Mrs. Andrea Rozsits’ first grade classrooms have been observing the life cycles of both ladybugs and butterflies. Each classroom has a ladybug and butterfly habitat. The observation began with the larva form of each insect and students observed them as they change into pupae and chrysalises. Then just this past week the students were thrilled to see ladybugs and painted lady butterflies emerge. On Thursday and Friday, the students released their new classmates into the garden to help get rid of those garden pests – aphids. The students were sad to see the butterflies and ladybugs go, but were happy to let them have their freedom to start a new life cycle.

Following a new Pennsylvania state mandate, Mrs. Jan Turner, guidance counselor, has focused on career education for grades three, four and five. Students learned about preparing for the work world through education and training, acquiring a job, interviewing, and advancing in a career. They also studied entrepreneurship.

Two guest speakers, Mrs. Noelia Scharon, who co-owns La Michoacana Ice Cream Store and Mr. Ray Fernandez, assistant principal of Kennett High School spoke with the students. A culminating activity for fifth grade is an upcoming interactive visit to the Chester County Technical High School.

First and second grade students received classroom guidance lessons in following school expectations, including honesty and the difference between “tattling” and “reporting.”

“Branching out to include career awareness for elementary students has been rewarding,” Mrs. Turner says. “It’s never too early for our children to start thinking about future goals.”

After reading a biography written about George Washington Carver and the many inventions that he and other important people used second grade students at Bancroft Elementary School brainstormed problems that they face as students. After a list of problems was generated, the students went home to create an invention that could solve one of the problems. Next, the students created a 3-D model of the invention and make a mini-poster to demonstrate how the invention works. Students will be sharing their inventions in an oral presentation.

Miss Erin Evans’ class is has been working hard to learn how to tell time to the hour and half hour. The students created their own clocks and practiced locating the hour and minute hands. They then enjoyed using their clocks to quiz each other on what time it was and writing the correct time on their whiteboards. They also played time matching games for extra practice.

The students were surprised at how time flies when learning is fun!