Ms. Smelser teaches a brief lesson on the use of authentic Egyptian colors that students can apply to their coffin creations.

INTO THE WOODS . . .Fifth Grade and Kinder Buddies Hike the Blue Trail on Earth Day.

Buddies brought along their "binoculars" as we hiked the TCS Blue Trail on Earth Day. Nature "detectives" paused to examine, to listen to, and most importantly, appreciate the wonders of nature on our campus. 

A Pyroclastic Blast from the Past

Last Friday, Ms. Graft took us on a "tour" of the excavation site of Pompeii in a detailed slideshow that offered photos, visuals and extensive research, explaining what happened on that horrific day in A.D. 79. Ms. Graft also showed us how Giuseppe Fiorelli discovered a method for making plaster casts poured into the spaces left behind by the objects that became covered by volcanic ash and lava. These casts provided the modern world with a window into life of this ancient Roman trade center and vacation spot. Casts were made of humans, food, and everyday household items.

Ms. Grady also prepared kits so fifth graders could get a sense of the cast-making process using a variety of materials with an owl ice-cube as the "buried" shape. Hopefully, when the cast was set and ready to be taken apart, a mini version of Archimedes was turned out.  

Forming the cast around the owl cube

After the cube melts, the casting material is poured into its space and hardens. The the cast is then removed.

Archimedes is revealed! Fiorelli would be so proud!

Thank you, Ms. Grady, for our guided tour and activity that helped us to understand the tragedy and the miracle of Vesuvius' eruption!

A Heartfelt Greeting at Tuesday's Intermediate Morning Meeting

On Tuesday mornings the Intermediate team, fourth and fifth grades, join for a Morning Meeting where they greet each other in a variety of ways, share announcements and even take part in an early morning activity! This Tuesday the team watched a segment of video clips focused on "empathy" (even elephants are empathetic!) as they prepared for IDEA Day on Friday, April 27.

Breaking News from the Fifth Grade Classroom

The Process: Coffins Fit For A Pharaoh

After drafting the template for their coffin lids, fifth graders began to draw faces, hands, symbols and images revealing the story of the pharaoh or queen they chose to research.  Ms. Smelser taught the class the methods to use for drawing faces and hands. Next step this week is to further Egyptianize these lids with authentic colors. Stay tuned!

The Unbelievable Fib

The fifth grade began their week as part of the audience who welcomed former teacher and visiting author, Adam Shaughnessy, to TCS. This author event was sponsored by RJ Julia and TCS. Mr. Shaughnessy spoke about such topics as the writing process, the inspiration behind his new novel, The Entirely True Story of the Unbelievable Fib, and even chose a TCS student to dress up as one of the main characters in his novel! He closed his presentation by reading a passage from his novel, which further stirred our audience of readers! If interested, his novel can be purchased through TCS, using the order form sent home with your child today. Copies of his novel will also be on sale for the remainder of the year in The Roost. Mystery and fantasy can be found behind the cover of this intriguing novel.

Spring has Arrived in the Fifth Grade

Important Dates to Note:

April 18~  No School~ Teacher Professional Development

April 21~ "Changing Bodies, Changing Selves" (Growth and                                 Development Discussion)~1 P.M.

                60th Anniversary Alumni Art Celebration and Brian                               Mummert Concert~ 6 P.M.

April 23~  First-ever TEDx TCS Spring Conference~9-4 P.M.

April 29~  60th Anniversary Talent Show, Dinner and Sock Hop~
                5:30-9:30 P.M.

April's Icy Arrival

Boys Happily Hunker Down in the Forts 

While studying the Old Kingdom of Egypt, "The Age of the Pyramid," fifth graders enjoyed a shared reading of David Macaulay's Pyramid.  During its reading, students examined the amazing illustrations characteristic of Macaulay's work and sticky noted a collection of reasons answering why the Egyptians were able to build these colossal structures. When the book was completed, the class created an information web (see above) documenting their reasons. The final outcome will be a paragraph written supporting the claim that the Egyptians indeed had many reasons why they were able to raise these 4,000+ year old architectural wonders. Today experts still do not know how the ancients built the pyramids!