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!

 

Rare Moon Watching Opportunity this Sunday!

We have a chance to witness a rare lunar event this Sunday. Fingers crossed for clear skies!

Timing depends on where you will be:

http://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/in.html

3rd Grade Embarks on their Connecticut Studies!

We are so fortunate to live and study along the Connecticut shoreline. The third graders have become experts in the ecosystems of Long Island Sound. Here, a student practices sorting and classifying the "life" in a small area in order to learn how scientist conduct population sampling in the field.

Lucky TCS students don't have to just practice lab methods indoors, they get to apply them in real world field work experiences! We had an amazing field trip to Grass Island in Tuesday and have lots of data to analyze over the next few days! 

Kindergarteners are Keen Observers!

The kindergarteners have been using their eyes and sense of sight to observe big changes around campus and have used their new STEAM journals to record their observations.

They have used tools like microscopes to help them observe smaller things like the butterfly wing we found outside the Clark House.

Full STEAM ahead in the New School Year

Welcome to the 2015-16 school year! I am very excited for a busy and learning-filled year in Science and STEAM!

This summer I had an experience that blended the STEAM disciplines in very interesting ways as I travelled to Istanbul, Turkey and took a workshop in the ancient Turkish art (and science!) of ebru painting. Ebru relies on an understanding of the relative densities of natural pigments, paints and water, as well as an ability to properly mix in the right proportions of pine resin and sheep gallbladder extract! I look forward to sharing my learning with my students this year.

Earth Day 2015

We started our day with an energetic performance by "The Energized Guyz," who reminded us we all need to be superheros and conserve energy and resources! Here, the preschoolers meet the inspiring actors.

Next, the PreKers, helped take care of our school garden. We are happy the snow is gone and the plants are waking up!

In the afternoon, the kindergarten went on a field trip to Bauer Park, hiking on trails and through wetlands and witnessing toads laying eggs!

What an amazing day in our amazing school on our amazing planet!