Marybeth & Elijah's Class Notes

Nor’easters, earthquakes, and an eclipse, oh my! Never-the-less, spring is in the air and the classroom is buzzing with activity. Alongside their teachers, the children have begun researching their chosen prehistoric animal and each child is keeping a research folder where they collect their notes. Their aim is to identify their animal’s “adaptive super power” or trait which enabled them to survive mass extinction and endure. At times we are unable to find a definitive answer. In these instances we are considering our own hypotheses based on our research and patterns that are emerging across species. Scientist-in-residence, Hannah, has connected us with paleontologist, Dr. Jeffry Trop from Bucknell University. We will have a zoom session with him sometime in May where the children will bring their unanswered questions. As a group we are simultaneously reading about sharks, with emphasis on one “living fossil” in particular - the goblin shark. In addition to book research we have been taking a close look at ferns and are collaborating with the art studio, where the children have made clay figurines of their animals. We look forward to constructing a paper mache shark in the coming weeks.

Next Friday we will visit the Hampton Library for their annual Budding Authors event. Their treasury of stories, Mouse House, will be on display along side books from other Hayground students and children across the east end. Don’t for get to order your copy of our book!