Nature Happens!

While we are going about our busy lives, nature is doing its thing right in front of us.

Here at Unquowa, some eye spy detectives spotted some super cool things happening right under our noses.  

Super sleuths detected an interesting insect on the playground bars.  After consulting an app called Seek (that helps to identify many different types of species) we positively identified the Red-legged grasshopper!  Its scientific name is Melanoplus femurrubrum.  A femur is the bone of the upper thigh or hind limb and rubrum mean RED!!  This insect is aptly named.

Next a keen eyed student saw the exoskeleton of a Cicada on the Blue Spruce tree outside of the corral.  It was incredibly camouflaged and not easy to distinguish from the similarly colored bark.  Well done detective.

Lastly our incredible kitchen gurus took notice of an insect outside the Dining Room entrance that looks a lot like a green leaf.  Turns out it is a Katydid just hanging out (maybe they were looking for a nice easy meal inside the kitchen) on the wall.  

Thanks to all who used their observation skills.  Please keep it up and let me know of anything that you find interesting.  Go Nature, go Gators (hope we don’t stumble onto a gator- for real)

Now Available for Viewing – Unquowazine Volume 7

Working with the Lower School Art and Literary Club members on Unquowazine Volume 7 has been such a pleasure. They have worked tirelessly on various stages of magazine development. This year, they have included more original content in the form of interviews, comics, and book reviews. Together with their staff, Cassidy and Micah worked very hard on all of the various components. They did a fantastic job of being mindful of each student’s work while honoring its authenticity. As their advisor, I guided them and gave them structure and support. Kudos to all of their hard work and dedication!

Little Learners, Big Teachers

This week, second graders took on a very special role- they became teachers! They paired up with the first graders for a shared reading activity. Each second grader chose a book and read aloud to their younger buddy, modeling fluent reading and expressive storytelling.

But the first graders weren’t just listening- they had an important job, too! As their second grade partners read, the first graders were on the lookout for silent e words. Every time they spotted one, they pointed it out and wrote it down on their whiteboard with excitement and pride.

Second graders showed leadership and responsibility, while the first graders practiced their phonics skills in a fun and meaningful way. We can’t wait to do it again!

Learning Mandarin is So Much Fun!

This past month was filled with exciting activities for our students! We learned animal names in Mandarin and played a fun Chinese character “Spot It” game—which the kids absolutely loved. They also practiced writing Chinese characters through interactive games.

To help remember the animal names, students created adorable animal crafts. This not only reinforced their vocabulary but also supported the development of their fine motor skills.

Our 3rd graders even tried their hand at Chinese calligraphy, and they did an amazing job! It was so impressive to see their concentration and creativity shine.

To wrap it all up, the 3rd graders used a special communication sheet to walk around the classroom and chat with their classmates in Mandarin. It was wonderful to see them confidently using the language in real conversations!

Appreciating the Diversity of Life ~ Earth Day 2025

To celebrate Earth Day, students in grades one through eight visited the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk, CT for a day of hands-on learning and marine exploration. During this trip, students were able to observe and appreciate the vast variety of organisms we share our planet with. All of the students visited the aquarium eager to discover what mysteries awaited them, especially since the aquarium has undergone many changes over the past decade.

Upon arrival, students were greeted by silly seals, mischievous meerkats, jiggling jellyfish, tranquil turtles, and much more! They were also given fun, interactive activities to complete while exploring the aquarium. First and second grades enjoyed an alphabetical scavenger hunt, third and fourth grades had a scavenger hunt based on animal features, and the upper school participated in a research activity that helped them understand the various roles of different organisms on our planet.

Halfway through the trip, students watched the harbor seal feeding, where they learned about harbor seals and enjoyed a magnificent show put on by the animals. They also explored the touch tanks, where they had the opportunity to feel the rough skin of a shark or the slimy texture of a manta ray.

In the end, students gained a deeper appreciation for the incredible diversity of life with which we share our planet, and they learned that all organisms are interconnected in some way. We are happy to have celebrated Earth Day at the aquarium, and we will continue to practice good stewardship for our planet so that all of these species can continue to thrive on Earth.

Growth Mindset Using Dots!

Over the course of January the entire school focused on Growth Mindset with Mrs. Henry. Students learned what it is, the importance of it, the role mistakes and failure play in our life, and the strength in resilience. Lower schoolers practiced flipping their mindsets and power in positive affirmations. Upper Schoolers learned about neuroplasticity and the literal growth we can have within our brains. The whole school ended the unit by reading The Dot, by Peter Reynolds. A story that reminds us that sometimes the best way to get unstuck is to simply get started, and that growth often means taking a risk. Every student in the school then decorated a dot and 5th graders worked to display them in our dining room. If you find yourself stuck, turn to our mural of dots and remember to have a growth mindset!