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In kindergarten this fall, pumpkins are not just a festive decoration—they're at the heart of hands-on learning! From science to language arts to math, our kindergartners have been incorporating pumpkins in every subject.

In science, the students dissected real pumpkins, eagerly exploring the slimy insides to learn about seeds, pulp, and the plant life cycle. For language arts, they used pumpkins to practice counting syllables, placing a paper pumpkin in a colorful pumpkin patch for each syllable in a word. In math, the students got creative by crafting pumpkins out of different shapes, building their understanding of geometry in a fun, engaging way.

“Our unit on pumpkins is so engaging. It’s fun to watch our students' curiosity spark as they explore something they see all the time in new and exciting ways. Whether they’re counting seeds, discovering shapes, or finding syllables, they’re always eager to dive in and learn,” said Kindergarten Teacher Camryn Salamone. 

These pumpkin-themed lessons have ignited curiosity and excitement, making learning an enjoyable experience for the kindergarteners.
 

Peck sixth graders ventured to New York City’s Lower East Side on Thursday to enhance their history curriculum as they brought their learning of the Industrial Revolution to life. Guided by Peck’s very own sixth-grade team, our students roamed through immigrant neighborhoods, taking in the sights of all that has developed since the Industrial Revolution.

In the classroom, students began their Industrial Revolution studies with a blank piece of paper and were asked to draw a small English village. Throughout the lesson, their village drawings grew larger with the development of new inventions such as factories and steam engines. Their once simple towns quickly turned into large-scale cities as populations grew, and tenement houses were built to house those who immigrated to more robust cities during this time.

“Learning about the Industrial Revolution in the classroom is one thing, but it is much more exciting to be given the opportunity to walk through a local city and see the lasting impacts of the time period—especially in a place so close to their own homes. This first-hand experience allows students to learn in a more active way, and helps them retain the information they’ve previously learned,” explained Upper School History Teacher Sue Longnecker.

Students had the opportunity to walk through these immigrant neighborhoods and experience some of what makes their own cultures so rich. From enjoying cannolis, dried meats, and cheeses and pizza in Little Italy to dumplings and beef jerky in Chinatown to pickled items on Essex Street, Peck students got the chance to dive into the cultures that have been immigrating to New York City since the Industrial Revolution.
 

Starting in Grade 3, Peck students step into the world of woodworking, where they learn woodshop safety and to master hand tools and small power tools, while building skills that go beyond the woodshop. These hands-on projects often tie into broader academic themes, such as crafting folk toys to deepen their understanding of regional history. With a focus on real-world applications, the woodshop encourages students to blend creativity and problem-solving to create tangible solutions.

Third-grade woodworking class sets a foundation for kids as they take woodworking all the way through eighth grade. Projects get more complex as time goes on, from marble mazes to ancient board game replicas to functional clocks that represent students’ hobbies or interests.

“Daily hands-on experiences ensure that students learn by doing. Students develop countless skills while working with wood, but the tangible end result can't be overlooked; students derive great satisfaction from their efforts and a sense of pride in their accomplishments,” says Woodworking Teacher Mark Mortensen.

Students go on from third grade and take woodworking through seventh grade, bringing a variety of projects to life—and exercising their spatial, linear, and sequential thinking. Each project challenges them to use different "brain muscles," promoting growth in ways traditional classroom work can't always achieve.

While projects are assigned, there’s always room for personal flair. Students are encouraged to infuse their creations with their own style and think outside the box, making each piece uniquely their own. In the woodshop, creativity and craftsmanship go hand in hand, sparking a passion for building that students carry with them far beyond the classroom.

As fifth graders transition into the Upper School, they encounter new challenges that foster their growth and development in age-appropriate ways. One significant change for these newly minted Upper Schoolers is the addition of Math Lab to their schedules.

“Math Lab provides students with additional time to engage in math through interactive and thought-provoking activities beyond their regular math period. It brings together students from across the grade, mixing them outside of their usual math classes, to collaborate and problem-solve in a dynamic setting,” said Upper School Math Teacher Jess Angelo.

In a recent Math Lab session, fifth graders were presented with an intriguing challenge: “Would you rather have a stack of quarters as tall as you or $180?” Working in pairs and equipped with limited resources—a tape measure, a few quarters, scratch paper, and a pencil—students dove into the task to determine which option was more valuable.

After tackling the problem, each group shared their strategies and conclusions with the class. It became clear that there was no single way to approach the challenge; each group had developed a unique method to arrive at their conclusions, highlighting the diverse thinking skills nurtured in Math Lab.

So, what’s the answer? Well, that depends on your height! 
 

The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon or Mooncake Festival, is one of the most important festivals in Chinese culture. It is held on the 15th day of the eighth month of the Chinese lunisolar calendar. This year, it was celebrated on Tuesday, September 17.

Celebrated for thousands of years, the festival is based on the legend of Chang’e, moon goddess in Chinese mythology. As a part of the second grade’s family share program, parents Ms. Fu and Ms. Zhang treated the class to tasty mooncakes and a reading of Chang’e On the Moon by Katrina Moore, a story about the myth behind the holiday and Chang’e’s bravery that saved her people.

The Mid-Autumn Festival provided a wonderful opportunity for our students to connect with rich cultural traditions and stories that have been cherished for generations. The celebration not only brought delicious treats but also enriched our community's understanding of the values and legends that make this festival so special. 

Every year, The Peck School’s eighth graders gather for a time-honored tradition: the Eighth Grade Lasagna Dinner. This special evening marks the start of their final year, celebrating all they have accomplished and the exciting journey ahead. Students and their parents enjoy a delicious lasagna meal together prepared by our very own dining staff. Together, eighth graders and their families dine outdoors on tables dressed in charming checkered linen tablecloths.

But the evening is more than just food—it’s about fun and connection. Students have the opportunity to socialize, catch up with friends, and engage in games that bring everyone closer together. The dinner is a perfect blend of community, celebration, and camaraderie, setting the stage for an unforgettable final year at Peck.