Ancient Greece has been a theme discussed by all of the children recently. The oldest children started with comparing Greece to Mesopotamia. They quickly discovered, from the maps we compared, that the geography had a huge influence on each civilization. Next we looked at Greek gods and goddesses and how the Ancient Greeks’ beliefs shaped their daily lives. Each Read More >>
Archives for February 2014
Xerox
To assist children learning how to read, we offer small group instruction that focuses on the six syllable types. Using Road to Reading, and Wilson Language, each week children receive instruction that meets them at their instructional level. Typically children meet in small groups with a teacher four times a week for 20 – 30 Read More >>
Coins Coupons and Combinations
Students in grade 1 and 2, explored the number system using Terc’s Investigations: Coins, Coupons and Combinations. First they worked with combinations of 10, making their own Book of 10, which listed all the possible combinations of 10. To further practice this skill they played games such as Turn Over 10 and Tens Go Fish. Read More >>
Wishes, Lies and Dreams
Inspired by Kenneth Koch’s book, Wishes, Lies and Dreams children in second and third grade spent six weeks writing poems about sounds, dreams, colors, comparisons, and lies. They were most intrigued and excited about writing about lies! White Mitten by Syris I had a white mitten As white as the snow I did snow angels Read More >>
Fred Jaquin Mystery Guest
To enrich our study of the Ancient Greeks, Fred Jaquin, Association Professor at Onondaga Community College and Department Chair of the Chemistry & Physical Science Department was a mystery guest at The New School on February 12, 2014. Fred shared his passion and knowledge of the solar system and constellations. At the end of his Read More >>
Rigamajig
The Rigamajig is a new large-scale building kit conceived for hands-on free play and learning. This unique toy was conceived and designed as a custom play feature for the High Line Park in New York City, by independent toy designer Cas Holman of Heroes Will Rise, and Friends of the High Line, in collaboration with early learning Read More >>
Science Fun
The older students spent one month in the fall of 2013 rotating between four science centers where they explored and experimented with various science concepts. The liquid station assessed the students’ ability to use measuring equipment, make inferences about discrepant events and formulate questions in the solution of the problem. The Ball and Ramp station Read More >>
Solar System
The youngest children started learning about the Solar System in January. Children developed questions they wanted answered about each plant. As we listened to The Magic School Bus, Lost in the Solar System, and books by Seymour Simon children drew and wrote notes about each planet. We started with the gas giants and then moved Read More >>
21 Balloons
During Read Aloud, at the end of the day, the older students listened to William Pene du Bois’ fascinating book 21 Balloons. This book chronicles the adventures of Professor William Waterman Sherman in his specially designed hot air balloon. Professor Sherman lands on Krakatoa where he discovers an amazing settlement. Sadly, the volcanic explosion of Read More >>
Stink Bug Mystery Guest
With the invasion of stink bugs into The New School this year, we took part in a study by Cornell tracking the locations of the brown marmorated stink bug, an invasive species. The students photographed the stink bugs they found at school. These photos were sent to Cornell to help in their study. Our latest Read More >>