Lower School Experiential Learning
A significant part of The Miami Valley School educational experience occurs
outside the formal classroom. Field trips begin in the early childhood
program and increase in duration and intensity as students mature. The
third-grade Astronomy Overnight begins the sequence of increasingly in-depth
out of classroom educational experiences. Fourth-grade students spend
four days at Glen Helen Outdoor Education Center and the fifth grade spends
a week in Williamsburg/Washington DC. These trips are precursors to the
middle school's project period and the upper school's immersion program.
Kindergarten - Bon Appétite
The kindergarten class at MVS immerses itself in experiential learning.
Beginning in February, the class of 32 students and three teachers begin
talking about nutrition and the food groups. They visit a local restaurant
to get a behind-the-scene view of what is served, and how and where it
is prepared. Returning to the classroom, children and teachers revisit
the topic of nutrition, weaving in the idea of a classroom restaurant,
complete with menus. Children cooperatively determine a grocery list to
coincide with the agreed dishes to be served. Then comes a trip to the
local grocery store to purchase the items. The culmination of this unit?
The grand opening of the kindergarten restaurant where the children and
their teachers serve their parents, the lower school staff and the student
body.
First Graders Explore Caves
During our study of caves, the children experience a simulated cave at
the Museum Center in Cincinnati. As they traveled through the tunnels
and narrow passageways of the cave, they view cave art, stalactites, stalagmites,
and animals indigenous to their habitats.
The children learn about the famous Lascaux Cave in France as we read
The Cave of Lascaux by Mario Ruspoli. After viewing many pictures of cave
art from the Lascaux Cave, the children use charcoal to make cave drawings
of a variety of cave animals. Then they pretend they found a cave and
write stories which include a title, topic sentence, setting, characters,
and plot.
Second Grade - Great Barrier Reef and Heritage Festival
Second graders learn about the geography of the world through many hands-on
experiences. In the fall students begin by making paper bag globes. Each
child places cut out continents in the correct place on the stuffed and
painted paper bag world. Students continue the term with a class country
study that culminates in a class big book. In the winter term second graders
study Australia and the Great Barrier Reef. The classes build a reef that
includes ocean mammals, fish, coral and other ocean plants and stretches
down the hall between the classrooms. Students spend a day at the Newport
Aquarium as part of this unit and often have a visitor come and talk about
scuba diving during this unit. The third term includes an individualized
country study. Each child selects a country to research and completes
and detailed book about that country. Students learn games from many different
countries. Tying into this unit is the biome study in science, music and
dances from around the world in performing arts, and art projects from
other countries. Students also visit Jungle Jim's International Grocery
store to taste foods from around the world. The year culminates with the
presentation of our country books, songs, dances and art in a Heritage
Festival luncheon with parents.
Third Grade - Astronomy Overnight
Third grade students at MVS experience a rich and exciting event in the
early fall known as The Astronomy Sleepover. In order to help students
gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for astronomy and the nighttime
sky, students spend the night at The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery in
Dayton. They take part in a variety of activities including visiting the
planetarium and stargazing. The activities vary year to year to complement
the classroom study of astronomy. This celestial celebration provides
a most memorable learning experience for all participants.
Fourth grade - Pioneer Day
A highlight of the fourth grade year is a study of Ohio pioneers.
Each student creates a pioneer family and writes a diary about this family's
move to Ohio. Students cook and sample pioneer food, design and stitch
samplers, solve math problems related to the pioneers, and read historical
fiction.
The culminating experience of this unit is a day long simulation of a
pioneer school day in the 1860's. Teachers and students wear pioneer clothing
and participate in lessons and activities typical of that time period.
Having this experience in a log cabin off campus adds to the authenticity
of the day.
Fifth grade - Colonial Williamsburg
A highlight of the fifth grade year is the annual spring trip to Colonial
Williamsburg. Students are well prepared for the journey through the study
of United States history in fifth grade social studies classes. Encompassing
one full week, the excursion is led by a skilled professional guide, and
includes comprehensive sightseeing throughout the area, as well as hands
on activities at many sites. Another significant benefit of the experience
is that students learn how to be a responsible member of a group. Successful
participation requires flexibility, thoughtfulness, and a good attitude.
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