Cell Functions:

The students in Class V have been working on stop animation films showing how proteins are made.  The films will show mRNA traveling through the cell and eventually exiting as a protein.

P.E. Cooperative Games:

Students participate in an activity called minefield as part of an adventure education unit.  Students work on communication, cooperation, and trust to be successful in the activities.  

Metric Airplane Project- (math)

Students designed their own paper airplanes, sketched them to size on graph paper using metric measurements, then tested them for either distance and accuracy (how close they could fly it to a stationary target), and then we graphed the results.  

Collaborative Painting:

Students are working to create a collaborative painting.  This is achieved by dividing up an image and each student painting a section.  When all of the sections are painted they are put together to reveal the image.

Paper Chromatography:

Students in Class II recently completed paper chromatography experiments.  Using Mr. Sketch markers, the students looked at how combinations of different inks are used to create the marker colors.  They also learned about additive and subtractive primaries, and calculated the retention factor of each ink, reporting their final results on colorful posters.

Cooking Lunch:

Students in Class IV worked together to plan, prepare and cook lunch. Our menu included fried chicken tenders, mashed potatoes and corn on the cob.

Great Expectations:

Class 5 is currently reading  Great Expectations by Charles Dickens.  We will be analyzing character development, universal theme, and other characteristics of classic literature.

Djembe Drumming:

Students took part in two all-day djembe drumming workshops in June led by drumming instructor Don Culp. Students were taught the basics of djembe drumming by classroom, and then those interested in taking their experience to the next level participated in a "master's class". The Djembe is a skin-covered hand drum shaped like a large goblet and is meant to be played with bare hands. The name of the djembe comes directly from the saying "Anke dje, anke be" which literally translates to "everyone gather together" and defines the drum's purpose.

Don's discussions with the students highlighted the

importance of determination, dedication, respect, responsibility and open mindedness as it relates to drumming but more importantly to happiness and success in anything they wish to achieve in life.

Don holds the rank of 8th degree black belt teaching his own concepts in a style called Shizen-do, is a certified personal trainer and the head instructor of Don Culp’s Karate Studio/Whole Arts Training Center in North Kingstown, Rhode Island. He is a song writer, respected session drummer/percussionist, as well the production coordinator for concerts and has also invented, patented and successfully marketed a dog related product called the Pro-Leash. For more information about Don check out his website at http://www.donculp.net