Thoughts from a former student...Allyson Kasper

Yesterday, the teachers received a letter in their box from a former student who attended SCCS. Her name is Allyson Kasper and is currently a seventh grader at Smithton Middle School. Here are her sincere words of encouragement to families and students.

Dear SCCS,
"May I have a round of applause?" I had just finished my Independent Inquiry, relieved that is was finally over while still keeping in mind that I was going to have to do another one next month. "Whoopee!" I said sarcastically.
I know that a lot of kids at SCCS don't like Independent Inquiries, (I know. I've been there), but I wanted all of you to know that Independent Inquiries are going to be very useful in your every day life.
I was a student at SCCS during 2005-2008. I am now at Smithton Middle School, 7th grade, team 74. I have done many presentations, reports, and essas on a variety of topics. Every time I've gotten a good grade on one of those projects at least one kid would ask me "how did you get such a good grade on your project?" I would respond in my best educated voice "I went to such a great elementary school; they gave us these little mini projects to prepare us for future projects, kind of like today."
Kids don't realize that what you learn now will be used again in the future, if it's a week from now or three years from now. Independent Inquires is just that, they are practice for projects you will be doing in middle school and beyond. From essays to presenting your work it's all going to be done in the future. Pay attention in class and do the work, and apply what you have learned to your everyday life, school and life will be a breeze.
Your Former Student,
Allyson Kasper

Science Showcase

After weeks of preparation our science showcase opened this Wednesday afternoon. Students worked in multi-age groups to research a topic of their choice within the animal genre. The end result was a colorful classroom full of artwork, information, and lively discussion.

Hazel's group discovered that there are geckos

that come out during the day and at night.

Will explains how to play his Cat Race board game to visiting preschoolers. As players move through the game board they learned facts about how to care for cats. For example, "Don't let them eat paper. Sometimes they like to do that."

The "mad" scientists state their argument that

testing on animals is a good thing for medicine.

The other side gives their rebuttle explaining the

negative effects of testing on innocent animals.

"Don't test on me!"

Savannah the cat tried to convince the audience that animal testing is wrong.

Maggie's group wanted to know when animals and humans first bonded (or became pets).

She learned that Thomas Jefferson was given two bear cubs as a gift and that cave men

took care of wolve pups.

Check out our pics!

Click on the picture below to view photos of the children during Fall Fest. More will be coming soon!

Fall Fest 2010

Family Conferences

To all our wonderful elementary families:
Thank you so much for attending your student's conference, they went really well! We love to hear about what you are doing at home to supplement learning. It is so helpful for us. We really enjoy talking to you and it is such an important time to touch base about your child's learning in our program. Thank you again for taking the time to come by and meet with us! If you have any other questions, comments or concerns please don't hesitate to email one of us or talk to us at school!

-The Elementary Teachers

K-1 Showcase

Lindy as Christine from Phantom of the Opera

Thomas shows his army men

Ms. Parks: Maggie, can you rock out on your guitar?
Maggie: Actually, it rocks out for you.

Nadia and Natalie play with puzzle books

Joey's fossils

Rebekah's singing dog

Robin's corn necklaces

Small group animal projects

This week each student was assigned to a small group to research deeper into a topic related to animals. Now that the students know so much about animals and the biomes of the world, they were able to narrow their focuses. Groups are studying topics ranging from medical testing on animals to domestication to camouflage.

A Walk Through the Biomes of the World

For the past week the students have been working in mulit-age groups to research and create a model of a biome. Each group learned about the types of plants and animals in their biome, the climate, and how the habitat supported the animals' survival. After the last birds (and oceans) were hung from the ceiling, the kids showcased their work and visited each biome to learn what information each group had to share.

The Wetlands

The Tundra

The Rain Forest

Ponds and Rivers

The Ocean

The Grasslands

The Deciduous Forest

The Desert

The Coral Reef

The Coniferous Forest

Field trip to the Etymology Museum

This afternoon our class made the long trek over to the MU campus to the Etymology Museum. There they marveled at giant mammal heads, ducks and other birds, and fascinating insects!

Who are these teachers?

On Friday, Ms. Parks, Ms. Flynn, and Ms. Howle came to school dressed as teachers from the 80's and 90's. The kids thought the glasses were unusual but didn't seem to notice much else. For many parents, however, it was a comical blast from the past.