Written by Cole, 11-year old CELC student

I could hear the machine pumping air bubbles into the calm water filled with life.  There were dull green-colored fish, invasive Asian crabs, and snails that look like black dots on the side of the wall. This is the touch tank at Meigs Point Nature Center at Hammonasset State Park.

Cold water crept up my arm as I reached into the clear water to touch the green crab – it felt rough and bumpy on my hand! The quahaug clam was so hard to open that we couldn’t open it. The large moon snails’ secretions on my hand sent a salty scent up to my nose.

It was time to go, the salty scent will remain a memory. Hammonasset is a place where I feel at home, and each time I have a good time!

– written by Julia, 10-year old CELC student

We walked into the large colorful room. The domed pink and white ceiling made me feel as if I were strutting into a fairy princess’s castle. A tiny wooden stage was set in the back of the room. Nine chairs rested in a flawless line for the Geobee contestants. The contestants climbed on stage  and flopped  onto the seats. None of us knew who would be asked the first question. I sat still and clasped my hands together, wondering what would happen next.

The Geobee rules were read aloud as each student listened contently, hoping to come in first place. After the first question was asked, silence hung in the air for a few seconds. The answer cut through the silence like a knife. The second through twenty-seventh questions came and went the same way. Thus put an end to the preliminary round.

Four students were called off the stage , leaving five students to remain. Only one of these students knew she would eventually be moving on , while the other four were tied with five correct answers each. The only thing that could determine their fate was a tie-breaker. The first question asked in the tie-breaking round was one that all four contestants failed to answer correctly. The second question asked sealed the fate for two of them, leaving the other two to battle it out. The suspense was [Read more...]

For the 23rd year, the National Geographic Society sponsored the National Geographic Bee for students in the fourth through eighth grades in thousands of schools across the United States and in the five U.S. territories, as well as in Department of Defense Dependents Schools around the world.

Connecticut Experiential Learning Center (CELC) is host for the National Geography Bee for all Connecticut homeschoolers.

On Monday, 23 January 2012 nine students took their places on the stage of the auditorium of the James Blackstone Memorial Library in Branford, Connecticut.  These students have all been working to prepare for the day’s event – The National Geographic Geography Bee!

After the preliminary round containing seven questions to determine which four would be moving on, there was a tie for the third finalist and third-place winner.  The tie-breaking round commenced, followed by a final championship round, which ultimately determined our 2012 Bee champion!  

[Read more...]

CT Experiential Learning Center 

Hosts 2012 National Geography Bee

for all CT Homeschoolers

CELC 3^rd Annual Geography Bee

James Blackstone Memorial Library

 Branford, CT

23 January 2012 at 1 p.m. 

Free and Open to the Public

For more information or to participate contact us:

 mandm@ctexperiential.org

or call 203-433-4658 / 203-215-2317

Connecticut Experiential Learning Center (CELC), located at 28 School Street in Branford, provides an outstanding middle school education for students grades 5 – 8, blending strong academics with lots of hands-on and field experiences, as well as private tutoring, workshops, and special events.

CELC is a rewarding choice for students in grades 5 – 8 in the shoreline area. It could be the right fit for you and your family.

Registering now for 2012-13 academic year.

Call 203-215-2317 / 203-433-4658 to schedule a Monday visit.

A variety of workshops and classes are available throughout the year  including: Outdoor Education at Meigs Point, drama classes at Long Wharf Theater, and water science with the Whitney Water Center.  Read on for more information, class descriptions and pricing, or call 203-215-2317.

Introduction to Japanese for ages 10-14

Location: CT Experiential Learning Center (CELC) at 28 School Street, 2^nd floor – Suite G, Branford

 Date/Time: Thursdays: Oct. 20, 27, Nov. 3, 10, 17, and Dec. 1, 8, 15 from 3:30 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Price:  Rate of $65.00 per class to be divided among participants   (minimum of 6 students to run the program)

This 8-week introduction to Japanese language and culture taught by an experienced instructor will include some or all of the following:

Writing systems (Kanji, hiragana, katakana) & basic usage [Read more...]

So much goes into each moment, each day, and each week.  This final week of CELC was typical in that it too, like all the rest, was filled to the brim with new adventures and focused academics.

We began on Monday preparing thank you notes and gifts for the many people who have graced our lives to share with us.  Visiting the Abbey of Regina Laudis, having Carlos Eire meet with students, and working with native Spanish speakers from Mexico were just a few. [Read more...]

CELC students just returned from a 7-day sailing adventure on the Chesepeake Bay aboard Boundless, a 46-foot ketch captained by Jeff Armor of Different Drum Sailing Adventures.  We knew we’d sail, but we could not have predicted all of the aspects in which this kind of experience would offer for learning and growth. Sailing requires knowledge of such a variety of areas, including meteorology, navigation and geography, not to mention the art of conversation, cooperation, and consideration of others.  Living aboard a boat also changes one’s perspective about what is possible.

En route to Fredericksburg, Virginia students had a math class in the café car of the Amtrak train. CELCers are quite adept at making a classroom happen, whether it is on the deck of Boundless for Literature Circle or on the train platform for writing workshop.   [Read more...]