Citrus Grove Microschool

This week we dove into history and hands-on learning with the inspiring story of the “Candy Bomber,” Gail Halvorsen. Our students discovered how small acts of kindness can make a big impact by crafting their own parachutes, just like those used to drop candy during the Berlin Airlift!

To sweeten the experience, we visited Cerreta Candy Company. The kids had an incredible time touring the factory, learning all about chocolate and how it’s made, exploring the company’s operations, and even getting hands-on by making their own taffy candy. And, of course, the ultimate highlight—taste-testing the delicious treats!

Blending history, engineering, and a sprinkle of sweetness, this adventure brought learning to life. It’s so rewarding to see our students connect past and present through creative, engaging lessons. Hands-on, project-based learning at its finest!

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While learning about aerodynamics, we touched on civil rights and explored the inspiring story of Bessie Coleman, the first woman of color to earn a pilot’s license. Her journey was filled with challenges—facing barriers as a woman of color pursuing aviation and making sacrifices to train in France (the only place willing to offer her training). Through hard work as a cosmetologist, she saved enough to earn her pilot’s license, became a daring stunt pilot, and even bought her own plane.

Bessie Coleman famously said:
“The air is the only place free from prejudice.”

Her words remind us to keep striving for a world where freedom and equality are accessible to all. As we reflect on Civil Rights Day, may her story inspire us to break barriers and uplift others.

New Year, New Us! 🎉 We kicked off January by writing down our New Year’s resolutions—goals, dreams, and intentions. But why stop there? We turned those resolutions into paper airplanes (because obviously), giving our intentions wings and quite literally flying them into the future. ✈️✨

Spoiler alert: We didn’t stop at just paper planes. This month at Citrus Grove Microschool, we’ve been geeking out over aerodynamics—from airplanes to rockets. We’ve explored how the position of wings affects flight, how to balance cargo for optimal performance, and how modern rockets are changing the game in space travel. There’s been folding, launching, experimenting, and maybe one or two dramatic crash landings (it’s all part of the process, right?).

To say it’s been a blast would be an understatement. 🚀 But hey, we’re just out here shooting for the stars—sometimes literally. Here’s to a month of learning, flying, and setting our sights sky-high! ✨

So, if you hear cheering (or some excited yelling) coming from our neck of the woods, you’ll know why.

In December, we had the opportunity to visit the Pinal County Animal Shelter as part of a special service project to give back during the holidays! Our students poured their hearts into creating nearly 200 toys to brighten the lives of the shelter animals at Christmas.

For the dogs, we braided materials and hid treats inside to create engaging chew toys. For the cats, we made chase toys by turning paper towel rolls into bouncy balls.

During our visit, we toured the shelter, learned about its mission, and met some adorable furry friends. It was a meaningful experience that highlighted the power of compassion and teamwork.

We’re proud of our students for their creativity and dedication to making a difference. Thank you to the for welcoming us and allowing us to spread holiday joy to the animals in their care!

At Citrus Grove Microschool, we gobbled till we wobbled at our Thanksgiving feast! 🦃🍎

Each day from November 1st to Thanksgiving, we added gratitude to a growing paper chain—a beautiful reminder of our blessings. We prepped ahead by mastering the art of apple pie from scratch (yes, even the lattice top—it’s trickier than it looks!). Students also created festive placemats and decorations to set the scene. 🌟

On feast day, we learned table-setting etiquette, practiced manners, and prepared a delicious menu chosen by the kids: creamy mac ‘n’ cheese, fluffy mashed potatoes with gravy, tender turkey, and, of course, our homemade pie. After decorating the table, we cozied up for Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and made tie pillows. 🥧💛

We’re grateful for our students, families, ESA, and the unique, loving community we’ve built. Thank you for sharing your lives with us—our hearts (and bellies) are full!

Rain sticks are such a fun and creative way to explore STEM and cultural history!

My students always beg for STEM take-home challenges over breaks, so for Thanksgiving, I sent them home with a challenge to make their own rain stick in honor of Native American Heritage Day. Today, they proudly presented their masterpieces in class-it was amazing to see their creativity shine!

Fun fact: Traditionally, rain sticks were made from dried cactus skeletons. Native Americans would insert cactus spines into the hollow skeletons and fill them with rattlesnake beads or stones. As the materials fell inside, they created a soothing rain-like sound. These instruments were believed to bring rain—a blessing in the desert!

We're officially calling for rain here in the desert. Who's with us? Let's celebrate creativity, history, and a little bit of rain magic! ☔✨

Why Do Onions Make Us Cry? Let’s Find Out!

Today in class, we got a little teary-eyed—but for science! We discovered that onions have enzymes inside their cells. When you cut an onion, those enzymes create a gas that floats up, reaches your eyes, and turns into a mild acid. Your brain thinks, “Oh no, bad gas!” and tells your eyes to cry to flush it out.

Of course, we had to test some “remedies” to stop the tears. Spoiler alert: holding a match or cheese between your teeth doesn’t work (but it’s funny to try!). We did find real solutions: wearing swimming goggles, using a fan, cutting onions underwater, chilling them for 30 minutes, or using sharp knives to release less gas.

On top of the science, we learned knife safety and cutting skills, proving that even onions can teach us something cool! And what’s better than learning? Turning that knowledge into something delicious. That’s right—onion rings!

After all the science, slicing, and experimenting, we celebrated with crispy, golden onion rings. It was a tasty ending to a teary but fun lesson!

What’s your go-to trick for cutting onions without tears? Let us know below!

🌵 Field Trip Highlights: Huhugam Heritage Center 🌾

Our microschool had an incredible day visiting the Huhugam Heritage Center Huhugam Heritage Center! This beautiful facility, with its fountain, open spaces, stunning glass features, and rooftop views of the picturesque desert and Route 347, set the perfect backdrop for a day of learning and connection.

The staff was so welcoming and patient with our kids, and our tour guide, Mini, was absolutely fabulous. She brought the stories of the P*e Posh and Akimel tribes to life, sharing fascinating details about their pottery and basket weaving. Did you know their baskets were so tightly woven they could hold prickly pear wine?

We also learned about their unique version of lacrosse, their traditional tattooing methods using prickly pear spines, mesquite ash, and cotton, and their love of music as a way to pass down stories—a universal truth we can all connect with.

The historical stories were powerful, too. We heard about a tribal member who was on a ship hit by a kamikaze in WWII and later helped raise the American flag on Iwo Jima. We also learned about Butte Camp, a Japanese internment camp once located in our area.

The hands-on activities were a hit! The kids made clay pots, colored mini-woven baskets, and created bracelets—truly engaging experiences that tied into Native American Heritage Month.

We’re so grateful for this enriching experience and the chance to honor and learn from the history and culture of the local tribes. It was a fantastic day, loved by all!

At Citrus Grove Microschool, our Project-Based Learning (PBL) chemistry project involved writing secret autumn messages using baking soda paint. Here, a student revealed the message “It’s Giving Season” by applying a turmeric and hand sanitizer pH indicator.

This activity demonstrates the use of turmeric as a natural pH indicator. When turmeric comes into contact with an alkaline substance like baking soda, it changes color, revealing hidden messages. 

Hands-on science meets seasonal creativity!

This week, we explored phosphorescence and how ultraviolet light excites electrons to create a glow. We discovered the Bologna stone, a natural glowing material from Bologna, Italy, and experimented with tonic water containing quinine. Adding highlighter enhanced its glow, while Clorox broke the bonds, altering the reaction. Hands-on chemistry made this PBL truly illuminating!