Note from Francie 1/8/10
Welcome back to a busy winter at MES!
Winter Workshops! Winter Sports! The sledding hill is open, thanks to hay bales brought in by Senait and Zinabu’s dad, Brian.
In kindergarten Ellen is tracing the students’ bodies with the help of Junior High intern Erik. Meanwhile the students are busy in the fantasy area which has been transformed into a hospital – a great place to learn about the human body.
Primary students are delving into geometry and finding that they can learn even more when olders teach youngers a special game with shapes.
You’ll know what the 3rd-4th grade class has been up to as soon as you walk in the front hall. Beautiful Winter Twig Identification posters with real twigs cover the bulletin board.
What does a lens do to light? 5th/6th graders Grace, Sequoia, Roshika, and Isobel generated this and other questions as they began their study of light and lasers. After they’ve explored some light equipment, they’ll decide which of their questions will lead to the most interesting experiments and research.
In the Junior High students are beginning to learn about learning. They will learn about the brain and different learning styles and reflect on what it means for them. In social studies they’re working on maps of Africa. Rose and Ethan completed a map showing religions in Africa and how they’ve changed since the 1500’s. Fascinating! Rose pointed out how large areas of solid color have been replaced by a fragmented mishmash. It’s easy to see why there’s a lot of conflict in some of these places.
Several parents joined me for coffee and tea after Sing this morning. It was great to hear what children are saying at home about what’s going on at school. We also talked about the upcoming observance of Martin Luther King Jr’s birthday and how important it is for children to explore all the ways that we are similar as well as learning about the Civil Rights movement and the life of Dr. King. Please see the flyer attached to the print Friday Notes for information on a day of “Strengthening Peace in Our Community”.
I hope you all had wonderful holidays and are starting off the new year with as much enthusiasm and positive energy as your children bring to us.
Francie
Posted: January 8th, 2010 under Notes From Francie.