Stewards of our Community

As part of our exploration into the factors that contribute to changes in the earth's surface, we’ve been investigating some of the devastating effects that weathering and erosion can have in our communities, particularly our shorelines. After learning about this, students really wanted to help those affected by this in some way. It was inspiring to see these young members of our community engage in a community outreach effort - not only initiating but leading the endeavor with such genuine pride and enthusiasm.

We began by identifying our range of action. We brainstormed ways that 9-10 year-olds can help support members of our broader community who are affected by the devastating effects of beach erosion. After learning about the specific challenges that Plum Island is facing, we decided we wanted to do something to help protect its shoreline, marine life, wildlife, and the homes and businesses in the surrounding communities. We came up with the idea of making ocean-inspired handmade products to sell at our annual Spofford Pond School Store event and through special orders from Hive families, with the hopes of raising funds to donate to an organization supporting these efforts. All proceeds from the sale of these gift cards and bookmarks will benefit the Plum Island Foundation, whose mission is ​​dedicated to fostering and protecting a sustainable Plum Island for all to enjoy.

We asked students to reflect on this experience - specifically, why is it important for members of our communities (including children) to have a voice and be engaged with issues happening in our communities? Here are some of their thoughts:

I feel like it's important to be aware of the things that are happening around us and to support people and important causes when it's needed. We should also try harder to protect the earth. - @GoatLover

It feels good to support an important cause because you know you are helping someone who needs it. More voices mean more possibilities. - @WaterBottle1

It feels really great to support a good cause. It's important for everyone to have a voice because even a small child can think of something worth supporting. - @Cheeto111

Sometimes kids can have great ideas and I believe we should be able to share our thoughts and ideas with our community and help support important causes. Even more important, we should be thinking about solutions. - @Wolverine12

It feels nice to help a cause. I've always enjoyed helping people with whatever their problem is. I feel everybody should be able to be allowed to help people with other challenges. I think people should be able to have a voice and know what's going on around them. People should try to pitch in, in whatever way they can. I think it's a great idea that we are making and selling cards to help support Plum Island. It's fun for the kids, nice for the buyers of our products, and it helps Plum Island. - @Choney

Everyone should look out for each other and have a voice. It's important for people to take a stand - not just adults, but kids too. Another way we could help our community is by picking up all the trash on our beaches. There are so many ways we can help out in our community. - @PickleKitty

I think it's important for everyone to have a voice and be engaged with the issues happening in our communities because there are many problems in the world and few people are noticing them. Also, helping others makes you a better person and the world a better place. We should also use our voices to encourage others to support important causes. - @21Savage

Planning Your Next Vacation?

This post follows an earlier one about our experience with the online video editing platform, WeVideo. 

Over the last couple of weeks, students have been learning about the geography of North America. Specifically, they were tasked with researching and analyzing the countries of Canada and Mexico as it relates to the people, culture, environment, resources, and landmarks. The driving question: What is important about the geography of these locations and what might draw people to live or vacation there? 

In an effort to help our students develop important twenty-first-century literacy skills (including media literacy), we asked students to use their knowledge and understanding of the countries they were researching and analyzing in order to produce a travel/tourism video that communicates the important aspects of these countries' geographical features and why these countries would be ideal locations to live, work, or vacation to (appealing aspects about the climate, resources, culture, land/water features).

When we told our students that we'd be integrating a WeVideo production to help facilitate their connections to this content, their motivation and engagement skyrocketed. The critical analysis that was required in order to evaluate the most optimal features of video media in order to effectively communicate their messages, added an authentic component to an already complex task of mastering disciplinary knowledge. They navigated this learning experience with such enthusiasm and focus and the results were pretty amazing. We think you will enjoy them, too (you'll actually find them at the end of this post). This week's guest bloggers reflect on their experiences. Enjoy.

Something that I am proud of in my video production is how much effort I put into it and how much fun it was to make a real travel advertisement. Something I could do differently next time is manage my time better. I didn't really have a lot of time to finish my video because it was more difficult to do this than I thought.   -@Elizabeth_Schuyler

One thing that I liked about my video production was that the background music ended in the just the right place. One thing that I would have done differently is incorporate more transitions because I saw in other people's videos how it can really help. Overall, I think my video is good but with a few tweaks, it could be even better.    - @Cheeto111

One thing that I am proud of in my video production are the images that I chose. Some things that I would do differently next time is not let the music volume take over my voiceover. Also, my voiceover sounded really choppy. I will need to practice more next time.   - @Kiwi222

