Special Projects
In December, the whole class did reports on African animals and countries! Children learned about African culture through their research and through cooking and tasting African foods! In May, children will research Australia and Antarctica.

Third years celebrated International Women’s Day by researching influential women in our history. They shared about women that have made an impact in the United States with the rest of the group. They taught us that the road to peace and equality is not always an easy one.

In March, our school participated in Heifer International’s Read to Feed Program! Children read books to raise money for families in poverty. The elementary students helped orchestrate a used book fair to help get more proceeds. They advertised for it after before and after school, sorted books and sewed finger puppets. They worked the book fair in shifts, as well. Altogether, our school raised $1876!

Our whole class finished a study of the human body! Children learned about the organs of the body as well as the functions and location in the body. They created a life-size version on paper of their anatomy.

Field Trips
Going out is a special part of the elementary program. In order for children to learn to accept others that are different from them, they must go out and experience and celebrate those differences! Children attended many performances about different cultures such as African, New Orleans and German cultures.

We had the opportunity to go to Park Springs Park and do a park clean up. With Earth Day coming up, this is a perfect opportunity to discuss the importance of keeping our Earth clean and for us to enjoy and celebrate our Earth home!

In May, we went to Terra Studios in Fayetteville. Children were able to view the beautiful labyrinth there. This will gave us some inspiration for sprucing up our own labyrinth here at Walnut Farm! We will also saw the process of how the artists there make their glass figurines!

The Arts
The arts are a wonderful way for children to learn about different cultures. In art classes each week, they have a chance to work with different mediums to make works of art that are beautiful and educational! Some examples of this include weaving African Kente cloths out of painted paper and folding our own dreidels. Ms. Emily Neal also comes in to teach children about famous artists and different forms of art!

In the Fall Semester children were able to practice and perform a play about African animals! They created their costumes, the set and the props for the play.

They came together to share ideas and practice their lines and performed for the primary classes and the other elementary families!

Music is a beautiful way for children to express their feelings as well as use their bodies for rhythm and dancing! Ms. Lynette comes in each week to teach the students songs, dances and how to use instruments. Music also allows children to learn about other cultures! They have even learned songs in other languages. They are also able to build their confidence when they master these songs and perform them for an audience.

This year has been full of learning, laughs and love! I feel so thankful for this group of students and for all of the families that have helped make our year so enriching! We have such a wonderful sense of community here at Walnut Farm, and that would not be possible without the support and service that each of you give!