What an Amazing Week!

We are all packed! The students are on their final lesson called "Connections" that will bring together all they have learned throughout this amazing week. We will have an early lunch today at 11:30. Our buses are due to arrive at that time as well. After we eat lunch, we will load the buses and be on our way back to Rowley. Our scheduled departure time is 12:30 from Ferry Beach.

The weather this week has been outstanding, the kids have been great, and we had just an amazing week! See you soon Rowley!

Friday Morning - create a slideshow with music

Last Good Night From Ferry Beach

We are mostly packed for our return tomorrow. The kids here are amazed at how quickly the week flew by. Some are mixed about tomorrow's departure...most can't wait to see their families again, but they also don't want to leave. They have had a good week.

The morning will be busy, rolling up sleeping bags and moving our luggage out before breakfast. But for now, some kids are quietly chatting, some reading in bed, and many are already asleep. Our last full day at Ferry Beach has come to a close. Good night for now. Stay tuned for at least one final post tomorrow.

Student Choice

This afternoon the kids were able to choose a lesson. The choices were salt water painting, State Park nature hike, cooking, create a nature instrument, yoga on the beach, and art of change. The kids are still smiling!

Thursday afternoon - create a slideshow with music

Life's a Beach!

After breakfast, the kids had their beach and dune lesson. Some groups created the White Mountains out of the sand, and learned how the Saco River carries water, sand, and minerals to Ferry Beach. Other groups created a "Sand Museum". Then the kids tried to act like a clam and dig into the sand so predators could not get at them. Later a walk along the shore for a scavenger hunt. Some found sand dollars, including Mrs. Osborne! We also had a visitor, Ms. Lacey, Assistant Principal, arrived at breakfast and joined the groups at the beach.

Life's a beach! - make slideshow

Another Beautiful Sunrise to begin Day 4

Happy Birthday Anthony!

Anthony was greeted by friends this morning for birthday wishes....and then again at breakfast!

Marine Life

This evening the lesson was on marine life and how they have adapted to survive this ecosystem. They examined crabs, barnacles, lobster claws, baleen, periwinkles, just to name a few. After we walked down to the beach in search of dinoflagellates, marine plankton that light up at night when you dig in the sand. The kids had a great time and got to run around on the beach afterwards. It is now 10:14 and the dorm is silent. Your children have tired themselves out and are sound asleep.

Wednesday afternoon and evening - make slideshow

Can you recognize your child?

Here is the slideshow that was re-created. See if you can recognize your child.

salt marsh - how to make a free slideshow

Salt Marsh Facials

We trudged through the mud in the salt marsh after breakfast. The kids had a fabulous time learning about this ecosystem. I have been having internet and webpage difficulties since my morning posting, thus the reason for a later update on your children. I hope I can re-create a slide show I had completed before lunch which shows the faces of many of our 5th graders getting a "free facial". Stay tuned!

Morning Exercises!

Before the sun was up, the kids were playing "keep away" from the approaching tide. Day 3 has begun with some energized children. After breakfast, we will walk to a nearby salt marsh to learn about that ecosystem. It looks to be another beautiful day at Ferry Beach.

Good Night

It has been a busy day at Ferry Beach. The weather continues to cooperate and the kids are enjoying being kids! No TV, no video games, just some fresh air, and a whole lot of active play! Now, they are exhausted, tucked in their beds, and dreaming of what's to come tomorrow.

Dinner Time!

Tonight most enjoyed the Chicken Pot Pie...there were just a few that were not brave enough to give it a try. Those that did said, "It was really good!" In the slideshow, you will see how your children are helping set up the tables, and enjoying their meal.

Dinner - slide show

Free Time

Free Time - slide show

Abiotic Adventures

This afternoon the kids ventured to the beach, the primary dune, the forest, and the Ferry Beach Gardens. The students took core samples and figured out how much "disturbance" was in the area. They also learned the productivity of the plants and learned the different species of the animals that live there.

Biddeford Tide Pools

After breakfast, we boarded buses for a short trip to the Biddeford Tide Pools. The kids had a great time exploring under rocks and seaweed in search of intertidal life. They found crabs, muscles, and even a sea anemone! We all made it back safely, although some did get a little wet, but they were full of smiles as you can see in the slideshow.

tide pools 2 - slide show

We had a great lunch of turkey and cheese on focaccia bread, and some even tried the vegetarian sandwich on the same delicious bread. Currently, the kids are on their 2pm lesson learning about Abiotic Adventures.

Morning has broken!

Good morning! A few early risers were treated to being the first on the east coast to greet the sunrise. Day 2 has begun, and it promises to be exciting with tide pools after breakfast, abiotic adventures in the afternoon, and astronomy tonight!

Good Night, Sleep Tight, and don't let the Vampires Bite!

After a meal of pasta (which the kids at my table devoured 4 serving bowls....I think they like it!), sauce, homemade bread, and salad, the kids were treated to the Halloween Extravaganza. The trails in the forest were candlelit in metal canisters as the groups traveled to different stations learning about how animals have adapted to darkness. They learned about the owl with asymmetrical ears, the bat using echolocation, the difference between how a red and gray squirrel store food for winter (kids used Halloween candy to play this) and even a pirate story explaining how the patch helped them see at night. You will see some kids in the video improvising on costumes and I close with the campfire...and yes, gathered around the fire all 71 5th graders are there, you can't see them in the dark, nor can you hear them...they have been well behaved! It is now 9:51pm, the lights are out, kids are in bed, and no vampires in sight on this Halloween night! Day 1 has come to a close. Good night!

Lunch in the New Dining Hall

We enjoyed lunch in the newly constructed dining hall at Ferry Beach. Some of the kids were trained today on how to be a meal server or clean up crew. Every student here helps out with serving meals and cleaning up after meals. The tables I visited today all enjoyed the Chicken Fajitas!

We have arrived safely!

Greetings from Ferry Beach! The ride up was uneventful, and we arrived on time to a beautiful day! The kids have unpacked in their dorms, met their Naturalist (group teacher), and currently enjoying the nice weather before our lunch of Chicken Fajitas! At 2pm, they will head out for their first two-hour lesson titled the ABC's of Ecology. Tonight will be a Halloween extravaganza, complete with a campfire!

Ecology School is still on!

This is no trick for Halloween, but a treat for our 5th Graders! We will still be leaving for Ferry Beach as scheduled despite that Triton has closed due to power outages. Our principal, Christine Kneeland, will be at Pine Grove to send us off for a great week! Please be there by 8:00am for check in. The long range forecast for Saco, Maine, looks fabulous!

Counting Down to Ecology School

We are just days away before our big trip up to Saco, Maine! Can you feel the excitement (or possible anxiety) building at home? We can sure see it in school! Be sure to check this Blog throughout our week to see your children in action as they learn about the ecosystems.