I would just like to say that each and every video production was very good. One strong point about my video was the fluency in my voiceover. On the other hand, I would like to improve on the way I select my images.    - @Pineapple

As a video producer in The Hive, we all have our ups and downs. One of my ups were the images that I used in my production. They fit the scenes very well. One of my downs was that I tripped on my words a lot and I had some trouble pronouncing words. Even though there were some ups and downs, it was very fun!    -@EarthySmurf

One thing I feel good about in my video is my voiceover (if I'm being really honest). Something that I could do differently next time would be choosing the right pictures to go with my voiceover.   - @Blocky

Making my travel commercial was really fun! There definitely were things that I LOVED about my video production and things that I didn't love so much. One example of something that I really like about my production (prepare the tooting horn) was the background music. I think that I got the selection and volume just right. Something I could improve on was my voiceover. Next time I'll practice more before I record it so that it's smooth and not so choppy.    - @M&M 

Something that I was proud of in my video production was how I kept the videos and images on the screen for just the perfect amount of time. That is always so important. One thing that I could improve on for next time is adding background music. After seeing everyone else's productions, I regretted not adding background music to mine.     - @Ham

One thing I feel good about in my video production are the pictures I used because even if I didn't have a voiceover, the pictures would explain everything. One thing I think I could improve on is my background music selection because in this production, my music didn't really match my video.   - @Lonnie

One thing that I am proud of about my video is my voiceover because I think it sounded pretty smooth. Something that I could improve on is being more specific when I am choosing pictures in the search bar.    - @G-Money

One thing that I am proud of in my video production is that the pictures that I used stayed on the screen long or short enough for the audience to stay interested. One thing I could improve on next time is my voiceover. I could have talked slower, louder, and more calmly.      - @Koala333

One thing that I felt good about in my video production was my background music choice. I thought it went well with the culture of Mexico. Something I think I could do better next time is making the pictures on the screen match my voiceover.    -@Venom

Some things that I am proud of in my video production are my voiceover and the amount of information I had in my script (voiceover). One thing I could have done differently is to pick better background music.    - @WowWriter

Dear Mom & Dad, 

After researching and learning about the geography of Canada and Mexico, we have fallen in love with these beautiful and culturally diverse countries. We'd love for you to consider taking us on a vacation to one of these amazing destinations one day. Maybe after watching our travel/tourism ads you'll fall in love, too. 

With love,

Students in The Hive

P.S. A link to our travel/tourism videos can be found below. 

https://www.wevideo.com/hub#playlist/2475534515

Attitudes of Gratitude

Since 1924, the Macy's Thanksgiving parade has been an annual tradition that kicks off the holiday season. This week, students learned about the history of the parade and how puppeteer, toymaker, creative genius, and Macy's window designer, Tony Sarg, helped shape today's parade. Ask your child to share their learning with you. We thought it would be fun to put together own First Annual Hive Thanksgiving Parade (see video at the bottom). 

In the spirit of the Thanksgiving holiday, students took some time to reflect on what they are most thankful for this year. Here's what they had to say. 

I am thankful that some of my family is coming for Thanksgiving this year because seeing someone in person is much better than seeing them on a screen or texting them.    - @Pineapple

I am thankful for all of the things I have and the opportunity to do cool stuff. I am also thankful that we have freedom and we can do what we want. Because we are free, we can travel and go places.    - @Swagger_25

This year, I am thankful for my family because they help me during hard times like when I was moving or when Covid hit.    -@NonCat

I'm thankful for Thanksgiving for bringing my family together. Covid has made it so that we don't see each other often and it makes me happy that my whole family is coming together. I'm also thankful for my grandma taking the time to feed a LOT of us on Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving isn't just about the food though, it's really about family.    - @Recycle14

This year, I am most thankful for my great teachers. Over the years, I have had many awesome teachers, but my third and fourth grade teachers have been the best. They're flexible, kind, and helpful. They're always there when I need help and they are willing to find workarounds for my challenges. They also have tons of fun projects, too. This is what I'm most thankful for.   - @Choney

I am thankful for a lot of things, but mostly The Hive and my family. I am thankful for The hive because last year I did homeschool so I was separated from my friends an extra long time so coming to The Hive with all of these kind people is just amazing. I am thankful for my family because during September, my great-grandmother (Grammy as I had called her) passed away, but we were there to support each other. This is what I am thankful for.    - @PickleKitty

I am thankful for my family because they love me and support me in my activities. My family cares a lot and takes the time to help me and do stuff for me. My family is the best family someone could ever have!    - @G-Money

