As a culmination of their first project-based unit on Vermont, the 2nd and 3rd grade students hosted a Chamber of Commerce events for parents and schoolmates. They each researched an aspect of Vermont and created a brochure to inform people about this unique feature of our state (i.e. Swimming Holes, Maple Syrup & Cheese, Skiing etc.). They also sent brochures to family, friends and leaders who live outside our state to entice them to come visit. One student mailed his brochure to the President and is eagerly awaiting a response!

As part of unit on “We the People,” 4th and 5th graders are learning about the purpose, function and history of our government, as well as the rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizens. The class conducted extensive research, and then used the information they learned to create iMovies for adults that have recently arrived in Vermont from all over the world. On October 26, the 4th/5th grade class presented their iMovies to staff members at Vermont Adult Learning.

Thank you to all our amazing Grandparents and Friends that visited our school on this special day. We loved hosting you and are glad that you had the opportunity to visit and participate in learning in action! Below are just a few photos from the morning (we took a lot!).

 

 

This Fall, our classrooms have taken advantage of local places to visit in our community. Our K/1 class recently visited Shelburne Orchards, to pick apples and observe apple cider making in action. When they returned to the classroom, they made amazing apple sauce and recipe books to share! Learning about Vermont History, the 2/3 class spent a day at the Shelburne Museum to experience life in early Vermont; they made beeswax candles and churned their own ice cream! The 4/5 class had a fabulous day for a class hike up Mt. Philo. We are so fortunate to have so many learning opportunities in our own backyard!

As part of their year-long study of Vermont, our 2/3 Stem students are learning about wetlands and the Lake Champlain Basin. They tested samples from McCabe Brook, located just behind Vermont Day School, to measure phosphorous, nitrates, dissolved oxygen and turbidity. They also did an experiment to demonstrate how wetlands act as a filter for taking out pollutants and nutrients, as water flows from the Brook into the Lake. The class has decided to create an educational video to share their findings with others and to provide suggestions for reducing pollution in our watershed. Stay tuned!

 

On Wednesday, September 15th, Vermont Day School participated in Dot Day, a global celebration of creativity, inspired by Peter H. Reynold’s book, The Dot! Students came to school dressed in dot attire, created dot art work and talked about how they wanted to “make their mark.” It was an exciting and inspiring day for all!