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April 2009 News and Photos
Elementary Field Trip to Aurora University
Our elementary students had the opportunity to travel to Aurora University and work with university students in the biology department. Many of our elementary students have been studying the different body systems throughout the year. This trip gave the students the opportunity to see real sized models and real specimens of the body systems. The students were able to ask questions and take notes. This trip has fueled more interest in the body systems for many of our students. Immediately upon their return to school they have requested another trip to Aurora University! We would like to thank the A.U. Biology Department students and Dr. Davis for your time and generosity.
A New Parking Lot
It has been anything but quiet during Easter Break. Construction began on our new parking lot. The parking lot will remain gravel until all of the heavy construction equipment is finished working on site. Soon we will begin building the new school building that will open Fall 2009. Here are some photos of what has been happening . . .
Site where the new building will stand.
There will be parking on both sides of the barn.
Mom and Dad Nights
Our primary classrooms (3-6 year olds) will be hosting Mom's Night and Dad's Night from 6 - 7:15 on the following dates:
April 15 Dad's Night - Cedar House Primary
April 20 Dad's Night - Children's House Primary
April 22 Mom's Night - Children's House Primary
April 29 Mom's Night - Cedar House Primary
Working Hard in Elementary
The elementary class has a busy hum each day as the students work. This past week I took a stroll through the room with my camera over a couple days and saw some fascinating work. Take a look . . .
In the elementary classroom the students move beyond knowing just the names of continents and countries. They begin to study the geography and names of all parts of the continents. The photo at the top is a young man learning the names of the islands in Australia and Oceania. The two photos below him show a student studying the landforms of South America and drawing his own map. Art is incorporated into all subject areas. In this case gel pens are this student's choice of medium.
Not only are students learning the names of places and landforms, they are learning what biomes (for example - Grassland, Temperate Forests, Deserts, etc.) are in each continent. They study the people, animals, and vegetation in each biome.
Research is a big part of the elementary curriculum. Using books and timelines place events in order. Students have their own books to write the research and learn to write reports in their own words.
Learning the parts of speech and patterns that we use to speak and write is taught using wooden shapes for the symbols. Above are photos of a student working on the parts of speech and recording them in his notebook.
Students learn about music and rhythm. Every other Friday the elementary class has a lunch recital where the students may present a piece of music on our piano, bring in an instrument of their own or even recite a reading or poem. This builds confidence by providing a practical experience to perform in front of peers.
Number sequencing and patterns are experienced with the hundred board. In elementary there are question cards to allow many uses with this material.
A parent volunteer comes in each week to assist and work with the students on Fiber Arts. Some students have chosen to learn how to knit and others crochet. This allows the students to make a plan, follow a pattern and complete a project. Fine motor skills are also practiced by working on simple chain stitches when first learning to crochet.
Each day elementary students spend more time outdoors than many students their age. Time is spent building up athletic skills by dribbling balls, participating in relay races, and playing organized games. There is also time to use the imagination and creativity while playing in the meadow and natural playground areas on the campus.
The students are able to explore interesting facts and conduct experiments on what is being learned instead of reading a text book and answering questions based on memorization. Above are two students conducting experiments on different types of magnets.
The students above work with real money to make change and use change to build dollars.
The "Imaginary Island" work combines land and water forms with map reading skills. Students learn how to draw and chart accurate maps.
Learning how to multiply and add fractions in a hands on way provides better understanding of how fractions work.
Hands on multiplication is also a basic skill needed before learning multiplication tables. This will allow better understanding of numbers as the child progresses into higher level math someday.
The students above have created a design out of materials from the classroom. They are recreating these shapes using a compass and ruler by making sure the angles inside the triangles are accurate.
A couple of the ways students learn about artists is through games and other hands on materials that are always available in the classroom.
This student is beginning to learn positive and negative number concepts using beads.
The two students pictured above are studying Mammals. The students label pictures and add printed definitions. They often follow up with booklets or diagrams to record their work.
Reading books is enjoying. The students love to read and find out new things.
Primary Photos and News
To view photos from our 3-6 classrooms please view the March 2009 link below. This will save download time.
Easter Break
Have a great Easter with family and friends - April 6 - 13. Our classrooms and office will be closed until Tuesday, April 14.
School Portraits
After a long, hard winter, it looks like spring is finally here! With spring comes green grass, budding trees, blooming flowers and . . . spring portraits! Bernice Gulbro will be taking spring portraits for Peaceful Pathways again this year.
Photos will be taken outdoors at both locations. Please remember to dress your child in simple, casual clothing. Avoid bold patterns or logos, as they will distract from what is most important - your child. Notice the rain date if your child's scheduled day is raining.
Wednesday, April 15 Children's House (Rain Date April 22)
Thursday, April 16 Cedar House (Rain Date April 28)
Scholastic Book Order
Thank you for helping our school earn free books this year! We are really building up quite a library for your children. You can order from FIVE online catalogs at by clicking here. Enter the class user name: ppmma Password: PATHWAYS
Orders are due Thursday, April 23, 2009