Teacher Talk: Four Winds

January 16, 2017

The Four Winds Program is very active at Mater Christi School thanks to the dedication of several MCS parents and other family members. Kindergartners through grade four at MCS participate in this program.

For the first graders, the theme for January was “Skull Sleuthing”, where the students had to distinguish whether or not a skull was human or animal.  Students also had to identify herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores by examining the teeth of a skull.

The two first grade parent volunteers for January were Mrs. Andrea Gautreau and Mr. Osama Harraz.

Although it would have been intriguing for the students to try to find skulls of small animals out-of-doors, the weather completely deterred anyone from being tempted to venture out into the Sisters of Mercy pine grove and gardens. Fortunately, the program supplies the materials to aid the students in learning how to identify skulls and to also know how to categorize the animal in terms of its eating habits by examining the teeth in the skulls.

The Four Winds’ Nature Program offers monthly natural science workshops for adults interested in sharing their love of nature with school children. With engaging indoor and outdoor activities and explorations, adults give young students an opportunity to study nature in their own schoolyard and neighborhood. Children learn important science concepts and practice science skills such as asking questions, making observations, recording data, and communicating information.

Mrs. Sem, MCS first grade teacher, is grateful for the way in which the Four Winds Program meets the standards and complements the MCS curriculum.

Sister Joanne LaFreniere, RSM
Director of Public Relations and Spiritual Life