Westward, Ho!
Upper elementary students have spent the last couple months learning about (among many other subjects) Nevada and U.S. history.
In March they visited the Springs Preserve and Nevada History Museum and built wagon train models out of shoeboxes and canvas.
In April they visited the Eldorado Canyon Mine where they explored tunnels, panned for gold and played horseshoes.
They also held a Pioneer Day celebration where students dressed up in traditional outfits and had a blast line dancing, churning butter, quilling, making applesauce, playing pioneer-style outdoor games, making jumping jacks, creating thaumotropes, and more!
While learning about the exciting and action-packed Gold Rush era, students designed Gold Rush “trading cards” and advertisements to lure people out West; published newspapers with typical headlines of the time complete with ads, important events and classifieds section; and built sod house homestead replicas in the back garden, for which they received an authentic certificate of ownership.
Last week Elementary 5 students participated in a “Choose Your Own Adventure” Activity where they learned how to make crucial decisions regarding survival and success. Now they are creating a class book to teach others about this thrilling and challenging time period. Ask your students for more details, and be sure to check out the Elementary 5 and Elementary 6 classroom blogs for some great pictures!
Cadbury the Rabbit
Until one has loved an animal a part of one’s soul remains unawakened. — Anatole France
An FMS Parent has kindly gifted us with a wonderful new addition: a sweet and handsome rabbit named Cadbury. Cadbury is living the dream life in the outdoor classroom, eating lots of carrots and hay and snacking on basil leaves and fresh strawberries.
The students were taught to treat Cadbury with respect and gentleness, and they love to give him soft pets and feed him treats. They are becoming the best of friends!
Many flowers, fruits and vegetables are in full bloom, making it the perfect place for both students and rabbit. The students are also learning about carpenter bees and other insects who have made the garden their home, and we have even spotting a hummingbird’s nest! Hopefully we’ll catch a glimpse of the colorful bird soon.
Elsewhere on the FMS campus, E3 is planting a beautiful backyard garden, E5 is growing herbs such as chives, basil and spearmint in old chinese takeout boxes for an “upcycling” project, and E4 has planted a salsa garden, complete with tomatoes, onions, garlic and cilantro! We sure do love to be outdoors!
See more pictures of Cadbury and the children and the outdoor classroom here!
A Weekend at Zion
Recently our lower elementary students, along with their parents and teachers, enjoyed a wonderful weekend sojourn at Zion National Park. We camped, hiked, built campfires, and enjoyed peaceful, quiet times admiring the beauty of nature.
Says Madison: “My favorite thing about Zion was the second year hike. We saw two frogs, a stink bug and a deer. When we walked a little farther, we saw the same deer again. We skipped rocks, saw the Big Dipper and Orion’s belt. Cassidy found an owl!”
For some great pics and more stories, check out the E4 and E2 classroom blogs!
[button url=”http://elementary2.fmsparents.com/” target=”_blank” size=”small” style=”coolblue” ]E2 Blog[/button]
[button url=”http://elementary4.fmsparents.com/” target=”_blank” size=”small” style=”coolblue” ]E4 Blog[/button]