The whole school has been learning about Immigration to the United States. In addition the oldest students (grades 5 – 8) studied Ellis Island. We read a book about the history of Ellis Island and how New York came to be a major gateway for immigrants coming into the United States. We learned how and Read More >>
Archives for December 2012
Lunch Interviews
Once a year all students at The New School are invited out to lunch by the teacher responsible for his/her individualized curriculum. This year we changed the restaurant from Friendly’s to A La Mode on Nottingham Road in an effort to support local businesses. Over lunch the teacher asks his/her student prepared questions. Questions include: Read More >>
Family Posters
Jessica Ryan Gostin, NS parent, gave us the idea to create “Family Posters” to display in our entranceway. Families were sent a brief set of questions and asked to supply a family photograph. At school their children created a family portrait using flair pens and watercolors. Jessica then put all the pieces together and spent Read More >>
Quidditch for Muggles
Students at The New School formed two Quidditch teams this year. After spending two afternoons practicing, the two teams came together to play in earnest. It didn’t appear to bother anyone that it was snowing! Our game had to be modified slightly but fun was had by all. The chasers Read More >>
Lexi’s and Pee Wee’s Tale
Three 2ndgraders have been enjoying reading Joanna Horowitz’s books about Lexi, a squirrel and Pee Wee, a guinea pig. We started reading Lexi’s Tale. As we read the book we practiced using three comprehension strategies, ones we had been introduced to last year. We predicted, questioned and made connections. For Pee Wee’s Tale, the second Read More >>
Immigration
Our youngest students (Kindergarten through 2nd grade) were part of the whole school discussion focused on immigration stories. Reading picture books helped us compare the experiences of immigrants from different countries, such as Irish immigrants escaping the potato famine or Haitians bravely boarding boats looking for a better life in America. As we read each book Read More >>
Digestive System
After spending six weeks studying the skeletal system the youngest students turned their attention to the digestive system. First we listened to the book What Happens to a Hamburger? As we read this informative and funny book children followed the journey of what happens to our food from the moment we start to chew. In Read More >>