http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trebuchet). Ours were not quite that big but certainly imaginative! It was amazing to see so many different designs all testing out the same physics principles. Today the students had to calibrate their instruments. A huge thank you to Ms. Gatti and all of the parents there to help. The students did so well. I promise that many pictures were taken :)
Yesterday I was in a 7th grade science classroom to learn how the digestive system works. Our science department is interested in kinesthetic techniques for student learning - this lesson used movement to teach into the digestive process. Students were placed in small groups and asked to "story" the process through action. Groups were given time to think about and practice what each step would look like if it were acted out and then put it in order. The group presentations were incredible - one student played the "food" while the rest of the students in the group worked collaboratively as the different organs found within the digestive system (i.e. what happens to the food when it gets to the stomach, etc). Watching it made me feel pretty sorry for the PB&J sandwhich I had just eaten for lunch. Beyond learning, students were active, joyful, collaborative and creative in their work. It was a sight to see.
I was also able to sit in on a 7th grade math class where students are exploring algebraic patterns. Students each were given a fictional business and then asked to chart the profits of the business. Students are practicing data collection and analysis while trying to find the patterns between the numbers. It was wonderful to see those "light bulb moments" when students discovered the pattern in the data. This unit is a hard one because it introduces them to much more abstract ways of thinking.In other news, Ms. Cortes (7th grade science) has too many trout and is looking for an additional tank. 7th grade parents may remember that Lab School was the site for the fertilization process. This allowed us to start with more eggs than normal. Usually by this time in the process many fish have died; however, our "school" seems to be going strong at OVER 200... If anyone has a tank (20 or 40 gallon) that they would like to lend through the spring please let us know. Ms. Cortes, the 7th graders and the fish would all appreciate it.
Congratulations to the Invisible Children (http://www.invisiblechildren.com/home.php) student organization. Over the past few months the student led group developed an informational campaign to raise awareness for Ugandan child soldiers. They also implemented a massive book drive - gathering over 400 books to be used by the organization. These young Labbies are realizing and living the second half of our mission "Acting bravely in our world". With the book drive complete, the students are now turning their attention to Haiti.
A final note...
A striking thing was realized by the Lab School community today - it's January (and therefore winter). As I was standing outside today before school, I had at least a dozen Labbies comment that it is cold outside. The first eleven times I thought (said), "gee, yes it is". By the twelfth child I realized - it's winter of course it's cold outside. At lunch a similar thing occurred. I was sitting in Kelly Park watching as our little ones ran around - coats unzipped, no hats, no gloves, etc. I went up to one 7th grader and asked, "aren't you cold". His response, "no Meg...it's because I'm Finnish". There is a point to these stories...it is cold, it is winter, it is January and students need to dress accordingly. I will continue to remind your students at school if everyone can also make sure they're coming from home dressed appropriately. It seems that global warming has gotten the best of us and we've forgotten how to dress in January.
Warmly,
Meg
