Broomstick Building

Today (with a lot of help from our magical parent volunteers) we crafted broomsticks, like those from the world in which Harry Potter lives. It's amazing what some paper, sticks, and embellishments together with scissors, tape and glue guns, can inspire! Each student added their own touch to the decorating sparking different designs for every unique broom. Much "flying" took place once the brooms were ready for lift-off! May you have much fun with the adventures your child conjures up with his/her broom!

October Town Forest Walk

This week we had our first Town Forest walk of the year.  We started by looking at a large overhead image of the Town Forest - our own "Hundred Acre Wood" of conservation land set aside by the Hunnewells. On our walk, we looked at deciduous and evergreen trees. Deciduous trees have broad leaves that drop in the autumn.  We noticed many white pine trees in the forest which you can identify by counting the number of needles in a cluster. White pines have clusters of 5 needles (the number of letters in w-h-i-t-e). Red pines have clusters of 3 needles (r-e-d). We also checked the ages of many new growth pines in the field clearing by counting each level where new limbs branch off the main trunk in a circle.

We even found a magic door in one of the trees hiding a wizard and some gold inside! It was a great first walk on a beautiful day and kids are looking forward to our next walk in November.

The Mirror of Erised

In our continuing adventures reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, we have encountered the fabled Mirror of Erised. In the story, the mirror has magical properties to somehow know and reflect the deepest desires of your heart. An inscription of words decorates the frame revealing the magic of the mirror in mirror writing:

"Erised stra ehru oyt ube cafru oyt on wohsi" 

translated

 "I show not your face but your heart's desire."

This week, the kids reflected on their deepest desire and what they might see if they looked into the magical Mirror of Erised. Harry Potter saw his family, whom he does not even remember, standing with him in his reflection. Ron Weasley saw himself distinguished as the Head Boy of Gryffindor, winner of the House Cup, and Quidditch captain - the best of the Weasley boys. Our students imagined seeing themselves in a wide range of occupations and states of celebrity. Among these were famous athletes, performers, scientists, zoo keepers, Ninjas, animals, princesses, dragon masters, millionaires and more. 

Below, enjoy the drawings the students did of their reflection in the Mirror of Erised. Many children were so delighted by the mirror writing "code" that they included some in the frames of their magic mirrors!

Illustration Celebration!

For the culminating activity of our Illustration Study, we had an Illustration Celebration today. Students of the 1-2s shared their finished books with their buddies from the 3-4 classes.
Below are pictures from this proud and joyous occasion: