News

2024

  • March

    Kindergartners perform "Arctic Animal Antics"

    Kindergarteners performed their class play, Arctic Animal Antics (Out in the Cold): A Mini-Musical with Cold Climate Friends. A group of cold climate friends prepared for their annual Snow Ball, entertaining the audience with plenty of swinging songs. Bravo to kindergarteners!
  • Second graders transform classroom into "Bob's Burgers" for math challenge

    Second graders completed their money unit in math, with the objective of learning to add and subtract different amounts of money. In an activity challenge to celebrate the unit, the second-grade classroom was transformed into “Bob’s Burgers,” and students took turns ordering from a menu, adding the total amount of their order, and then figuring out how much change was owed. Bon appetit!
  • Kindergartners complete programming challenges with Beebots

    Kindergarten students have been learning about programming and 3D paper design in their recent Beebot unit in tech class. In addition to coding BeeBots step-by-step to move around, kindergartners learned about 2D and 3D shapes and designed 3D paper buildings as they worked in teams to build Beebot cities. After constructing the cities, kindergartners programmed their Beebots to travel around their cities. They also completed different coding challenges, including creating a 10-button program, making the Beebot move in a zig zag direction, programming the Beebot to move forward and backward; and rethinking a program and programming the Beebot in a different way. 
  • Tenacre hosts successful blood drive with American Red Cross

    Tenacre hosted its annual blood drive in conjunction with the American Red Cross today, collecting 29 units of blood. Thank you to students in grades 4–6 for creating posters, writing thank you notes, baking cookies, guiding donors, and assisting with the canteen and registration. And a special thanks to all of the individuals, including many Tenacre parents and teachers, who donated blood.
  • Third and fourth graders build community with Chestnut Hill School students

    Yesterday, Tenacre third and fourth graders spent most of the day participating in an elementary school community building day between Tenacre and The Chestnut Hill School for the second year in a row. We began this partnership last March when Tenacre third and fourth graders welcomed Chestnut Hill students to our campus. This year, TCHS students welcomed Tenacre students to their campus for a day of games, various workshops, and community building. Students had a great time making new friends and reconnecting with students they met last year.
  • February

    Sixth graders test their bridges in science class

    Sixth graders tested their popsicle stick bridges in science class this week, the culmination of an interdisciplinary project STEM project. Students are graded on the cost efficiency of the bridge, the load capacity (it must have a minimum load capacity of 10,000 grams), aesthetics, and the collaborative effort of each two-person team. In math class, students used their blueprints to assess the angles, incorporating their geometry skills. They used their technology skills to test their designs in the West Point Bridge software. If the design passed, they could move on to physically build the bridge and add their own personal designs. The bridges are tested in science class for how much weight they can hold before breaking. Many of the bridges held much more than the 10,000 gram minimum—success!
  • TPA hosts engaging sea turtle assembly

    The TPA Enrichment Committee hosted the Turtle Rescue League for two engaging assemblies (grades PK-2 and 3-6) this morning. Younger students learned that turtles were alive in the time of the dinosaurs and about their current habitats. Older students learned about the ten native species of turtles in Massachusetts, threats to turtles, and how Turtle Rescue League helps rehabilitate them. All students got a chance to see turtles, including some endangered species, up close. A huge thank you to the TPA for organizing such a great learning opportunity! 
  • Fifth graders showcase their custom-made "Operation" games

    Fifth graders recently completed a science project in which they created custom “Operation” games based on the classic Milton-Bradley game. Their custom games differed in that fifth graders designed all the parts, incorporated intricate circuitry, and infused them with Scratch coding. They themed each game around a science-related topic, making them both educational and entertaining. Fifth graders showcased their creations to their kindergarten Little Friends, who had a blast “playing” the games.
  • First and second graders have a blast ice skating

    First and second graders went ice skating this morning at the Babson Skating Rink. The students enjoyed an hour of free skating. This is part of Tenacre’s Physical Education curriculum, in which every grade participates in a recreational sports skill during P.E.
  • Girls Can affinity group members create inner positivity

    Tenacre’s Girls Can affinity group met this morning and made cans to affirm who they are and what they can do. This girls' activity was designed to amplify positive inner dialogue. In previous years, as a part of Tenacre’s Social Thinking curriculum, the students learned about "Inner Coach vs. Inner Critic." To amplify the positive messages of an inner coach, the girls designed a can label full of "I can" and "I am" statements to display when they face challenges and to give them the confidence to achieve goals. Each girl will take home the project and display it in a special place in their home.
     
