William L. Buck

 Positive affirmations are powerful tools that Valley Stream 24 students are learning to use. Positive statements repeated to oneself can help develop a healthy mental, social and emotional mindset. For example, WLB third-grade Scholars created positive statements to be read as affirmations. Scholars helped create Affirmation Station where learners can go every morning to ensure that their day starts off on a positive note or whenever they need a gentle reminder about how AWESOME they are. Wellness continues to be a pillar that we are focused on and believe in. 

 Valley Stream 24 is always looking to celebrate its students' academic achievements. Kindergarten is a big year for WLB’s Scholars. They are learning sight words to help prepare them to read fluently as they get ready to take on the new learning experiences that await them in 1st grade. Here, WLB Scholar Anna celebrates learning an awesome 53 sight words!   

 Valley Stream 24 students always know how to have fun while they are learning! At WLB, Scholars had a great time learning fractions with the help of Skittles. For their math lesson, the Scholars worked hands-on with their "taste the fraction" rainbow activity. They learned how to count, sort, add and subtract while working with fractions. Best yet, the Scholars were able to take home a tasty treat after completing the lesson.  

 Telling time is an important skill that students will use for the rest of their lives. Digital clocks are everywhere. They are on our watches, phones, computers, and even home kitchen appliances like microwave ovens and stoves. However, there are many reasons to teach our students about analog clocks. Learning how to read an analog clock allows students to understand that subtracting is not just about “taking away” but also the difference between the two numbers. It gives them practice in learning that there are different names for the same quantity. For example, when the large hand is on eight and the small hand is between the two and the three, the time can be read as twenty minutes to three, two-forty, or forty minutes after two. Additionally, students can practice their skip counting in multiples of 5. First-grade Scholars at WLB had an awesome time learning how to tell time and created their very own analog clocks! 

  WLB Kindergarten Scholars put their engineering skills to the test by using various materials as they designed a “shade spot” to keep their paper dolls out of the sun! After testing their designs by using a cellphone flashlight that acted as the sunlight, they made adjustments as needed. Scholars talked about how the size and the shape of their structures impacted the cover by shade and the shape of the shaded area. They observed how some structures can block the sunlight from the top only and some structures can also block it from the side. These young Scholars became shade experts and enjoyed this STEAM activity as part of their science curriculum.  

Second-grade Scholars were up to the challenge set by Mrs. Moriarty-Supple in P.E. class this week! Pillow Hockey, similar to field hockey requires speed, agility, and control. These Scholars proved to be formidable opponents and enjoyed the game while showing great sportsmanship!