Mr. Tate’s International Students and Dr. Hammerschmidt’s First Grade Students collaborate each year creating a diverse and culturally rich learning environment.
This year, Thomas Lin and Gary Shi are from China, Mai Doan and Minh Truong are from Vietnam, and Sebastian Parada is from Mexico. The International Students talked to first graders about where they live when they are not in Springfield. Students were taught several words in each language including how to say hello and goodbye. The International Students presented a lot of interesting facts about Vietnam, China and Mexico. Students will collaborate again in the next few weeks reading picture books and continuing basic language instruction from our International Friends!
5th graders were introduced to opinion writing by choosing their favorite Oreo cookie flavor. Our class overwhelmingly voted for Pumpkin Spice as our favorite! Thank you to all the parents who donated and offered to bring Oreos- we couldn’t do it without you.
Cuteness alert! First grade enjoyed the nice weather today and took photos in their class shirts. Huge thanks to GPA for the shirts!
Students and teachers are having fun participating in Homecoming Spirit Week! Tuesday was Twin Day, and we were seeing double all day long!
First Grade Helpful Hedgehog Grace Medina is the student of the week! Grace invited her mom, Lu Medina, who works as an Accountant with Missouri State University.
Grace’s dad Michael Medina, Transportation Security Officer/Trainer and works for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Officer Medina brought a “creative x-ray machine” and suitcase to show students what happens at the airport when things are screened. Students all got to be US Junior Officers and had fun making x-ray noises as they "scanned" a suitcase! Grace’s mom brought a special book The Most Beautiful Thing in the World: A Folktale from China written by Barbara Walker. The message of the book was that by being helpful to others you are doing the most beautiful thing in the world. Grace provided students with her favorite treat Pirate’s Booty snack bags.
Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Medina, for a fun adventure!
The kindergarteners found this in the biography section of the library the other day! How lucky are we that a library fairy has chosen to move into the Haseltine Library at Greenwood?! Our new friend is apparently brushing up on a famous Missouri author since their arrival.
First Grade Helpful Hedgehog Eliza Bean brought her dad for her student of the week presentation! Eliza’s dad Brandon Bean is a Civil Claims Investigator with the BNSF Railway. Mr. Bean brought a guest Special Agent Joshua Duncan with the BNSF Railway. Students were shown videos on Railroad safety and given an Operation Lifesaver Coloring book starring Sly Fox and Birdie. Special Agent Duncan shared his equipment that is used to inspect issues the railway may encounter and to keep him safe. Students asked great questions and learned a lot about being safe around railroad tracks. Eliza gave her classmates her favorite snack fruit gummies, yum! Thank you, Mr. Bean and Special Agent Duncan!
Congratulations to our soccer team for winning the Greenwood Classic!
Congratulations to our Girls JH Basketball team as they captured the Marion C. Early CHAMPIONSHIP 38-21!
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The First Grade Student of the week Hudson Albritton brought his Uncle Andrew to visit. Dr. Andrew Albritton is a Greenwood graduate, attended MSU and then got his doctorate in Nottingham, England.
Dr. Albritton talked to the class about the power of communication, pragmatics of language, how language is actually used and how we express ourselves to others. Students have worked on the art of communication this year using the “glitter wands” taking turns speaking and listening and showed Hudson’s uncle how they work. Dr. Albritton reminded students to think before we speak, share important ideas and compliment others. The students asked terrific questions, and Hudson treated his classmates to Krispy Kreme doughnuts! Hudson’s uncle also shared an important message with the students that they should remember that our words not only “mean something” they have the power to “do something” when we speak others. Thank you Dr. Albritton!
This is a reminder, there is no school tomorrow for students due to a staff professional development day. We will see students on Tuesday!
The First Grade Helpful Hedgehog Student of the Week is Eli Hall!
Eli’s grandad, Mr. Brent McKinney is an Electrical Engineer and worked for City Utilities. A lineman, Mr. Danny Vestal from Springfield City Utilities also participated in the demonstration of electrical safety. The electrical demonstration case, the heavy-duty gloves and the hard hat allowed students to experience what happens when a power line is down. Students were taught how to exit a car if the power line is touching the car and learned that staying inside is the safest place to be. However, if they must get out the safe way is by jumping with their feet together several times to get away from the area that would have the electrical charge. Eli provided muffins for a sweet treat!
Thank you, GPA for sponsoring these awesome shirts! The first graders are rocking the look. Go Bluejays!
5th graders are embracing school spirit with our new shirts that GPA sponsored! Go Bluejays!
Mrs. Flanders class was chosen to talk to David Ezra Stein during the Scholastic Story Voice on Friday. Hundreds of classes across the United States joined in on this live experience. The author read his book, “The Interrupting Chicken - The Elephant of Surprise.” 2nd grade students were excited to ask, “What is his favorite character that he created in his books?”
Kindergarten students have been learning all about apples! Some of the fun activities included an apple market for dramatic play, sorting apples by different attributes, investigating apples with the help of our fourth grade reading buddies, apple-stacking challenge, and an apple foods taste test!
On Friday, the First Grade Helpful Hedgehogs created Sprout Houses in science lab. Students “planted” the seeds and placed them in the classroom window.
When the students are on the playground, they will be able to see the houses and watch for the plants to sprout!
Congratulations to Jacob Putty: Moved into the Competitive Fitness 500 lb Dead Lift Club!
Mrs. Gray’s 3rd graders and Dr. Hammerschmidt’s 1st graders are doing a multiage collaboration with Dr. Bolyard’s ELE410 Methods Class. The university students are studying to become teachers. This experience provides the university students with hands on learning situations and how to locate, read and design a lesson utilizing the Missouri Learning Standards. Today, the university students met the first and third grade students, then completed an icebreaker activity and student interest inventory with the Greenwood Students. The university students have selected one of the first and third grade social studies standards and will present an activity in November to culminate the collaboration.
