Author: REBECCA BENTON

CAST fifth graders in Dr. Irwin’s music class put on a rehearsal concert for kindergarten, first and second graders as they practice for their upcoming spring show. They performed “Fiesta,” “Crunchy, Crunchy, Crunchy” and “Party Rock Anthem.” We can’t wait to see them perform again!

CAST kindergarten and first grade students attended a virtual presentation put on by UF’s Family Nutrition Program. The presentation was part of 6-week series focused on handwashing, healthy eating, and gardening. These lessons are a great complement to our own gardening outside!

During CAST’s monthly Stop & STEAM event, we had many great collaborative activities! Kindergarten constructed a fence to keep Peter Rabbit out of Mr. MacGregor’s garden and first grade designed their own dot after reading “The Dot.” Eighth grade observed sunspots and identified critical information about the sun.

Ms. Edwards’ eighth graders in her US History class, learned about the Medal of Honor. Students worked in groups to learn about the Six Core Values of the Medal of Honor and how they are used in everyday life. Students then broke off into pairs, to create mini-skits and scenarios where one of the six core values are used in school. MySchool and in-person kindergarteners and first graders at CAST learned about the Medal of Honor and discussed all the ways we can be a good citizen at school and at home. Students read a variety of literature stories and … Read More

Kindergarteners and first graders in Mrs. Roberts’ class paired up virtually with students at Dale Cassens to buddy read Dr. Seuss books. Students met up using TEAMS. At CAST, we foster our love for reading early!

Seventh and eighth graders in Mr. Tobias’ Band class took advantage of the beautiful Saint Lucie weather to practice for their upcoming performance outside. We can’t wait to hear them on performance day! They sounded great!  

CAST sixth grade students in Mrs. Albers’ science class learned about the structures and functions of major organelles of plants and animal cells. Students created a 2D model of a cell using watercolor techniques to illustrate and identify the similarities and differences found within the animal and plant cells.

CAST seventh grade students in Mrs. Cruz’s science class learned about genes and how they store heredity information. Students drew and designed Punnett Square diagrams. They completed an interactive Heredity web quest, integrating visual arts, technology and science.

Elementary music and dance classes at CAST collaborated together to put on an outstanding practice performance! Dr. Irwin’s third, fourth and fifth-grade music students played instruments while Mrs. Murphy’s 5th-grade dancers moved along to the rhythm. They invited kindergarten, first, and second graders for an outside rehearsal concert. t.

  CAST teachers and staff, with help from the Leader in Me’s Culture Crew on campus, designated a spot in the main office to recognize all the things they are grateful for. During these uncertain times,  CAST wanted to focus on the good they have in their lives to help move them forward. The board is ever-changing and growing as teachers continue to add what they are thankful for! Modeling gratitude for  students is an example of being a leader and using Habit 1: Be Proactive!

First graders in Ms. Smith’s class designed and constructed their own constellations as a culminating Stop & STEAM event after their unit of learning about the sky, sun, moon and stars. Students enjoyed tasting their starry creations too!  

Kindergarteners at CAST listened to the story “The Rainbow Fish” and then completed a story map together to find the characters, setting, and major events. Then students listened to Aquarium from Carnival of the Animals and used their bodies to express the story. They stretched their arms wide like the starfish and wiggled fast like Rainbow Fish. This story also helped students think win-win!

CAST sixth and seventh graders in Mr. Reiher’s Media Arts class worked on their technical writing skills. They are working on crafting the structure of a segment – the introduction, story, conclusion, and sign-off. They are also practicing how to use punctuation to control their breathing while reading, perfecting penmanship, and defining and using vocabulary words in a unique sentence. All of these skills aid in the production of our amazing CAST Studios morning announcements.

CAST held their first Leader in Me Family Basics Kickoff Virtual night on Facebook Live! Students then enjoyed an interactive Nearpod with video presentations created by the Leadership League. Students learned how the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People will benefit their life and their families’ lives.

CAST eighth graders in Mrs. Dayton’s pre-algebra class integrated art appreciation into their practice of solving pairs of simultaneous linear equations. Students first observed works of art from Louis Comfort Tiffany and the Art Nouveau Movement of the 19th century. Then students plotted points using the given system of lines. Afterwards, they used the lines to create their own pieces of stained-glass artwork.

Mrs. Gamez’s virtual first graders at CAST listened to “The Dot” then created their own artistic interpretation of a dot. Students then shared a personal story connected to their version of the dot. Some examples included a sun, heart, house, and Godzilla! This lesson strengthened the mindset we cultivate at CAST that anyone can be an artist!

Kindergartners and first graders in Mrs. Roberts and Mrs. Benton’s class at CAST constructed safe and warm shelters for an arctic animal of their choice during a Stop & STEAM event. Students also enjoyed adding to their animal’s home by painting the setting of where their animals live to complete their landscape. This project culminated all of their learning about the seasons and weather.