The Masthead

"FROM DAVID MICHAUD'S DESK"

One of the goals, which the staff has established for this school year, involves the science program. It is our intention to develop some components of the program which will involve marine study, specifically study of estuaries, as one part of our science curriculum. We are excited about this and I wanted to let you know what will be happening during October and November, in our classrooms, as we look at estuaries in a new and unique way.

Last spring, with the hard work of Beth Newkirk, who is one of our fourth grade teachers, we applied for, and were awarded, a grant to enable us to work with the Wells Reserve, in Wells Maine, on a curriculum which was developed by the education department of the Wells Reserve. Funding from the Northeast Petroleum Division of Cargill, Inc., administered by the New Hampshire Coastal Program will enable us to participate in this estuarine ecology curriculum.

The curriculum entitled DEPTHS - "Discovering Ecology: Pathways to Science" includes extensive background materials, sets of hands-on laboratories, posters, videos, and libraries. Kits including these materials are provided for each classroom and are differentiated according to grade level. Each grade level will look at estuarine ecology through a different theme. Kindergarten's theme is "Observations;" first grade will look at "Similarities;" second grade's theme is "Relationships;" third grade's is "Change;" and the theme for the fourth grade is "Communities." The curriculum units consists of science-based, mathematics enhanced materials. To prepare for the estuarine study, the staff will participate in a training workshop on Friday, October 11, 1996, a teacher's workshop day for the Oyster River Schools.

We will conclude the study in November with an all school event which will integrate Music with marine study. A musician will visit the school, through the generosity of the PTO, and we look forward to extending the focus of science, especially the study of marine ecology, throughout the rest of the school year. It is also our intention, if the program meets our expectations, to apply for more funding from the New Hampshire Coastal Program to help us create our own curriculum kits, so that the program can become a permanent part of our science program.

We will keep you informed about what is happening in this area and will surely be asking for support in a number of ways, including volunteers to give time and help when needed. As always, we appreciate your assistance and support.

David C. Michaud
9/20/96

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Last update on 29-Mar-99 at 9:28 PM.

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