Teammate of the Week: Haleigh

Congratulations to our newest Teammate of the Week, Haleigh!  Haleigh was recognized by her classmates as our Teammate of the Week because:

• She never disturbs people while working.
• She always follows directions.
• She always keeps up with homework and reading.
• She hands all her homework in. 
• She makes sure she makes up work when she is absent.
• During Reading and Writing Workshop, she concentrates on what she's doing. 

Teammate of the Week: Rachel

Congratulations to our newest Teammate of the Week, Rachel!  Rachel was recognized by her classmates as our Teammate of the Week because:

• She is always positive and kind to you.
• She is responsible and always hands in her homeowrk when she is absent.  
• She helps you when needed, like when she lent a pencil to a student in need.  

Spelling Bee!

On December 1st, the following 9 students competed in the Barry School Spelling Bee:

Russell Gerhard, Coleton Reisman, Caitlyn Ruggiero, Matt Decker, Maria Kostiv, Greg Simpson, Justin Adamczak, Jonathon Chierchio, and Julia Marshall

After a very tightly contested competition, Jonathon Chierchio finished in first place, followed very closely by Justin Adamczak. Jonathon will now go to the Kaufman Center on December 10th to compete in our district spelling bee.  Good luck, Jonathon!

Teammate of the Week: Caitlyn

Congratulations to our newest Teammate of the Week, Caitlyn!  Caitlyn was recognized by her classmates as our Teammate of the Week because:

• She is always happy and friendly.
• She is always willing to help out.
• She is always helping people with work.
• She works quietly so others can work.  
• She always does her homework.  
• If she forgets her work, she accepts the consequences.  

Teammate of the Week: Abbie

Congratulations to our newest Teammate of the Week, Abbie!  Abbie was recognized by her classmates as our Teammate of the Week because:

• She never interrupts people.
• She always helps out.
• She always pays attention.
• She does all her work.  
• She is a good friend to all her classmates.  

Teammate of the Week: Sarah

Congratulations to our newest Teammate of the Week, Sarah!  Sarah was recognized by her classmates as our Teammate of the Week because:

• She is always doing her work.
• She is always helping people, including helping students with their work.
• She never disturbs the class by talking or anything else.
• She is very nice to others.  

Orienteering and Bear Bags at Lime Hollow!

On Friday, we traveled back to Lime Hollow Nature Center.  This time, however, we learned about outdoor survival with Dr. Eddie Hill, Dr. Amy Shellman and their SUNY Cortland outdoor education students.  Through a series of hands-on activities, we learned how to navigate with a compass (orienteering), how to use and set up a bear bag, and how to identify different trees.

Dr. Hill, Dr. Shellman and their students also work with our 6th grade classes each week as part of the League 56 Academy program.  We are grateful for this wonderful partnership and the opportunities it provides our students!

Teammate of the Week: Ezra

Congratulations to our latest Teammate of the Week, Ezra!  Ezra was recognized by his classmates as our Teammate of the Week because:

• He is always doing what needs to be done.  
• He keeps up with his reading goal.
• He hands in his homework on time.  
• He helps pick up things that are dropped.
• He often gives compliments.
• He believes in people.

Pond Ecosystems at Lime Hollow

On Wednesday, we all traveled to Lime Hollow Nature Center to explore pond ecosystems. Dr. Susan Stratton and her SUNY Cortland students guided us through a series of engaging activities that enabled us to get a hands-on look at pond life! We even found some organisms that we could bring back to school for Mrs. Sidebottom's classroom habitats!

Teammate of the Week: Meagan

Congratulations to our first Teammate of the Week, Meagan!  She was recognized by her classmates as Teammate of the Week because:

• She always gives things up for other people.  
• She always helps people out.
• She is always nice and caring.
• She doesn't yell.
• She helped someone find their science paper and glasses.   
• She helps students who drop things or don't know what to do.

Teammate of the Week!

Students nominated their first Teammate of the Week this week. The Teammate of the Week is a student who demonstrates the qualities and actions of a great classmate and teammate. The award is inspired by the book Teammates, by Peter Golenbock, which describes how Pee Wee Reese, through his words and actions, welcomed and supported his teammate Jackie Robinson. After reading this book, we brainstorm qualities and actions that a good classmate or teammate would demonstrate. We discuss how being good teammates will help us all to achieve our personal hopes and dreams. Then, each week, the students nominate a classmate who they believe best demonstrates the qualities and actions of a great teammate during the past week. It is truly an honor to be recognized as Teammate of the Week by your peers.

Project Adventure

On Monday morning we ventured up to Cortland Junior-Senior High School to participate in Project Adventure. First, we had an opportunity to participate in some fun games with the PE teachers. Then, we put our teamwork and perseverence to the test on the low elements course, including a rope ladder, rope swing and rope trails. We finished up the morning just in time to beat the pouring rain and return back to school.

Camp Owahta!

On Friday, we enjoyed a beautiful day of activities at Camp Owahta for Conservation Field Days. We learned about bird migration, firearm awareness, household hazardous wastes, maple syrup and groundwater. We created soil profiles using household spices, and we went on a short hike, using a compass and map to guide us.

Welcome!

Welcome to our class blog!  On this blog, you will find news and information about our class and what we are up to.  We enjoyed a fantastic first week back to school, getting to know each other and learning about expectations for our classroom.  We even watched a motivational address from President Obama.  I've included the video below... 



Check back often for updates and look for our first newsletter to go home next Friday (9/18).  I will also post a link to an electronic version on this blog.  It was very exciting meeting and chatting with many of you at our End of Summer Social last week, and I look forward to working with you all this year.

Mr. Caravella