    Tenacre’s Girls Can affinity group was created and named by students. The purpose of this group, which is open to girls in grades 5 and 6, is to create a respectful and fun environment in which girls discuss important issues, work together on projects, empower themselves and each other, and build their self-confidence. The group also helps participants be more supportive of each other to help navigate some of the difficult social dynamics that can be common at this age. 
  • First graders love seeing production of "Mr. Popper's Penguins"

    First graders saw the Wheelock Family Theatre production of “Mr. Popper’s Penguins” earlier this week and loved it. Since class plays and public speaking are an integral part of Tenacre’s curriculum for all grades, this was a great opportunity for first graders to watch a professional theatre production.
  • Fourth graders explore Harvard Natural History Museum

    Fourth graders visited the Harvard Natural History Museum yesterday, attending a workshop about skeletons and exploring the different museum exhibits. While exploring, they were tasked with being “animal detectives” by identifying different animals based on small clues that they were provided with. They used their science journals to record observations and drawings that inspired them.
  • Third graders perform energized "Yee-Haw!"

    Third graders performed “Yee-Haw!” this morning, a rollicking Western adventure on the “open range.” Bravo third graders!
  • Second graders perform the musical "Arf!"

    Second graders performed the musical “Arf!” this morning, sharing a canine tale of kindness, courage, and calamity that features German shepherds, Dalamtians, Boxers, poodles, and mutts. Congratulations to the second-grade class for a great performance!
  • Tenacre alumni gather Super Bowl Sunday

    Tenacre was thrilled to host more than 35 young alumni at King’s in Legacy Place on Super Bowl Sunday. Alumni from the Classes of  2018-2023 bowled, reconnected, enjoyed appetizers, and generally had a great time!
  • Great family night at Pizza Bingo

    The Tenacre TPA hosted its annual Pizza Bingo night last Friday, a popular family event that always draws a crowd. The volunteer parent MC provided an entertaining night, along with great music played by a Tenacre past parent who is kind enough to return year after year for the event! Thank you to all of the volunteers who made the night a great success for the kids.
  • Tenacre invited to Babson's NGWSD celebration

    Babson College invited Tenacre fifth and sixth grade members of the girls’ basketball teams to attend the Babson vs. Springfield College women’s basketball game last Saturday as part of National Girls and Women in Sports Day. After the game, Tenacre athletes stayed for a meet and greet with the players. A great afternoon for all!
  • PKers create shadow caster "monsters"

    In tech class this week, PKers learned how to use age-appropriate maker space tools—glue sticks, scissors, and hole punchers—to create “monsters.” They took paper scraps that had been cut on the laser machine and used their tools to combine the scraps into a shadow caster monster. After creating the monsters, they cast their monster’s shadow onto a screen and learned how shadows change size depending on how close the object is to the light source. They loved making their monsters “huge and scary” by putting the casters very close to the light source.
  • Students host Lunar New Year assembly

    A group of Tenacre students collaborated to host an all-school assembly this morning, sharing information about Lunar New Year. They each explained different aspects of the holiday. The holiday ended with a demonstration of a Tiger Dance, a traditional part of the New Year celebration.
  • First graders learn about measurement tools in science

    In science class, first graders are learning some common tools of measurement, including the balance scale, tape measure, meter stick, and rulers. They have been studying how an apple changes over time by keeping track of the changes seen within these measurements.
  • Sixth graders present their News Desk

    Sixth graders hosted their “News Desk” this morning at assembly. This is a presentation that groups of sixth graders host throughout the year. For each News Desk, a group of four students brainstorm a topic of their choice, collaboratively research the topic, prepare slides to show at assembly, and then present to the whole school from a “news desk.” This morning News Desk featured fun facts about Valentine’s Day.
  • Alumni return to speak at Tenacre assembly

    Two alumni returned to campus this morning to host an all-school assembly in honor of Tenacre’s 2023-2024 school theme of Pride. Kate Sahin ’18 and Ethan Faust ’07 each answered a series of pride-related questions written by sixth graders.
     
    Sahin, a senior at Concord Academy, is vice head of the student body. She had loved her time as a student leader on Tenacre’s Student Council and wanted to emphasize the theme of kindness as a student leader at Concord Academy. “I wanted to give back to the community, but I could never, ever, see myself giving a speech in front of the whole school,” she said.
     
    Sahin worked to overcome that fear by pushing herself outside of her comfort zone. “The only way to get through it is to do it,” she told Tenacre students.
     
    Faust, who is working full time writing novels, offered thoughtful advice to the Tenacre students. He spoke about the importance of finding out who you are, what you’re good at, and what you like doing. He explained that he had always loved sports growing up, but realized in high school he was not a top athlete. Instead, he channeled his love of sports into writing about sports and wrote for the student publication at Roxbury Latin. His work in that area led to a love of writing in general.
     
