This school year, we have intentionally incorporated Flexible Learning Time into our Wednesday schedule. This dedicated time provides teachers with the flexibility to design relevant, engaging, and meaningful learning experiences that connect with students’ interests, needs, and the world around them, beyond our core i-Ready Math and ARC ELA instruction.
Flexible Learning Time may include outdoor learning and garden activities, mindfulness, social-emotional learning, STEM experiences, social studies, cross-curricular projects, and other hands-on learning opportunities. The goal is to give teachers the flexibility to respond to what their students need at that moment and create opportunities for students to explore, collaborate, problem-solve, and learn in different ways.
Most importantly, Flexible Learning Time allows us to meet students where they are and provide the right learning experience at the right time, while keeping curiosity, engagement, and joy at the center of learning.
This week, Mrs. Petipas and Mrs. Polcari’s 2nd grade classrooms took on an exciting STEM challenge: designing and building a spiderweb bridge strong enough to support as many spiders as possible! Using everyday materials, including red Solo cups, string, and tape, students put their creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills to the test. As they designed, built, and tested their bridges, students explored engineering concepts, collaborated with classmates, and learned firsthand how to turn their ideas into solutions.
Ms. DeAngelis’ second grade class explored pollinators, with Mrs. Howell, through hands-on science lessons from the Museum of Science. Students learned how bees help pollinate pumpkin flowers and designed their own “pollinators” using craft materials, including pipe cleaners to mimic bees’ fuzzy legs. After testing and rebuilding their creations, students took them into the garden to see if they could successfully move pollen. Judging by the smiles, there were plenty of successful pollinators! The class will continue exploring pollinators as they connect their learning to an upcoming second grade ARC reading unit on bugs and ecosystems. Please click the link for more photos:
🌻Pollinators in the Garden
