Book Buddies are the BEST!

There's a long and treasured tradition at Horace Mann called Book Buddies:  5th graders are paired with kindergarten students for a weekly get-together.  Both the older student and the younger student bring a book to share and teachers often coach the older students about how they can help their young friends who are just learning to read.  As kindergarten students become better at making familiar storybooks sound right (using expression, "reading" the story in memorized phrases), they often join in as their older buddy reads a common story.

It is a joyful thing to see our oldest and youngest students so engaged together over books.  Of course, sometimes Book Buddies do other fun things, such as designing jack o' lanterns in honor of the season.  Please scroll down to see a few pictures of the Buddies in action last week.

We hope that books coming home with every K-5 Horace Mann student on their reading level--and from our well-stocked library--is encouraging plenty of reading together at home, too.  Thank you for everything you are doing to partner with your child and his/her teacher to make reading a high priority.  If you are interested in learning more about the Reading Workshop here in Lakewood and how you can help your child at home, please join us at the PTA meeting on Tuesday, November 14th at 7:00 pm (childcare provided).  I'll be recapping the K-5 Literacy Night hosted by the district last week at Emerson.


  

A Guide for Parents: Common Sense Media

Technology and today's media resources provide ready access to amazing resources for Lakewood students and adults, alike.  At the same time, we are increasingly aware of the challenges created by improper use of technology, including physical unhealthiness, decreased personal relationships and empathy, and exposure to inappropriate content.


Even savvy parents can find it difficult to navigate this ever-changing landscape.  Fortunately, we have Horace Mann's new Curriculum and Technology Teacher (or CaTT) Julie Ferrone to help!  Mrs. Ferrone is a longtime Lakewood teacher (and parent), and we are fortunate to have her at The Mann on a part-time basis this year. 

In addition to supporting classroom teachers and students with fantastic technology enhancements to the curriculum and being lead adviser for both Future Club and Future Club Jr., Mrs. Ferrone has created a handy resource to help parents with issues like digital citizenship, online safety and finding the right ways to handle media at home (check out "Device Free Dinner").

Here's the link to Mrs. Ferrone's Common Sense Media resources:  Common Sense Media

If you have any questions or ideas, she'd love to hear from you on Twitter @LKWDjferrone or julie.ferrone@lakewoodcityschools.org.

HMann Staff Spotlights: 1st & 2nd Grade

The 1st grade team at Horace Mann is a lively one, with two homeroom teachers (Patti Cramer & Julie Harkness), a shared intervention specialist (Jen Frank), shared educational assistant (Marie Banak) and shared student teacher (Samantha Vidnovic).  Throw in collaboration with CHAMPS teachers, Ellen McCafferty (SLP) and other related service providers, and you've got a party!  In particular, this team stands out for their teamwork.  Not only do they plan and TBT together, but they also co-teach everything from math to reading workshop book clubs (yes, book clubs in 1st grade!).  Their efforts have a phenomenal effect on student learning, and lead to satisfaction and fun for adults all the while.  Check out this recent book club video of Farouq, Elliot, and Brigid:

Moving on to Grade 2, the spotlight shines on long-time teammates Anne Carney and Patty Wynne.  Their conscientious work ethic shows in the gains their students make in all subject areas.  Additionally, Horace Mann students are succeeding behaviorally in 2nd grade, and their teachers consistently make time to allow students to access privileges on our PBIS reward menu.  Here are pictures of Leom reading to his first grade teacher's class (in the comfy chair, of course) and a Violet reading to our therapy dog, Stan (he comes to school each Thursday).

Keep up the great work, Horace Mann :)

Spotlighting Our Staff - Preschool & Kindergarten

Horace Mann welcomes a new preschool teacher to our staff.  Jonathan Davis as the general educator is a great addition to the integrated PK class team of Michelle Zahursky (intervention specialist) and Tammy Viserta, educational assistant.  We also welcome student teacher Samantha Vidovic to the same classroom this quarter.  Kids recently made self portraits, often needing to check the mirror!

After a smooth orientation and screening process, kindergarteners at Horace Mann are in the good hands of Mandi Sloan and Cassey Rini.  These teachers are avid users of the Seesaw app, and parents report they feel very in touch with their young scholars when they receive the social media updates throughout the day. It has also been inspiring to watch our kindergarteners take to mindfulness practices, such as yoga and mindful breathing.  Here is one student using a Hoberman Sphere (or “breathing ball”) and his friend making a ball with his hands.

Our teachers are second-to-none, and we are grateful for the expertise and care as they facilitate development of the whole child. We are ALL IN at Horace Mann!