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May/June 2010
News from the Head of School
It is hard to believe that we are at this point in the school year. We have many  exciting traditions and activities planned for the children to celebrate the end of another wonderful school year. Be assured that discovery and learning will be taking place right up to our final day of school!
With the arrival of Earth Day also came the preparation of the garden for planting. Many of the children worked with me during their recess time to help pull young weeds and till additional nutrients into the beds.
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News from the Academic Director
Dear Families,
As you know, we have made important changes to our summer programming. Our objective is to continue to offer a “Taylor School experience” throughout the summer. One of the significant ways we will accomplish this goal is by having our faculty and staff run the programs. In addition, the programs have a low adult/child ratio, which will give each child an enriched experience.
The changes we have made will serve to strengthen the Taylor School in numerous ways. As with any change, confusion about the “new way” may exist. I would like to take this opportunity to explain the options of our current summer program.
All School Transition Camp, June 14 – June 18: This week is open to all Taylor School students. There will be two groups of students, a “youngers” group (preschool through second grade) and an “olders” group (third through sixth grade). There have not been any changes made to this week. It is our “traditional” transition week camp.
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News from Preschool
What a great time we had with the Dinosaur Unit these past few weeks. The children were so interested and learned so many new facts and characteristics of the giant creatures of long, long, ago.
Just like the real dinosaurs, they have become extinct and disappeared from our classroom. The final week of April will be filled with spring activities as we learn the parts of a plant, plant seeds, and play in the dirt. The children enjoyed playing in the flower shop that our HVCC student, Emily, brought in to share.
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News from Pre-K
It is hard to believe this is the last newsletter for the school year. Time certainly  does fly when you’re having fun…and having fun we are. Our recent trip to Whimsey Acres Farm (aka: Rosie’s Farm) was fabulous. The children milked goats, fed chickens, collected eggs, fed baby goats with bottles, climbed on a tractor, and cuddled kittens. We thank Rosie’s family and friends for opening their farm to us and enriching our learning. It was a definite highpoint of our year!
We are currently learning about the life cycle of ladybugs (ladybird beetles). We have some larvae due to arrive any day now and look forward to recording our observations of their metamorphosis in our Ladybug Logs. Please stop in to make your own observations.
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News from Kindergarten
The kindergarten room is buzzing with excitement. The Japan unit has been a  thrilling learning experience. Using a wide array of bright colors students made a kimono using paper weaving skills. The students learned the time and patience it takes to create such a beautiful piece of art.
Studying further into Japanese culture the kindergarten class read a variety of Japanese folktales. The class was so interested in the onis featured in the folktales read that they created their very own oni mask. Each student was able to plan and create a mask that represented their imaginative ideas. When finished the students enjoyed sharing the unique oni mask they had designed.
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News from the 1-2 Class
The end of our school year is drawing near, as evidence of all of the strong writing pieces, stunning African art projects and the blooming Journey North tulip garden. The last few weeks of school will be spent applying the skills we’ve been learning throughout the school year in our inquiry learning.
This past week we were fortunate to have drummer Dr. Eddie “Ade” Knowles come into our classroom to teach the children various Afro-Cuban drumming rhythms. The students performed these rhythms on their own drums. Ade also taught the children about where the drumming styles he demonstrated for us originated from and the reasons why people use drumming. The students learned that drumming can be used as a means of communicating with others. Ade also taught us that “if you can sing, you can play the drums”. The students were eager and energetic participants in this very special program and look forward to seeing Ade perform in the future.
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News from the 3-4 Class
In the 3-4 class, we are beginning our final writer’s workshop unit called “Writing  Fiction: Big Dreams!” The students are so excited to finally be able to be writing in the genre they enjoy reading so much. We began our study with a close look at how to develop ideas. We learned that authors do not just stare up into the clouds and suddenly come up with ideas for stories about puppies, castles and dragons. We learned that ideas come from daily experiences and small moments in their lives. Even E.B. White got his idea for Charlotte’s Web lying on a bale of hay in his barn watching a spider spin its web. The spider did not spell out the words “Some Pig”; however we are learning that imagination is what really matters to fiction writers.
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News from the 5-6 Class
It is hard to believe that the 2009-2010 school year will soon be coming to a close.  It seems like only yesterday we began this amazing year of fun and learning.
The 5/6 students worked very diligently throughout the month of April as they learned about different countries around the world. To begin this international cultural study, each student selected a country to research, write a report on and complete an oral presentation expressing their country’s unique culture. Secondly, our class engaged in a country study on the Ukraine. The students learned about Ukraine’s culture, geography, history, economy and symbols that represent this country. We were also fortunate to have a Ukrainian family come into our classroom and guide us through the intricate process of creating Ukrainian Eggs, and preparing an authentic Ukrainian dish called varenyky. These hands-on experiences were truly wonderful!
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Parent's Page
- Country Parade Celebration
Wednesday, May 12th
PS/PK Parents are invited to visit the prekindergarten classroom at 8:30 am for some “down under” Australian fun. K-6th grade Parents are invited to a musical performance of songs from around the world at 8:40 am. After the performance, parents are welcome to visit the classrooms.
- Kickball Tournament on Wednesday, June 9th
PTO will be serving their famous “hot dog lunch”. If you are interested in helping serve lunch, contact Rachel Riemann.
- Annual 6th Grade Dinner at Carol’s Place
Wednesday, June 9th
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