Happy "New Year;" Welcome to the 2016-17 School Year!

This year I am very excited to be teaching science to first through sixth graders! I have been working this summer to set up Science Lab A to accommodate so many curious and eager science students. Stop by and see our new furniture, discovery center, animal friends and cool new technology! 

It has been a busy and exciting first few days in the lab...

This summer, the second graders read Barbara Cooney's book, Miss Rumphius, which is about one woman's quest to live a full life and make the world a more beautiful place by planting lupines for all to enjoy season after season. In science, our students examined false lupine (baptisia) seed pods to see how they could be collected, stored and spread in the future. 

The first graders will travel the world this year, across many continents and oceans, as water droplets that are part of our Earth's water cycle. Here are some ways the students appreciated and enjoyed water this summer!

We are excited to have a new 3D printer in the lab and look forward to printing models to represent lots of exciting learning ahead (not to mention just doing some fun tinkering!)

5th and 6th graders spent the first few days of science class discussing ways to set a positive and constructive tone for our learning environment in the year ahead. The students practiced collaboration and communication while explaining to a partner how to build a Lego model by listening to instructions but not peeking!

1st Graders in Antartica

What do Scientists study in Antartica?

Ask a first grader! They have been taking on the roles of geologists, marine biologists, climate scientists, astronomers and engineers, who live and work at the research stations on Antarctica.

Outlining the continent using a projection of a satellite image to make a relief map

3D map in progress

Navigating to Aftica

The second graders have been studying magnets and compasses as science tools that can help them navigate throughout their studies of Africa.

New Year's Catch Up

Yikes, the holiday frenzy got me and I am behind on my blog posts! Here is a quick overview of the last month in the Clark House STEAM Lab. It's so hard to capture all the excitement, discovery and learning, but, hopefully, this will give you a sense for some of it. 

Our decomposing pumpkins are really changing! The one on the ground is almost gone (except for the stem) and the one in the Kindergarten-designed "hammock" is quite moldy and squished (as demonstrated by Abby!)

Can you believe we were able to plant 60 bulbs in honor of the 60th birthday of TCS in short sleeves on December 10th?!

The 2nd graders compared natural dye color extracting methods used during colonial studies with more modern day techniques of chromatography. 

The PreKers did a fabulous job sharing all their learning and bridge building with parents and reading buddies in December. They drew and painted famous bridges from the Golden Gate to the Ponte Vecchio, built bridges from sticks, blocks, recyclables and construction manipulatives, read many books about bridges and bridge builders, and used iPad apps to learn how different forces act on bridges. They are truly bridge experts!

1st graders learned about the art and engineering of cuckoo clocks as part of their study of Germany and Europe. Here they construct models with birds that really "pop" out.

It was so fun to Skype with our 1st grade classmate, Nita, who is in Germany for the winter. She told us all about holiday and winter traditions in Germany and showed us around her "chalet" style house.

BIG NEWS! We have a new friend to learn about and take care of in the STEAM Lab! Meet Eowyn, the hedgehog. Here, the preschoolers observe her and make mini hedgehog models out of clay and toothpicks.

Kindergarteners are excited to be starting a STEAM study of building and architecture. They are great shape detectives, identifying shapes all around the TCS campus, and are learning the names of common and unusual shapes. Soon, they will incorporate their learning into some building and design challenges and will learn about several famous architects.

Love our curious and creative students! Happy 2016, everyone!

 

 

Preschool Planting

It's still planting time if you are planting garlic! The preschoolers have been learning about plants that are part of our living environment.

After you bury the garlic clove root-side down and stalk-side up, you cover it up gently, pat the soil down over it and wish it a happy winter's rest! 

When you have some of last year's garlic crop leftover, why not cook with it? Garlic is very good for you! Here, the preschoolers chopped it, mixed it with a little butter, and spread it on bread. Can you guess what we made?

Nothing like warm, toasty garlic bread for snack! We all tried it and most approved!

We are looking forward to each clove that we planted today producing a large bulb next summer!

Colonial Science in 2nd Grade

The TCS garden is overflowing with herbs this fall, which is great for the second graders who are in the midst of their colonial studies. With the help of second grade mom and nutrition and wellness expert,Maya Bradstreet, we learned about the benefits of herbs and used them in several ways.

Making herbal soaps

Herb infused essential oils

Natural dyes

These are STEAM-infused times in second grade!

Learning the Tools of the Trades

PreK students have begun their study of tools used in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM!) We have been learning about and using scissors, and today we met others around campus who use scissors and other cutting tools
in their work.

Tony uses a pipe cutter, hedge trimmers and wire cutting scissors!

Nurse Fucci uses scissors to cut gauze and tape and to trim hang nails!

Mrs. Zane uses scissors to open packages of new postcards!

Mrs. Glasser uses scissors to open her glasses wipes (and students' yogurt snacks!)

Mrs. Richar uses a scissor-like letter opener to open mail that comes to the Country School!

Ms. S and Katie use student scissors to open a special birthday treat for Ms. S!

We had a great tour of tools at work at TCS today!