FOURTH GRADE LIVING WAX MUSEUM ASSEMBLY The Fourth Grade culminated their biography genre study with a fabulous Living Wax Museum Assembly! Each student did extensive research on an interesting historical figure. The students wrote in depth articles about their chosen people, then prepared a speech to highlight their most important accomplishments. Each student came to life as their famous figure during the Wax Museum Presentation and taught the Lower School about some of the most fascinating people in history.

FOURTH GRADERS INSPIRTED BY ENVIRONMENTAL SCULPTOR Mr. Myers' 4th grade art class has been inspired by environmental sculptor Andy Goldsworthy. Goldsworthy is known for venturing into the wild and creating sculptures with the natural materials he finds. After watching a film of Goldsworthy in action, the fourth graders were able to construct their own original creations on campus. On May 7th, the fourth and third grades will be traveling to the Storm King Art Center to view Andy Goldsworthy's creations in person as well as several other artists. Take a look at the student’s amazing creations.

FIFTH GRADERS TRIP TO PHILADELPHIA Fifth Graders traveled to Philadelphia on Tuesday, April 20, 2010, to enrich their study of the Constitution. The first stop was at the Liberty Bell. To some it seemed small, or smaller than they had envisaged. Next stop was Independence Hall to see the room where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were debated, agreed, and signed. In Congress Hall students sat where the first Representatives met and where John Adams was sworn in as the second President. Upstairs they visited the Senate chamber. They walked through Ben Franklin Court where his house once stood. Now a metal frame outlines his house although some of the basement can be seen. The toured Betsy Ross’ House and were able to talk to Betsy herself in her newly renovated shop. After lunch students visited the Constitution Center where they enjoyed a dramatic presentation, “Freedom Rising”. There were a number of hands on activities in the museum, including the opportunity to be sworn in as President. Finally students enjoyed photographing each other in Signers’ Hall where there are life size statues of the signers of the Constitution. It was a great field trip especially as the students realized that they were walking where so many of the important historical figures in our history had walked many years ago.

Lower School World Day Parade and the Festivities that Followed 2010

Lower School World Day Projects 2010 World Day has been a tradition at Portledge School for over twenty years. In the words of Trim Hahn, Lower School Division Head, World Day is our way of “bringing the globe into this little corner of the earth.” We continue this tradition because we want our students to learn about the world in which we live and appreciate the incredible diversity of cultures, customs, climate and geography on our planet. Every year each grade chooses a country to study during the first two weeks in March. The study culminates with World Day. Our World Day Assembly focused on the traditional music and instruments of each country studied. This special day begins with the Parade of Nations, led by Early Childhood students dressed in national costumes, to the gym, where all students move around the world playing traditional games, tasting food, and reading each others’ projects. The morning ends with a full traditional meal served to each grade in the dining room.

Lower School Assembly - Stella Louella's Runaway Book - March 10, 2010

Lower School World Day Assembly 2010

LOWER SCHOOL ASSEMBLY AND SAFETY TOWN SLIDE SHOW - APRIL 7, 2010 The Lower School Assembly on April 7, 2010 featured a musical presentation by the Third Grade classes, led by Mrs. Husing. Following the performance, Mrs. Galli's and Mrs. Smith's Third Graders took a trip to Eisenhower Park in East Meadow, where they visited Safety Town. Operated by the Nassau County Police Department, Safety Town provides children with a variety of learning experiences, set in a miniature town. A tradition for Portledge Third Grade classes, the students learned about pedestrian and bicycle safety, park safety, and rode in miniature cars and on their own bicycles on the Safety Town tracks.

LOWER SCHOOL CELEBRATES EARTH DAY A highlight of Portledge School’s Earth Day celebration on Friday, April 16th for Lower School students was a presentation by a bird keeper from the Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary and Audubon Center located in Oyster Bay. Both children and adults watched in wonder as the bird keeper presented her friends who had been rescued and now have a home at the Center. Watch a slide show of these magnificent creatures visiting in the Lower School gym.