March Theme: Birds of a Feather
For the Love of Birds, Get Outside

Have you heard? They’re back. Go outside and just stand quietly. You’ll hear them. Look overhead. You’ll see them. Glorious Birding.




Try pondering these questions:

• How many birds can you identify?


• Do birds feed more in the morning, or afternoon?


• Do the phases of the moon have an effect on bird activity?


• How do birds react to different kinds of music, such as country, rap, and pop?
  
• Does temperature affect the number of birds seen?

Check out these links for more information:
Bird Silhouettes
All About Birds Bird Guide
Attracting More Birds to Your Neighborhood
Attracting Birds to Your Feeders
Bird Coloring Page
Take a Bird Walk

Now that you know how to attract birds to your yard and you can identify different bird species when they come to feed, how about sneakin’ a peek at them and take their picture?

Digital Photography Contest
Students and families are encouraged to bird watch through the lens of a camera! Take as many pictures of our feathered friends as you can. THEN, choose your best one. You may submit that one picture to Mrs. Beltramo via e-mail no later than APRIL 2 using these guide lines:The picture that is submitted must:

• Be taken by a PWS student in grades K-4
• Not be digitally/electronically altered
• Must be taken between March 12 and April 1
• Must be emailed in a .jpg format

Include YOUR name, grade, and a creative picture title in your e-mail. In submitting your email, you are giving permission to have your picture uploaded to the blog photo gallery. Entries will be printed and available for voting. The PWS family will vote in the library the week of APRIL 6. Grade level winners will be announced the week of April 13.

February Winter Writing Contest Winners

Last month we offered an opportunity to share small winter moments. We received 74 wonderful entries ranging from sledding with brothers to a first chairlift ride, and listening to snow melting off the roof and dripping to the ground. Peter Woodbury School has talented writers. Thank you to everyone who submitted an entry. We are happy to feature the winning grade level selections below.

Kindergarten
Winter
I was outside with my Mommy and my brother. I smelled the pine trees. They smelled like Christmas. I heard birds chirping. Chirp, chirp, chirp. I tasted snow. It tasted like ice. Cold, cold, cold. I felt the snow. It felt cold like ice. Vvv, Vvv, Vvv. I saw winter. Winter is nice! Just like snow angels. –Riley

1st Grade
A Hot Walk
Every weekend I go out for a walk with my dad, my sister and my two dogs. This weekend on our walk I saw a robin. Her chest was bright red like the sun. It was hot walking in my winter clothes. The sun was shining bright. It felt like summer with two suns shining on me. I took off my mittens. It felt like winter when I unzipped my coat. I could feel the wind on my cold hands. I put my mittens back on. I told my dad we were almost there. The house I could see on every walk was straight ahead. I was desperate for lunch. –Laura

2nd Grade
Frozen Fairy
I fall back into the snow and feel myself sink into the chill. As I spread my arms, the snow crunches and falls. The sky is a clear blue winter sky with no clouds. The world is silent. I smile as I wave my arms and legs and feel the flakes rise up and sprinkle my face, filling my nose and mouth. I carefully get up to check the angel I have made. She looks like a frozen fairy.

3rd Grade
Winter Family Fun
I carefully put one foot down. It felt cold and hard. I couldn’t believe that six months ago I was fishing on this same lake. I heard a car door slam and I knew my cousins were here. Today was not just any day. Today was the “First Annual Gagnon Winter Carnival”! I saw my little cousin, Emmy, come around the corner first. She had skates over her shoulder and was ready to go. “Regan, do you have your skates?” I smiled and told her I was ready to go. I was nervous and excited as my dad laced up my skates. I could smell the chili and hot chocolate that my memere had made for the day. I could hear the sounds of my uncles hitting the hockey puck across the ice. I had looked forward to this day for two weeks! “You’re all set, Reegs…go for it?!” I heard my dad say. My first step onto the ice felt weird. I held my dad’s hand so tight. My ankles felt wobbly. I heard my blades cut the ice as I took my first glide across the lake. Within a few minutes, I was zooming around the ice on my own. I smiled as I thought about what a great day it was going to be! –Regan

4th Grade
Winter Glimpses of the Moon
Dark trees loomed ahead as I trudged tiredly up the snow covered hill. Our black dogs’ tags jingled as they chased an orange tennis ball thrown through the darkness. As I rested on top of an enormous sled jump, made of snow, I caught fleeting glimpses of the beautiful full moon. The clean, crisp winter air smelled like pine needles on a fresh Christmas tree. Church bells struck eight as the dogs panted and ran in crazy zig-zags around me. It was time to leave. The moonlight guided us back to our warm car. –Claire