Lower School students shared animal riddles, plant lifecycle board games, electric circuit games, and solar system trading cards.  Upper School projects filled the entire gymnasium and cafeteria.  Using the Scientific Method, Fifth and Sixth grade students worked collaboratively to compare consumer products.  Seventh grade students designed and built an invention that addressed the needs of Town School faculty and staff.  Eighth grade students constructed elaborate Rube Goldberg-inspired machines, creating fantastic book opening devices using five or more simple machines.

During the week of April 19th, the Class of 2010 performed their musical The Mouse That Roared to packed audiences including the N/K and Lower School divisions, finishing with their final performance on Thursday evening for their families.  What a great venue to showcase their talent!

As part of the science unit on seeds and plants, the Second grade skyped with Dr. Andrew J. Henderson, curator at the Institute of Systemic Botany at the New York Botanical Gardens.  They were excited to talk to a real scientist, learn more about his research, and came up with many interesting questions to ask him.

Each year the Third and Fourth grades have the opportunity to spend four days on a small working farm in the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York, experiencing the value of teamwork, community, and sustainability.  The children participate in farm chores, including caring for and feeding the animals, as well as cooking, daily craft classes and nature walks, enjoying a brief respite from city living.

This year's Diversity Film Festival explored the theme of Creating Change: Making an Impact.  Films and documentaries about individuals who have persevered in difficult situations were examined, and themes of creating change through friendships were discussed.  From exploring the courage of children in the civil rights movement to identifying specific ways of dealing with racism and bullying in and outside of schools, students and parents engaged in dialogue focused on how courageous positive actions can yield positive results, for themselves and our community.

For the third year, the proceeds of the Kindergarten Bake Sale will go towards sponsoring a puppy from The Seeing Eye.  The children will receive a photograph of the dog in harness upon its graduation in two years.  This exciting project introduces children to the physical diversities that can exist in people.

The Kindergarten launched a new listening center "take home" kit where any family that is interested can create its own audio recording of a favorite picture book.  All book recordings are added to the classroom "Listening Center" and offered as an activity during Choice Time.  At the center, up to six readers at a time can listen to a story recording on headphones while following along with the book.

In Lower School the reading specialists have introduced mini-lesson movies or video screencasts to help children with reading.  These mini-lessons are useful as a reinforcement tool and can be used wherever there is an internet connection.

Upper School Dance, Music and Life Skills have used Windows Movie Maker to bring new possibilities to an assignment and new ways for students to demonstrate their learning.