We are proud to announce new programs for the 2012-2013 school year!

Fifth grade students will travel along the Potomac River on the Sequahana, which is operated by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. While aboard, students will assess the health of the Potomac River by completing several water quality tests using scientific instruments. They also will have the opportunity to catch, touch, and identify fish, examine plankton under the microscope, identify bird and fish species, and experience a day on the river - all while enjoying stunning views of their city!

Sixth grade students will participate in an interactive art lesson entitled "Hear Art/See Music" at the Kreeger Museum. Students will view African masks and investigate how masquerades demonstrate elements of culture. Students will then create their own masks using natural materials. Finally, students will participate in a drum circle where they connect the patterns on their masks to the rhythms being played on drums.

We are pleased to offer two programs for fourth grade students at Mt. Vernon this year. The first program focuses on George Washington: The Revolutionary. During this program, students will further explore Washington’s leadership and legacy. Evidence of his revolutionary mindset appears across the estate, and students will analyze it in the preserved artifacts as well as the outdoor environment. The second program focuses on colonial slavery. During this program, students will explore first-hand what daily life was like for slaves. They will view period objects and tools, such as toys and a spinning loom. Students will explore various work houses and slave quarters to analyze the life of slaves. Finally, students will visit an exhibit about slavery in the education center at Mount Vernon.

Fourth grade students will explore the art of Roy Lichtenstein while visiting a retrospective of his life's work at the National Gallery of Art. This program will begin with a play, entitled Framed, about the life and art of Roy Lichtenstein. The play uses a combination of music, acting, and visual art to tell the story. Students will then tour the Lichtenstein exhibit as they explore the historical context of the artwork and the various techniques used by Lichtenstein. Finally, students will have the opportunity to sketch one of Lichtenstein’s works.

Fourth grade students will have a new opportunity this school year at the Washington Youth Garden. The unit will focus on nutrition and how our food choices affect our health. Students will examine the five food groups and the specific nutrients and health benefits that come from each. During the trip, students explore the garden – harvesting and tasting different plants – to learn how a garden can provide a balanced meal. The culminating activity is a cooking lesson where students help prepare a healthy snack which they eat together at the end of the trip.