Leonardo is alive and flourishing in the Center these days as we conclude our introduction to Il Maestro and begin an examination of how Curiosita energizes our learning. Children are born with a natural curiosity about the world around them, but Leonardo is showing us how his intense curiosity increases our ability to ask questions and seek answers…which inevitably leads to more questions.
We are also examining Leonardo’s ability to observe and communicate his observations in very accurate drawings. The Schizzi pages in our codices are rapidly filling with sketches of our studies of natural objects. This will eventually be joined by observations of our experiments with sound, water, and light. It is an exciting unit!!!
Many parents have asked us what they can do at home to reinforce what their children do at the Center. With our focus on Leonardo, the opportunities are endless. A few are to…
• Read books on the life and work of famous scientists, inventors, and painters.
• Play with toys and games that encourage creative problem solving, critical thinking,
or design. (Suggestions on back of newsletter.)
• Keep a diary, journal, or sketch book.
• Take a walk in the park, or even just around your neighborhood.
Sketch what you observe or classify a set of natural objects by a variety
of different characteristics.
On the Center front, several of the new research centers are now available to the students. They are:
• Mars Landing – a study of information gleaned by NASA’s Mars Rover.
• Astronomy – a study of the solar system.
• Rock Hounds – a study of geology.
• Mechanical Engineering – a study of simple machines and structures.
• Blood and Guts – a study of the human body and systems.
Looking ahead, two important events are coming up which offer parents a chance to participate in Center activities. ..
1. In March we plan to do our cow eye dissection and need parent volunteers to help monitor small groups of future scientists as we follow specific procedures and make observations. You do not need to have experience or even a particularly strong stomach. We will need 4-5 parents for each Center day. If you can help out, please email, send a note, or phone the Center after 2 PM and let us know you are willing and able.
2. On Friday, May 21st , we will be going to the Math-Science Day Competitions. All students will attend the Center on Friday regardless of the day they normally attend SIGNET. Math and Science Day takes experiential learning one step further. The labs, simulations, and demonstrations offer a hands-on approach for real-life problem solving. The event is sponsored by the Science Museum of Virginia in conjunction with Paramount and Harcourt-Brace Publishing.
The cost will be about $45 per person (adult or child) and will include an all –you-can- eat lunch buffet and commercial bus transportation. We will need several parents to chaperone small groups of students that day.
Reminders:
The cafeteria here at Lake Ridge is a separate account from your child’s home base school. If your child does not attend Lake Ridge Elementary, your child will need either a separate ticket or money to purchase lunches on SIGNET days. Several children have already charged lunches due to forgotten lunch boxes or money. We suggest you send in a few dollars to keep in your child’s account for just such an emergency.
As always, we thank you for your support and send warmest wishes for a happy, healthy New Year.