Blog

Middle School: Week in Review

Posted on by Michelle Lamb

It was a great couple of weeks in Middle School. We had a small celebration of friendship with some special snacks on Valentine’s Day.

**Please have your MS student come to school ready for the outdoors (jacket, gloves, boots when snowy). We like to be outside daily when we can, and more importantly, when the students join their younger peers on Wednesdays for Social Impact, most of the classes are going outdoors. Thank you for your help with this.

Humanities
6th-grade Humanities students completed drafts of their research essays and also prepared the first run-throughs of their research presentations. They have been busy! This group has particularly been working to understand how to use citations and develop a works cited page. They will be revising their essay drafts as well. Additionally, students are continuing to learn about Ancient Mesopotamia and have focused on Sumer.

7th grade also completed drafts of their research essays and prepared the first run-throughs of their research presentations. Additionally, they have been continuing to learn about the continent of Africa, particularly the human geography and industry (mining, drilling, forestry, and fishing). The class began the novel A Long Walk to Water, and we have been working on it in class.

8th-grade Humanities classes with Mrs. Lamb began with a presentation of current events before moving to grammar. They are completing a unit of study focused on creating complex and compound sentences. Right now, they are identifying independent and dependent clauses along with subordinating conjunctions. This also helps them understand when to use commas in sentences that have both dependent and independent clauses (complex). With Mr. Newman, students are currently examining the reforming of American society from 1820 to 1850. This includes the study of slavery and expansion westward.

Science
6th-year Earth Science students are currently on the unit Tides. Objectives for this unit are for students to explain what tides are, what causes high tide and low tide, describe the difference between high tide and low tide, detail the relationship between the sun, moon, and Earth concerning tides, and describe how Earth’s rotation affects tides. Students will detail several main objectives of this unit through artistic representations.

7th-year Physical Science students are in the unit Chemical Reactions and Equations. Objectives from this unit are for students to list the indicators that a chemical reaction has occurred, identify the reactants and products in a chemical reaction, distinguish between endothermic and exothermic chemical reactions, explain the law of conservation of mass, and how chemical reactions are represented so that mass is conserved.

8th-year Life Science students are on the unit Influencing Inheritance. From this unit, students will be able to distinguish between two categories of genetic engineering, explain how humans can influence certain characteristics of organisms by selective breeding, explain why gene modification, animal husbandry, and gene therapy are examples of artificial selection and evaluate the impacts of human use of technology to influence the desired traits of organisms.

Math
Pre-Transition students are on Chapter 7, Using Division. Topics covered this week were the rate model for division, arrays, and divisibility, using factorization to make division easier, integer division, and short division.
Transition students are on Chapter 8, Multiplication in Algebra. Topics covered this week were multiplication as shortcut addition, rate factor model for multiplication, multiplication with negative numbers, multiplying probability, and combining percentages.
Algebra students are on Chapter 9, Quadratic Equations and Functions. Topics covered this week were functions with the equation y = ax^2, solving ax^2 = b, graphing y = ax^2 + bx + c, and quadratics and projectiles. Students have been able to use the program Desmos to provide a visualization of each quadratic equation.
Geometry students have started to learn about triangle congruence. They will explore the ways that they can prove triangles are congruent by looking at the corresponding angles and sides. By applying newly learned theorems, students will be able to prove triangles are congruent. These proofs will also include theorems/postulates from previous chapters to help with proving lines/ angles congruent: isosceles base angle theorem, parallel lines theorems, and vertical angles.

Lower El Research Night Information

Posted on by Ashley O'Connell

You are invited to Lower Elementary Research Night on Thursday, March 7th, from 5:00-6:00 pm. 

The children have been working diligently on completing their research papers, posters, and presentation boards. The third-year students and returning seconds have done an outstanding job mentoring the younger children during this process. This will be a ‘fair’ event where students will stand at their stations, and parents will browse around, stopping to learn about each project. After the fair portion of the event, the third-grade students will give an oral presentation to the group. The children are so eager to share their work with their loved ones!

We hope everyone can make it! If you know that you will not be in attendance, please let me know.

Mrs. Doyle: All You Need Is Love!

Posted on by Michelle Handibode

 

While last week was a short week, it was a busy one. Last week, the children exchanged Valentines with each other and had the opportunity to decorate a cookie to take home. We asked the children what love means. Their answers are sure to bring a smile to your face. In similar posts that we’ve done in the past, we always say the world would do well to listen to these children. It rings true with this post as well.

This past Thursday, we celebrated the 100th day of school. From the very first day of school, the kindergarten children have been learning to count by 1s, 5s, and 10s to 100. They spent the afternoon going to different stations that revolved around 100. They drew pictures of what they would like when they were 100, what they would buy with $100, and what they wished they had a hundred of, made a 100 headband, and then played a game called Race to 100. They even did 100 exercises and learned how hard it was to sit quietly for 100 seconds. The highlight was bringing home a delicious 100th-day-of-school snack. As always, thank you for the behind-the-scenes help from all of our parent volunteers to make these memories possible.

