Learning Fun: Duncombe Holiday Traditions Return - from The Messenger

While students' minds were likely zoned in on the upcoming winter break, Duncombe Elementary School still found a way to sneak in some last-minute learning on Wednesday.

Duncombe's holiday learning day has been a tradition for many years, but had been paused since 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"This year, now that we're finally fully back to normal, it's so important to building the culture of the school," said Principal Ryan Flaherty. "The kids love it, the staff love it. I think it's something the kids look forward to."

The students were divided into several smaller groups with grades first through fifth intermixed. The groups then rotated through different learning and activity stations throughout the morning.

Students learned how gingerbread houses are made in factories, how to draw a snowglobe and how to run like reindeer. They also did an experiment to show how Dr. Seuss' Grinch's heart grew three times its size.

"It was pretty fun," said third grader Adrian Simpson.

With a vacation from school looming, it can be hard for students to pay attention on the last day before break, so Duncombe's holiday learning day is a way to try to combat that.

"A day like today is kind of fun because they still get to read, write and do some learning, but it's kind of fun so they don't even think of it as real school," Flaherty said.

"It's a lot better than having just to sit in the classroom," added fifth grader Chance Lockman.

Teachers and students also dressed up for the occasion - some dressing as Santa's elves and some in comfy jammies.

"I think anything that puts a smile on a kid's face when they come into school, I think gets them in a better mode for learning," Flaherty said.

At one station, students watched video clips of different versions of Dr. Seuss' "The Grinch" movies and used their observational skills to find differences and similarities between the versions. But one thing they all had in common - "Well, in Whoville they say - that the Grinch's small heart grew three sizes that day. And then - the true meaning of Christmas came through, and the Grinch found the strength of ten Grinches, plus two!"

To illustrate that point, the students completed an experiment where using a recycled bottle with a little vinegar and a green balloon filled with baking soda expanded the balloon due to the creation of carbon dioxide.

"I thought it was very cool," said Paisley Smith, fifth grader. "It was cool how when you poured it in, it just blew the balloon up and we all thought that was really cool."

Fifth grader Jayden Walker liked how the activities promoted teamwork with students in other grades.

On Tuesday morning, Duncombe students and staff invited their families to join for holiday caroling in the gym before school.

"I'm just really fortunate that I get to work at a school that has rich traditions like this," Flaherty said.