Spaces

Working in the art room has already begun to influence the Nesters. More and more students are making creative displays to demonstrate their area of study. Already this year we have a number of kids working on 2D and 3D projects utilizing the materials that are readily available. It will be exciting to see these pieces start to take form. This past Wednesday we worked on some group activities geared towards creativity and team building. For one activity I split the kids into pairs and gave them paper, tape and straws. With these meager supplies they were asked to work together to build a bridge spanning two tables. This bridge needed to be both sturdy and aesthetically pleasing. When the bridge planning and building time was done the kids were asked to select a spokesperson who would represent the team and explain their work. The Nesters did a fabulous job! The bridges were terrific, but what really impressed me was their teamwork. Not only did the kids work well in their small group, but when they came back together with the larger group they soared. They were happy for each other, complimentary to one another and truly enjoyed each others successes! Well done Nesters!

The Beginning

Falcon's Nest is in full swing! Many students have already selected project topics and are beginning their research. As always we have a wide array of interests and styles represented in the Nest. A sculptor has begun making a prototype for her recycled materials person, a scientist is designing a game using measurements and weights, and a linguist is beginning to study common phrases in multiple languages!
We are also continuing to do group activities geared towards critical and creative thinking skills and team building. In order to help nourish the Nesters creative sides we will be talking a lot about unique talents, perspectives and skills. You may have heard that the first few days of FN were spent getting oriented and doing a lot paperwork. One of the questionnaires that the students filled out was an Interest-A-Lyzer. The Interest-A-Lyzer is a tool developed at the University of Connecticut that is used to help identify an individual student's academic and creative interests. As I read through the responses I was thrilled to see all the passions and talents the FN students possess. I can't wait to see how the Nesters flourish this year.

Start up

I hope all the students are getting back into the swing of the school year. It has been a great beginning here at HES and we are looking forward to Falcon's Nest starting up. Letters will begin going home next week. Falcon's Nest student enrollment is ongoing and will continue through out the school year. For those of you whose students are returning you will notice a few changes. The biggest change is our room move. We are now located primarily in the art room. This will provide great access to a wide array of materials and inspiration. We also have six new laptops in the Nest for student research!
It would be great if you could help your student to start thinking about topics that they want to learn more about. A good place to start is to think about what they enjoy doing in their spare time. Does he play piano? Maybe he would want to write music, do a research project on Mozart or build an instrument. Does she love to ride her bike? Maybe she would want to organize a community bike ride fundraiser, study kinetics, or design an new kind of bicycle altogether. The more creative, out of the box thinking you can help inspire in your kids-the more fantastic projects they will create. I can't wait to see what lights them up!

Welcome Back

I hope everyone enjoyed this hot summer. I know I am excited to be back. The Nest is has moved to the art room! Being in the art room will allow us to stretch our creative sides. I expect many of the Nesters will be inspired by the wide variety of materials now available. The Nest will be up and running in the next few weeks. I will be talking with classroom teachers about schedules and participants as soon as school starts up. Eligible FN students will receive an information packet to bring home and go over with their parents. Once again "Lunch Club" will be available to any students (grades 3-6) who are interested in working on project during their recess and lunch time. Stop in to see me if you have questions. I will be at HES Tuesday through Friday afternoons. I can't wait to see what wonderful creations and explorations will happen this year in the Nest.

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.