STEM is Focus
Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics are the focus on many classroom activities this fall.  Here is a brief look at some of them:

Pre-K Through Grade 3

Last month, students studied the Monarch butterfly.  Through the glass of their classroom aquariums, students observed each stage of the butterfly's life, from caterpillar through chrysalis to the hatching of the adult Monarch.  The butterflies were released onto a patch of milkweed in the school garden.  The activity included science investigation, reading a variety of fiction and non-fiction texts, writing and recording observations, as well as math activities and art projects.

Grade 5 and 6
Mrs. Pine and tech teacher Mr. Finch created a STEM project for students involving math and science.  Students designed, "paid for" and built air gliders.  Each student was given a certain amount of play cash to purchase materials and "rent" equipment.  Each then created a design, did a layout and then measured, cut and assembled his/her air glider.  The project will culminate at the end of October with a competition where students will race their gliders against those of their classmates.

Fourth Annual Carrot Tasting Contest
On 10/21-22, LLCS will hold its 4th Annual Carrot Tasting Contest during the K-6 lunches.  Carrots from three gardens will be competing:  those harvested from the school garden, those grown by Ms. Short and Ms. Curtin, and those from farmer Chris Thompson.  Students will taste all three carrots and use adjectives to describe each.  They then will vote on which one they liked the best.  For photos and more information, check out Ms. Pelton's blog.

College & Career Support for HS Seniors
Students in 12th grade English are wrapping up a college and career unit. They perfected their college admissions essays and resumes and cover letters for post-LLCS jobs.   College-bound students become familiar with the Common App website and requirements, and learned admissions and financial aid terminology.   Students created their own Linkedin accounts and practiced searching for jobs in their field of interest. The final project is a mock interview with Dr. Carlisle and an expert in their field of study, which they must schedule themselves.  Students are evaluated based on organization, professionalism, attitude, and preparedness. 

Personal budgets also are developed and students can see what they would earn in their first year in their selected position and how it matches up with their cost of living, including their student loans. 
New Subjects Introduced
  • 5th and 6th grade students will be learning Spanish the first part of this year and French the second half. 
  • Cursive writing is being re-introduced in the 2nd Grade
  • The history of Long Lake is now being taught to Grade 8 students by Gail Huntley, a local author of two books on the topic, in conjunction with Mr. Reynolds, our social studies teacher.
Recommended Book Series for Elementary Families
Dr. Carlisle provided a copy of What Your [student] Needs to Know by E.D. Hirsch to each elementary teacher in September and recommends this series to parents of students in Pre-Kindergarten through 6th Grade.  Dr. Hirsch is a professor at the University of Virginia and a prolific author on educational topics.  These books support Common Core achievement with reading and activities in literature, math, history, science and the arts and are a fun and helpful addition to your home library.   Amazon carries these books if you cannot find them locally.
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