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Yes, it can snow in July.  And no, it has nothing to do with global warming or cooling!

But it has everything to do with our EcoAdventures summer program. On Friday, we celebrated the end of our students’ two-week study of the arctic biome.

The students participated in a snowy Rock Penguin rock hop along with sliding down a “rock.”  They also enjoyed a sled dog race with a delicious frozen treat at the end of the race along with snow globe making and other fun activities.

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We are in the middle of our second biome study as part of our summer program, EcoAdventures.  Our students are currently studying about the Arctic biome.  As part of that study this week, our students held a Skype session with their sister class in Plano, TX.  During the skype session, the students introduced themselves and then studied various images on their respective SmartBoards.  The teachers facilitated a discussion between the students.

The photos show a life-size outline of an emperor penguin and also a polar bear cave the students made from recycled materials.  The video below is some raw footage from Ms. Alli’s class in Cary.

This was a fun use of technology to help the students learn more about their arctic adventure.  It was also a nice way for them to make connections with other students somewhere else in the world.

As we are beginning the process of using skype during our instructional day, we are also learning about teaching the children about webcam etiquette.  For instance, several of the children naturally wanted to be right in front of the camera, thus blocking the view for others.  (I don’t know where they get that!)

We will be skyping more with our friends in TX and hope to find other friends as well.

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Our Early Preschool students (age 2) are still studying about water.  Part of that study is about rain and the purpose of rain.  This photo shows an activity the students did to simulate rain and what it does to replenish the earth.

I like several things about this activity.  First, I like that it engages the students in hands-on learning.  I also like that fact that it teaches the importance of rain.  But most of all, I like that fact that this activity is likely to make a mess!  Learning is messy sometimes.  Finally, this activity is fun because it involves water.  Our students have shown a clear love of learning (and playing) when water is involved.

Speaking of rain, I found this site that was wonderful images of rain…http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2008/09/07/35-brilliant-examples-of-rain-photography/.  I thought you might enjoy it.

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Today students in Ms. Alli’s preschool class made sea foam and bubbles as part of their “Under the Sea” EcoAdventure.  The students stirred up the water to make the foam then used their wet hands to blow bubbles.  Reactions were mixed as some students liked getting their hands “slimy” with the sea foam more than others.

Nonetheless, it was a fun (and wet) activity on a warm Friday afternoon! Enjoy the photos and the video as a way to share the experience with our students.

More summer fun is on the way in next week’s Under the Sea adventures.

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The exciting EcoAdventures have begun at The Grove School!    Summer is here and summer usually comes with WATER!  The first of our six biome adventures is Under The Sea.  The photos here show some of the student work from the first few days of this biome.  Most of the work featured here is from Ms. Sue’s amazing Pre-K classroom.

Students are shown making “raincoats” for their little furry friends.  This experiment allowed the students to see if they could design a way to keep their furry friends dry.  By the looks of the after picture, it would seem they did a great job!

Students also made a 3-D beach map showing the water and the sand.  They have also designed a window aquarium with fish swimming around along with a wall model of a beach.

Playing in water is fun whether at the beach or in your classroom.  Students this week have played with ocean toys in our water tables as well as participated in an experiment where they predict which items would sink and which items would float.

The final photo shows one of our students peeking out of the porthole of a boat his class made with a recycled box.

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The Under the Sea fun continues through next week.  The schedule for the remaining five biome adventures is as follows:

  • June 21–July 2             Arctic Adventures
  • July 6–July 16              Golden Sands and Desert Lands
  • July 19-30                     Where the Green Grass Grows
  • Aug 2-13                         Bees, Trees and Me
  • Aug 16-27                      Outside My Window

Based upon the first three days, I can’t wait to see what is in store for our students, teachers and families.  This is going to be a BLAST!

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I have the pleasure this week of working at The Grove School of PLANO while their Head of School, Wendy Despain, is on a nice family vacation in the mountains.  I am amazed at how beautiful their campus is.  Both the Cary and Plano campuses are wonderful.

There are similarities and differences between the two.  The most important similarity is the fact that both are wonderful places for children to learn.

Watch the video below for my commentary during the tour.

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I can remember being so disappointed by rainy days as a child.  I loved being outside so much that when it rained, I was devastated.  The worst of all was when a scheduled baseball game was cancelled due to the rain.  I would look forward to the game all day long only to have it cancelled by that dang-blasted rain!

