“It is easier to build strong children, than to prepare broken men.” – Frederick Douglass
This week, our Upper Elementary students learned about the history of New Year’s Resolutions while the Lower Elementary students discussed the origins of the names of our months with Mr. Matt during Latin! The Upper Elementary students found out that the Babylonians celebrated New Year’s in mid-March and made resolutions as offerings to the gods. The Lower Elementary students discussed with Mr. Matt that January was named after Janus, the Roman god of doors, because January represents all new opportunities and possibilities.
These fourth year students are continuing to learn about cells by labeling the parts of plant and animal cells. While studying the parts of each type of cell, they will create a 3D model of a cell at home to present to the class. Our students are hoping to make edible models that they can eat after sharing!This first year student wanted to present a lesson on completing a maze to the other students. She drew a maze, with many different tricks and turns and helped students work their way through it. Here, she is presenting her lesson to a second year friend!One of our “Tribe” activities this week was to communicate silently in our Tribe to complete a matching activity. Each group was given an envelope with fifteen different animal names on fifteen triangles. They had to communicate silently to sort the animal cards into five groups of three based on similarities between the animals. Not only did they have to be silent, but they weren’t allowed to take triangles from each other, forcing them to take other’s thoughts and ideas into consideration. After we finished, we discussed how we communicated effectively and how we could improve in the future.Our Upper Elementary students did their first dissecting this week! To prepare, they had to learn about the circulation, digestion, respiration, nervous system, support and movement, and reproduction of all vertebrates and invertebrates. They dissected an earthworm, a grasshopper, and a frog. Each time they finished a dissection, they took the time to explain what they learned to our younger students and to Ms. Courtney’s younger students. Next week we travel to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History to dissect a sheep heart.
“A Peek at Next Week”
All students will begin Wax Museum research on Monday! Next week first year students will make a family timeline, will build coins up to $1, will create a map of the farm, and will learn the parts of the stem. Second year students will be introduced to decimals, will make a family timeline, and will study leaf blades. Third year students will add and subtract time, will create a timeline, and will find the taxonomy of invertebrates. Upper Elementary students will have their dissection field trip, will add numbers in different bases, and will research ancient civilizations and early humans.
