Environment Investigation

Ms. Jo Hainey worked with Mrs. Donahoe's Grade 3 students as they continued their investigation of how oil spills can effect our environment and the most effective ways to clean an oil spill. Students looked at ways to absorb oil (sponges, cotton balls and felt), as well as ways to contain the oil, using yarns or rubber bands.

As students tried different methods for addressing their oil "spills" they recorded information and discussed observations with their partners. They then documented their findings on data sheets.

As work proceeded, students excitedly discussed their findings. We learned, for example, that "chasing" oil in water disperses it, and makes it more difficult to collect. The students will come back to review their work and decide on the most effective way to remove oil from water.

In Door Recess

What do you do when it's too cold to go outside?

At Berlin Memorial School, we build a hallway obstacle course!

Led by Grade 2 teacher Stephanie Woodward, teachers and students created an indoor obstacles course to work off some of their excess energy. Whether it was stepping through hoops, doing push ups, or climbing through tunnels, students had a great time meeting the challenges together. It's just the start of a long winter, but this is one way we will "weather the storm" with a smile on our face!

Professional Development Day

Teachers in Kindergarten through Grade Two from Berlin and Boylston came together for professional development today to develop our skills in talking about and teaching mathematics. Our children today are learning so much more than just arithmetic, and finding ways to guide them to a fuller understanding of mathematical concepts is important work indeed. Working with Cheryl Condon of Looney Consulting, our teachers did a great deal of challenging work which they will bring back to their classrooms to benefit all our children.

Greg Mone visits BMS

Author Greg Mone visited Berlin Memorial this morning to talk about the writing process with our 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students. Mr. Mone will be spending time working with Grade 5 students working on the writing process, in support of our Empowering Writers curriculum.  He will be returning to BMS two more times as he models the writing/editing process, creating a story with the students.