-

|

Gift Giving

Our last day of school is magical. No other way to describe it. Each child is read a letter which celebrates an accomplishment of the year. The whole school listens. Then each child is presented with a gift – a box which illustrates the letter. No two children are the same. No two letters are Read More >>

|

Industrial Revolution

The older students collaboratively drafted a letter to President Obama voicing their concerns after the garment factory tragedy in Bangladesh. We are waiting for a response… June 1, 2013 Dear President Obama, We are sending you this letter to express our upset and distress about the families of the more than 1,000 victims of the Read More >>

|

Architecture 101

Paul Otteson, Alaira’s father, came to the New School to share a strangely beautiful student architectural model in balsawood to introduce the underlying structure of a building. The students were fascinated to learn about joists and studs and to think about placement of windows and doors…

|

Mystery Guest: Ruth Heller

Ruth Heller gave us so much information about her healthcare workers’ union, 1199SEIU, which we could relate to our study of the industrial revolution. We had great questions and comments as we thought about workers’ rights past and present and other human rights the union supports.

|

Microscopes

Our nine oldest students are participating in classes on using a microscope and making slides.  To start off this class and after watching a video on the parts of a microscope, students were paired and asked to find those parts on their microscope – which were all different from the video!  This was more challenging Read More >>

|

Creating a Nature-Classroom Interface

Creating a Nature-Classroom Interface. By Emily Martin  To synthesize their knowledge of biomes, the 3rdgraders at TNS along with the 1st and 2nd graders were involved in a lesson allowing them to delve deeper into these habitats.  Emily Martin, senior at SUNY ESF, brought to the table a lesson plan about competition in the natural Read More >>

|

Mystery Powder

 Starting in January 2013, all the third grade students were part of a “Mystery Powder” unit. The unit started with the shocking news of a “robbery” at the Temple up the road! Left at the scene of the “crime” was a white powder as the only evidence. All the students were engaged in observing the Read More >>

|

Midsummer Night’s Dream

The older students at The New School thoroughly enjoyed Syracuse Stage’s production of Midsummer Night’s Dream. Once again we were treated to front row, center seats.  Following are comments, compliments and observations made by our students Ben, Ciara, Ace, and Maia particularly enjoyed the costumes: All the costumes were very detailed. The costumes were really Read More >>

|

Legos and Simple Machines

The third graders here at the New School have been participating in a Lego science class for the past several weeks.  This class focuses on simple machine components, as well as forces and structures.  Students are assigned to a partner and must work together to create daily structures. Past structures have included caterpillars (to demonstrate Read More >>

|

Word Stretch

Once a week the youngest students take part in a class called “Word Stretch” which gives the students an opportunity to write words. Each class begins with the students writing their names, the date and numbering their paper 1-6. As a group we brainstorm a topic such as colors, pets or sports. Each student thinks Read More >>