictured below) or teachers may take a brief 1-2 minute movement break using GoNoodle or other tools to get the blood pumping. (GoNoodle is free...check it out. It is just as useful for adults!)

Grade 5 Scientists at Work

Students pictured below are observing the differences between potential and kinetic energy through their roller coaster experiments. They had to include at least two "hills" in their roller coaster, but you will see that some were also experimenting with loops as well. Where do you think the potential energy was the greatest?

Fourth Grade Reading Groups...

Before students are reading the next section in Stuart Little, they are gaining some background knowledge about some sailing terms such as tacking and jibing.

Others have found a comfortable spot to enjoy the next chapter.

Mrs. Farrell and this group of students are discussing irony in The Tale of Desperaux and are getting ready to record the examples of "light" and "dark" that symbolize the powers of "good" and "evil."

4th Annual
Dancing with the Wrentham Stars
Visit the Wrentham Community Events website to see all of our "Stars" and the causes they are dancing for!
Friday ~ April 1, 2016