This week, the lower elementary students had the opportunity to attend a performance by the New Haven Symphony Orchestra at Southern Connecticut State University, following their studies of orchestral instruments in music class. This experience proved to be both enriching and magical for the children, as they were captivated by the symphony’s performance and able to recognize the instruments they had learned about. The outing served as a culmination of their musical education, leaving them with a newfound appreciation for the beauty of orchestral music and inspiring them to continue exploring the world of music with enthusiasm and wonder.

The children were so excited all week as the anticipation of Research Night crept up. They were thrilled to share their projects with people they love deeply. The third-year students had their first public speaking experience, presenting before classmates and families. They were amazing! Although it was optional, some second- and first-year students wanted to present to their peers, too! They were all so brave! The children worked diligently and should be very proud of their work, as are we.

Have a relaxing and peaceful spring break!

Lower elementary classrooms are fertile ground for cultivating a lifelong passion for learning. With their boundless curiosity and infectious enthusiasm, young learners approach each day with wonder and excitement. Teachers have the opportunity to ignite this spark, fostering a love for exploration and discovery that will serve students well in the years to come.

Education extends far beyond academic achievement. It’s a time when social, emotional, and physical development are equally prioritized. Through cooperative play, group activities, and guided interactions, children learn invaluable lessons in empathy, communication, and teamwork. These skills lay the foundation for healthy relationships and emotional resilience.

Recognizing that every child learns at their own pace, lower elementary classrooms emphasize personalized instruction. Teachers have the flexibility to tailor their approach to suit the diverse needs and learning styles of each student. Whether through small group activities, one-on-one guidance, or differentiated assignments, every child receives the support they need to thrive.

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.

On Wednesday, our school welcomed the Connecticut Science Center for an engaging presentation titled “The Science of Suds.” This interactive program took the students on a journey into the fascinating world of soap and water. They delved into the enchanting realm of bubble formation, exploring the diverse shapes they can take and experimenting with bubbles created using various gases. It was an enjoyable learning experience as we investigated whether it was feasible to pass a hand through a bubble without bursting it and attempted to place objects inside bubbles. Additionally, we discovered the technique for holding a bubble in our hand and even dared to see if a student could fit inside one.

As a reminder, LE students will celebrate Valentine’s Day in class on Wednesday, February 14th. We will decorate bags, pass out valentines, and have a celebration with snacks and activities! Please remember to bring in enough Valentines for each child in the classroom. There are 25 children in total. Thanks!

Lower Elementary has begun research projects and has been immersed in research all week! Each child has been given categories to choose from, and everyone has made their choice. The students have been fully engaged in their chosen categories, fostering a sense of shared focus within the class. Each child has selected a topic, and this collective endeavor provides an excellent opportunity for older students to assume mentoring roles, supporting their younger peers who are new to the world of research. To initiate the projects, the students began by brainstorming what they already knew about their chosen topics and formulated questions to guide their exploration. This collaborative effort has sparked genuine excitement about their upcoming projects.

First-year students will make posters with information about their topics, second-year students will make posters and write research papers, and third-year students will make presentation boards, write papers, and give oral presentations. All of this work will be done at school.

More information will come about our upcoming Research Night on March 7th!

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Lower Elementary students celebrated his good work. We read the powerful story, Martin’s Dream Day, which facilitated a great conversation about segregation, equal rights, and the power of using our words. Afterward, we talked about Martin’s Dream: equality, love, peace, and inclusion. As a follow-up activity, we collectively brainstormed adjectives to describe Martin and explored our own aspirations for a better world and personal growth.

Alongside our exploration of Martin Luther King Jr. this week, the children enthusiastically embraced our new unit on measurement. The students found joy in closely observing rulers and discovering the numerical increments up to 12. Our discussions focused on the understanding that each number corresponds to an inch, emphasizing this as a fundamental unit for measuring various objects. To start, students are acquiring the skill of measuring lines of varying sizes, with the intention of progressing to more intricate objects as they advance in their learning.

This week has been an exciting and educational journey for our elementary students as they delve deep into the world of biology.

The first grader’s young minds are captivated by the world of amphibians, particularly the intriguing frog. The focus is on understanding the external parts of these fascinating creatures. From the sleek skin to the webbed feet, our first graders are gaining a comprehensive understanding of the external features that make amphibians unique.

Second graders are taking their studies a step further by exploring the internal functions of a frog’s body. From support and protection to movement, circulation, reproduction, respiration, and digestion, these budding scientists are unraveling the mysteries of how these remarkable creatures operate on the inside. It’s a journey into the intricate mechanisms that keep amphibians thriving in their environments.

Meanwhile, the third grade is immersing themselves in the world of botany. Their focus this week was on the external parts of moss. With curiosity in their eyes, students are not just learning from classroom materials but also getting hands-on experience. One highlight of the week was the opportunity to study moss under microscopes, guided by the expertise of Mr. Brown, the middle school science teacher. This firsthand experience has ignited a passion for discovery and understanding the intricate details of plant life.