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Equalizing

Beginning in the Fall, a group of eight kindergarten, first and second graders took part in a math class focusing on Equalizing. Using a variety of manipulatives they investigated how to make different lengths and weights equal. They decided to add on or take away from two different lengths of string or chain links to Read More >>

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My Side of the Mountain Book Club

Beginning in the Fall, eight of the 3rd grade students took part in a book club that read My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George. Each week the students were assigned chapters to read and a role such as discussion director, connector, word finder, illustrator or summarizer. Each student had the chance to Read More >>

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Human Body Systems

The older students began their exploration of the human body by learning about the skeletal system. They took part in a variety of activities that helped them come to conclusions about the human body. Insightful discussion took place about what bones we have in our bodies and where they are located after jumping rope and Read More >>

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Louis Braille Book Club

Our third book in a series for this book club is about Louis Braille, the boy who invented a way for blind people to read.  All of the participants in this book club have really enjoyed learning about people who are blind, deaf or both.  During our reading of Louis Braille, we got a chance Read More >>

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Centers for our youngest students

Centers are an important part of the day for Kindergarten and First Grade students.  Every day they participate in at least one language arts, math and gross/fine motor center. Children learn by playing games in these centers, whether they are adding, subtracting, learning letter sounds or reading sight words. To simplify their contracts, we use Read More >>

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Immigration for older students

The whole school has been learning about Immigration to the United States. In addition the oldest students (grades 5 – 8) studied Ellis Island. We read a book about the history of Ellis Island and how New York came to be a major gateway for immigrants coming into the United States. We learned how and Read More >>

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Lunch Interviews

 Once a year all students at The New School are invited out to lunch by the teacher responsible for his/her individualized curriculum. This year we changed the restaurant from Friendly’s to A La Mode on Nottingham Road in an effort to support local businesses. Over lunch the teacher asks his/her student prepared questions. Questions include: Read More >>

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Family Posters

Jessica Ryan Gostin, NS parent, gave us the idea to create “Family Posters” to display in our entranceway. Families were sent a brief set of questions and asked to supply a family photograph. At school their children created a family portrait using flair pens and watercolors. Jessica then put all the pieces together and spent Read More >>

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Quidditch for Muggles

                      Students at The New School formed two Quidditch teams this year. After spending two afternoons practicing, the two teams came together to play in earnest. It didn’t appear to bother anyone that it was snowing! Our game had to be modified slightly but fun was had by all. The chasers Read More >>

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Lexi’s and Pee Wee’s Tale

Three 2ndgraders have been enjoying reading Joanna Horowitz’s books about Lexi, a squirrel and Pee Wee, a guinea pig. We started reading Lexi’s Tale. As we read the book we practiced using three comprehension strategies, ones we had been introduced to last year. We predicted, questioned and made connections. For  Pee Wee’s Tale, the second Read More >>