Lower School News: October 23 – October 27, 2017

Science News

First graders completed a STEM challenge and incorporated the EDP (Engineering Design Process).  Focusing on their current unit of study – Animals, corresponding with their upcoming FIRST GRADE PET SHOW, they created cages for Gummy Bears!

Students designed cages (creating working models) and built them using dry spaghetti strands and mini marshmallows.  They tested their designs (evaluating their designs) altering the structures, when needed, to improve stability.

 

Fall Festival

The Annual Fall Festival is right around the corner on October 28!  It will take place from 10AM-3PM on CA’s main campus.  The day is filled with a Fun Run, vendor booths, a silent auction, carnival games and more.  This year we will again have our Scarecrow & Pumpkin decorating contests.  We invite everyone to participate.

Please contact your child’s teacher for more information on your class basket and game.  Each lower school classroom & intermediate/upper school grade has a basket and game at the festival.

Fun Run

The annual Fun Run takes place at 9AM on the day of the festival.  The deadline to register has been extended!  All registrations and sponsorships need to be received by October 24.

Sponsorship form:
https://clarksvilleacademy.com/tcg/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/CA-Fun-Run-2017-Sponsorships.pdf

Race Form:
https://clarksvilleacademy.com/tcg/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/CA-Fun-Run-2017-Entry-Form.pdf

Scarecrow/Pumpkin Contest—The Annual Scarecrow decorating and Pumpkin decorating contests are back!  We invite everyone to join in the fun and decorate either or both!

More information can be found:
https://clarksvilleacademy.com/ca-events/fall-festival-2017/

 

Science Lab

Third graders continue their study of How are Animals classified, and What Body parts provide Support.  Working through the Engineering Design Process, as they completed their STEM challenge, we observed actual animal spinal columns and vertebrae.  After exploring existing designs, students designed their own models of vertebral columns using wheel macaroni for vertebrae, and soft gummy savers for discs. They threaded them on kabob skewers.  While evaluating their models, they determined that they did not accurately represent actual spinal columns.  To improve their design, they used flexible pipe cleaners, which provide movement for the spines. 

 

Second graders completed a STEM challenge in Science Lab.  They have recently completed their lesson on How far can different things Move? We investigated how angles and ramps affect motion.  We used an effervescent launcher and change the angles to measure distances traveled.  We varied the amounts of water and effervescent tablets to see the effects. Students also “launched” their own film canisters.

 

Fine Arts Night

Fine Arts Night was a huge success.  Thank you to all who came out to support our Fine Arts programs!

  

Field Trip

Kindergarten enjoyed their annual trip to Patterson Place Farm.

 

2nd Grade

Throughout the week, the second grade students created a writing piece describing their favorite thing about fall. The students practiced the writing process by brainstorming, creating a rough draft, revising, and editing their work. The students explored their creativity as they created an illustration to go along with their writing.

 

FUSE

4/5 FUSE students enjoyed a visit from children’s book author and publisher, Cathleen Roach. During the visit the students learned about her journey as a writer, as well as the process of publishing a book.  Mrs. Roach shared her newest book, Ike Has a Fright, with the students.

 

Math Lab

Second grade Students worked on adding multiples of 10 to two, three, and four-digit numbers.   They wrote their problems on leaves. These second graders are falling for good math during this autumn season!

Third grade students used skittles to organize their data on a tally table.  They tallied skittle flavors.  Then, they used the data to graph horizontal bar graphs and also vertical bar graphs.  It was a fun, edible activity in Math Lab!

 

Eye Exams

On Tuesday, November 7, 2017, we will be offering a vision screening for all Lower School students. The screening will consist of a visual acuity check and a basic assessment for binocularity (ruling out eye turns/lazy eye). Dr. Jackson from Sango Eye Care will provide this complimentary service to the school on our campus. If consent is given it is not required that a parent/guardian be present for their child’s vision screening. A vision screening report will be sent home with your child. This is a great opportunity for our students and we encourage you to sign up no later than Friday, November 3, 2017. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me.

 

Cooking with Karen

Mrs. Dirksen is excited to announce a new offering in the Cafeteria!  She will host a “Christmas Gifts from the Kitchen” after school enrichment course from December 4-December 8.  Students will report to the kitchen from 3:00-5:00 PM.  All ingredients and supplies will be provided and students will make 10 Christmas gifts in a jar!  This fun-filled activity will provide you with great gifts for your loved ones!   Students will get to taste test each day’s project.  They will receive a recipe book and bag for all their goodies!  This class is open to 4th-7th graders and is available to only 20 students.  The cost is $100.  If you would like to register for this class visit: https://clarksvilleacademy.com/ca-events/afterschool-enrichment/

 

CAA

Clarksville Academy Association (CAA) is the parent volunteer association of Clarksville Academy. There are many opportunities throughout the school year for parents, guardians, and grandparents to get involved by volunteering your time and/or contributions. We certainly hope you will join us in making CA an even greater place for our children, faculty and staff!

Please contact Beth Mabry on how to get involved – bethfmabry@gmail.com

 

Teacher Treats

Each grade level will have the opportunity one time during the school year to provide Teacher Treats. You may contribute snacks, treats, drinks or a monetary donation to help purchase treats. Please watch for your grade’s week and contact your representative.

 

Upcoming Teacher Treat Weeks: 

6th grade    Nov. 2     Christina Clark   cclarkdesigns@gmail.com or 931-237-4211

 2nd grade   Dec. 7     Doug Skaggs   adds06@verizon.net  or 757-268-5172

 

Retake Day

Photo retakes and lower school class photos will be held on November 6.

 

Golly G’s

Golly Gs is offering a 10% discount to students who come after Friday night football games. If you tell them “Go Cougars!,” you will get 10% off. After each Friday night, the school with the most tallies will receive 10% off the next Tuesday. At the end of the season, the school with the most participation will have a limited edition ice cream named after their mascot.

  

Box Top Contest

The CAA invites everyone to participate in our Box Tops Contest this year! When you turn in your Box Tops please label the baggie with your student’s name, grade and teacher (Lower School). A tally will be kept of all box top returns and a Pizza party will be awarded to the class with the most labels returned!

Begin Your Journey.