Monday - Sunny and warm
In robotics students are learning to use sensors and simple programs to give intelligence to their robots. Sewing began with a mini lesson then students made drawstring bags.
Most of the students went directly to math after morning meeting. They have learned that it is very hard to pull away from a game or project once they have become involved.
Our youngest students watched videos of kids in the Dominican Republic playing music on homemade instruments. They also discussed clocks and time and how time relates to music. The older students continued to work on their candidates and current political issues. They narrowed the scope of their questions and created a schedule to ensure their readiness for next week’s debate.
The older students continued their heart rate experiments, repeating tests to verify prior results. The next step will be to organize their data and draw conclusions. The younger students examined fossils and discussed how they might be created. They also got to break open rocks to find fossils inside.
Tuesday, October 28th
Cold, rainy and snowy!
A few children worked together to make snack. One student figured out how many children were in attendance.. After a careful count a tray was prepared with crackers, almond butter and tangerines. Children learned to peel tangerines and divide them into segments. Given the sudden cold weather we also decided to serve hot chocolate. Water had to be boiled and scoops of hot chocolate mix had to be counted. Cooperation, waiting, counting and measuring were all concepts we focused on.
Children worked with watercolors today. They were introduced to watercolor paper, discussing the texture and how it is different from drawing paper. Painting techniques typically used with watercolors was demonstrated. Then the children were encouraged to experiment. They shared their work, techniques and ideas with others.
Some children opted to take out their guitars and practice together reviewing chords and riffs. During math lessons many children were asked to explain their work to Sandy. This not only helped Sandy but, more importantly, it enabled children to talk through their process and grasp the concept with greater clarity.
We voted to play Dodge Ball…but SNOW called us to the great outdoors instead. Our older students scheduled their remaining time to prepare for Authors Showcase. The younger children wrote a book based on their response to the question, “What would you do if the Long One was in your house?” During music the younger children listened to spooky music acting it and drawing what the music made them feel and think.
Wednesday, October 29th
Cold, freezing rain at lunch
Today we made meatloaf, veggie-loaf, mashed sweet and russet potatoes, gravy and salad. Each group visited the kitchen. There are often children who commit a greater amount of time to cooking as they find pleasure in measuring, mixing, stirring and tasting. All the children completed their math and many played board games using their math skills.
Music was a focus this morning as a few kids made more than one new instrument. At the end of the day a band had been formed by sign-up. They performed a song that they wrote. We expect more performances with a widening group of musicians.
A small group of students made flags to mark the planting of our acorns in the woods. The acorns first sprouted in containers. They needed to be replanted in the ground so their roots have room to grow and they will not freeze this winter. We will be checking up on them, hoping to find saplings in the spring.
During reading and writing our youngest students learned how letters make words and how words make sentences. We also changed the punctuation at the end of a sentence realizing that the same three words can have a different meaning. The older group is hard at work finishing up their stories for Authors’ Showcase. The middle group continued listening to Tuck Everlasting considering the question of immortality.
Thursday, October 30th
Brisk
All kids were asked to stop by beading for a few minutes. Many students completed necklaces, some as gifts for parents, sisters and friends.
Students are improving their designs skills. Italian lessons and card games were a popular activity. We know how to say all the names of the face cards and the numbers in Italian. Phrases are coming along.
Older students conversed about their stories and continue writing and reading stories. The youngest students added words into a simplified version of a story they have been working on in preparation for a performance. Each child got the chance to come to the board and place their words and point to each sentence as the group read aloud.
Science was the big hit of the day! Rich brought in dry ice and showed the kids how to experiment with it. They put it in water and watched it bubble and smoke, they put it in rubbing alcohol, they watched ice crystals form on the outside of a pot, they heard metal shake from the cold, they put it in with water and soap so the bubbles stayed, they froze leaves and watched them shatter, and then they made a bottle explode by putting dry ice inside of it! So exciting. Very appropriate given Halloween.
Friday, October 31st, Halloween!!
Sunny and cool, beautiful day for a scavenger hunt
All the kids came in brimming with excitement, loaded down with treats and costumes. First we tended to our academics, math, reading, writing and political debate.
Then the party began with musical chairs, doughnut dunking and a scavenger hunt. We had loads of fun and stuffed our bellies with cupcakes, a Jell-o brain and hand, chocolate dipped Oreo cookies, chips and pretzels. Where else can you see a banana, Luke Sky Walker, a fly swatter and a fireman crossing paths in the woods?
