Academics

Congratulations to all of our Renbrook “Mathletes” who recently participated in MATHCOUNTS. Particular congratulations go out to sixth-grader Hridaan Mehta for qualifying for the next round of the MATHCOUNTS Competition Series, the Chapter Invitational. Hridaan scored 37 out of 46 possible points and ranked fourteenth overall.
The MATHCOUNTS Competition Series is a national middle school mathematics competition that builds problem-solving skills and fosters achievement through four levels of fun, in-person “bee” style contests. The contests are all being held virtually this year and Hridaan will move on to the Chapter Invitational on February 25, 2021. Best of luck Hridaan! 

Despite COVID-19 limitations that require each kindergarten class to remain socially distant, the kindergarten teachers brought their students together on Zoom to brainstorm what topics they might be interested in studying. The list was vast and varied! Topics ranged from tunnels to whistles to clocks.

Each teacher created a list of the students’ ideas and the individual classes then began to group the topics into themes such as food, machines, toys, and transportation. Once several categories were identified, each class voted on a theme to study, with each student allowed two votes. Topics were given 2 points for a child’s first choice and 1 point for a child’s second choice. Two kindergarten classes selected transportation as their theme while the third selected toys.

Math at Renbrook School is dynamic and engaging at every level. Here, our Division Heads provide a description of our math philosophy and the ways we bring learning to life through real-world applications.  
 
You will find through their writing that our math program is a foundational element of a Renbrook education. Secondary schools recognize our graduates for their conceptual mastery as well as their ability to execute an array of problem-solving strategies. Our outstanding math instructors take great pride in our student outcomes. 
 
While our students’ strong standardized test scores tell a part of the story and their math trajectory makes their former teachers beam, we are most proud of the ways our teachers develop confidence and a love for math. 

Renbrook School is excited to share this article that appears in the April issue of Scholastic News. The article, “Uncovering the Past,” tells of the Witness Stone Project completed last year by Renbrook fifth-graders who discovered their town’s secret and honored a forgotten hero.

First graders have been learning about communities, how they function, what their needs are and the importance of why people work. They got an opportunity to experience what it feels like to “work” by creating their very own first grade “Book Cafe.” Students chose specific jobs and how they will run their specific sections. 

West Hartford historian, Tracey Wilson, and her colleague Liz Divine visited the fifth grade as part of their final history unit this year. They are studying slavery in West Hartford; and will use primary and secondary sources to learn about the context of slavery in Connecticut. They’ll discuss the legal and political systems that kept slavery in place, and examine the lives of enslaved individuals who lived in West Hartford. Throughout the unit, they will examine and discuss the injustices of slavery; and also examine the ways in which enslaved individuals resisted slavery’s dehumanization. As a note: any study of slavery in the United States necessarily involves difficult, but incredibly important, discussions. 

The 2nd grade went outside to practice writing their spelling words using things found in nature. 

5th grade Spanish students learn about Spain and the different businesses that can be found in a Spanish city or village. They created their own city complete with stores, restaurants, hospitals using Spanish dialog.

JK learned about liquids, solids, and gases today. Demonstrations included mixing baking soda and vinegar to create CO2 gas, how candles, (like people) need oxygen to keep going/burning. A few of our young learners tried using air power to move a ball from place to place.

Renbrook 7th graders welcomed Steve Famiglietti from The NEAT Center at Oak Hill this morning. Thank you for sharing how the K9 dogs get trained in a development center to help the blind! NEAT is Connecticut’s largest private provider of services to people with disabilities.

Poetry Out Loud encourages students to learn about great poetry through memorization and recital. This program helps students master public speaking, build self-confidence, and learn about literary history and contemporary life. Congratulations to all our eighth-grade students and our winner Simone and tied runner ups Justin and Dora!

Seventh graders welcomed Fidelco Guide Dog German Shepards Ocean and Que before raising money for the Renbrook Fidelco Fundraiser on February 22nd.  

Have you ever wondered how countries work together? Have you asked yourself how a country runs itself? What rules are needed and who is in charge? Well, the fourth graders experienced just that this term.

Students in seventh grade world history just finished their unit on Japan. To demonstrate their understanding of Japanese life and culture, they had several options they could create to show the significance of Japanese culture. These are some of the final products!

Sixth grade students wrapped up their study of Ancient Egypt and created Dioramas displaying some of their favorite areas of study during the unit. Some of the areas displayed included the Great Pyramids of Giza, Life Along the Nile River, Temples at Karnak and Tombs and Burial practices.

For the past five years, students in Kindergarten through grade five here at Renbrook School have participated in the Global Cardboard Challenge inspired by Nirvan Mullick’s film, Caine’s Arcade. Each year, the children, divide into teams and are given the task of designing and building something mostly out of cardboard. They’ve created arcade games, a metropolis, and playgrounds for a guinea pig.

Third grade set out for the “Oregon Trail” through the Renbrook hiking trails! Students worked together to build wagons in teams and traversed rough terrain with their wagons, making important decisions as a group along the way!