At the end of last year, we started a unit on Experimental Design. Students had to “save fred” a gummy worm from drowning by only using paperclips. Students had to write down their procedure and then have another group try and follow it word for word. After a few attempts and notes from peers, students Read More >>
Archives for November 2016
Advanced Math Class
Two students in 7th grade are working at an advanced pace on 7th grade materials. Since the start of the year, they have reviewed topics of fractions, decimals, and a variety of other topics to bring them up to speed on going through our new text book. Our topics this fall have included The Language of Read More >>
Math Table
Students in 5th and 6th grade participate bi-weekly in a math table that explores 5th and 6th grade math topics. We started out this school year reviewing and learning about measuring and classifying angles using a protractor. We have played games, done math book pages and cooperatively worked on angle packets to help solidify Read More >>
Parts of Speech
In a series of three lessons the 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade students learned about four different parts of speech. First they learned the function of verbs in the English language and that every English sentence must contain at least one verb. Then we practiced enhancing verbs with adverbs by playing a game of charades. Read More >>
Variables and Inequalities
In Math class the 7th graders have been developing their abilities to solve for a variable in a equation and have recently been introduced to solving inequalities. The amount of background knowledge and problem solving abilities students bring makes each class very enjoyable to teach. Students recently learned how to graph inequalities on a number Read More >>
Infectious Diseases
Over the past couple weeks the older students have been studying infectious diseases. Thus far they have completed two hands on experiments. In one experiment they simulated spreading the common cold among students in the room and they experienced first hand how quickly an infectious disease could spread. In the second experiment they learned the role Read More >>
Writing with Paul
Paul Otteson, parent of two former New School students, returned to teach a 3-session workshop on story structure, with an emphasis on how to end stories or story segments. Exercises included learning about six classic styles of ending stories (resolved, unresolved, implied, twist, tie-back, ‘crystal ball’), writing endings in these styles, matching story openings and Read More >>
Are Lyrics to a Song Poetry?
The seven oldest students are taking part in a poetry class, which was inspired by Bob Dylan’s recent nomination for the Nobel Prize for Literature. We started the discussion discussing the difference between a poet and a lyricist. It was interesting that all but one student didn’t feel that Bob Dylan deserved the award. They Read More >>
Writing Prompt
Writing Prompt is a journaling time where the students are given a specific story starter or topic to write about. After introducing the prompt, the students briefly brainstorm what they might write, offering relevant words that I write on the board. Once they begin writing, they are encouraged to focus on writing their ideas and Read More >>
Field Trip to Cornell’s Museum of Ornithology
Cornell Museum of Ornithology The whole school spent the day in Ithaca at Cornell’s amazing Museum of Ornithology. What a treat. The original reason for going was to view the extraordinary mural that is painted on one of the walls – it shows life-sized paintings of birds from every continent. But there was so Read More >>