School trip to Apicoltura Comaro
Last week, the N3, N4 and K students went to visit the ‘Apicoltura Comaro’ honey farm. They had lots of fun learning about bees and how they make the delicious honey that we all love so much!
We learned as we listened closely to our guide, who skillfully explained to us the process of making honey. We also experienced many of the steps through hands-on activities that were very engaging for teachers and students: from touching and tasting pollen and honey, to watching how big machines are used to filter the honey from the honeycombs! The students found out that bees are amazing, hardworking creatures!
It was nice to hear the students’ comments later-on in the week whilst playing outside, about the importance of letting the bees wander freely on our playground without disturbing them. Many children in the ECC are now making links between the existence of bees and flowers and are beginning to understand the importance of protecting them.
Ms Adriana
Nursery 4 teacher
Grade 4 in Review
As we look back on our year in Grade 4, we have accomplished much. Among the memorable events from this year are: the trips to Concordia and Micromondi – ‘an interesting and a wonderful time!’ (Ginevra), the science projects – ‘fun!’ (Alice F), the Grade 4 Assembly – ‘the plays were fun and a little bit embarrassing!’ (Aurora), the researching and PowerPoint presentations – ‘so interesting to do’ (everybody), maths games – ‘Bingo!’, making posters – ‘while we wrote words and phrases I learnt more and more’, and in the end, that special feeling of growing and maturing. Grade 4 undoubtedly enters wholeheartedly into whatever they do. Best of luck next year – Grade 5 is waiting for you!
Ms Susan
Grade 4 teacher
What is Outdoor Classroom Day?
Last Thursday, for the second year in a row, we joined more than 16,000 schools and 1,776,156 children around the world for Outdoor Classroom Day. In 2018 more than 3 million children were involved in this initiative, which is ‘a global campaign to celebrate and inspire outdoor learning and play.
Outdoor learning improves children’s health, engages them with learning and leads to a greater connection with nature. Play not only teaches critical life skills such as resilience, teamwork and creativity, but is central to children’s enjoyment of childhood.’ (https://outdoorclassroomday.com/).
We were not too worried about the weather, as both children and teachers in ECC have learned to appreciate and value the learning we do outside, rain or shine. To start us off, Ms Marisa read the story ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’ and then we followed her across the playground in a ‘real’ bear hunt, which ended with us finding a bear in our very own playground – can you imagine!
After our Pre-Nursery peers joined us, we had lots of opportunities to enjoy our outdoor classroom: between the parachute, the mud kitchen, checking how our plants are growing, joining Mr Riccardo for some games, bubbles, chalk and playdough, the morning went by in a snap and it was already lunch time, outside, of course, with a big thanks to Ms Lucia and Ms Giuliana who served us lasagne ‘al fresco’!
The day ended with story time under the trees and shared tidying up. The high level of engagement and enjoyment reminded us, once again, why we so firmly believe that outdoor learning is essential to our ECC curriculum!
Ms Nilva
Kindergarten teacher
Looking into their future
Grade 7 had the opportunity to visit the University of Udine where they were able to experience what life might be like after school. They started the day by listening to professors and students studying for their Ph.D. on topics such as combining science and technology. A tour around the university was a must – here they were able to see the library (they couldn’t believe how quiet everyone was studying), the large classrooms and the various different laboratories. Then, in the afternoon, they went to see the chemistry laboratories and the food technology centre. It was an excellent experience for them to see what their life might look like in their future and to see that the possibilities are endless. A special thank you to Ms Marcolongo for organising the tour – we had a great time.
Miss Rodas
Grade 7 Science Teacher
