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 >>
Small Moments
The second and third graders are proud to have published their small moments stories! They took part in a writing workshop where they realized that they can learn to be better writers by studying other authors. Angela Johnson, Ezra Jack Keats and our fellow New Schooler Jonah became mentor authors to the students. Through their Read More >>
Settled Vs. Nomadic
Throughout September and the beginning of October, our youngest students (kindergarten and 1st grade) have been working on the concept of Settled vs. Nomadic. We began the topic with talking about all different kinds of homes. The students generated a list of characteristics and we began to classify the pictures. Students classified the homes in Read More >>
Field Trip to see Hen, the Mummy!
The kindergarten, first, and second graders took a trip to Cazenovia Library to see Hen, the Mummy. Before we went, we read about mummies–how they are made and why. We also read the book I Am the Mummy Heb-Nefert, by Eve Bunting, the “autobiography” of a mummy that provides the essence of life in Egypt during Read More >>
Exploring States of Matter
Students in grades K-2 explored the states of matter: solids, liquids, and gases, with our student teacher, Taylor. Students began with solids. They worked in groups and were each given a “mystery object” in a paper bag. Without looking and just using just their hands, students had to feel their Read More >>