TNSM Director Jeff Groh thanks families for a wonderful school year together. He recaps some highlights and looks forward to the fall as we begin another year.
Students observed as plastic bags and milk jugs were being made
6th graders were invited by TNSM parent Ndiba Dioh to tour the Lyondellbasell Technology Center. Students learned how polymers are used to make plastics and discovered that extensive research and technology goes into creating and testing products.
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The Advanced Strings group played a lively song during their spring orchestra concert
TNSM celebrated the music of TNSM’s orchestra in their recent spring concert. We are thrilled to have Melissa Robinson, former NKU director of strings and TNSM parent, leading our orchestra program as she challenges and engages the children in their music.
Students reported on various countries in Africa
Students in (6-9) have been learning about the countries of Africa. To support their classroom study, a homework assignment was given to create a written report about a particular country and to include a poster, diorama or food from the culture. In the photos below, you’ll see some of the variety of their presentations.
Elementary students enjoyed their overnight at Camp Ernst’s high adventure camp
Elementary students practiced the independence they’ve built throughout the school year during their 2-day and 1-night adventure at Camp Ernst. Students received encouragement and cheers of support from teachers, classmates and parent chaperones as they made their way across rope bridges, glided through treetops on zip lines and rope swings, rang bells on climbing walls, paddled kayaks and rode horses. It was amazing to see the students’ confidence soar as they tackled new and exciting challenges.
Students measured the force required to move an object up a slope
Tatum used an inclined plane to measure how the angle of her board changed the force needed to pull a weight up the inclined plane. She discovered that the steeper the slope, the more force was needed to move an object.
Girls in (9-12) formed a clever warm-up hug after a chilly recess.
Teacher Ceara Comstock came upon this darling scene where a group of girls in her class had formed a clever warm-up hug. I wonder if they rotated out of the center spot the same way penguins do…
The power of pulleys
In their study of simple machines, 4th-6th graders studied pulleys which help move objects to hard-to-reach locations. Students built fixed, movable, and compound pulleys and investigated the advantages and energy savings of each one. As Archimedes said, “Give me a place to stand, and I shall move the earth.” The students realized from their work with pulleys that if they had enough pulleys, working in tandem, they could probably move the earth too!
4th graders use Montessori materials to learn about decimals
Teacher Nancy Buchman instructed 4th graders in how to use the Montessori yellow decimal boards and place-value discs to add decimals. The materials allow them to easily recognize why they need to “exchange” when the quantity in one place value is 10 or above.
Students release butterflies
A few weeks ago, Izzy brought Painted Lady eggs from her butterfly kit to the (9-12) classroom. Students watched the caterpillars grow, make their chrysalises, and then emerge as butterflies. The whole class went outside to release the butterflies. Izzy unzipped their netted home and helped a few reluctant flyers with her finger. The students cheered as each one took flight.