November 5, 2026

First & Second Grade

Ms. Wood

As for 1st and 2nd Grade, they have been working hard on foundational reading, writing, and problem solving skills. 

For literacy, we have been doing research on birds and how their beaks and feathers help them to survive. Along with this we have been working with high frequency words and fluency with reading.

For Math, we are working on skip counting by 5s and 10s. We also have been working with word problems. With the word problems students are to show their thinking using pictures and equations that match. Most recently, we have started talking about digital and analog clocks. 

Our social skill we have been talking about and working with is to “Treat others the way you want to be treated”. Conversations include how we can follow the golden rule and how manners and kindness play a role in doing so. 

Way to go 1st and 2nd Grade!

Third Grade

Ms. Panella

Third graders just finished taking their Unit 2 math test on multiplication using arrays, number lines, graphs and T-tables. Our next unit will cover multi-digit addition and subtraction, rounding and estimating. We also began our November Number Corner on adding unit fractions on a number line.

Steve the Bookworm continues to grow! During Silent Read, all of the third graders have chosen chapter books to read, and love reading both fiction and nonfiction books.

Finally, we took our first trip to the Hood Museum of Art where we focused on public art. We viewed Elsworth Kelley’s Dartmouth Panels, Joel Shapiro’s Untitled figure, and Kiki Smith’s Refuge, and made our own sculpture in the studio. In connection with our Ancient History enrichment, we also had the special opportunity to see the large 3,000 year old Assyrian Reliefs from the palace of Ashurnasirpal II.

Fourth Grade

Ms. Cayer and Mr. Walker

The 4th graders did a wonderful job participating in the all school hike at the end of October! Students hiked in their groups and made kites to fly at the top! It was such a beautiful day and everyone really enjoyed it!

This week we are wrapping up Love That Dog in our poetry unit. The 4th graders are reading the last of the book and will write an informative paragraph that describes how and why Jack's thoughts about poetry changed throughout the story. It would be great to talk with your student about this question and how they may answer it in their writing. 

Next week, we will be learning about the poet William Carlos William and what inspired him to write poetry, using the book, A River of Words.

The 4th graders have done an amazing job with learning and writing about poetry. 

Middle School English

Ms. Simone

We are all wrapping up our current novels and planning for a closing essay next week. Seventh and 8th graders will be writing about narrative strategies and tools Christina Soontornvat, author of A Wish in the Dark, uses to convey an understanding of society's structure and norms within the book. Grades five and six will be writing about the book Northwind by Gary Paulsen, making connections between what happens to Leif, our main character, and how those events change his thoughts and beliefs.

We will have a brief palate cleanser with some grammar and writing work before beginning our next text after Thanksgiving break: Call of the Wild for 7/8 and Amal Unbound for 5/6.

Eighth and 5th graders visited Hulbert Outdoor Center last week, where we did team-building activities and archery.

Middle School Math

Mr. Pooler

Last Friday, the 5th grade went to Hulbert and got to do their best Robin Hood impressions. We shot arrows, retrieved them, and repeated. After lunch we did some team-building activities, where they solved the problems given to them, albeit changing the rules of the game mid challenge.

K-8 Spanish

Profe Katie

¡Felíz Día de Muertos! Happy Day of the Dead! In all grades, we have been learning about the traditions behind the Day of the Dead, a holiday celebrated across much of the world, but particularly in Mexico, Central America, and the Philippines. We've discussed the meaning of the holiday, what an ofrenda is and how it is often decorated, what alebrijes are (spiritual companion animals), and other rituals. In 5-8th grade, we are completing a personality test in Spanish to reveal what our hypothetical alebrijes might look like, while in K-4, we've done read-alouds and learned about the parts of an ofrenda in Spanish. Ask your child what they think about this celebration!

Phrases to practice:

la ofrenda: the offering

la calavera (de azúcar): (sugar) skull

las flores cempasúchil: marigold flowers

la comida: food

el alebrije: spiritual animal guides associated with the Day of the Dead

Music

Mx. Magellan

 Fifth through 7th grade is completing their Ancient Greek Theater unit by beta testing a DnD style improvisation/storytelling game. The goal is to create a game that transitions between live action role playing and original theater piece. 

Art

Ms. Butters

Newton School Artists Are Painting with Pizazz!

Our student artists are taking inspiration from a wide variety of masters and contemporary creators! Each week, we explore famous works of art and apply new techniques to create fabulous masterpieces of our own.

Here is what each grade level has been working on:

Kindergarten: Color-mixing pumpkins using tempera paint.

1st Grade and Second Grade: Mixed-media pumpkins featuring watercolor-painted skies. (Up next: Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Project inspired by Jeff Koons!.)

3rd Grade: Moonlight Cat silhouette paintings using tempera.

4th Grade: Fall Fox paintings using tempera.

5th Grade: Pumpkin Farm landscapes in watercolor.

6th Grade: Abstract landscape paintings inspired by James Lavadour.

7th Grade: Falling Leaves paintings using tempera.

8th Grade: Autumn Bridge paintings in acrylic on canvas board.

Please reach out anytime with questions or concerns!