Specials
Our Teachers
Art
Music
Library
Physical Education
Science
What We're Doing This Month
Winter
Art
December was a very busy and creative month in the art room. Second grade students completed a printmaking project, while first and second grade artists explored tints and shades of color to create illuminated artworks with a three-dimensional effect. Kindergarten students used Model Magic and their imaginations to design unique snow globes.
Currently, first and second grade students are creating positive and negative space snowflakes, focusing on incorporating a variety of shapes. Kindergarten students are learning about symmetry and creating monoprints using tempera paint. We are looking ahead to beginning an exciting clay unit in mid-January.
Library
In Kindergarten and First Grade, students spent time enjoying a variety of Gingerbread stories from around the world. We read many different versions of the classic tale and discussed how each story was alike and how it was different. Students compared characters, settings, and endings, and talked about what made each book unique. To wrap up our Gingerbread unit, students participated in a class vote to choose their favorite Gingerbread story, which was a fun way to practice sharing opinions and listening to others.
In Second Grade, students began learning how to independently use the library catalog to search for books. We focused on understanding how the Destiny catalog works and how it helps us locate books in the library. Students practiced searching by title and explored how to find where a book is located on the shelves. To reinforce these skills, students completed a scavenger hunt that required them to use the catalog to find specific books in the library. These activities helped build confidence, problem-solving skills, and independence while using the library.
Throughout the month of January, students in all grade levels will continue developing their library skills. We will be reading both fiction and nonfiction books about snow and winter. Students will practice identifying the differences between fiction and nonfiction texts while also learning how to use the library catalog to find books that match their interests. Our goal is to help students become confident library users who know how to explore, search for, and enjoy books.
Music
During December, students had their first visit to ariosoland, a place where everyone only sings. Our second graders can sing about their house in a singing voice, the first graders can sing a name, and the kindergarteners hummed bird songs. We wrapped up 2025 with an amazing holiday singalong, with hits like Little Snowflake and Los Reyes Magos.
In January, it's time to refresh on our classroom expectations and learn some music terminology. The Kindergarteners will be practicing hearing and making different sounds like loud and soft, high and low, and long and short. The first graders will take a tour through genres like Rock, Salsa, and Country. The second graders will learn some essential music terms for reading music to prepare them when it comes time to play recorders. Things like staff, quarter note, and repeat sign.
Calling All Musicians!!! We invite all parent/guardian volunteers to assist in the classroom and share their musical talents with us. If you are interested in getting involved anytime this year, please fill out this interest form: https://forms.gle/5fDd8aPxnDNHFdoC6. We appreciate your support and look forward to a fun and musical month ahead!
Physical Education
As we begin the new year, we are busy reviewing the routines and expectations so everyone can feel comfortable and enjoy their time in physical education. We are finishing our work with basketball and my K-2 students are showing great improvement in their basketball skills. I break down challenging skills so all of my students can feel comfortable learning. For example, my students have choices when they are learning a new skill such as dribbling including bouncing and catching the basketball, dribbling the basketball with two hands, and dribbling the basketball with their dominant hand. In this way, my students are not only learning and practicing a skill that is comfortable for them, but they are building their levels of confidence as they show growth in their skill.
In addition to basketball skills and perhaps, more importantly, students are learning and practicing the skills of teamwork. We have explored various metaphors for teamwork. In our most recent lesson, I showed my students a picture of a toolbox and explained that teamwork is like a toolbox - all of the tools are different, but necessary and important to get the job done!
Students are learning that all of their differences (like the tools in the toolbox) bring strength to a group. In addition to appreciating differences, my students are learning that the skills of being helpful, kind, and positive bring positive feelings for themselves and those around them. My hope is for my students to take these skills of teamwork with them and share them in and outside of school so they can have all the best in health and happiness!
Thank you for your continued support helping your child come to physical education prepared wearing sneakers and comfortable clothing (layers are best) and bringing a positive attitude!
