2011-'12 school year themes and trips so far

What the year looks like:

Major Themes:
Autumn to Early Winter: Natural World: Habitats in meadows and woods & aquatic environments, and an in-depth study of spiders,
New England History: 19th century farms and families, begin simple machines

Winter: Simple machines continued-explorations extended to more design and build activities
Biographies
Farm and families of 19th cent. continues
School-wide December Theme (Maasai culture)


Spring: Vernal Pools
Ancient Egypt(with fourth grade)

Community Service: monthly trips to Brattleboro Senior Home, The Thompson House; fundraising/service project related to our cultural studies, to be determined ; food collection for local food pantry

Trips/Special Visitors:
v September 13, Tuesday, first of monthly visits to Thompson House in Brattleboro-SEE BELOW
v September 15, Thursday, second annual third/fifth trip to Tunbridge Fair-BY BUS, CHARLIE DRIVING
v September 26,27, 28 ( three half- days in our classroom): visiting artist/weaver Carol Schnabel (TBD)
v November 5, Friday, Hooper Institute-hands-on historical museum
v October –hike to Green Mountain Orchard for tour of cider mill-(farms and simple machines)
v Putney Cemetery (history unit)
v Grafton Nature Museum- visiting historical sites (Howeville site, museum presentation, Grafton Historical Society tour), TBD
v May: Vernal pools and pond life, trip to Hooper Institute’s wetlands and Bonnyvale Environmental Education Center
v April or early May: trip to MFA in Boston, via school bus, to support our Ancient Egypt unit –date TBD
v Wednesday evening, June13 : Annual Third Grade Camp-Out

THE THOMPSON HOUSE VISITS: (All take place on Tuesday mornings departing from TGS at 10:30 and returning at 12: 00ish):
9/13, 10/11, 11/15, and 12/13