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Work Snapshots
Scott Andersen | August 10, 2010 | Comment
I am posting some photos I took walking around the school this morning. I took this first one of the nature collage with tree bark, moss, and photos. It reminds me of fancy quilts I have seen. I hope you enjoy them. More can be found on our Flikr page.
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Sea Foam and Bubbles!
Scott Andersen | June 11, 2010 | Comment
Today students in Ms. Alli’s preschool class made sea foam and bubbles as part of their “Under the Sea” EcoAdventure. The students stirred up the water to make the foam then used their wet hands to blow bubbles. Reactions were mixed as some students liked getting their hands “slimy” with the sea foam more than others.
Nonetheless, it was a fun (and wet) activity on a warm Friday afternoon!
Enjoy the photos and the video as a way to share the experience with our students.
More summer fun is on the way in next week’s Under the Sea adventures.
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Water, Water Everywhere!
Scott Andersen | June 9, 2010 | Comment
The exciting EcoAdventures have begun at The Grove School! Summer is here and summer usually comes with WATER! The first of our six biome adventures is Under The Sea. The photos here show some of the student work from the first few days of this biome. Most of the work featured here is from Ms. Sue’s amazing Pre-K classroom.
Students are shown making “raincoats” for their little furry friends. This experiment allowed the students to see if they could design a way to keep their furry friends dry. 
By the looks of the after picture, it would seem they did a great job!
Students also made a 3-D beach map showing the water and the sand. They have also designed a 
window aquarium with fish swimming around along with a wall model of a beach.
Playing in water is fun whether at the beach or in your classroom. Students this week have played with ocean toys in our water tables as well as participated in an experiment where they
predict which items would sink and which items would float.
The final photo shows one of our students peeking out of the porthole of a boat his class made with a recycled box.
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The Under the Sea fun continues through next week. The schedule for the remaining five biome adventures is as follows:
- June 21–July 2 Arctic Adventures
- July 6–July 16 Golden Sands and Desert Lands
- July 19-30 Where the Green Grass Grows
- Aug 2-13 Bees, Trees and Me
- Aug 16-27 Outside My Window
Based upon the first three days, I can’t wait to see what is in store for our students, teachers and families. This is going to be a BLAST!
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What’s For Lunch?
Scott Andersen | May 19, 2010 | Comment
As you know, in order to help our students develop healthy minds and healthy bodies, I am sharing with you the North Carolina lunch time nutritional requirements. Since all of the lunches are coming from home, I thought you may want to review them.
For EACH lunch, the children must have one food from each category: the Milk, Meat, Veggie/Fruit and Grains/Breads.
Food Item 1-2 yrs 3-5 yrs.
Milk ½ cup ¾ cup
Meat/Meat Alternate
Lean meat, poultry, Boneless fish 1 oz 1 ½ oz
OR, alternate protein product 1 oz 1 ½ oz
OR, cheese 1 oz 1 ½ oz
Or, egg (large) ½ egg ¾ egg
Or, Cooked dried beans/peas ¼ cup 3/8 cup
Or, Peanut butter (or similar) 2 tbsp 3 tbsp
Or, Nuts and/or seeds ½ oz ¾ oz
Or, Yogurt, plain or sweetened 4 oz 6 oz
Vegetable or fruit or 100% juice ¼ cup ½ cup
Grains/Breads (enriched or whole grain)
Bread ½ slice ½ slice
Or, Cornbread, biscuit, roll ½ serving ½ serving
Or, Cold dry cereal ¼ cup 1/3 cup
Or, Hot cooked cereal ¼ cup ¼ cup
Or, cooked pasta, noodles, or grains ¼ cup ¼ cup
Even though we have already been serving milk each day during snack time, we will be serving milk at lunch to help with these requirements. Therefore, please be mindful of the remaining requirements that will need to be included in their lunch brought from home.
I go into the classrooms almost everyday at lunch. I must tell you that I am impressed with the food our students are eating. I have never seen a school with so many children eating healthy food everyday. So…good job parents!!! Keep up the good work.
In Latin, the prefix ‘trans’ literally means ‘across’, ‘beyond’, or ‘on the other side.’ As a medievalist, I’m honor-bound to start this posting off with a bit of Latin.
My four-year old twins, Tyler and Henry, started the Grove School about three weeks ago. My children had been through transitions before and had always come through with flying colors. After having a nanny for the first two years of their lives, they transitioned to full-time school relatively quickly after being carefully introduced to the culture – as one would lower a bagged fish into an aquarium slowly before releasing it. At the end of two years in this school, Tyler and Henry were perfectly at home in a room teeming with children and didn’t even blink much of an eye when a favorite teacher moved on to another location. Although I regretted the teacher’s departure, my husband and I had sought to bring up resilient children and it seemed as if we’d accomplish our goal.
The Grove School had not even opened in Cary, NC, when we decided that we were going to move the children there. Our four-year old twins were in danger of getting lost in the classroom of 16 students where they received little personal attention and learning seemed divorced from the real world. Although the twins loved their school (once I left the room, at least), I didn’t think that we would have any trouble leaving it. In fact, I planned to immediately blog about their success to both herald the Grove School’s charms and my own exceptional decision-making.
