“The earth’s vegetation is a part of the web of life in which there are intimate and essential relations between plants and the earth, between plants and other plants, between plants and animals, and we must learn to respect that fine and fragile web if there is to be anything left for the next generation.” -Rachel Carson

We had a wonderful week! We enjoyed the gorgeous fall weather with outdoor biology work and Lit Circle. We were also thrilled to welcome a new friend to our class this week!

In our biology lesson this week, we learned that cell membranes are built using nitrogen, an element that makes up 78 percent of the air around us. We discussed how nitrogen needs to be “fixed” in partnership with other atoms for cell building. We also talked about the first nitrogen-fixing process that took place during the creation of the universe, where nitrogen atoms were forced into partnerships with other atoms by thunderstorms and volcanoes. This made them available for making cells. We also learned about the nitrogen cycle and the role of bacteria and fungi. Additionally, we learned that legume roots, in partnership with bacteria, play an essential role in fixing nitrogen. As part of our follow-up work, we dug up some clovers, keeping their roots intact to take a closer look.

Our geometry lessons are taught in two groups. One group learned about six different polygons and the parts of a polygon. The other group learned about finding the area of a rhombus.

In history, we learned about the Cro-Magnon people, who lived between 40,000 and 30,000 years ago. We looked at how they were like the Neanderthals: they lived in caves, buried their dead, and made clothes. We also learned that they did something that no earlier humans had done: they created works of art through paintings, sculptures, carved designs, and ornaments. As a follow-up activity, Sara introduced the children to a 35,000-year-old Cro-Magnon form of art called hand stencils. These works of art were painted in caves in France, Indonesia, and Australia. We will continue to work on cave art outside our classroom next week.

Conferences are coming up on October 25. At the Upper Elementary level, students prepare for and participate in their conference. Please sign up for your conference here.

---

We had a busy and beautiful week in Upper El.

In biology, we learned about the theories of Empedocles, a Greek philosopher and statesman who claimed 2,500 years ago that all things are made up of four “ultimate elements”: fire, air, water, and earth. We discovered that, after all this time, his theories were not far off the mark. We also learned about the nutrients that plants use to make their food and build their bodies: gases in the air, minerals in the water and soil, and the energy of the sun.

In history, we learned about Homo neanderthalensis, who lived from 430,000 to 40,000 years ago. We saw that Neandertals were people like us, with brains as large as our own. We looked at their homes, clothing, tools, hunting, and burials.

Our inaugural Literature Circle for the year was held on the recently constructed patio. I was pleased to observe the students engaging in lively discussions about the pages they had read and their assigned role sheets. The level of focus displayed by both groups as they delved into their respective books was truly impressive. Additionally, during our language lesson, we delved into the historical development of the alphabet through an enthralling story titled “The Ox and the House.”

This week, we settled more into our Upper Elementary routines. During the work cycle, we reviewed math work and prepared for new lessons. We also worked on our first Wordly Wise assignment and continued our spelling work. In large group lessons, we started a history unit on human evolution: The Time Line of Early Humans. This work involves a hands-on creation of a timeline of human cultures. The Time Line of Early Humans is an overview of four human groups: Homo habilis, Home erectus, Home sapiens, and Homo sapiens sapiens. This week we focused on Homo habilis, who lived from about two and a half million to about one million years ago. We learned about their climate, where they lived, their shelters, food sources, weapons, and tools.

We will be visiting the outdoor classroom in the woods regularly. Please send insect repellent with your child to keep at school for our outdoor time, as mosquitos and ticks are in the woods.

We look forward to an exciting school year with your children and to supporting them as they move through the curriculum at a pace that will help them master the Upper Elementary material.

“The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness.” -John Muir

We had a great time at The Adventure Park this week. It was the perfect first field trip of the year, offering real opportunities for the children to bond, encourage, and support one another outside the classroom. Helping each other on the high ropes course created natural opportunities for teamwork. I observed children challenging themselves to try courses with intimidating and challenging elements.

Overall, field trips are beneficial for children. They can practice grace and courtesy with each other and the people we encounter outside Fraser Woods on the trip. Going on trips helps develop children’s resilience, courage, and independence and teaches them about our interconnectedness with nature and the world. Field trips also provide opportunities for children to apply their knowledge in real-world settings and help them develop responsibility, manners, and cooperation.

---

We look forward to seeing you at the Parent-Student-Teacher Conferences on October 25. Students at the Upper Elementary level participate in these conferences. Please sign up for your conference here.

Welcome to a new school year! We have had an incredible week of settling in, learning new routines, and getting to know new friends.

