Irvine Nature Center Field Trip

Last week the Sixth Age went on an outdoor field trip to Irvine Nature Center.  Students were split into two homogeneous groups in the morning.  I had the pleasure of attending Irvine with the boys, while the girls stayed behind for some outdoor learning activities at Calvert.  After an outdoor lunch together, the students flipped- with the boys returning to Calvert for outdoor learning and the girls exploring Irvine.

Excitement filled the bus!

Upon arrival at Irvine, students were broken down into smaller groupings as the explored the outdoor environment.  I traveled with boys from Mrs. Miles' class and our instructor, Claire. She laid down a few ground rules before taking something exciting out of her bag- can you guess what it is?  (Here's a hint- it's the skull from a type of bird we heard while in the forest.)

Special microscope- necklaces were loaned to the boys while exploring as well.

The boys smelled a special fragrant plant,

uncovered cool bugs on the underside of fallen tree-logs,

and even caught bugs in special nets in the open meadow!

Fun was had by all!  

Thank you, Calvert and the Seward Family, for this wonderful time together!

Mother's Day Self Portraits

The 6D students are spending thoughtful time completing self portraits for their mothers for Mother's Day.  The project began with formal drawing instruction.  The children looked at their physical features in the mirror before drawing them in light pencil strokes on paper.

This afternoon students chose appropriate skin color paint as they began painting their portraits.  I am looking forward to viewing the results of this project soon!

Horse Champions

Two of my students perform in horse shows together.  Over the weekend, the student on the left won a first, second, and a first place ribbon in the three events; the student on the right was a Reserve Champion, placing a second, first, and third in the three events.  Kudos to my horse champions!  (By the way, how adorable are they in their uniforms??) 

Swiss Visitors

The 6D students received a very special package in the mail last week from the Swiss International School in Zurich!  You may recall that I had an opportunity to visit this school when I traveled on my Garrett Grant trip to this city during the spring of 2011.

Inside of the package was Flat Stanley and a special journal highlighting his adventures in Zurich and in England.  He has certainly been a busy traveler!  Students from a classroom in England had even mailed along a friend for Flat Stanley- Flat James!  The 6D students have been asked to spend the next two weeks with these two "young" men before completing a page each in his journal.  Below are a few highlights of Flat Stanley and James' adventures here at Calvert thus far:

Flat Stanley and Flat James practice their handwriting with sidewalk chalk by the gazebo and Molly's Garden!

Flat Stanley and Flat James meet cafeteria staff on their way through the lunch line!

Dessert happens to be their favorite part of the meal!

Both boys sat together at lunch!

Flat Stanley and Flat James joined us for an Easter egg hunt on Friday.  This is a photo before eggs were found....

...and here are collected eggs!