Saturday, March 2nd, is National Read Across America Day. This is a day to celebrate our favorite activity—reading!!!!!!! This special day was established by the National Education Association (NEA) in 1998 to help get kids excited about reading. The day occurs each year on the birthday of children’s book author Dr. Seuss; on Friday, March 1st, the children can wear their pajamas to school and bring their favorite book and a stuffed animal in to share. It’s always a fun day for all. We will be enjoying some green eggs and ham for a snack. Please note that the other Primary classrooms will be celebrating this day the following week. Children who do not typically attend school on Friday are welcome to join us for the day.

Love Is……….

  • Ainsley–      Love is being kind to everyone.
  • Arya–            Love is building block towers with my Grandma.
  • Bodie–          Love is when someone is kind to you, and it makes you feel nice.
  • Ella–              Love is reading books with Mommy and Daddy
  • EmmaJo–    Love is caring for other people.
  • Hadley–        Love is giving hugs to my Mommy and Daddy.
  • Hannah–       Love is when my brother is nice to me.
  • Harper–       Love is when you feel happy inside.
  • Isla–              Love is being nice to people and making them happy.
  • Jacob–          Love is playing the game ‘traffic’ with Alex.
  • Jonathan–   Love is folding the laundry with Mommy and fixing the car with Daddy.
  • Joseph–        Love is watching Paw Patrol with Mommy and Daddy.
  • Leo–               Love is when someone is sad, and you give them a hug.
  • Maayan–      Love is building a pillow house with my sister.
  • Melina–        Love is cleaning the house with my Mommy.
  • Oliver–         Love is walking on the trail with my family.
  • River–           Love is when I give ice cream to my mom to cheer her up.
  • Ryan–            Love is playing ‘unicorns’ with my sister.
  • Saanvi–         Love is skiing and snowboarding with your family.
  • Tommy–       Love is watching ‘Transformers” with my family.
  • Zara–             Love is giving my family lots of hugs and kisses.
  • Zion–              Love is doing puzzles with Mommy and Daddy.

Wishing you all a week filled with peace and love.

Michelle & Maria

Mrs. Wilson: Valentine’s Day Celebration

Posted on by Cynthia Wilson

Last week, the children had a Valentine’s celebration. We started the week by decorating bags with heart-shaped foam stickers. On Valentine’s Day, the children, along with Miss Jade and Mr. Kenyon, made apple donuts by spreading strawberry-flavored yogurt and sprinkling Valentine-themed sprinkles onto a heart-shaped apple slice. Afterward, the children put their gifts into their friends’ Valentine’s Day bags one by one. We ended the celebration by giving out heart balloons that Ms. Sara and I gifted the children and had a fun dance party. Ms. Sara and I want to express our gratitude for the lovely gifts we received on Valentine’s Day.

This week, we will continue to celebrate our family and friends, as well as ourselves. We tasted ruby red grapefruit during our Food Tasting activity this week. All the children seemed to enjoy its sweet, bitter, and juicy flavor. A couple of children noticed how good the room smelled from the scent of the grapefruit.

Love and Light

Cynthia and Sara

Mrs. Sargeant: A Peek at the Week

Posted on by Christine Sargeant

Last week wound up being a shorter week than we expected due to the snow. The toddlers enjoyed a delightful Valentine’s Day celebration filled with joy and camaraderie. They enthusiastically joined forces to create a “friendship fruit salad,” pooling their efforts to open containers, meticulously wash, and expertly prepare the array of fruits. Along with their fruit salad, they enjoyed raspberry muffins and sipped cranberry juice. They exchanged valentines and were thrilled to take home their specially decorated bags filled with goodies -spreading smiles all around.

We explored the themes of kindness and friendship, emphasizing the importance of helping others. Within our classroom, these values are demonstrated vividly as the children willingly assist each other in opening water bottles, offer to carry a friend’s lunch or drink to their designated spot, help one another hang their coats, and retrieve slippers from their cubbies.

Our food-tasting experience extended through this week and included both avocados and guacamole. The avocado was more popular than the guacamole. 

The toddlers have been exploring Arctic animals and engaging in hands-on experiments with ice and water. They’ve been actively observing how water interacts with ice, noting how it causes the ice to melt and drawing connections between the two states of matter.

See you next week! Christine & Lizette

Mrs. Lopes: All You Need is Love

Posted on by Amanda Lopes

While last week was a short week, it was a busy one. Last week, the children exchanged Valentine’s with each other, and Parker’s mom, Lauren, helped each child make a Valentine person to take home. We asked the children what love means. Their answers are sure to bring a smile to your face. In similar posts that we’ve done in the past, we always say the world would do well to listen to these children. It rings true with this post as well.

This past Thursday, we celebrated the 100th day of school. From the very first day of school, kindergarteners have been learning to count by 1s, 5s, and 10s to 100. They spent the afternoon going to different stations that revolved around 100. They drew pictures of what they would like when they were 100, what they would buy with $100, and what they wished they had a hundred of, made a 100 headband, and then played a game called Race to 100. They even did 100 exercises and learned how hard it was to sit quietly for 100 seconds. The highlight was bringing home a delicious 100th-day-of-school snack. As always, thank you for the behind-the-scenes help from all of our parent volunteers to make these memories possible.

