Math Tastes Like Chocolate Milk!

In order to solidify their understanding of ratios and proportions, 6th grade students participated in a chocolate milk making activity. The goal was to use equivalent ratios to create different mixtures of chocolate powder and milk to reach certain goals for the “chocolateness” of their mixtures. Students recorded data after taste testing each mixture, always comparing it to “Grandma’s recipe” which was given to them.

After creating as many as 8 different mixtures, students reflected on the taste of each concoction. They compared the actual taste to what they expected mathematically.

 

The 6th graders really enjoyed a creative and fun way to learn about ratios! Of course, sampling the chocolate milk was a crowd pleaser as well! Here is some feedback from students:

“I learned how to find the right proportion of liquid and mix. I need to multiply or divide the original recipe.” Natalie Miller

“Math can be fun. I liked chugging the milk!” Hayden Schneider

“I enjoyed drinking chocolate milk and having a good group.” Madelyn Alt

“Math is used everyday in various ways” Lauren Hekman

“Measurements matter… a lot!” Isla Kemp

“Too much chocolate mix is awful for the tastebuds.” Elise Wuorinen

“I enjoyed watching peoples’ reactions when they had milk that tasted bad!” Alyssa Stamps

Halloween in Middle School

Middle School students eagerly awaited their “Hocus Pocus” Halloween Lab this year! It’s been a bit of a tradition to stop working on Science curriculum for one day and participate in a handful of fun science experiments.

Working in groups, students rotated through five different lab stations. Each student received a “Spells and Potions” booklet to help them complete the lab.

Students completed stations called Bubbling Cauldrons, Frankenworms, Witch Blood, Tie-Dyed Brains, and Grow a Ghost.

Each station used household materials like vinegar and baking soda, yeast and hydrogen peroxide, milk and soap, cooking oil and alka seltzer tablets, and cabbage juice and lemon juice/vinegar/baking soda/ammonia for students to perform different chemical reactions with.

Fall Fun in Preschool 4

Fall Fun in Preschool 4

Through books, discussions and exploration Mrs. K’s and Mrs. Miller’s preschool 4’s classroom has been having fun learning about the season of fall these last couple of weeks. The children went on a scavenger hunt looking for the signs of fall. On their way they explored nature and noticed how the trees are changing. They had fun playing in the leaves with their friends. We also brought fall into our room and painted leaf prints in addition to using magnifying glasses to examine some of the items we found outside. We ended our fall fun with trying to shake leaves off a parachute.

Exploring Nature

Examining items found during the fall

Painting leaf prints

Going on a fall scavenger hunt

Shaking leaves off of a parachute

Jumping in a leaf pile

Let it fall, let it fall!

Letting Our Light Shine on Halloween

 Letting our Light Shine on Halloween

The grand finale of October is Halloween! Kids look forward to this day as soon as the calendar switch happens on the first. It is a fun time of year to be a kid all over again, dress up, and use your imagination…something our preschoolers are experts in! 

Each year, the youngest students at our Lower Campus participate in fun activities during the week, complete with a highly anticipated costume parade! Kindergarten through second grade students, along with parents and families, serve as a wonderful audience to make our preschool students feel special! They really are the stars of this show. Thanks for being a part of this exciting day!

New Lexia Bulletin Board at the Lower Campus

 

If you walk down the K-2 hallway at the Lower Campus, you may notice a bright yellow bulletin board! Students in the K-2 hallway get to work on Lexia during some of their technology time.  Lexia allows students to grow their brain at their level in a fun and game oriented environment.  Students complete three parts to each level.  When a student completes the parts, they will level up and receive a certificate with their name on it and then they will get a “stamp” to put in their “passport.”

 You will hear students point and say “I’m on this level, but my friend is on this level” or “I can’t wait to get to this level.”

A new friend in Early Childhood!

 

Hello, families and friends,

My name is Arieal Jackson, and I am beyond happy to be working with all of you this school year. I recently graduated from Grand Valley State University with a degree in Psychology and Sociology. During college, I conducted quantitative and qualitative research on The Split Lives created by divorce and its impact on children's socio-emotional well-being. I presented my research at various conferences, the most recent being the Michigan Sociology Association annual conference.

I am the second oldest of five, and I was born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I have always been passionate about helping young children develop their socioemotional skills at all ages. Being able to watch all of my siblings form into different personalities inspires me and reinforces the fact that every child is different, but together they are great. Community and stability is important during this age period and It has been such a blessing to join a welcoming community.

 At ASA, I teach the second step program to all pre-kindergarten classes and provide emotional and behavioral support for pre-k. Each and every one of you has such special children, and I can’t wait to watch them transition from pre-school to Kindergarten.  In my free time, you can find me running at Riverside Park, hanging out with all of my siblings, or at home with my cat, Piper.

I can't wait to continue growing with the ASA community. Please never hesitate to reach out to me, as I am a resource for not just students but parents, too. I can be best reached at AJackson@asagr.org.

Preschool 3

 

Preschool 3’s started their very first year of preschool last month when school started.  Starting preschool can be an important milestone in a 3 year olds life.  It can be very exciting as well as a mix of emotions.  From the time they started school until now they have been adjusting to preschool and learning the rules and routines.  Preschool 3’s have been learning and engaging in various activities.  These activities include circle time where they sing songs and listen to stories.  Tabletop time is a time where they express their creativity and work on various projects.  The preschoolers have also used their social skills to develop new friendships and learn to share and take turns.  Now a month into preschool these students have adapted quickly and are comfortable and confident in their new setting.  This is setting the stage for an exciting and enriching school year.