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Congratulations to Mrs. Rasmussen's 2nd Grade for winning the coveted 2010 Spirit Award.
Children's book author Carlla Cato visited the Turner Library at Valwood recently and read her book, A Gaggle of Geese, to the Lower School students. After observing a pair of Canadian geese return to her pond year after year, Ms. Cato and her family began to refer to the couple as Gus and Gertie. Ms. Cato's granddaughter, Valwood sixth grader Sara Knighton, enjoyed the geese and their goslings and inspired her grandmother to write the book. The book is illustrated by South Korean born Yujeong Ahn.
Valwood's kindergarten classes, taught by Julie Barr and Lisa Hale, celebrated Johnny Appleseed Day recently. The students dressed as the historical character complete with the trademark pots on their heads. They carried seed bags and learned how apples are grown. Fun activities included making apple necklaces and tasting different types of apples. The students made graphs to rate their favorites.
Valwood fifth graders recently studied the great explorers in history and conducted their annual ship building project. Each student chose a European explorer and researched the regions they explored, who commissioned the exploration, and the purpose of the expedition. Information pertaining to the voyage and the explorer was displayed on the sails of their ships. Students wrote persuasive letters to the king or queen requesting funding for their voyages and drew maps to illustrate the routes on which the explorer's embarked. Each year the eagerly anticipated launching of the ships is the highlight of the project. The students, having followed detailed criteria for the specifications of their vessels, launched their ships as classmates and teachers stood by to observe. Cheers and a collective sigh of relief were heard as the ships prove to be seaworthy. Those that list or show danger of sinking are adjusted with the help of classmates until each of the vessels float. Not only do the fifth graders learn a great deal from research and the actual construction of the ships, they have fun and encourage one another to succeed. Mrs. Rosemary Brannen and Mrs. Jennifer Hornkohl teach fifth grade at Valwood.
The fifth grade elected class officers recently. In Mrs. Brannen's class, Carter Buescher will serve a president. Carrington Douglas and Katherine Godbee will be serving as co-vice presidents.
Mrs. Hornkohl's class is represented by president Hannah Hutchinson and vice president Collin Vandemark.
The only thing missing were the white lab coats. On Monday, Fifth grade chemists at Valwood conducted experiments for the purpose of identifying five mystery powders. Using substances such as iodine, water, and vinegar, and observing physical and chemical changes, the students were able to identify baking soda, salt, sugar, plaster of paris and flour.
The specific objectives of the lesson were to ask questions, make a hypothesis, perform experiments, record observations and draw conclusions. The class of 2017, under the instruction of Mrs. Brannen and Mrs. Hornkohl, will be well prepared for the academic opportunities that lie ahead.
