The weather outside was frightful this week, but the first graders had a great time together during recess time. These children collaborated to create art and complete puzzles during our indoor recess and did a fantastic job showing our Eagle Values of kindness, cooperation and grit! Way to go, first graders!

This week, our first-graders hung up pinecone birdseed feeders we made to help small woodland friends. The children are so excited to be learning about animals in winter! We are sharing what we know and eagerly looking for information in non-fiction books and stories to build that knowledge. We're enjoying articles, videos, and projects from Scholastic News and Mystery Science that help us understand even more. We're hoping to see signs of animals around our schoolyard and backyards as the winter goes on!

Well...no feathered friends have been enticed by our classroom feeding stations. Our only visitor (that was seen) was a chubby and happy squirrel. Not to be discouraged Mrs. Hill's class and Mrs. Moore's class are investigating the question: How can we attract more (or any) birds to our feeders? We learned that even in the cold New Hampshire winter birds can be picky. Certain birds like certain food, and have certain ways they like to eat it. Our feeding stations had the right food, but were not in the right type of feeders for our local birds. We are now designing and building prototype feeders based on our learning. Cross your fingers for us!

As life-long learners we are always trying to find the next best thing. It could be a new car, a new kitchen appliance, or a new cellphone. In schools, we experience the same thing. A new way to solve a math problem, a new way to sort and shelve library books, or a new way to reach our educational goals. It’s all just part of the educational pendulum trying to find the sweet spot.

Ultimately, it’s simple. Our job as a society, school, family, and even our own personal self is to be a life-long learner. Contrary to many beliefs, education doesn’t happen by teaching to children. It happens by teaching with children. We learn from each other through self-reflection, self-discovery, and developing an understanding in which each and every member of our community brings something valuable to the table. Without a doubt, children learn more from their peers than any one person alone. A peer grouping offers a number of learning styles and ideas, helping each child or adult explore their own best avenue or path to becoming an expert life-long learner.

The Library/Learning Commons lends itself to this concept. I am fortunate to be part of this learning community. Through peer discussion and open conversation, Mrs. Sullivan’s 2nd grade class identified areas they want to improve. They came up with 2 targeted goals, self-control, and becoming more proficient with our double facts.

With a putting green at our disposal, we came up with a game. There were votes, a few disappointments, and a lot of great ideas. These amazing 2nd graders used flexible thinking strategies and came up with a terrific way to take some steps towards their goals. Now, we just need a name for the game.

Grade 4 artists created house weavings in Muzart.

Also, they designed these amazing Woodland Creatures inspired by Mexican artist, Indi Maverick. Our wonderful Guest Teachers, Mrs. Nugent and Mrs. Naglie, started the project and they finished in Muzart with Mrs Storro. They will be on display at the Antrim Town Library!

Coming soon…Square One Art Fundraiser!