    As of February, Faust had written three complete novels and submitted them to various publishers. Faust told students to discover what is important to them, what they are good at, and see if those interests and skills develop into a passion like writing did for him. “It’s important to be proud of who you are and not just what you accomplish,” he said.
  • Fifth and sixth graders attend AISNE middle school DEI conference

    On Saturday, February 3, nine Tenacre fifth and sixth graders attended the AINSE Middle School DEI Conference at the Park School. This annual conference brings together more than 100 students in grades 5-8 across independent schools in New England. Students participated in a series of workshops and presentations geared toward embracing various kinds of diversity and learning more about themselves and their peers. The conference also presents our sixth graders in particular with the opportunity to engage with students they may attend school with next year and beyond. It was also wonderful to connect with several Tenacre alums.
  • Sixth graders recite speeches in longtime tradition

    After weeks of preparation, sixth graders stood in front of their peers this morning with the option of reciting the Gettysburg Address or Frederick Douglass’s “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July”. This tradition is part of the Grade 6 social studies curriculum and its focus on the Civil War. Donning the garb of the times—black top hat, white button down, and black coat--students stood in the front the library fireplace and invoked their own interpretation of Lincoln. Reciting these speeches has become a Tenacre tradition that students eagerly anticipate. Many alumni are able to recite the first paragraph years later!
  • PKers start their "stay days"

    PK students started their “stay days” in January, staying at school until 3:15 twice a week. These longer days allow PKers to attend art and yoga classes, and add a second science class to their weekly schedule. In addition, they eat lunch together, a community-building experience for the class.
  • Third graders paint the set for their class play

    In art class, third graders have been painting the set for their play, "Yeehaw," which will be performed on February 15. They were inspired by the Mission Mountain range in Montana and worked together to blend colors for their sky background and add texture to the grass in the foreground.
  • January

    Student artwork brightens these dreary winter days

    During these dreary January days, there is nothing like student artwork in the hallways to add a bright spot to your day: sixth graders created beautiful work during their weaving unit; third graders channeled their inner Claude Monet during their Impressionism unit; and kindergarteners painted colorful landscapes.
  • Second graders learn to tell "tiger time"

    Tenacre second graders are all sporting green tiger wrist watches for their unit on how to tell time. The watches, part of the Sixth Grade Class Gift this year, begin a new Tenacre tradition of all second graders receiving their own watches as they learn how to tell time. Telling time has always been a part of Tenacre’s Singapore Math curriculum, but with the prevalence of digital clocks, sometimes analog clocks get overlooked and are seen as a little "boring!" Grade 2 teachers are grateful to have received these fun and engaging tiger watches to spice up telling time a bit for our second graders!
  • Sixth graders have a blast tubing

    The sixth-grade class participated in their annual tubing trip last Friday afternoon, spending several hours at Nashoba Valley. Sixth graders always look forward to this tradition, when they get to spend an afternoon filled with friends, tubing, and hot chocolate—a great way to end the week!
  • First graders and PKers have a "ball" in P.E.

    First graders and PKers had a “ball” this morning learning the correct technique to throw. A first grader described the steps this way: “First we make a T; then we make an L; then we point at the target; then we step and throw!”
  • Sixth graders participate in MIT workshop

    On Tuesday, sixth graders took a field trip to MIT, where they participated in a workshop called Automata. Students used maker tools to create kinetic sculptures using mechanical motion. Led by MIT staff, the workshop integrated engineering, art and play for the Tenacre students, who collaborated to bring their mechanisms to life. After the workshop, students took a walking tour of parts of the MIT campus to observe the Stata Center, an iconic building designed by the famous architect Frank Gehry, and the Rogers buildings.
  • Tenacre TPA hosts family skating party

    The Tenacre TPA hosted its annual family skating party at the Babson College rink last Saturday, when Tenacre families gathered for a great evening on the ice. Families enjoyed pizza, hot chocolate, and great camaraderie—a great way to kick off the second half of the year! 
  • Tigers open their basketball season

    The Tigers opened their basketball season this afternoon—the sixth-grade boys hosted The Chestnut Hill school at Tenacre, and the sixth-grade girls played at Chestnut Hill. A great afternoon of basketball for the fans!
  • Students in grades 3-6 perform December Celebration

    After postponing the December’s winter concert until January 4, students created a joyful mood for the Tenacre community when grades 3–6 performed the concert today. The afternoon and evening performances were a wonderful way to start the new year. Happy 2024 to all!
  • Big Friends and Little Friends gather this morning

    PKers and fourth graders met this morning as part of the Big Friend Little Friend program to work on a winter craft together, creating winter snow globes. Both Big Friends and Little Friends look forward to gathering once a month to spend time together.
  • Fourth graders create bracelets for school theme

    Before leaving for December break, Tenacre fourth graders started working on their Pride Project in honor of the 2023-2024 school theme of Pride. Students brainstormed different words that inspire them and make them feel proud and then chose the word that meant the most to them. They wrote a paragraph about the meaning behind their word and drew accompanying illustrations. The culmination of the project was to create a bracelet with their word that they can wear with pride. Some of the words that students chose include protect, belief, kindness, and warrior.
  • Happy new year and welcome back!

    Happy New Year and welcome back! We hope everyone had a relaxing break. We are thrilled to have Tenacre students back on campus.

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