This unit began soon after we switched to distance learning and we had to adjust and modify the curriculum accordingly. Instead of taking the students to visit the three branches of local government in Syracuse, we invited representatives of each to be interviewed via Zoom. Before each Zoom interview, students had to research the representative Read More >>
New World Social Studies Class
This December we wrapped up a unit on Explorers from all different time periods and people going to all different places (space, underwater, to the arctic), and we moved to just learning about the “New World” that was “discovered” by Europeans. To kick off this unit, we read the book Encounter by Jane Yolen. In Read More >>
History and Lincoln
Students in the upper grades this fall started a unit on the Civil War. Before we delved into this history topic they were asked three questions to respond to individually and then discuss as a group. They were asked: What is history? Who Cares? Why study it? Some of their responses were: Events leading Read More >>
Declaration of Independence
In the fall of 2019, students in grades 4 and 5 were part of a social studies unit studying the Declaration of Independence. First they reviewed the 13 colonies and read books about the Boston Tea Party, Lexington and Concord and the ride of Paul Revere. They considered what made the people living in the Read More >>
Explorers- Social Studies
The explorer’s unit required students to first examine the difference between nomadic and settled homes. Students also examined nomadic lifestyles and how they are similar/different to an explorer. Students discussed why explorers choose to explore (to find new places, see new things, learn new things, etc.). Students were assigned a specific explorer and completed book Read More >>
Writing Workshop with Paul
Three of our middle school students participated in a four-session workshop designed to enhance the skills of developing writers. In preparation, the students read “War Horse” by Michael Morpurgo — a story of World War I told through the eyes of a horse. Students discussed the the book and author’s writing style, and then wrote Read More >>
Clarence Randall, World War II veteran
History is about real people and the places they lived. It is about their stories. Too often in the study of history, our education misses this facet. Last week our older students were part of an extraordinary discussion. One of our students told us her grandfather was in World War II. He is now 99 Read More >>
The Great Depression Through the Eyes of Artists
The causes and effects of the Great Depression were studied through the eyes of artists Dorothea Lange, John Steinbeck, Woody Guthrie, a political cartoonist of the era and Langston Hughes. Children created a one-page written and visual response based on one of Lange’s photographs making connections to its historical context by creating. They listened to excerpts Read More >>
World War 1
The oldest students spent three months studying the causes and effects of World War 1. The causes were complex. Students looked at world maps showing imperialism around the world prior to the war. Having identified the colonialists gave meaning to the complicated alliances that were formed prior to the war. This led to an examination Read More >>
Creation Myths
Since January, we began a class with the younger half of the school reading a wide variety of myths from Native American, South American, and African cultures that give voice to stories of how our world and elements of it have been created. We read many versions of how there came to be Day and Read More >>
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