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in Lower School

It's Apple Time In Kindergarten!

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Our kindergarten students spent all of last week learning about apples, and closed out the week with an Apple Celebration! The amazing kindergarten team made up of Mary Jane Watson, Melissa Shockley, Kari Silvester, Braden Cruz, and Alex Alford does a fantastic job of creating fun activities that engage students while achieving curriculum objectives.

“We started the week with each class creating an anchor chart of prior knowledge of apples,” explained Shockley, “and we added to it throughout the week as new information was learned! We did apple sight words, labeled the parts of an apple, and tasted different treats made from apples. We also integrated and incorporated apples in reading, science, centers, and math stations. This included an apple investigation as a simple experiment to measure and weigh apples with cubes.”

Other exciting experiments were also taking place during apple week. Students made Apple Volcanoes by mixing baking soda, food coloring and vinegar together, and placing it into a cored apple.  

“The vinegar made it explode!!!” exclaimed Dakota Mackenzie. “It went everywhere!!” added her classmate Finn Turner with excitement. 

Other classes hypothesized which liquid would stop the apples from turning brown - water, milk, or lemon juice. They soaked apple slices in each substance and then checked on them every 15 minutes until they discovered an answer (lemon juice won)!

The kindergarten classes sure know how to celebrate Fall in an academic, creative, and tasty way!

in Upper School

PCA's Capstone 'Senior Thesis' Gets Innovative, New Approach

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What better way to prepare students for college than allowing them to engage in a multifaceted project that serves as a culminating academic, intellectual, and spiritual experience? The goal of Senior Thesis is just that. Expert teachers and mentors will walk alongside these senior students as they pursue, research, and present a topic that challenges them to think critically and biblically. Seniors will encounter opportunities to sharpen their skills in public speaking, media literacy, planning, self-sufficiency, and goal setting- all skills that are essential for college success.  

This year, Mrs. Marcia Siebert and Mrs. Kristi Ugland are spearheading a new and innovative approach to this course. Students were provided with an option of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) or Humanities based research in an effort to target their interests and preparedness for college goals. Additionally, all students are required to examine and present their topic through a biblical worldview lens. They must demonstrate an understanding of how God’s word and biblical truth are applied to their research. 

Both sections, STEM and Humanities, often meet together for joint lessons and learning which include discussions on biblical worldview and how to conduct appropriate research. Students receive guidance for writing, and expert wisdom from both senior thesis teachers. In addition, students are required to select an expert mentor that will help oversee their topic, writing, and research. These mentors will continue to walk with their students throughout the year and serve as a panel expert for their senior seminar presentation. 

This course is off to a great start. Students have given positive feedback and are enjoying their learning process. Kristi Ugland states, “We’ve already heard our first presentations where students, following the writing process, wrote and then shared a “How-To” speech! We hear about how to “make the perfect shot,” how to “become a bird watcher,” and how to “change the oil in your own car.” It was fun and the students got those early jitters out about speaking in front of our peers.”  

The group also took their first field trip on Tuesday, August 30, to Charleston Southern University Library for a lesson in Media Literacy and Academic Research.  

If you see a senior student around on campus, ask them to share about their senior thesis class, what topic they picked, and why it is important to them. They will be excited to tell you! 

Posted by Dr. Myra Finneran with

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