December is always a fun time to get outdoors at ACS. The weather can be trickier, but we have a lot to learn about animals getting ready for winter. We have a new goat visiting our barn. The young buck has been hanging out with our ladies with hopes that in the spring we will have a few new baby goats.  We also like to spend time outdoors celebrating Christmas. We do this in our OE time, but we also had a great time celebrating with everyone who visited our Christmas event in the evening. It was a beautiful night to celebrate the Creator while out in His Creation. Thanks to all who joined!

Kindergarten - In kindergarten we spent some time searching for items in nature that we found interesting.  When we look close we see there is something interesting in everything God made.  We also practiced sorting, and comparing the items we found.  To celebrate Christmas we took some time to consider read the Christmas story in the barn and try to relate to what is was like when Jesus was born.  We responded to the gift of Jesus by making food ornaments to decorate a tree and offer a gift to the animals.

1st - First graders began the month thinning about animals in winter.  After reading what animals do, we build some small shelters that could be protection for animals in the winter.  We also read the book Night Tree in which characters decorate a tree in the woods with food for the animals.  We put our own food on a tree outside and placed a trail camera out to view the visitors.  The following week we enjoyed seeing the deer we caught on camera as well as searching the woods for other animal tracks.  

2nd - Second started the month with some planting of bulbs and seeds to help keep up in the greenhouse and hoophouse.   We also continued some pioneer time with candle dipping our own candles one week followed by playing pioneer games the next week.  

3rd - Third grade spent time preparing and making wonderful birdseed ornaments as gifts for the animals.The ornaments were taken home as gifts to parents as well as to the birds who would end up enjoying them.  Keeping with the Christmas spirit 3rd graders also spent time making wreaths and other Christmas decorations as well as some planting work, including the paperwhite bulbs that were for sale.  All this work was helpful in preparing for our Christmas Night Out. 

4th - The fourth graders spent some time putting their garden skills to work planting bulbs and some plants for the hoophouse.  There is always something growing in the many gardens at ACS.  We also spent some time at the native American village to work on the covering of the wigwam and learn more about the way Native Americans lived.  The work was really helpful in creating a great place for our Nativity scene.  To end the month we read about the underappreciated muskrat and the amazing adaptations it has to survive all winter.  We took a break to look for the signs of the muskrat that resides at our pond.  

5th - Fifth grade took a couple science classes to reflect more on the water walk.  We spent time learning about how ground acts like a filter and then challenged students to make their own filters. This showed how water from wells is much cleaner than surface water.  We then practiced various methods of purification from boiling over a fire, pump filter, and chemical treatment to show what it takes to make sure water is germ free if you are using surface water for drinking.  Ultimately this showed the importance of a reliable clean source of water.  Fifth grade students also spent time learning about goat reproduction while the buck goat (pogo) was visiting. 

6th- Our sixth grade has been focusing on the egg business during OE times.  They talked about branding and marketing and spent time working on logos for the business.  

7th - Seventh grade visited the pond at ACS with nets to see what macroinvertebrates (bugs) we could find living in the pond. After dipping our nets in and searching through the muck we found some really neat stuff.  The next week we learned how the types and quantities of macroinvertebrates can help us assess water quality.  This dovetailed nicely with the chemical tests being done in science class.  We’ll repeat this again in the spring as a comparison.  We also had fun beginning our unit on fire starting which will tie back into the chemistry unit last trimester. 

8th - The eighth grade continued the work on the legacy projects.  We took our idea list and divided up the ideas into different groups.  Each group will look into the pros and cons of each project considering the feasibility of the project and how well it would benefit the community.  We also took a break to make sure we got outside and enjoyed our sitspots again.  The snow offers a great quietness and beauty in the winter.