Saturday, March 2nd, is National Read Across America Day. This is a day to celebrate our favorite activity—reading!!!!!!! This special day was established by the National Education Association (NEA) in 1998 to help get kids excited about reading. The day occurs each year on the birthday of children’s book author Dr. Seuss; on Tuesday, March 5th, the children can wear their pajamas to school and bring their favorite book and a stuffed animal in to share. It’s always a fun day for all.

Love Is……….

  • Nicolas- Love is when my Mommy buys me new shoes.
  • Elanour- Love is when my dog kisses my face.
  • Casey- Love is when Daddy makes forts with me.
  • Brisa- Love is when my Mommy sleeps in my bed.
  • Ben- Love is when my Mommy and Daddy play with me.
  • Daniel- Love is when Mommy hugs me.
  • Arjuna- Love is when Daddy comes home from work, and we all play video games together.
  • Evie- Love is when Mommy and Daddy give me hugs.
  • Arian- Love is my Mommy because she makes me happy.
  • Amelia- Love is when Mommy kisses me.
  • Ryder- Love is eating chocolate from my Valentine’s Day.
  • Kimberlin- Love is when my Mommy and Daddy hug and kiss me.
  • Levi- Love is when Mommy hugs me.
  • Elizabeth- Love is sleeping with my big Olaf.
  • Fiona- Love is snuggling with my lovey Lamby.
  • Harlan- Love is being comfy under a blanket.
  • Kian- Love is sleeping in my world bed because it’s so cozy.
  • Annie- Love is when Mommy cooks me scrambled eggs and chocolate pancakes.
  • David- Love is sleeping in my tall, cozy bed.
  • Noelle- Love is when I snuggle in my blankie.
  • Parker- I love it when I snuggle with my cat.

Wishing you a week filled with peace and love,

Amanda & Hema

Mrs. Sargeant: A Peek at the Week

Posted on by Christine Sargeant

A large part of our work with toddlers is to lay the foundation for developing emotional intelligence—the ability to recognize, understand, manage, and express emotions. Cultivating emotional intelligence in toddlers is crucial for their social and emotional well-being.

Teaching children to identify and name emotions is the first step in teaching children about their own emotions and the emotions of others. Being able to identify and name their feelings can help children to feel heard and understood. Introducing toddlers to a diverse range of emotions through books, stories, and discussions will develop their emotional vocabulary. Since toddlers often mimic the actions and attitudes of the adults around them, demonstrating healthy ways to express and manage emotions is crucial – such as taking deep breaths to calm down when feeling frustrated. One of our favorite books this month was In My Heart: A Book of Feelings by Jo Witek. We have read it numerous times, and it has inspired discussions about times when we’ve felt a variety of different emotions. The children especially enjoy hearing the anecdotes that I share with them about times when I have felt brave, happy, sad, etc. 

For this week’s food-tasting experience, we tried beets. The children seemed very fond of exploring the whole beet and were quite eager to taste this vibrant root vegetable. Some studies have shown that children need to be exposed to a new food at least a dozen times before they make a final decision about truly liking it or not, so perhaps consider adding beets to your menu this week – maybe topped with crumbled goat cheese!

The children decorated their Valentine’s Day bags this week, and we’ve been reading Valentine’s books that celebrate friendship. We’re looking forward to exchanging cards next week. 

Wishing you all an enjoyable weekend. 

Christine and Lizette

This Week in Upper El

Posted on by Karen Sankey

We had a fun week filled with bubbles, baking, and learning.

On Wednesday, the Connecticut Science Center came to our school to teach the children about the science of bubbles. They learned about the essential ingredients and environment needed to create bubbles through interactive presentations. They also tested out creating bubbles in different shapes, holding bubbles in their hands, popping bubbles, and even being inside a bubble.

In history, we explored the Cro-Magnon people and compared them to Homo neanderthalensis people. The students discovered that we share a common ancestor with Neanderthals and that Neanderthals, along with us, share a common ancestor with Homo erectus.

Fourth-grade students learned about finding equivalence between a regular polygon and a rectangle in geometry. They learned to compare the perimeter of the polygon to the base of the rectangle and the apothem of the polygon to the height of the rectangle. Meanwhile, fifth-grade students learned to find the area of right-angled triangles using three different formulas.

Our biology lesson focused on animals’ vital functions of support and movement. We discussed exoskeletons vs. endoskeletons and the animals that have each. We looked closely at jointed and non-jointed animals, invertebrates, and vertebrates.

Fourth-grade grammar examined plural vs. singular nouns and the rules for forming plurals. Fifth-grade students learned about limiting vs. descriptive adjectives and three degrees of comparison in adjectives: quality, comparative, and superlative.

We are making significant progress on our autobiographies, and everyone is excited about this project. We have a few more weeks to complete rough drafts and final papers and prepare for presentations. Thank you for your support in helping your child at home during this project.

Have a lovely weekend,

Karen and Krystin