I am thankful for my brother because his is so awesome. I love him so much. I am also thankful for my big sister because she is like a best friend to me. I am thankful for my parents because they help me through a lot, like the time I fractured my ankle and they were there for me. Finally, I am thankful for all of the friends I have.    - @Galaxy

I am thankful for my nice teachers because they help me learning things that have been hard for me.     - @Lonnie

I am thankful this year for my new friend, Haley, because when I met her she was so nice and it is a true friendship. I am also thankful for being in The Hive. I being in it and the teachers are the nicest teachers ever, especially Ms. Mazz who helps me out all the time.     - @Dream

I am most thankful for the new friends I made this year and because of the kindness they have shown. I'm thankful for my family for doing everything they do to help me and that they will always be there for me, even when I grow up. I know that will never change.    - @Flash4

I am thankful for Bloxy and always being there for me, always cracking me up like scrambled eggs. Bloxy is always on my side and I know I can count on him and he can count on me.    - @Venom

This year, I am thankful for my mom getting cats at the end of the season, but I'm also thankful for a lot of other things, like my family, my guinea pigs, my future cats, and The Hive.    - @Horse321

This year, I am most thankful for nature. With nature, we would not have food. Nature plays an important role in our lives.    - @Chickadee

I am thankful for this year and the people that were brought into the world this year, like my baby cousins. I'm also thankful for the wonderful teachers that I have and how it is changing me and who I am friends with. I'm thankful for my family because I am more lucky than I think.   -@EarthySmurf

I'm thankful for my knowledge, books, family, friends, and math. Knowledge helps me understand things better, books keep me entertained, and my family and friends care about me.     - @Lightning24

This year I am grateful to be in The Hive because there are twice as many faces and a bigger change to make more friends. The Hive also gives you a really good change to exhibit self-control and you get to know more about your classmates.    -@Wolverine12

I am most thankful to be in this class, probably because we do fun projects and the teachers make it so fun to do math. Also the people in our class look forward to seeing each other. I am also thankful for my guinea pigs because they calm me down when I am overwhelmed.    -@Ham

I'm thankful for many different things. One of them is friends because without them, I'd be super sad all the time and I'd probably just talk and play with rocks all day instead (I'm a self-proclaimed geologist).     -@M&M

What I'm most thankful for is my family, especially my sister who is always there to catch me when I fall. I'm also thankful for my mom who helps me with everything and for my dad who makes us laugh. I love my family.     -@Strawberry

What I'm thankful for this year is dance because two years ago I was doing dance but it ended because of Covid. I am also thankful to be in a school full-time this year because in past years we were on Zoom and or not in school full-time. I am also thankful for The Hive.     -@Koala333

I am most thankful for my class because it is gigantic, I have really nice friends, and we get to do really fun activities and collaborate with others. Everyone in our class compliments each other and I hope it makes people more confident about their work.    -@Kiwi222

I am thankful for my family. My life would not be complete without them and I would be sad and bored. Also, I really hope that none of them leave me so I can always be happy.     - @TheBeeGuy101

I am most thankful for my awesome teachers and kind classmates. I'm also thankful for having a safe classroom so that I can share my feelings or share something that I just want to get off my chest.     - @Elizabeth_Schuyler

This year, I'm most thankful for my family, friends, freedom and the things we get to have. Why? Because without these, we would be sad and lonely with no family and friends and our country would fall apart.      -@21Savage

I am thankful for my parents because they care for me, they provide me with food and let me do the things that I love. For example, I love to play hockey and they pay for me to play. I am also so, so thankful for all the soldiers out there who fight for our freedom.    -@Cheeto111

I am thankful for a lot of things this year, but especially The Hive. It is a really fun and unique place to learn. In The Hive, we do lots of fun activities and we do it with our friends which makes it even better.    -@WowWriter

I am thankful for not getting really sick while I had Covid and my sister for not getting sick either. I'm also thankful for my family, friends, and teachers.    -@Chessy

I am thankful for my family because they are nice and funny and they help me a lot. I can always go to my sister when I need help with something.    -@Giraffe

I am very thankful for being in The Hive. I would not be having a good year in any other class. I just really love The Hive.    -@Blocky

I am thankful for my parents because they let me do so many fun things, like having friends over or playing all types of games.     -@WaterBottle1

I'm thankful for my friends, Dad, Mom, my dog Cru, and food. I'm thankful for food because not many people have food. I'm thankful for my family because they are SPECIAL. Life is all about spending time with family and without my friends, I wouldn't have anyone to play with.     -@Polly

Launch this link to view our parade:  https://www.wevideo.com/view/2462960567