After many hours of effort, chicks hatched while students sat and watched. During the 21-day incubation period, we candled the eggs and observed the growing embryo, yolk, blood vessels, and air sack. Students kept journals of the changes.
Students in grades 1-5 learned about the forces of flight in enrichment, then watched a Black Hawk arrive at the school. CT National Guard Staff Sergeant Bob Mullady arranged for a visit.
Enrichment Clusters are planned for May 14, 21, and 28. 2nd & 3rd grade students and their parents may sign up now for their cluster choices. Please click below to print the document, make choices, and return to the school:
Students in 5th grade dissected a sheep's eye to learn about the structure and function of our own eyes. We were able to find many parts, including the optic nerve, cornea, pupil, lens, and retina!
In the fall, first graders raised monarch caterpillars and watched their development into chrysalises then butterflies. We set them free in October to make the long migration to Mexico. Monarchs are now returning from their winter roosts in Mexico. Sightings updated weekly tell us they have entered the Southern United States, particularly in Texas. How long will it take for them to return to Connecticut? Check the map and make a guess!
Think of a problem to solve for the Invention Convention April 15th
pel Pavilion in May.
4th & 5th grade students took apart old keyboards and identified how they work. Many were surprised at the simplicity of the components! Parts will be taken to UConn for recycling, and many of the plastic treasures from inside will be used in a 1st grade "make it and take it" lab.
Third graders came to "Ellis Island" as immigrants to wrap up a unit on ethnic heritage. The year was 1907, and students faced some challenges that immigrants faced: long lines, missing luggage, a test (questions from 1907), a literacy test in a different language, a health test, money exchange, railroad ticket purchase, and finally receiving a certificate of immigration (everyone passed, whew!). Some students had their names changed or shortened, or had to get some TLC at the Ellis Island hospital. Thank you to a group of 8th graders who were our officials!
K-5 Students joined the older students at Science Night on February 4th. In addition to the many student projects to view, there were many hands-on questions to explore:
Students in grades K-4 learned about the science (and fun!) of bubbles with "bubble guy" Casey Carl. Thank you to the PTO for the awesome assembly! Bubbleology was a popular station at Science Night, thanks to this great introduction!
As an extension to a unit on sound, students in 5th grade made pentatonic scale pan pipes from pvc pipe. We th
en adjusted our pitch and tried playing a "mosquito duet." According to a recent story on National Public Radio, during mating, mosquitos' "hum" is close to a perfect fifth- females at about a G, and males at about a D. So, the girls played the G, and the boys a D. I can't say we attracted any mosquitos! (or musicians)
This month, 2nd graders are practicing vermicomposting (feeding food scraps) to worms. We have Eisenia foetida, or the "Red Wrigglers" in our bin. These worms can eat up to 50% of their own body weight in organic matter per day! Worm compost, aka worm poo, is rich in nutrients and microorganisms. We will be feeding them our lunch scraps (fruits and veggies) and watching them grow, make soil, and lay eggs!
The local group Echo Uganda treated PreK-2nd graders with some music and storytelling on Tuesday, December 16th. Students got to sample some of the handmade instruments and dance to the upbeat music. Thank you to the PTO for funding cultural arts events!
2nd graders learned about spiders this fall and several students helped build an orb web in the hallway. We discovered how much work it takes and wondered how a spider can accomplish it without flying!
