AP March 2023 Newsletter
“Our care of the child should be governed, not by the desire to make him learn things, but by the endeavor always to keep burning within him that light which is called intelligence.” ― Maria Montessori
Candling eggs to check on the chicks' development
The adolescents have been enjoying the warmer weather this month, with more work and recreation taking place outdoors. We have so many exciting things just ahead of us, from the arrival of a new brood of chicks to a trip to our nation's capital.
As we wrapped up our study of Classical Cities--Athens, Rome, and Sparta--students shared presentations and creative work based on their research. The "citizens" of each city prepared an interactive environment for the rest of the class, complete with activities such as themed crossword puzzles, food tastings, drama performances, and even a cheese-snatching competition (ask your adolescent to explain that one!).
Classical Cities presentations and creative work
Instead of writing a traditional research paper, students completed handwritten notes and practiced presenting their information from an outline with only ten keywords or phrases for reference. This helps students present with a more authoritative yet conversational tone and assures that they spend time reviewing and internalizing the material.
Having studied forms of government for a recent test, students were well prepared to engage in a structured debate about democracy in Classical-era Athens. They worked on a lesson from the Stanford History Education Group, a viable resource for lessons based on comparing and cross-referencing primary sources.
Structured debate on whether or not ancient Athens was a true democracy.
Exploring Shakespeare through Mark Antony's "Friends, Romans, countrymen..." speech from Julius Caesar
The AP celebrated Black History Month with partnered research on Historically Black Colleges and Universities and individual research on notable Black Americans through history.
Thank you to all who attended Curriculum Night! Students value an opportunity to share their work.
Over the course of this past month, the students held their second Math Seminar Mini-Research Festival of the year, for which they worked individually and in small groups to study intensely and present topics of personal interest. This work provides students with an opportunity to cultivate curiosity and a mathematical orientation by which to explore and understand the world.
AP Students present their Math Seminar Mini-Research Projects to the AP Community. Topics included Pythagoras and the Mathematics of the Monochord, Ages on the Stages: A Study of the Ages of Actors and the Characters They Portray, The Parabola and the Quadratic Equation, Population Studies, Tracking Trash, Fantastic Factorials, and Projectile Motion and Trigonometry.
Keeping it cool on the North Campus
In the Chickens Occupation, we dissected chicken eggs to learn the parts of the egg.
We acquired 30 eggs from two local farms, representing 7 breeds. Placing them in the incubator was a big day! As of this writing, only 17 eggs were fertilized. Their Hatch Day is March 13!
Day 7 of Incubation- Candling the eggs to see which eggs are fertile, and which are not.
Ronan & AJ answer questions about honeybees from two LE2 students interested in becoming beekeepers.
Curriculum Night was a lovely evening during which students shared their current Occupations work.
Students create Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells as part of their Energy Occupation. These small solar cells can produce more than a half-volt of electricity in an area the size of a quarter. This small electrochemical circuit is made from two small pieces of conductive glass acting as electrodes. One electrode is coated with paint and blackberry juice, and the other is scribbled with pencil lead. Students sandwiched them with electrolytes to capture the sun’s power!
The Chicken Coop is complete, thanks to all the hard work of the adolescents! The flock is very happy in their new home! Watch the Grand Opening Speech on our Instagram!
Students take to the workshop to create mathematical models for their Math Seminar Mini-Research Projects.
Our Valentine's Day sale was a great success. An AP Alumni made an appearance!
Skating is a popular activity during break.
We took a day trip to the NC Museum of Art in Raleigh for a day of CE and PE. Students spent time studying Classical antiquities, explored the other galleries, and held their weekly Seminar discussion in the Abstract Art gallery. After a picnic lunch, we explored the art park and enjoyed the gorgeous weather.
