January 2012

Mrs. Berger’s third grade class is participating in this year’s Jason Project – Terminal Velocity.  They are studying elementary physics – how objects move and the many forces that influence that motion.  They are learning about acceleration, deceleration, and velocity.  Experiments have been conducted using model race cars to calculate acceleration.  In their next lesson, they will learn how computers help scientists create models using Newton’s Laws of Motion.

Mrs. Abshire and Ms. Gallina’s fifth grade students at Bowling Green School participated in “Hope for the Holidays.”  They worked cooperatively to raise $1,700 to help purchase gifts and food for families in their community.

The students organized “Jeans for Joy”.  For a $1 donation on Fridays from Thanksgiving break through December break, each staff member was allowed to wear jeans.  Staff members also donated additional dollars to help make a difference.  The students planned and organized a special day for the entire school.  They worked on argumentative writing pieces and presented them to Ms. Ciarametaro and Mr. Lukasik for approval.  “Cozy Day” was chosen and the students donated $1 to participate.  On Tuesday, December 6^th, students and staff were allowed to wear their pajama pants and a cozy sweatshirt.  “Cozy Day raised over $800.

During this project, the students experienced real life math.  They were responsible for keeping a “checkbook”.  They learned about deposits and withdrawals, how to budget their money, how to estimate money, and decide how much money they could spend on each family.  When the budgets were finalized, the shopping began.  Students and teachers met as a group at Toys R’ Us to shop for 63 gifts.  The gifts were brought back to the school, sorted, and wrapped.  Each family received a special holiday message written by the students, and the gifts were delivered to the homes by Mr. Sacks, our school Social Worker.  Once again, Bowling Green Students Make the World a Brighter Place!

On Thursday, January 5, the Power of One Anti-Bullying Show came to Bowling Green.  The Power of One is a series of skits presented by actors who use boxes, colors, and masks to vividly portray what bullying is, what can be done about it, and how every child has the power of one - the power to report bullying when they see it.  Through this assembly, the children learned about the roles in bullying, the different types of bullying, and how they can seek help.  It encourages students not to be bystanders and emphasizes the need for individuals to take action to make their community a safer place.

December’s Book of the Month is One, by Kathryn Otoshi.  This story carries an important and powerful message about bullying.  Blue is a quiet color and Red picks on Blue.  Yellow, Orange, Green, and Purple do not like what they see, however, they do not stand up to the bully.  Bullying is an important topic and should always be revisited.  This story works as a good introduction/follow-up to the “Power of One” assembly.

Mr. Rochford’s Art classes are working on a variety of different artworks.  The first graders put their finishing touches on their “Snow People Closeups”.  They learned a new perspective by drawing cropped snow people rather than drawing the entire figure.  The second graders are working on Pop Art portraits, inspired by Andy Warhol.  The students came to the conclusion that Mr. Warhol created artwork about popular people and products or items and he used very bright and rich colors.

After mastering warm and cool colors, the third graders started working on Symmetrical Aliens.  The students folded and cut paper creating bodies for the symmetrical aliens.  Using butterflies as a guide, the students understood that whatever they do on one side, they must do on the other side.  Fourth grade students are wrapping up their Rainforest toucan paintings.  The students discussed toucans, their environment, weather conditions in the rainforest, and different places toucans call home.  Black oil and bright tropical colors were used to draw scenes.

The fifth graders experimented with contour lines drawing their hands and other different objects.  They learned that contour lines have no shading.  They finished their drawings with unique, interesting backgrounds. 

On Friday, December 16, Bowling Green students and faculty celebrated School Spirit Day by wearing the school colors – blue and gold.