Science
We were excited to wrap up module 1 and begin working on Maps in 2nd grade, sound and pond life in 1st, and Forces of Motion in Kindergarten. The Department of Education will visit Nantucket Elementary to see the piloting of some of their assessments in 1st grade STEM. To see more of what’s happening in the STEM Lab, families can visit our NES STEM Lab website.
Fall
Art
October has been a month full of routines, creativity, and growth in the art room! Our focus has been on color, exploring the use of warm and cool colors in art. First graders created warm-colored leaves against cool-colored backgrounds, while kindergarteners began learning about color theory, mixing primary colors to make secondary colors—like bright orange pumpkins. Second graders worked on birch tree forests and have also started an exciting still life project. This month, we also collaborated with science for STEM Week, learning how Indigenous Americans used the “Three Sisters” method—planting corn, beans, and squash together to support growth. Students used watercolors and oil pastels to create vibrant paintings of flint corn, connecting art and science in a hands-on way.
Next month, we will continue to explore color theory and dive deeper into the color wheel, building on the skills students have been developing.
Library
We’ve had a busy and exciting month in the library! Students have been learning all about fall, from the changing weather and colorful leaves to how animals migrate to warmer places. Using our five senses, we explored what we see, feel, hear, taste, and smell during this wonderful season.
We read Pumpkin Jack and discovered the life cycle of a pumpkin. Together, we carved our very own pumpkin, and Mrs. O’Banion’s class named it Lola! Throughout October, we’ve been observing how Lola changes over time. We’ll continue to track her progress in November before placing her in my garden, where we’ll watch her natural decomposition. With a little luck, by next fall we might see new pumpkins growing, just like in the story!
Please help your child remember to return their library book on their library day so they can check out a new one.
Music
In October, students wrapped up our Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations, exploring the music and traditions of Spanish-speaking countries. We also began learning about four different types of voices: speaking, singing, whispering, and calling. Try asking your child to demonstrate each by saying, “This is my (speaking) voice!”—they love to show off what they know.
Second graders have started working on Conversational Solfege, a curriculum that builds rhythm and pitch skills, getting them ready for music reading in the spring.
This month, we’ll begin our Native American History Month unit. Students will learn about the diverse musical traditions of Native American communities and will practice moving with music through simple fingerplays. These activities help everyone build rhythm and understand musical form through movement.
Physical Education
It’s been a busy month of learning and moving in physical education. First and second graders enjoyed three visits to our school garden. With the help of Ms. Dianne Coscia from Sustainable Nantucket, the goal is to help my young students learn about the importance of eating healthy foods. First graders began to learn about the five food groups. Ask your first grader what food groups they have learned about thus far: fruits, vegetables, and grains. They also enjoyed a healthy food sample from each of these three food groups. Second graders are expanding on their knowledge of the five food groups. They are becoming more familiar with healthy foods from each of the food groups. For example, they learned why grains such as rice and pasta made with the whole grain are a healthier choice than foods made with refined grains. Students are encouraged to share with you what they’ve learned about healthy foods and to help you at home making healthy snacks and meals. Both first and second graders will return to the school garden in the springtime for three additional lessons to complete our work learning about healthy foods.
Kindergarteners are becoming more comfortable with the routines and expectations in physical education. They have enjoyed playing with various materials such as hula hoops, nerf balls, and ribbon wands while learning how to play safely in the gym (looking forward with their eyes and being careful with their bodies) with all of their classmates.
Looking ahead, K-2 students will be enjoying a cooperative activity called the parachute! Students are encouraged bring a positive attitude, great effort, and all of their best skills related to teamwork! We will discuss and practice all of the wonderful skills related to teamwork. Students are asked to bring their skills of teamwork with them to their classroom, extracurricular activities, home, etc. that will help them feel good and have more fun!
Thank you for all of your support helping your child come to physical education with sneakers, comfortable clothing (layers are best), and a positive attitude.