It didn’t happen like that.
What I had forgotten was that four-year olds are very different from younger children. My kids loved the Grove School’s structure, not having to fight for a tricycle, and the experience of creating pet rocks after getting a pet fish for the classroom. However, I soon realized that I was in a very different place from my children. On the ride home after their third day, Tyler asked when his friend Sarish was coming to his new school. Henry said that he wanted Tom Conroy. When I told them that these boys were staying at the old school, both twins fell silent. “Don’t you like your new school?” I said.
Both boys nodded.
Tyler said, “All my friends are gone, mommy.”
I tried telling them that they would make new friends, that we would see the old friends, and that everything would be just fine. My words were true, but they just felt hollow.
Among so many other things, I am used to being the historian. I take the photos and record the things that the boys might not remember later. Our transition to the Grove School made me realize that, for the first time, I was not the sole keeper of the past. Tyler and Henry had their own memories and had already put down roots with people who I only knew by name. The twins had gone to school for forty hours a week for two years and, quite simply, missed those special little boys who had shared that time with them.
I know that my boys will make important friends at the Grove School; however, these friends will not appear overnight. It will take time for my boys to find people with whom they resonate and to form a foundation of shared experiences. In the meantime, I have arranged two weekend playdates – one with Jack and one with Carson.
Tyler and Henry will enjoy this, just as much as they will enjoy running into the Grove School Monday morning to tell Ms. Sue all about it.
And I will remember to keep in mind that my babies are growing up
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Dirty Water, Clean Water
Scott Andersen | April 16, 2010 | Comments (2)
Next to our children, water is one of the most valuable resources we have on this planet. Today in Ms. Sue’s Pre-K class, the students performed an experiment about ways in which we can clean water. Before even starting the activity, Ms. Sue asked the students to name and predicts methods that would clean dirty water. You can see some of their responses on the screenshot photo of the smart board in their class. Some of their ideas were to “scrape” the water, use a wash cloth, and to use “soap and water” to clean the water. As it turns out, the used a wash cloth over the top of another jar to ask as a filter to clean the water.
The students began their experiment by going outside to get the dirt so they could mix it with the one jar of water to make the dirty water. 
After stirring it up, the students then poured the dirty water through the wash cloth that was covering the empty jar. The students observed that a lot of the dirt and sand that was in the dirty water jar, was collecting on the top of the wash cloth. They observed that the wash cloth cleaned the water, but did not make it totally clean like it was before the made it dirty. Nonetheless, one of the lessons learned was that was can actually clean dirty water and that by experimenting, thinking and being creative, we can find solutions to real-world and important problems that we face.
Finally, the last photo shows some of the vocabulary and the writing of one of our Pre-K students. I find that a student’s vocabulary and their potential for learning dramatically increases as creative teacher like Ms. Sue, use engaging and fun strategies with their students.
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Children’s Health
Dr. Debra Bell | April 7, 2010 | Comment
Children’s health is a topic that gets a lot of attention. You can’t pick up a parenting magazine without finding at least 5 articles about health issues. Unfortunately, even with all of this attention, our children are facing severe and worsening health challenges.
- One out of four children suffers from allergies
- One in ten children has been diagnosed with asthma
- Type II diabetes is being diagnosed in children as young as 10
- 25% of our kids are overweight
- One in twelve children has ADD or ADHD
- One in ninety-one children is on the autism spectrum.
And for the first time in recent history, our children are not expected to live longer than we are. Luckily, there are many steps you can take to help your children move in the right direction on the path toward better health. The following are my top five things to do on your quest for better health. Of course there are more things you can do, and I encourage them, but for the sake of space, here are the top five.
Put good things into your body. This is the number one thing in achieving better health. Our body needs good building blocks. The food we eat should be whole, fresh, organic, clean, unprocessed, and full of nutritive value the way nature designed. We should avoid “edible food like substances” – processed foods full of chemical additives, dyes, and sweeteners (especially artificial).
Our drinks should be clean and pure as well. Water is the best liquid you can put into your body. 75% of your body is water and it needs to be replenished daily.
Get proper amounts of sleep. Sleep is the time that our bodies use to build, process, heal, regenerate and rest. We all need it. Without it our brains, digestive systems, immune systems, and muscular systems don’t work as well. Most children require 10-14 hours of sleep per day (newborns need more).
Have a positive mental attitude. It is absolutely true that our bodies are affected by our attitudes. In order to have a positive mental attitude, children need a home where they feel safe, happy, comfortable and confident. The saying “laughter is the best medicine” is very true. It boosts immunity, thereby making our children healthier. Focus on giving your child an environment where they feel loved, accepted, and confident.
Get plenty of exercise. Children are little balls of energy and they need to move. Kids should be getting at least one hour of structured physical activity and one hour of unstructured physical play per day. It stimulates their brains, balance, dexterity, muscles, and bones. And, it prepares them for a lifestyle of activity as they grow. Children who are active are more likely to become adults who are active.
