Revolutionary Learning: Bringing the Past to Life in Fifth Grade
Posted by Sarah Raggio
Sure, you could open a textbook to learn about the Revolutionary Warâbut living it is much more fun!
Grade 5 is fully immersed in our Revolutionary War unit in both social studies and literature. In addition to classwork, videos, and group projects, we bring history to life through engaging, hands-on activities that reflect the era. In literature, we are reading a classic historical fiction novel set right here in Connecticut. Students create illustrations, write thoughtful responses, and even develop their own scripts to bring scenes from the book to life. Each activity is designed to reinforce a reading strategy to improve their reading comprehension. In addition to the classwork, we spent time in the kitchen churning butter the old-fashioned way and baking simple apple muffins similar to those of the time. In social studies, students write eulogies for the Acts passed by the British, participate in a mock trial of the Boston Massacre, play simulation games, and sew individual quilt squares, on an antique sewing machine, that come together to create a class Yogibo cover. The Yogibo cover is similar to a scrap quilt, which is a technique used during the Revolutionary War Era.Â
Studying this time period simultaneously in both classes deepens studentsâ understanding and strengthens their mastery of the content. At times, they even stop and ask, âWhich class is thisâliterature or social studies?â This format is a preview of the humanities program in the upper grades.Â
This year, students traveled to Putnam Park to experience a Revolutionary War reenactment on the very grounds of the encampment mentioned in our novel. We visited with potters, cooks and blacksmiths, all demonstrating the techniques used in this era. We also visited a tavern built in the 1700s, also the setting of our historical novel, where students wrote with quill pens and learned more about daily life during the era through interactive games and presentations.Â
What a fun, hands-on learning experience to cap off a fantastic year in Fifth Grade!
Revolutionary War⌠or Revolutionary Fun? Fifth Grade Canât Tell! đşđ¸
STEM Fair 2026!
Posted by Joey Casey
This spring, science and makerspace classes in fourth, fifth, and sixth grades have been discussing renewable energy, specifically passive solar, wind power and hydro power. Classes spent time reviewing the benefits of replacing non-renewable energy with renewable and many of the ways the renewable energy could be used. Students chose to work in groups or individually to create a model showing their understanding of the concept.
Ideas ranged from hydro powered amusement parks, kitchen appliances, turbine designs, flower passive solar houses, fancy hotels, and so much more. Students showed an ability to further integrate the concepts into many facets of present-day life.Â
Fourth grade worked with passive solar energy. They learnt that passive solar is not your typical solar energy, as it has to do with various indirect energy uses – how a structure is built, material choices, an understanding of thermal mass, and orientation to the sun. Structures can use the sun, or absence of sun, to heat and cool spaces, depending on seasonal needs. Students engineered fantastic models showing everything from nautical beach homes, flower shaped homes, mushroom shaped homes, and fancy hotels. Models were very thoughtful and had numerous details including furniture and decor.
Fifth grade discussed wind power and its ability to either be transferred as kinetic or electrical energy. Students came up with novel projects including a wind powered car racing ramp, a whale tale inspired turbine, a boat, and an amusement park.
Sixth grade used their understanding of hydro power, many using water wheels, to power ideas both great and small. Models included amusement parks, water parks, a personal ice machine, and pizza makers. Â
Students excitedly presented their impressive models and ideas to the entire school in the gym after assembly on Earth Day. All classes reflected on how exciting and important it was to showcase their work and see the work of their peers. We were so excited to have so many families and friends in attendance and hope everyone left with a greater understanding of renewable energies and the inspiring ideas of what could be possible in the future. Well done 4th, 5th and 6th grade engineers!
14 Years of Friday Night Lights: More Than Just a Ski Club
Posted by Lloyd Mitchell
We just wrapped up our 14th season of Friday night lights at Ski Sundown, and it was one for the books! Beyond the carving and the trail runs, this club has always been about the community we build off the lift. One of our favorite traditions came full circle on our final outing: while our 8th graders take pride in leading the bus loading for every trip of the season, they officially pass that responsibility to the 7th graders on the very last night. Itâs a symbolic “passing of the torch” that prepares the next group to lead. This season, it was inspiring to watch students move beyond their typical social circles, forging genuine friendships across grade levels. Whether on the chairlift or in the lodge, these connections are what make our club more than just a tripâitâs a family.
Year of the Fire Horse!
Posted by Carina Blackwell
XÄŤn NiĂĄn KuĂ i Lè, GĹng XÇ FÄ CĂĄi â Happy New Year and Wishing You Good Fortune!
Our Grade 4 through 6 Mandarin students kicked off the Chinese New Year celebrations by preparing over 600 vegetable dumplings, which, along with other delicious Chinese dishes created by our Chefs, were enjoyed by the entire school during a special festive lunch. Meanwhile, our younger students had fun practicing their Mandarin skills by crafting Play-Doh dumplings, listening to stories about why red and firecrackers are essential for Chinese New Year Celebration and making colorful Chinese New Year crafts. As part of the celebration, all Mandarin students received traditional Red Envelopes to mark the New Year of the Fire Horse.
     A special thank you to Unquowa parent Mrs. Toolan, who visited the 5th and 6th grade Mandarin class to share insights into Chinese New Year traditions. The students had a great time taking turns wearing the festive dragon costume and dancing around the classroom!
     Throughout our two-week celebration, Mandarin students across all grade levels showcased their language skills with performance on the school assembly. Their songs were filled with wishes of good luck and health for the New Year. Adding to the joyous spirit of the occasion, everyone came to school dressed in red!
    Enhancing our foreign language program, this cultural experience is always a festive and delicious highlight of the year that our Unquowa community looks forward to celebrating.
Honoring MLK – 5th Grade Acts of Service!
Posted by Sarah Raggio
The fifth graders honored Martin Luther King Jr. by doing an act of service here at Unquowa. Dr King believed in helping others and making the world a kind and fair place. He taught us that everyone can make a difference, no matter their age by showing respect and caring about their community.
Our acts of service put Dr. King’s message of love, equality, and service into action to create a positive change. The students each picked an act of service and completed it.
Grace – I drew a picture for Mrs. Raggio
Harper – I read to the Pre K class
Maddie C.– I helped Miles straighten out his trapper at flex class
Miles – I held the outside door open for all of the upper school students to come in for lunch
Maddie T. – I read a Dr Seuss book to the kindergarten class
Ali – I washed Mrs. Sylvestroâs whiteboard
Nico – I pushed in all of the chairs after literature class
Owen – I held the door open for all of the upper schoolers to come in after snack
Arthur – I carried Micahâs trapper all day so that he could rest his arms for our basketball game later that day
Micah – I made an origami gift for Mrs. Blackwell
Warm Hearts, Warm Socks: Grade 5 Gives Back
Posted by Sarah Raggio
The Grade 5 students took to heart what Reverend Sara from nOURish encouraged them to do at a fall assembly. She said to all of us, âYou have privilegeâuse it.â This particular group of students has a strong history of community service beginning in second gradeâafter all, this is the original “Change for Change Group”âso giving is just in their nature.
Earlier this fall, Grade 5 and Grade 8 held a cereal drive for our friends at nOURish. Knowing that the holiday season can be stressful for people who are financially struggling, we decided to also hold a sock drive. Our initial goal was 20 pairs of socks total, and we ended up with 120 pairs! It just made sense to add some coziness to the gift, so we included a couple of envelopes of hot chocolate to brighten their moods and add a festive touch. The students made tags , packaged the socks and wrote a positive message on each tag. Their hope is that a warm pair of socks and a cup of hot chocolate will warm the hearts and souls of those in need. Go Gators!
