CURRICULUM ENHANCEMENT (CE):
Over the course of the year, the PTO will sponsor two CE programs for each grade.   CE programs expand upon the curriculum to enhance students' understanding of specific topics.    The children enjoy an added dimension to the subjects they are studying in the classroom. 

In addition,the PTO is offering a new program for OSS teachers as part of our continued commitment to Curriculum Enhancement.  The Morris Museum has exciting educational loan program that offers an extensive catalog of over 1,400 portable boxed exhibits.  The Museum provides downloadable catalogs that list exhibit descriptions with related NJ Core Curriculum Content Standards. These exhibits contain hands-on objects and interpretive materials that relate to subjects in the arts, sciences, history, and humanities.  Artifacts, models, charts, reproductions of artwork, science experiments, classroom activities and mounted specimens such as mammals, birds, and insects enhance the borrower’s learning experience. The collection also contains CDs, DVDs, and a large slide collection with slide projectors.
Teachers are able to request these boxes and share them amongst interested teachers for a 2-6 week period.  Dawn Wiehe will be the teachers' PTO liaison for the Morris Museum CE Loan Program.



Following are the CE programs that are scheduled for 2013-14.  If you have any questions please contact Eileen Rodriguez at [email protected].

Kindergarten:
3/19/14 Penguin = A penguin from Jenkinson's Aquarium comes to OSS!   Yes - - a real penguin!!!
4/17/14 Basically Bugs = A fun presentation of bugs is presented by the Somerset County Parks Environmental Center.  

First Grade:
12/11/13  Weathering the Storm = a Franklin Institute traveling show focuses on the science of Weather.
3/19/14 Alpacas Visit - 4 alpacas from Windy Farm Alpacas in Chesterfield, NJ. The children learned about the process of making yarn, fleece, and various other products made from alpaca fiber. They also had a fascinating spinning wheel demonstration and used the spinning wheel to make yarn out of alpaca fiber. 

Second Grade:
12/11/13 Hot & Cold = a Franklin Institute traveling show  teaching and illustrating the various forms of matter.
TBD  -- this program subject is still in progress

Third Grade:
TBD  Brick Academy Tours = Children experience what life as a student was like in the 1800's.  Then take a walking tour of BR.
1/31/14 Thomas Edison = Thomas Edison visits the children and talks about his life, inventions, and lessons learned.

Fourth Grade:
10/9/13 Dirtmeister = Steve Tomecek, a geologist and author, brings samples & teaches kids about rocks, minerals, and the earth.
TBD NJ Celebrate Your State = Walter Choroszewski uses color photography to instill a pride in NJ in the students.

Fifth Grade:
12/11/13 Flight = a Franklin Institute traveling show explores the exciting history of flight.
TBD  - - - this program subject is still in progress - - possibly a Civil War live theater / interactive presentation