I actually enjoy the rain now.  In fact, Sunday I spent some time in the rain…at the pool of all places.

One of our parents sent me these two pictures that were taken after school.  She loves photography and took advantage of our soggy weather to make two nice images.  Of course, she obviously had some willing model participants in her sons!  I can only imagine how much they loved

splashing around in the water…without getting in trouble!  What a nice mom!  Where was she when I was growing up!  (Just kidding of course.  I love my mom.) (I had to add the last disclaimer just in case my mom reads this blog entry!)

Thanks to our parent for sharing these photos with us!

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As you know, in order to help our students develop healthy minds and healthy bodies, I am sharing with you the North Carolina lunch time nutritional requirements.  Since all of the lunches are coming from home, I thought you may want to review them.

For EACH lunch, the children must have one food from each category: the Milk, Meat, Veggie/Fruit and Grains/Breads.

Food Item                                                          1-2 yrs                       3-5 yrs.
Milk ½ cup                          ¾ cup

Meat/Meat Alternate
 Lean meat, poultry, Boneless fish          1 oz                             1 ½ oz
OR, alternate protein product                  1 oz                             1 ½ oz
OR, cheese                                                         1 oz                             1 ½ oz
Or, egg (large)                                                  ½ egg                         ¾ egg
Or, Cooked dried beans/peas                    ¼ cup                         3/8 cup
Or, Peanut butter (or similar)                    2 tbsp                         3 tbsp
Or, Nuts and/or seeds                                   ½ oz                            ¾ oz
Or, Yogurt, plain or sweetened                 4 oz                             6 oz

Vegetable or fruit or 100% juice ¼ cup                          ½ cup

Grains/Breads (enriched or whole grain)
 Bread                                                                    ½ slice                        ½ slice
Or, Cornbread, biscuit, roll                        ½ serving                   ½ serving
Or, Cold dry cereal                                         ¼ cup                          1/3 cup
Or, Hot cooked cereal                                   ¼ cup                          ¼ cup
Or, cooked pasta, noodles, or grains      ¼ cup                          ¼ cup

Even though we have already been serving milk each day during snack time, we will be serving milk at lunch to help with these requirements.  Therefore, please be mindful of the remaining requirements that will need to be included in their lunch brought from home.

I go into the classrooms almost everyday at lunch.  I must tell you that I am impressed with the food our students are eating.  I have never seen a school with so many children eating healthy food everyday. So…good job parents!!!  Keep up the good work.

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I am starving!  I just spent some time at the opening day of the Western Wake Farmers Market.  The Grove School is a sponsor of this year’s Farmers Market.

It was a beautiful morning and there were people everywhere.  A band played music, the mayor of Cary sampled the fresh and homemade goodies, and hundreds and hundreds of people walked away with delicious and locally grown and made products.  Whenever I attend the farmers market, I always get VERY hungry and I also get inspired to cook.  Both happened again today.

I enjoyed going from tent to tent and seeing all of the wholesome goods.  I was blown away by the quality of the produce, especially the ripe and red tomatoes.  Tomatoes are a favorite of mine and these looked delicious.  I also enjoyed a nice array of jellies and jams (see photo).  Our friends from the Great Harvest Bread Company were there too.

You can also read about it in the Cary Citizen.  Of course, you know me, I had to shoot some video as well.  You can find it below.

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This is video of Ms. Sue and some of her Pre-K students in our outdoor grove. The students have just completed two weeks of study on plants. On Tuesday, March 30, 10:30a-12p and 4p-6p, we are hosting our Spring Flower Round Up. Everyone is invited.  A schedule of the events can be found below the video.

Schedule for the Spring Flower Round Up
The following schedule will be used for both our 10:30a and 4p start times:

  • Gathering - songs, a book
  • Spring Flower Obstacle Course – the children will follow the course, collect the flower parts (roots, stems, leaves,blossoms) and then assemble them at the end.  Takes place in the outdoor grove.
  • Snack - fruit flowers made with fresh, organic fruit
  • Tissue paper sunflowers and flower holders
  • Closing - songs and info packet

We will also have opportunities for parents and friends to tour our facility.  This is also the last push for our “March Madness” registration fee incentive.  Ask for details!

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