Wrapping Up

It is hard to believe we are in the last few weeks of school. I am so proud of our hard working Nesters. They have completed scores of projects--interviews, books, experiments, sculptures, designs, models, and videos on topics as diverse as ancient cultures, redwood trees, acne, synesthesia and bullying. The Nesters have built safe environment in which creativity and intellectual curiosity is the norm. They aren't afraid to question each other, to add constructive critique and suggestions. It is such a pleasure to be with them as they discover new interests, talents and passions. It will be hard to say goodbye to the Nesters who are moving on but I know they each have infinite possibilities lying ahead of them. I wish you all wonderful adventures.

Only eight weeks to go!

Spring break is over and we are in the home stretch of the school year. The students are brimming with activity. Third grader Maggie is writing a play about MCAS that she wants to show second graders to ease any anxiety they may have about the test. Julia has also written and directed a play. Julia's play is about bullying and is starring a number of students. They have been practicing during lunch club, and are hoping to share it during a whole school meeting. Also being shared during the whole school meeting will be Zach's interview with Jane Yolen. Zach approached Jane Yolen and she graciously agreed to come in and be interviewed about her life and work. Another interview happening in the nest is Paul's. Paul has been exchanging emails with an archaeologist who is on a dig in Brazil. Liam is busy designing his glider which he hopes will get him closer to his dream of flying. Moira and Taylor are building the Great Wall China out of sugarcubes. Also about to be constructed is a model of the World Trade Center by Ryan. And Shannen is doing a fundraiser for Dakin Animal Shelter. Whew. Those are only a few of the projects happening right now in the Nest. This is going to be a busy few months!!

Open House Quotes

The Falcon's Nest Open House was a terrific night. Julia our guest reporter interviewed some of the visitors. Here is what they had to say. "I think it is wonderful! It is fun and you do fun projects." said John a nesters dad. "Fascinating, I wish everyone could do it." Said a HES student. Zach thinks it is "awesome". A Mom said "it is good, my daughter really wants more challenge." Sophia "likes the projects especially the polar bear one." Julia asked me what I thought about the program as well, I said "I love Falcon's Nest because I get to help kids learn about things that really interest them." Thanks Julia.

Spring Projects

Spring is here! We have been very busy. In the past week we have had presentations on Extinct Penguins, International Holidays, and Ancient Rome to name few. The kids are pushing to complete their projects before next weeks Open House.

Here is Zach C. to tell you about his False Advertising project.
"Hey guys! I recently finished up my Falcon's Nest project about False Advertisements. I learned many different things. One interesting thing I would like to happen is that I would like other Nesters to try this topic and hopefully find some information that I didn't find. Thanks for reading!"Zach's next project is an interview with Jane Yolen. Stay tuned.

Moira continues to wrestle with her Redwood tree. It continues to "grow" in the classroom. I will keep you updated.

Julia's restaurant has been designed and presented. The Nesters all agreed that restaurants need to work on improving their kids menus. Apparently portions size and selections on most kid's menus leave much to be desired! Julia is now writing a play that she will cast and direct. We look forward to being a part of her theatrical debut.

Zach L. is completing his Field Guide to Mythological Creatures. Zach says"My project is a collection of mythological creatures from four different mythologies. They are: Norse, Egyptian, Greek, and Mesopotamian."

Paul is beginning an interview with an archaeologist in Brazil. Here are a few things he is going to be asking:
"What are some of your favorite digs?"
"How do you fund your work?"
"What kinds of digs do you do?"
"What is a day on a dig like?"
"What is your definition of an archaeologist?"

See you next week at the Falcon's Nest Open House.

Open House

Spring is coming! And with spring comes the Falcon's Nest open house. The open house will be the evening of March 31st. HES will also be having the annual potluck and art exhibition that evening. I hope you can come and see all of the interesting work the kids have been doing in the Nest. Expect to see books, sculptures, slide shows, poster boards and more about topics as diverse as mythical creatures to Redwood trees.

Contests

Some of the Nesters are working on submitting entries to a couple of contests. One contest is
to create a Google doodle. The theme of the doodle is "If I could do anything, I would...". The other contest is part of the Massachusetts State Treasurers Office's Savings Makes Sense program. This contest is to write an essay about "why saving money for higher education is important to you." If you child has chosen to do one or both of these contests you will need to sign a release form that they will be bringing home. I will mail the returned form and contest entries in for the students, or they can send them from home. Many of the Nesters really enjoy contests and competitions. They are all such talented kids I wouldn't be surprised if we have a winner right here in the Nest.

Enjoy the February break. I look forward to hearing the tales of adventures the Nesters have gone on during the week.

Sara the guest blogger