Science
This month, students continued their investigations through our OpenSciEd units, building on what they have learned to deepen their understanding of how scientists ask questions, collect evidence, and explain the world around them. We spent time observing, experimenting, and discussing what we noticed, with students taking on a larger role in identifying patterns and sharing their reasoning with peers. One of the most exciting moments of the month was our celebration of Massachusetts STEM Week. We were proud to collaborate with the Nantucket Historical Association, who visited the lab to teach us about artifacts and how stories get passed down over time. Students were captivated by the idea that objects can serve as clues to help us better understand the lives and innovations of those who came before us.
As we move into November, we’ll be finishing our first OpenSciEd module and using performance-based assessments to show what we’ve learned. These assessments will allow students to demonstrate their understanding through hands-on tasks and explanations, making their thinking visible. One of the things our scientists have shared as a highlight of the lab is the opportunity for curiosity and creation to coexist — every day brings a new question, idea, or invention that reminds us that learning is an active process of discovery. To see more of what’s happening in the STEM Lab, families can visit our NES STEM Lab website.
Start of the Year
Art
Students began the year creating a project inspired by The Dot by Peter H Reynolds. Students used paint markers to create their own unique dot based on the quote,”just make a mark and see where it takes you.”
We are currently learning about the elements of art, starting with different types of lines. Ask your students about Larry the line. We will begin painting next week with tempera cakes.
Library
Kindergartners have been busy getting to know one another while learning our library expectations and how to take care of books. We read If You Ever Want to Bring a Library to School, Don’t!, Gloria and Officer Buckle, and OVERDUE! The Misadventures of Bob the Book. Together, we created our library rules, practiced safety tips, and even learned the Library Song!
First graders are settling back into routine, reviewing library rules and expectations, and practicing how to “book shop.” Students are learning how to browse the shelves for a “just right” book and becoming more confident in navigating the library. We also learned the “Book Buddy,” song, a special “helper” to guide us in picking great books.
Second graders are reacclimating to the library and building on their independence as readers. We read Library Lion and created lions with helpful reminders about following library rules. These lions will be displayed to inspire and support our younger readers
Music
This month, our students have been busy learning classroom procedures and re-establishing our 8-Part Musical Workout routine. This routine helps build three essential qualities in our young musicians:
- Tuneful: having a good sense of pitch and being able to sing in tune
- Artful: being able to express themselves creatively through music
- Beatful: having a strong sense of rhythm and being able to keep a steady beat
In October, we will be celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month by exploring the rich musical cultures of Spanish-speaking countries. We will delve into genres such as bachata, mariachi, reggaetón, and salsa, and discover the unique sounds and traditions of these vibrant cultures.
Physical Education
Kindergarten students will be exploring with various materials such as hula hoops, nerf balls, and ribbon wands.
First and second graders will be enjoying a few visits to the school garden to learn about healthy foods. First graders will begin to learn about the five food groups. Second graders will expand on their knowledge of the five food groups and become more familiar with healthy foods in each of the food groups and why eating a healthy balance of foods from each of the food groups is so important.
Science
Kindergarten will be piloting Open SciEd's Model on WEATHER this fall. Great conversations around changes in weather is where we will begin. Students are also learning to be in the labs and use the science materials.
First graders will launch with the Patterns in the Sky Module from Open SciEd. They will use outdoor time in the fall to study these patterns. Students are also learning how to take care of each of our science labs.
Second graders are beginning an exciting new science unit: How do wind and water change the shape of land and what can we do about it? As part of this study, students will watch a news story about landforms in a community, observe changes caused by wind and water, and then create models to explore how these forces shape earth. Throughout the unit, students will investigate with sand, dirt, and rocks, compare solutions to slow or prevent erosion, and connect their discoveries to our own community. We cencourage you to ask your child questions like, "What are you figuring out about how land changes?" or "Can we spot examples of erosion in our neighborhood?" These conversations will help them deepend their thinking and share the new ideas and vocabulary they are developing in science.
From the MA Department of Education
