10/22/2025
Upper Elementary Adventures in Learning
This week in our upper elementary class, students explored hands-on science with squid dissections—an unforgettable experience that sparked so many great questions! Then, one of our students brought in real cotton, giving us a perfect opportunity to connect history with real-world learning.
We picked the seeds from the cotton by hand to understand just how challenging this process was before the invention of the cotton gin by Eli Whitney, and we discussed how that invention transformed the textile industry forever. Some students even figured out how to twist their own cotton thread and learned the journey of cotton—from farming and collection to cleaning, preparation, and weaving into the fabrics we wear every day.
After our science and history lessons, we dove into fractions, decimals, and percents, followed by spelling and grammar practice.
I often hear people wonder how much can truly be accomplished in just two hours of class time. The answer is—quite a lot! Our students are gaining a robust, well-rounded education that combines academic depth with curiosity-driven learning. Beyond class, most only need regular reading and spelling practice at home, freeing them to pursue their own interests or extend their studies even further.
I’m so proud of the growth I’m seeing in this group—academically, personally, and socially. The connections they’re forming are more like family than friends, and it’s such an honor to witness their learning journeys each week. ❤️
