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April 2008 News and Photos
The Skeletal System
A couple weeks ago, a couple elementary students spontaneously became interested in the skeletal system. This research included looking up the names for bones and using the different activities available on the science shelf to learn about both human and animal skeletons.
There is a small scale skeleton, some real bones and animal x-rays to examine, and a skeleton puzzle to supplement the books.
The next part of the research involved the students dissecting owl pellets to find out what the owl eats.
Here the students are removing the individual bones from the owl pellets and then washing the bones off.
Next, the students carefully looked at each bone to find where it fits on the diagram of animals the owl eats. The students then began reconstructing the skeleton and gluing the bones to a dark piece of paper to see the complete skeleton.
Learning about the Arts
Both the primary classroom (ages 3-6 years old) and the elementary classroom contain an "art shelf." There are different mediums for the students to experiment with including colored pencils, crayons, and paints. These items are available for students to use as they choose. There are different ways to inspire and guide the child with art in the classroom.
There are puzzles featuring an artist in the classroom. The one above is a Van Gogh print called "Vase with Twelve Sunflowers."
After assembling the puzzle the children then draw something in the same style or try to copy the artwork before them.
In elementary lessons begin to show the children how to use shading and water colors in a creative way in addition to learning about artists.
Students in the elementary classroom will also use art along with reports and research projects.
Here the elementary children are learning about the art of dance. The students read a book about Mr. Bojangles and then watched a fellow student show her special tap shoes and a tap dance.
Enjoying a New Game
The elementary class has been learning about the sport of hockey. They have really enjoyed learning the skills of moving the puck from one end of the field to the other.
Puzzle Building
Our two primary rooms (3-6 year olds) have been busy puzzle building! The students are working on 300 - 500 piece puzzles.
Everyone was so excited when the puzzle was done. Here are just a few of the students that gathered to see the finished product!
A new puzzle begins . . .
School Portraits
After a long, hard winter, it looks like spring is finally here! And with spring comes green grass, budding trees, blooming flowers and . . . . . spring portraits! Bernice Gulbro will be taking the children's spring portraits again this year.
On picture day, we want the focus to be on your child and their smile. Please dress them in simple, casual clothing. Avoid any bold patterns or logos, as they will detract from what is most important - your child! Approximately two weeks after picture day, proofs of your child's session will be available to view and order. Prints will be delivered during the last two weeks of school.
Photos will be taken outdoors so please dress accordingly. If it is raining photos have been rescheduled for Thursday.
Tuesday, April 22 Children's House Photos
Wednesday, April 23 Cedar House Photos - Primary and Elementary
Thursday, April 24 Rain date for photos
The Science Behind the Genius Discussion
On Wednesday, 30, 2008 Peaceful Pathways will be hosting a two part discussion and video presentation of Angeline Stoll Lillard’s lecture on her book “The Science Behind the Genius” at our Children’s House Campus (corner of Route 47 and Route 126) at Part 1 will begin at 6:00 p.m. and Part 2 at 7:00p.m.
The sleeve of her book explains: “Traditional American schooling is in constant crisis because it is based on two poor models for children’s learning: the school as a factory and the child as a blank slate. School reforms repeatedly fail by not penetrating these models.
One hundred years ago, Maria Montessori, the first female physician in Italy, devised a very different method of educating children, based on her observations of how they naturally learn. Does Montessori education provide a viable alternative to traditional schooling? Do Dr. Montessori’s theories and practices stand up to the scrutiny of modern-day developmental psychology? Can developmental psychology tell us anything about how and why the Montessori methods work?
In Montessori, Angeline Stoll Lillard shows that science has finally caught up with Maria Montessori: current scientific research provides astounding support for her major insights. Lillard presents the research concerning eight insights that are foundational to Montessori education and describes how each of these insights is applied in the Montessori classroom. “
Everyone interested in education, at all levels should attend this discussion/viewing. This discussion is open to the public. Please call or email the school to RSVP for this event.