We enjoy starting each day with recess and yoga outside in the gorgeous morning sun. After yoga, the children eat snacks while listening to our class read aloud, The Mysterious Benedict Society. Typically, we would enter our work cycle and lessons after the chapter book, but this week, we had some beginning-of-the-year business to attend to. We broke into groups and brainstormed class jobs along with our class rights and responsibilities (otherwise known as rules). Students did a wonderful job collaborating and sharing their ideas with the group! We also set everyone up on their devices for use in the classroom. They are very excited about this new privilege! As the week wraps up, our Upper El rhythm is beginning to emerge. We are going to have a great year!

---

I am excited to share that we will go on our first field trip of the year to The Adventure Park at the Discovery Museum in Bridgeport. Here are the details:

• The Adventure Park at the Discovery Museum
• Friday, September, 27
• Depart FWM at 9:30
• Depart The Adventure Park at 1:45
• Individual waivers must be signed at least 48 hours before our trip. Please sign here.
• Please let us know if you want to join us on this field trip.

---

Dismissal Reminder
Thank you for adhering to your assigned arrival and dismissal times to help arrival and dismissal run smoothly and to reduce your time waiting in line. 

• Toddler: arrival-8:30, dismissal-2:45
• Primary: arrival-8:20, dismissal-3:00
• Elementary: arrival-8:10, dismissal-3:10
• Middle School: arrival-8:00, dismissal-3:10

Families with children at multiple levels can arrive at the oldest child’s arrival time and dismissal time.

Please form only one line in the morning when dropping off, leaving the left lane open for toddler families to pull through.

In the afternoon, please form only one line on the left before 3:00, leaving the right lane open for toddler families to pull through. Starting at 3:00, form two lines. 

 

 

“Impermanence is the very essence of joy – the drop of bitterness that enables one to perceive the sweet.” -Myrtle Reed

And that’s a wrap! What an incredible year with a fantastic group of humans. Thank you for this week’s beautiful, heartfelt sentiments and generous gifts. My heart is full, and I feel very loved.

I am so blessed to have had the honor of working with these beautiful children. They are kind, responsible, and caring as individuals and as a group.

Throughout the year, this group of students has demonstrated their dedication, especially in the last month. They were determined to maximize their math lessons before summer break and, for some, before heading off to middle school. Each and every one of them should be immensely proud of their hard work and achievements.

I hope you have a wonderful summer! Please keep in touch!

With love,
Karen

We had a fantastic three days packed with learning at Nature’s Classroom this week!

After settling into our dorm and eating lunch, we set off on our first field group hike in the woods with our group leaders, Ranger and Alan. This first hike was challenging on a trail that hadn’t been used in five years. Many of us ended up getting wet as we built and crossed a bridge to cross a swampy area. Our next class was on starting a fire with a firebow. We learned what materials to collect and what process to follow to start and keep a fire burning. After dinner, we participated in a science quest. We learned how sound, light, heat, and electric currents can transfer energy from place to place. We ended day one with quiet sing and a story read to us by Alan.

Day two was full of hikes in the woods. We were lucky to be joined by Mr. Newman for our first hike of the day! We went on four hikes, logged over nine miles, and spent a glorious time in the forest learning about animal and plant life. We learned to use a map and compass to navigate to a forest brook, where we built dams and created small pools. After dinner, we had a campfire and marshmallows and sang before going on a night hike in the woods. To end day two, Ranger read us a poem.

On our last day, we had a rainy start. After packing and cleaning our dorm, we made our own bagged lunches to eat in the woods. We hiked, built our last fire, and gathered around it to eat our lunch, toast marshmallows, and warm our bodies. We left Nature’s Classroom having formed bonds, shared experiences, and made memories that will last a lifetime.

Jill has created a Flickr album of her beautiful photos from our trip. I hope you enjoy them!

As the year winds down and lessons wrap up, we have many end-of-year activities. This week, we squeezed in many math lessons during work cycles, prepared for the Spring Concert, and planned for next week’s trip to Nature’s Classroom.

As your children pack for our trip, please remember that they will have to carry their bags to the cabin. We went over the packing list together in class and talked about packing light. Nature’s Classroom does not allow electronics, including eBook readers, phones, smartwatches, and tablets. I will allow any children who would like to call and say goodnight to use my phone. We cannot bring food into the dorm, so please don’t pack any snacks in the suitcase. I have created a What’s App group chat for communication during the trip. I’ll send photos as often as possible and update you throughout the week.

NECESSITIES

• water bottle
• small backpack (to carry to all activities)
• sleeping bag or sheets and a blanket, pillow
• toiletries (soap, shampoo/conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrush, towel, comb)
• pajamas
• underwear
• socks (6 pair)
• pants for hiking and activities
• short sleeve shirts
• a long sleeve shirt
• warm outer layer
• closed-toe shoes (2 pair)
• poncho
• sunblock and insect repellent (no aerosols)

OPTIONAL

• hat, sunglasses
• flip flops or shower shoes
• shorts for the cabin
• book, notebook, pencils, deck of cards
• disposable camera