Our Dinosaur Unit has become extinct until next year!  We have begun our study of seeds and gardening. We are discussing and experimenting with the growth of seeds. Below are two of the experiments that we have tried already.

Stages of Growth of a Bean Seed:

Place bean seed in wet paper towel in a zip lock bag.  Place the bag in the sun by taping the bag to a window.  Observe the changes in growth over a few weeks time.

Roots Grow Down:

Cut a piece of paper towel to fit in a baby food jar.  Put a little water in the jar the place grass seeds between the paper towel and the jar. The seeds will sprout rapidly and the children will see the roots growing down and the plant pushing up toward the light.  Place the lid on the jar and flip the jar upside down for a few days and observe the results.  

We have entered the world of water.  Last Friday we explored our watershed address by following the stream that emanates from the black ash swamp in Upland all the way down to the Connecticut River.  It was a wild tumble through forest, backyards, roadways, and the most remarkable ravine that reflected the history of Brattleboro in the layers of trash deposited there.  Students are developing water based essential questions in preparation for creating individual labs.   Next week they will collect data and write lab reports.  Yesterday we discovered the wonders of the Brattleboro wastewater treatment center.  Once we became acclimated to the aroma of over three thousand households that are connected to the treatment center, we discovered that a great deal happens to the water that flows down the drain.  We discovered that everything that goes in comes right back out again.  Over a million gallons of wastewater enters the center everyday and the same amount of now officially clean water goes back into the Connecticut River.  Even the solid wastes (a pleasant euphemism) are treated to the level that makes them useable as fertilizer and compost.  The treatment center even takes the naturally occurring methane gas and utilizes it for heat and electricity.  We came to realize that everyone should pay a visit to the treatment center (they are having an open house soon!) as another way to recognize the wonders of water, responsibility, and technology.

Today the eighth graders began the apprenticeship program.  The apprenticeship program is an opportunity for students to experience the working world.  They spend six mornings between now and the end of the year doing meaningful work in our community.  Each eighth grader identified areas of interest, made contact with local businesses and social service agencies, and sent a cover letter and resume.  As usual, the local businesses and agencies welcomed our students.  Here is a list of this year's apprenticeship locations: Twice Upon A Time, The Gathering Place, Mocha Joe's Roasting, Brattleboro Food Coop, Brattleboro Country Club, Guilford Sound, Academy School, Specialized Sports, Beadniks, and Holland's Blooms.  We truly live in an exceptional and gracious community.

We begin to chase our watershed.	Careful observation.
Where Eman's Trickle meets Whetstone Brook	Taking flow rate readings.
We speak with the Waste Water Treatment Plant manager.
	We learn about the Water Treatment Plant's capacity.
These bright minds immediately notice the spelling error and sense a loophole. Poor Holden, forgot her bathing suit.	"Decomposition, decompostsition, I get Down..."