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in Lower School, Academics

1st Graders are Over the Moon with Oreo Project

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Mrs. Shockley's students have been learning about the moon and its four phases. Last Thursday they had a more hands-on approach regarding the moon that helped solidify what they have seen and heard about it. A paper plate, glue and a little grit and ingenuity along with OREOS!!!! brought the nightly moon into the hands of these sweet first graders.  

For example, the new moon phase was represented by an intact Oreo, followed by the 1st quarter or half moon illustrated by placing 1/2 of the cookie on the left and the 1/2 iced cookie on the right. Mrs. Shockley says it's a wonderful hands-on learning project. "The material is read, discussed, created and then displayed visually. The moon phases really come to life during this fun little project." 

The students definitely seemed to love it. Here's what several of them had to say:

Benjamin Cooke: "I liked how we got to glue Oreos for the moon phases...and then we got to taste the extras at the end."
Caitlin Delaney: "I like how we used the Oreos to create the moon phases." 
Carp Carpenter: "I liked how we did the new, half, and full moon with Oreos."
William Jeter: "Even if the Oreo cracked we could still use it."
Gray Bowers: "The moon reflects the sun." 
Caroline O'Neal: "It was fun working as a class during the project." 
Lily Ganway: "I liked gluing the Oreos down and how they looked as the moon phases. It was tempting to eat them...It was really fun! Science is my favorite subject!" 

 

After the hard-working students were finished applying the moon's phases to their plates, they were rewarded with a delicious Oreo that they could enjoy!

Posted by Amy Walters with
in Lower School, Academics

Winners Announced in Patriot's Pen Essay Contest!

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The Patriot's Pen Essay Contest is sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars.  The 2019-2020 theme is:  "What Makes America Great." The essay contest encourages young minds to examine America's history, along with their own experiences in modern American society, by drafting a 300-400 word essay, expressing their views based on a patriotic theme chosen by the VFW Commander-in-Chief.  

Middle School Language Arts Teacher, Dianne Williams, says it's important for students to participate in this program because it fosters a love and appreciation for their nation. "This is a wonderful opportunity for students to reflect upon and analyze their own thoughts and feelings about their country. It helps them to internalize the fact that the freedom they enjoy comes with a price... the devotion, service, and sacrifice of fellow Americans. It becomes very personal for them. It is another step in their development as patriotic, responsible citizens and future leaders."

According to Mrs. Williams, many of the students expressed in their essays that America's greatness is due to the grace of God, the democratic form of government, the opportunities that abound, and the great people of the past and the present.

The contest consists of 4 levels: VFW Post, VFW District, VFW Department (State), and VFW National. Awards and prize money are awarded at each level.  

Congratulations to our award winners for the VFW Post level, and thank you Mrs. Williams for your time and dedication to this project!

1st place: Cate Lynn Creech

2nd place: Charles Cease

3rd place: Greta Anderson

4th place: Josie Hurley

5th place: Nadia Stuckey

6th place: Jenna Leon

7th place: Jacob Hanling

Alternate: Kennedy Sullivan (not pictured)

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