The Lower School teachers have a magical way of turning a special holiday like Halloween into a true learning experience.  For instance, on Tuesday the first graders meet with their older buddies to complete a bit of pumpkin science.  First they observe their pumpkin through sight, smell and touch.  They decide whether or not it is symmetrical, count the number of lines on the outside, and describe its feel and smell.  Then they complete some predictions.  Will their pumpkin be mainly hollow or solid inside?  How many seeds will it have?  Will the larger pumpkins have more seeds?  Next they are able to investigate.  Their buddy cuts the pumpkin open for them and they can see what the inside is like.  They are also able to get out the seeds and count them into piles of 100.  Finally, they work with their buddy to carve the pumpkin and bring it home for Halloween.  There is much discussion about each child’s predictions and their discoveries.  What a wonderful way to engage the children in science and math.

Fourth graders do a more sophisticated research with their pumpkins.  They measure the height and the circumference and determine if there is a set ratio between the two. They estimate the mass of their pumpkin and then weigh them.  They also find out if their pumpkins can float.  Instead of counting seeds, they determine if there is a pattern to the arrangements of the seeds and if this pattern is symmetrical. Therefore, our spiraling curriculum brings us back to some of the same topics and expands and deepens as the students mature.

Other grades have taken time to write about Halloween or pumpkins, have created pumpkins out of paper or orange play dough, and still some will take time to graph the candy they receive on Halloween.  All of the grades find time to celebrate.  In some of the classes, the parents come in and set up stations or activities for the children to do, while in other grades the classes or teachers plan the party on their own.  Finally, we all gather for the infamous parade down the hallway to show off our costumes while our buddies gather on the sides of the hall to cheer us on.  No matter what your rituals are at home, you can be sure your child has had a full exposure to Halloween fun and Halloween learning in the Lower School.

Don’t forget The Best of MPA at the Town and Country Club on November 2nd.  It is always an enjoyable gathering and a great way to meet other parents at MPA.

Our first Open House of the year is November 10th from 1:00-3:30 p.m.  Please bring a friend, relative or neighbor to see our terrific school.  Word of mouth is the best way to inform people about MPA and having them see it in person can really make a difference.

First Grade Parents have a parent social at 7:00 p.m. on November 10th.  After you have been with your neighbors and children at the open house during the day, you owe it to yourself to get a babysitter and come to the adult social in the evening.

Third Grade Parents have an adult learning and sharing night on November 13th from 6:45-8:15 p.m.  This is a whole new format from past years.  The theme for the evening is social cognition in young children.  Third grade is often a pivotal and trying year for friendships, so come to hear how you can help your child through some of the difficult times they are bound to encounter.

Thanksgiving Vacation starts on Wednesday the 21st of November and ends on Sunday the 25th.