Monday, October 29, 2018

Valentino Pier Visit

Oysters.  Fairy Shrimp. Ocean Liners.  Ferries. The Statue of Liberty.  Sinking and Floating.  Waves.  Wind.  Kindergarten students got a feel for New York Harbor as they explored four stations.





 Ocean Life



BNS's Billion Oyster Project Cage





What lives in a shell?  Fish store oyster has an answer.

Why on the shoulders?  Oyster allergy.


Boat Tallying






Sketching 






Testing the Current with Flowers









Sunday, October 21, 2018

Green Recess Pop-up Snack Bar

First Graders ate the multi-colored carrot root salad that they prepared earlier in the day.   One celebrity sighting.


Tuesday, October 16, 2018

Fifth Grade Green Club News

What green project should they tackle this term? Green club members did a photo survey of the green and not so green spaces in and around BNS. Here are their photos and the results of their brainstorming.  (Please excuse any thumbs.)

Ideas:  Sink in cafeteria.  (Kids are washing hands in water fountain.) Poster campaign to stop littering...


Add recycling cans outside of school.

Rain water barrel right on the farm.



Work on chickens.

Raise money with something we grow to help wildlife.

More planters.


Grow more trees.


Form a recess litter remover team.

Inquiry at Its Best

From Anna's Weekly Letter of October 15, 2018...


Dear Families:

In the big yard, there are long narrow planters that make up an area lovingly called the mud kitchen by some, and the digging boxes by others. Filled with rich soil often turned over by children’s curious hands, these boxes are favorites of kids and creatures alike.  Many a child spends time here during Green Recess. Others gravitate to the space while working on the farm. And still others find themselves playing in the mud after lunch.  


So it was there that Noah Thomas and Luna Achille were taking the lead on “Creature feeding experiments.” They, along with an audience of other third graders, were watching carefully to see if grubs and worms are more drawn to small tomatoes, different types of leaves, or other plant matter.  

The collective group of  scientists discovered a treasure trove of nearly 10 worms, which they gathered into a heap on a tree stump. The children then began a complex debate about whether or not worms had live babies or laid eggs. “I think they push out little worms,” one child posited.  This was met with, “I think they lay eggs, and then the little worms come out of the eggs later. ” Moments later, someone added, “They probably bury the eggs.”

Soon, the children erupted into screams and cheers. Gia Danticat exclaimed, “An egg! An egg! The worms answered our question!” One worm had, in fact, produced a small, white, round egg.

Carefully and delicately, the children moved it from their observatory upon the stump and back into the digging box, explaining the need, “For safety.”

Fern Puckette concluded, “The thing is... now we are all worm midwives.”


All for now,

Anna

Sunday, October 14, 2018

Archaeology 101 with BNS Fifth Graders

How did the Maya live thousands of years ago?  Students used trowels, brushes, and strainers to meticulously uncover artifacts and possible answers to that question.  Surprising how careful they were.  (Only found 4 artifacts in the back dirt after kids were done. We are replacing strainers with aquarium screens thanks to JE. Might help.)













 As students worked they mapped their finds.

"That red soil may be a clue!"










After uncovering artifacts, we stopped and took a photo of each "site".  Next day, students removed artifacts and placed them on their site covers using the map and the photo from the first day to help them place the artifacts.  Artifacts found in the back dirt, were bagged and labeled but not put on the map.












Each student selected one of the artifacts found at their site to investigate, by drawing, measuring, and hypothesizing about it and its use. 

Then they shared with their team thoughts about what people did at their site. 

Students had a chance to walk around to see other sites.  And made some cool discoveries!  Watch as archaeologists from neighboring sites piece together their ideas.
 









Turns out having a mom who loves chocolate is helpful when uncovering clues.

At the end, each team had a chance to present their findings and hypotheses.

What's next?  As students research and experience labs and visit museums they will refine their ideas about their sites and artifacts.  Can't wait for all of the surprises in store for them.