Hi Folks,
 
This week, everyone is excitingly working on their passion projects.  They also started designing and creating their optional art element with Ms. Michelle.  Many students are building the parts to their posters and some have even written part of their rough drafts for their written reports.  This week, students have also been trying to balance this important work with their weekly requirements like math practice and reading their literature circle book.
 
Students also had more opportunities this week to work on the garden in front of the classroom.  They have moved dirt and setting up cider blocks so we can start planting sooner.
 
Lastly, if you haven't heard from your child, a former student is donating 2 guinea pigs to the classroom.  They will be arriving some time in the next couple of weeks.
 
Have a good weekend,
Ben, Mary, & Ali

Children began research for their passion projects this week. They visited the library, learned how to take notes without copying out of the book, and began to get a sense of their topic. They were excited to participate in preparing ground outside the elementary classrooms for planting fruit trees and blueberry bushes. Some got to wield a pick mattock, while others shoveled dirt. Children planted lettuce and tomatoes, made up new words to a song about loving the earth, made ocean creatures out of clay for an auction item, and listened to Eric Ode sing for Earth Day. They explored the hillside behind the building. Some held one of the wild lizards that basks on the rock tunnel. Third-years gained experience with the Iowa Test of Basic Skills. These activities were interwoven with individually chosen work such as golden bead operations, cursive practice, symphony math, literature circle reading, acid/base testing, and reading to a teacher.