First, the kids created the Earth and the moon from one can of play-doh. They were able to make them sized relative to each other. Then they measured them and each came up with a ratio for the Earth to the moon. The largest in the class was 9:1.

Then they combined 15 cans of play-doh together to form one large ball. They then had to figure out how to create 50 equal sized balls using all of the play-doh. Then they took 49 of the balls and smushed them together to make Earth, and the other one ball was the moon! They loved it!

I had them create signs on toothpicks to be able to label their planets as they went along. Then we smushed it all together again and made the Earth, moon and Mars.

We added more play-doh to the ball, and using the same idea of creating many smaller balls and combining them, we made all of the planets (including the dwarf planet of Pluto). They LOVED doing this project. It took 3 class periods (over 3 and half hours) to complete everything.

They used math and logic to get through it all. It also involved leadership skills and teamwork. They learned about the relative size of the planets throughout the lesson and many said that they "get it!" now and that they'll always remember it!

5/6 students submitted their original poems to this year's "Voices of the River" art and poetry contest sponsored by Riverlink, a non-profit organization dedicated to educating the community about and preserving the French Broad River watershed. Judges chose six TLC students' poems (out of 200 applicants) to display in the contest's art show. Those students are Sebastian Childress, Brenner Hicks, Gennie Bassett, Journey Dryer, Sophie Roth, and Elizabeth Smith. Elizabeth was awarded 2nd place and Gennie won 1st place for the second year in a row! Last Saturday the students and their parents attended an opening reception at Holly Library on AB Tech's Asheville campus where they saw their work displayed and received their awards. The show will remain on display throughout the month of May at Holly Library.

An Asheville women's African drumming group, Wild Bodema, performed for students on Friday, Feb 4th. Students enjoyed several songs, then danced together during the finale! Fun was had by all. We are grateful to one of our parents and Wild Bodema drummer, Juliette Benezra-Winston, for organizing this performance for us.

The Jr. Beta Club sponsored a food drive for MANNA Food Bank during December. A representative from MANNA came and talked to all of our students on hunger in WNC and what their organization does to alleviate some of that hunger. Students asked lots of questions and were obviously motivated because nearly 100% of students donated, for a total of 500 pounds of food. That means that during the week of Christmas, students provided 417 meals for people in need.

Also, the 7/8 class went to Valley Christian Ministries to set up a "toy store" for families in need. The organization was flooded with toy donations and our students organized the toys and arranged them so that families in need could shop for free for holiday gifts and decorations.

Students have enjoyed many hands-on labs in science class recently! Check out a few pics below for what they've been up to.

Our Middle schoolers enjoy reading buddies with 2/3 students

The 4th - 8th graders braved the rain and wind on an adventurous camping trip in Pisgah Forest last week. We slept under tarps and cooked over an open fire, and had a great time singing songs around the campfire and exploring the area.

Students enjoyed bowling with their older and younger buddies last week in Asheville.

Thanks to Ms. Jesse for offering Zumba dance, which is a great workout and so much fun!

Thanks to parents and staff for all of your help - we're ready for another great year!

We had a great time on our end of year campout! On Monday, each Outdoor Education group shared what they had learned over the course of the year with the K/4 students, and everyone enjoyed eating popcorn and drinking 'tiger's milk' around the fire.

The older students camped in primitive shelters on the mountain, where they cooked over an open fire and spent time playing TEAM games and practicing camp craft. They also worked in groups on a multi-day project to construct rafts using only water bottles and found materials.

Make-up days can be fun!

The backpacking group recently hiked to Eden Rock at the top of the mountain above our school - what a view!

Caring for the goats, tending to the garden, collecting eggs from the chickens for our breakfast which we cooked on an outdoor wood stove, creating a salad with wild and garden greens, fishing in the lake, making candles and baskets, preparing herbal medicine... what a great time!

Ms. Katherine's math class has been working on creating scale models from house floor plans. We even outlined a full-sized version in the grass using wooden stakes and string.

The 5/6 class created an experiment to study the effects of hand washing on the spread of disease. They covered their hands in purple paint, which represents the presence of germs. One at a time, students were blindfolded and then allowed to wash their hands.

The results were quite revealing! After 2 seconds, 99% of the paint (germs) remained, after 7 seconds about 50% remained, and after 10 seconds 40-50% still remained.

This led to an interesting discussion about the importance of proper hand-washing techniques. How much time do you normally take to wash your hands? Hmmm....

Ms. Mae, our dear TLC foster grandmother, is moving to Seattle to live with her daughter. On Tuesday we gathered to send her off and sing to her, "So long, farewell!"

On Sunday (3.14) several TLC students participated in a Pi Day celebration at the Asheville Pizza Co. Congratulations to Liza, who placed 2nd in the Pi recitation contest (to the 81st decimal place!), and Eli, who placed 1st in the pie eating contest!