This week our students prepared for our first upcoming field trip where we will be looking at an oyster garden and managing two bags of oysters. We explored the use of some of the equipment we will be using which includes quadrats and our water quality testing kit which uses an optical refractometer to check salinity levels, pH testing strips, and a multi-use thermometer to check temperature and particulates in the water.
Read MoreThis week in Jeff’s Kitchen, we are enjoying the plentiful harvest of the Hayground gardens. Our lunch menus are overflowing with bright orange sungolds, heirloom tomatoes, cucumbers, greens of every kind, peppers, garlic, squashes, and herbs.
Read MoreThe first six weeks of school, more or less, are spent establishing guidelines, routines, and rituals, building a sense of community, forming friendships, and otherwise setting up a successful school year. These weeks are essential in making sure that all students feel safe, happy, and supported. From sharing their feelings at our morning meeting to creating our classroom rules, they are learning that they have important contributions to make and that their voices matter. These first weeks are also a time for teachers to get to know the academic, social, and emotional needs of their students. We have been busy assessing each individual child so that we can plan for the year ahead.
Read MoreWe had a great start to the school year! We began with ice breakers outside, introducing ourselves, sharing stories from our summer to a partner, and then to the entire class.
Read MoreThese first few weeks of school, have been spent forming our classroom and greater school community; setting norms and expectations, acquainting ourselves with routines and protocols, and having fun!
Read MoreWhat an amazing first few weeks of school we’ve had! Our class has spent lots of time building community, working together, and dreaming big.
Read MoreWe enjoyed an excellent first week. We visited Guild Hall to explore the “Mary Heilmann: Water Ways” exhibit and gained a deeper understanding of abstract art. During our time there, we participated in a guided tour of the exhibit and engaged in hands-on painting workshops led by the museum educator.
Read MoreThe mission of Hayground’s garden program is to highlight the importance of sustainable gardening and illustrate that growing food is accessible, even with limited space. We feel it is important for children to understand the impact they can have on our environment. Our goal is to offer experiences that will foster an environment of exploration and collaboration within the groups while nurturing each child’s strengths and interests.
Read MoreFor the last month we have been busy building our knowledge of whales and whaling through a series of local excursions and workshops with specialists in science and history. We have visited graveyards, museums, and historical sites and are ready to round out our understanding with some book research. In keeping with our tradition of students as mentors, our research teams have been responsible for the teaching and exchange of in-formation with their classmates.
Read MoreWe are in the home stretch. We are actively planning our chair auction that will be held on Wednesday May 14, at 5:00. Everyone is welcome to attend this event and bid on our chairs at the live an/or silent auction. The kid’s work and chairs will be on display in the gathering area from the afternoon of Monday May 12 through Wednesday May 14. While you browse the work, you may also bid on the chairs that will be part of our silent auction.
Read MoreWe had a delightful time in Philadelphia! The city offered us a wealth of sights and experiences, and we could have easily extended our stay. Some of the highlights of our trip were our visits to the Constitution Center, Barnes Foundation, and Franklin Institute.
Read MoreApril has been a busy month for our class. We began the month working with Scott and Oscar making personal pizzas for class lunch and we ended it in the kitchen making special rainbow sugar cookies to share with the whole school. It was fun to see where the big kids help make our daily lunch.
Read MoreOver the past month, our class has been hard at work preparing for the grand opening of the Hayground Museum's second season, happening this Tuesday, May 6, 2025. This year, students took an entirely new and creative approach to museum curation, inspired by the interactive learning style of CMEE. Instead of a traditional exhibit format, students have designed a playful and educational experience that reflects the heart of Hayground—who we are, what we do, and why it matters.
Read MoreWe have an exciting month ahead of us filled with trips, special visitors, and new endeavors! Students have selected an area of focus for our next phase of research. Some students have expressed an interest in various aspects of the history of whaling while other students would like to study whales themselves. We are very excited for next week when we will reveal their research teams and topics.
Read MoreOur class’ Budding Authors books were submitted to the Hampton Library yesterday, and the kids await the annual celebration where they will read reviews written about their books by the librarians, and meet a published children’s book author. All of the students worked very hard on their stories, and embraced the revision and drafting process of writing.
Read MoreThis month, our Hayground Museum curators have reached an exciting milestone with over seven hours of interviews completed. Now, we’re shifting our focus to how this valuable information will come to life in the museum.
Read MoreSpring has sprung! We started the month with Soul Food Night, lifting our voices to “This Little Light of Mine” and proudly displaying our Faith Ringold inspired mural. We enjoyed a delicious dinner supplied by our families and hit the dance floor.
Read MoreThe senior learners are making progress on their projects. Vivi is busy crocheting a shirt, while Nina has designed and sewn two skirts using donated clothing. Dutch is studying photographers and taking photos, and Nate has developed a recipe and baked a healthier version of a pop tart. Aidan is editing sports videos, and Aylin is creating beats of different lengths. Sophia has made a timeline of the modern prison system, starting with slavery, whereas Augie has created a timeline of Judaism and identified several Jewish foods that represent part of the Jewish story. Indie is researching and growing mushrooms, Jazzy is testing tricks with her older dog while learning about animal behavior, and Ava has baked croissants and cream puffs with plans to bake more French pastries. Everyone is hard at work and learning a great deal.
Read MoreWe are fully engaged in our Senior Learner Projects. Each class member is embarking on an ambitious long-term project that aims to develop their expertise and culminate in a performance or presentation for a larger audience at the end of the year. In May, we will invite local community members to view and evaluate these culminating presentations, which highlight the extensive work involved.
Read MoreHappy March! The children have been enjoying the recent spring-like weather with renewed interest in muddy games of gaga and active digging in the various sandpits. In the classroom they have been preparing for our annual Soul Food Night celebration of black history and culture.
Read More
