NRESC & The Phoenix

Students at The Phoenix Center observed Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a series of activities designed to honor Dr. King’s legacy and promote understanding of his contributions to the Civil Rights Movement. Teachers guided discussions about Dr. King’s message of equality, kindness, and justice, tailoring lessons to each classroom’s developmental levels.

In January, our students dove into the fascinating topic of matter! They began by exploring the three states of matter—solid, liquid, and gas—through hands-on examples and engaging discussions. To bring the concept to life, they read a story about making popcorn, identifying all three states of matter within the narrative: the solid kernels, the liquid oil or butter, and the steam created during the process. Using their newfound knowledge, students practiced identifying the states of matter in various contexts, deepening their understanding of this essential science concept in a fun and meaningful way.

Younger learners explored a hands-on experiment to observe how food coloring interacts with water and oil. They learned that food coloring dissolves in water but not in oil. When a mixture of food coloring and oil was poured into water, the oil floated on top because it is less dense than water. The food coloring droplets sank through the oil and began dissolving as they reached the water, creating a visually engaging demonstration of density and solubility.

Our students churned up some fun in science class by making butter! 🧈 This hands-on activity not only worked on fine motor skills but also tied into our solids, liquids, and gases unit. Learning has never been so tasty! #STEMLearning #HandsOnScience #CreativeTeaching

Suet, as a bird feeder, is a high-energy food made from animal fat mixed with ingredients like seeds, nuts, and dried fruits. It is designed to attract insect-eating birds, such as woodpeckers, chickadees, and nuthatches, especially during the colder months when natural food sources are scarce. Suet feeders often come in cages, blocks, or homemade shapes, providing a convenient and nutritious way to support local bird populations while enjoying birdwatching in your yard.

Students engaged in language arts lessons inspired by winter-themed books such as Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You See? and Snowmen at Night.

Students listened to the story, The Mitten, then using playdoh mats, identified main components of the story while the teacher read aloud.

Snowy days make for the best stories! ❄️ Today, we worked on retelling The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats—building comprehension, sequencing skills, and a love for classic literature