On the Farm:

Third Grade is enjoying the spring on the farm. The garden is growing very well thanks to the compost which is the result of their fruitful labors to collect, water, and stir in the previous school year as second graders. We have lettuce that is being harvested, strawberries that are being snacked on, and garlic, kale, cabbage, carrots, etc., all growing happily! Besides the usual chores of caring for the animals, the students returned to work on the garden shed. The “Garden Shed” has been transformed into the “Goat Shed” after the structure was taken over by the goats. The students added windows made from glass jars and plates and are now working on the roof. The students were also exposed to an extremely rare event of a rat snake eating a (dead) rat, another experience that is often a part of farm life and a part of the food chain.

In Earth Education:

First Grade has been finishing up their long-term project of making maracas. The students sawed bamboo stakes, dried the hull, filled it with beans, and sanded their entire piece. The students also have helped weed the garden, a task that is helpful for our garden’s success.

In Second Grade, the class continues to collect, moisten as needed, and turn the compost they collected throughout the school year. These chores will create healthy compost for them to use in their Third Grade year. Additionally, the students dug a hole and fired clay pots made last year.

Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Grade continued their year-long project of building a water wheel. The water wheel has now been assembled, painted, established as a structure in the creek, and has been attached. Wonderful work!

Warmly,

Matan

The weather is certainly keeping us on our toes! We are often outside, regardless, working on our varied projects and exploring all the gifts our campus offers. Please always send your student to school dressed as needed so they can enjoy all we offer.

First grade:

The first grade class continues building the birdhouse. We are almost done sewing all of the pieces. Taking time to create a project helps to increase its value to the makers. We are enjoying the process very much. We are also doing an obstacle course in the forest. If you asked this youngest grades class, they can tell you that there are some times on an obstacle courses when being little is definitely an advantage.

Second Grade:

In second grade, we passed by the compost area and realized that there are tiny pumpkin plants growing out of the old pile. That’s thanks to the pumpkin seeds from the pumpkins you all put in the compost last year. It was a happy discovery. We are also busy making ropes out of the willow tree bark. The class made a small flower bed for Ki Ieva and planted flowers that will be used next year to create natural dyes to color wool used for school handwork projects.

Third grade:

The third graders began planting in the garden. We planted green onions, peas, beans, radishes, carrots, zucchini, cucumber, and broccoli. We hope that our seeds will withstand the current cold spell! It is a healthy and sound experience for the students to learn what an impact weather patterns have on plants, the growing season, and the animals. Mother Nature, her weather and her lessons, are wonderful to behold.

Fourth grade:

The fourth graders are now working on the area where the bunny cage will be located. They removed big posts and gravel, dug deep holes and moved earth. The fourth graders are only five students but they work like many.

Fifth grade

In fifth grade, we were happy to have some warmer, spring-like days to help soften the ground so we can begin to work once again on our pizza oven. The students started to lay the bricks for the floor of the pizza oven. Now we are working on building the dome, the door, and other parts needed to complete the project so we can have a pizza party.