The children have been doing an amazing job with their persuasive writing pieces.  We have started to upload some of the videos the students created today on a new web page.  The new page is titled; "Student Reviews Using Tellagami App."  Additional videos will be uploaded tomorrow.  Below are two sample videos.

We all know that today is the first day of Spring, but did you also know that today is International Day of Happiness?  (A nice connection there!)  During our Open Circle lessons we have talked about being "bucket- fillers"; being kind and thoughtful to others.  Filling others' buckets not only makes others happy, but we also feel great too!

We will have our PRIDE assembly tomorrow, but Mrs. Barth will be wearing lots of green-feel free to join her!! :)

I was just provided information for a an awesome contest!  Legoland Discovery Center (opening in May in Somerville) is looking for children to be part of their "Junior Construction Panel".  Send in a video or email telling what makes you the biggest LEGO fan and why you should be on the Junior Construction Panel.  This is a great real life example of how we can use our persuasive writing skills!  
 Submissions are due tomorrow.  Sorry about the last minute info.
 Find more info at: legolanddiscoverycenter.com/boston/misc/junior-construction-panel-competition.aspx

Please let Mrs. Barth know if you have any questions!

• Winners will be asked to participate in various events and activities as junior ambassadors for LEGOLAND Discovery Center Boston.

• Junior Construction Panel will be determined by the Master Model Builder. Submissions will be evaluated on the creativity and enthusiasm exhibited in the child’s response, and imagination conveyed in the child’s LEGO model.

If you would like to order books through the Scholastic Book Clubs, please do so by Monday.  Thanks!

Our first graders have been writing reviews for the past two days. The children have been writing about movies, restaurants and much more! Ask your child what reviews he/she has been writing.

What are you reading this weekend?

During these cold days, we are are dreaming of spring!  One of Stratton's most exciting traditions is our annual Spring Fling.  This is our school's biggest fundraiser of the year and we need your help!  Parents are needed for organizing the auction prior to the event and we need assistance with running tables during the event (craft tables, games and food tables).  Mrs. Barth's husband will be on hand to DJ again this year!  (Start thinking of your music requests!)  And, for the first time ever at Stratton, we will have a cake walk! See samples below from Sarah Barth's school's cake walk!  We have heard from the children what great bakers you are, so get those baker hats on and please consider donating a cake.  Please let Leanne Rodd, Megan Caradonna or Mrs. Barth know how you can assist planning this amazing event!  
Many thanks!

Today our class was fortunate to have Martha Winokur, a writing expert, join us for a lesson on using quotations to make our opinion writing stronger.  Other Stratton faculty members observed this lesson as well.  They were impressed with the students' writing pieces.  Keep up the great work!

Take a look at some of the strategies we have learned to make our opinion pieces strong.