How do you measure, measure a year?

Any musical fans out there may think the title of this post sounds a little familiar... As I look back over recent pictures it seems as though they all show how much the children have progressed in their ability to work collaboratively.  In Math we've been exploring different ways to measure length and weight.  Below you will see children working in pairs and as table groups to measure tape lines on the floor (in the standard unit of "craft sticks") and bundles of pencils and crayons in the standard unit of "bow tie pasta".

As we challenge ourselves to make our writing stronger, we've been looking to inspiring author Kevin Henkes (Chrysanthemum, A Weekend With Wendell, Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse and more) for a model of how to use "juicy" words and interesting details.  Here you can see table mates becoming more familiar with Henkes' style.

An important event in the last week or so was our final Farm to School session with Miss Meg. The program will continue with a different educator next year. Meg has been a motivated, dedicated, and knowledgeable food educator in the district for two years. In her last lesson she taught us about cacao, a plant native to the Dominican Republic where her mother is from.  We were able to try an authentic version of hot chocolate with a Vermont twist- it was sweetened with maple syrup!  A perfect tie in to our recent field trip to Shelburne Farms.  We learned all about the molinillo (wooden wisk tool). Take a look at what one student thought of the taste... thumb's up!