To kick off a yearlong appreciation of visual arts from around the world we first looked at the word “continent.” What is a continent? How is it defined? We soon discovered that people around the world do not all learn that there are seven continents. Some places teach there are 5 continents Read More >>
Oral History Project at The Nottingham
Last spring the older students interviewed seniors at The Nottingham. These oral histories supported our study of local history. The students brainstormed 14 questions they wanted to ask and video taped the interviews where these questions were asked. Describe how life was difficult when you were little. v How did you get around? Describe the Read More >>
Imagine
After defining the word ‘imagine’ the older students listened to John Lennon’s song, Imagine. They then shared what they thought John Lennon was saying in the song. They described what he believed. Then students watched a part of the closing ceremonies of the Olympics where the same song was performed. Students shared why they thought Read More >>
Highland Forest in October
Twice a year the students at The New School camp out overnight at Highland Forest. It is a magical two days at Pines Camp. On Thursday night parents join us for a potluck dinner and songs around the campfire. On our Thursday hike, after reading a book about birds nests, we challenged children to create Read More >>
Salt Museum Field Trip 2012
The whole school visited The Salt Museum which is located in Onondaga Lake Park. This is without doubt one of the best local field trips for elementary school children. Ghost Maggie brought the history of the Salt Industry in Syracuse to life with her humor and knowledge. Ghost Maggie introduced the many ghosts (played by Read More >>
Shakespeare visits
Shakespeare visited the school to share his life story, to answer questions and to listen to the older students recite their monologues from Macbeth, Midsummers Night’s Dream, The Tempest and Romeo and Juliet. Shakespeare also listened to a song students wrote and admired the replica of The Globe which they designed and built. ShakespeareWritten by Read More >>
Chittenango Landing
Chittenango Landing Originally uploaded by New School-SyracuseTo support our study of local history the whole school visited Chittenango Landing where we some of the things we learned about archeological digs, what it was like to live on a canal boat and how canal boats were brought into a dry dock and repaired.
Map-it on Ipads
What on earth?! Alan (Ben and Greer’s dad) taught us how to use the ipads he brought in, to make our mark in mapmaking. Now we know how to find the school, and our own house, spreading the image to even ‘drive’ the route home. We went outside to take pictures with the ipads, of Read More >>
Local History
Each child at The New School was given a replica of an old postcard of a Syracuse scene. Postcards showed parks, downtown scenes, and places of interest such as Oakwood Cemetery. Using VTS (Visual Thinking Strategies) children were asked to look at the picture and describe what was happening, and what made them say that? Read More >>
Syracuse Local History
Time Travel at The New School To introduce our Local History unit all the children at The New School were sent home a different historical postcard of a Syracuse scene. The postcards were dated from the 1920’s to 1930’s. Using Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS), students were asked to look at the postcard and list as Read More >>