Sharing and Builidng

The Nest has been buzzing with activity! Many of the kids have begun sharing their terrific projects with the group. We have seen presentations on everything from Sleep and Nocturnal Animals to Coins to Action Movies. It is so fun to watch them present their work. They are eager to share their new found expertise and answer questions from the other Nesters. The questions and comments from the other kids are both supportive and inquisitive. Everyday they demonstrate respect for learning and for each other! It is such a privilege to spend time here in the Nest with these kids.

Below are a few of our fifth grade Nesters working on an engineering challenge.The Nesters are always up for something new! One of their favorite group activities is building challenges. During this session they worked in small groups to see who could build the tallest free standing structure out of marshmallows and spaghetti. Good planning, teamwork and building skills were all on display!

Hungry for Knowledge

This new group of Nesters are hungry for knowledge. They have jumped into starting their independent projects more quickly than ever! I am fortunate to have a lot of familiar faces back in the Nest along with some new ones. This time of year is so full of  potential and enthusiasm it is always a pleasure to witness.

Here are just a few of the project topics the Nesters are working on it:

How Action Movies are Made

Odd Inventions

Alex Morgan-Soccer Superstar

Sleep and Nocturnal Animals

Atoms

Famous Athletes from Massachusetts

Hottest Places on Earth

Coins and Currency from Around the World

& so many more!!

Clearly this is going to be a great year in the Nest! 

June

Another wonderful year in the Nest is coming to an end. This year the Nesters studied everything from kinetic sculpture to corporate food production. They wrote novellas and created games. They researched and shared their findings all year long. It was a special year in the Nest. We had an amazing group of kids. In addition to being curious, dedicated learners, they are exceptionally thoughtful and kind people. They have supported one another throughout the year. Luckily for me, most of them will be back next year! Sadly I will have to say goodbye to a terrific group of sixth graders. They have left an indelible mark on the Nest and will be sorely, missed. I am confident they will do great things.

Spring in the Nest?

Well, it is supposed to be spring in the Nest but winter has hung on a bit longer than usual. Either way, we are getting ready for our annual Falcon's Nest Showcase on April 30, from 6-7pm! This is an opportunity for the Nesters to share their independent projects. It is always a great night because families and friends get to see the diversity of interests the students have and the kids get a big audience with whom to share their passions. I hope you can join us!

This past week the whole group of Nesters got together for a special visitor, Molly Sauvain from the Food Bank of Western Mass. Molly led the Nesters in activities aimed to make them think about where their food comes from and why that matters. They discussed the pros and cons of both industrial and local food sourcing. The Nesters were terrific hosts. They always make HES proud by displaying curiosity and courtesy!

Exquisite Corpses

This past week the Nesters played a surrealist parlor game called the "exquisite corpse." We played the game with both written stories and drawing. The game works by having each person contribute a part of the image or story without knowing what the person before them had done.  The ending results are beautiful and bizarre! Here are a few examples.

Juggling

Everyone is so busy this time of year, including the Nesters. They are industriously juggling classroom expectations, social dynamics, extracurricular activities and work here in the Nest. Yesterday conversations bounced between terms for particular ballet positions, to WWII battlegrounds, to types of Galapagos tortoises. Then they eagerly began recommending books for each other to read that have excited and informed them. Meanwhile, they are sculpting, researching, designing websites and recording videos for their projects. These Nesters have such natural enthusiasm for learning and sharing it is awe inspiring. Tomorrow we will turn our attention to internet research skills and watch a Tedtalk about engineering and art. I can only imagine the conversations that will ensue afterwards. I am sure the Nesters will bring their typical enthusiasm and thoughtfulness to our discussions.  So, as this crazy busy time of year continues to overwhelm us all, remember we are in good hands because the leaders of tomorrow are already amazing!

Stop and Share

The Nesters have begun research on their independent projects! We have been taking a few minutes to "stop and share" at the end of each session. Here are just a few things they have shared these past few days:

Gazelles can run up to 60mph.

The Galapagos islands have two active volcanoes.

Film making started in the 1890's.

Octopi can live in tide pools.

I could go on and on because each of the Nesters are so excited to share bits of their newly discovered knowledge. And the best part is that they are equally delighted to find out what each other is learning. I am so grateful to be learning along with these terrific kids.