Make sure the nervous system can integrate all the information coming in. Your nervous system is responsible for reading and adapting to your environment. This is the system that regulates the other four key aspects of good health. Without a properly functioning nervous system, the body cannot adapt to the demands put on it and injury or illness can be the result. The best way to determine if your child’s nervous system is functioning properly is to visit a chiropractor for a check up.
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Farmers Market Inspires My Belly
Scott Andersen | April 5, 2010 | Comment
I am starving! I just spent some time at the opening day of the Western Wake Farmers Market. The Grove School is a sponsor of this year’s Farmers Market.
It was a beautiful morning and there were people everywhere. A band played music, the mayor of Cary sampled the fresh and homemade goodies, and hundreds and hundreds of people walked away with delicious and locally grown and made products. Whenever I attend the farmers market, I always get VERY hungry and I also get inspired to cook. Both happened again today.
I enjoyed going from tent to tent and seeing all of the wholesome goods. I was blown away by the quality of the produce, especially the ripe and red tomatoes. Tomatoes are a favorite of mine and these looked delicious. I also enjoyed a nice array of jellies and jams (see photo). Our friends from the Great Harvest Bread Company were there too.
You can also read about it in the Cary Citizen. Of course, you know me, I had to shoot some video as well. You can find it below.
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Ms. Sue’s “Flowers”
Scott Andersen | March 29, 2010 | Comment
This is video of Ms. Sue and some of her Pre-K students in our outdoor grove. The students have just completed two weeks of study on plants. On Tuesday, March 30, 10:30a-12p and 4p-6p, we are hosting our Spring Flower Round Up. Everyone is invited. A schedule of the events can be found below the video.
Schedule for the Spring Flower Round Up
The following schedule will be used for both our 10:30a and 4p start times:
- Gathering - songs, a book
- Spring Flower Obstacle Course – the children will follow the course, collect the flower parts (roots, stems, leaves,blossoms) and then assemble them at the end. Takes place in the outdoor grove.
- Snack - fruit flowers made with fresh, organic fruit
- Tissue paper sunflowers and flower holders
- Closing - songs and info packet
We will also have opportunities for parents and friends to tour our facility. This is also the last push for our “March Madness” registration fee incentive. Ask for details!
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Wanted: Instruction Manual
Pamela DeLoatch | March 25, 2010 | Comment
I remember it clearly. As my husband carefully navigated the drive home from the hospital, and I sat in the back seat, anxiously watching my newborn son as he slept in his car seat, I wondered: “Who gave me permission to have this baby?”
Despite the hours I had spent reading what to expect during and after pregnancy, despite the advice sought from friends, despite the information gleaned from Parents and Parenting magazine, I felt totally unprepared to be a mother.
Oh, this baby was planned for and wanted. The baby’s room was painted and decorated. It even contained a beautiful glider—my pre-mother’s day gift. But I still wished when we left the hospital that day, that somebody, anybody, would have included my son’s instruction manual.
How else would I know for sure which cry meant: “I’m hungry” and which one meant: “Change me, yet again.” Which one indicated “I have gas” and which one meant “I don’t know what’s wrong either, so could you just pick me up for awhile?”
Eventually, as my son and I got to know each other, we began to figure things out, and my confidence in mothering a newborn grew.
Then, my son became a toddler.
The rules changed. I needed an updated instruction manual that would tell me how to handle this busy boy, especially as I now had another newborn son to juggle as well.
With each stage that comes and goes, I find that my instruction manual is in constant need of updates.
As my boys become men, we’re navigating their burgeoning need for independence. What teen drivers can my sons ride with? What are the rules on dating? Bedtimes? I’m finding myself developing policy on the fly, constantly aware that every decision I make will indeed be questioned in the Adolescent Court of Law. Every decision will establish precedent, not just for that particular kid, but also for the other three. Will my decisions stand up over time? Will the rules I set for my sons make sense when it’s my daughter’s turn?
Just as I wished for an instruction manual when my first son was born, I’m really wishing I had one now.
Now that my babies are older, my role is to be more hands-off, but to not stay too far away. To help them learn to navigate the adult decision-making process, but to not take over. To watch them fall in and out of love, and have a ready shoulder, but to bite my tongue when my advice isn’t wanted. (Well, in theory that’s what I ought to do, but in reality, I might offer a few insightful comments now and then—after all, that’s what we mothers do.)
I can see the day coming, and it will be breathtakingly soon, when I won’t even need that instruction manual anymore. Indeed, if I had one, I would hand that well worn, dog-eared, thumbed through manual to my children. While I’d like to think that they would clasp it to their chest, faces shining with gratefulness for the time and care that had been invested in developing that manual, I know that won’t happen.
What’s more likely? They’ll glance at it, toss it aside, and go out and buy a new instruction manual, with blank pages that they will fill out for themselves.
Read more of my writing on my Crazy is My Life blog.
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