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 >>
Halloween Skits
On Halloween the whole school gets into the spirit by creating skits based on their costumes. The skits had to include music, props, and be non-violent. In addition they were challenged to have at least one of the characters immigrate! You might ask what do a panda, a bounty hunter, Hiccup from How to Train Read More >>
Mystery Guest
To support our current study of Aboriginal Art, Jessica Ryan (Maia and Lola’s mother) came in to share an original painting she and Craig bought in Australia. The children were truly inspired to see an original painting and to hear more about this amazing art form!
Block Spot
Gross motor and fine motor play is an important part of a child’s learning. Building, creating,discovering, problem solving, imagining and more (!) happen when children work together to play with blocks, tinkertoys, legos, lincoln logs, trains and tracks, marble runs and plastic people. At the New School, Children in grades Kindergarten and First Grade get Read More >>
School Quilt
Every year we have a tradition of creating a paper quilt. Each child is responsible for creating one of the squares in the quilt. This year we designed our 32 square quilt to reflect our school wide study of immigration. The students were asked to identify four places they would like to explore (identified on Read More >>
Art from Around the World
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 >>
Birthday Art
At the start of school children were asked to draw a portrait of their family using flair pens and watercolors. These pictures will be part of a family poster where families share traditions, favorite activities, books and more. These posters will soon be posted in the school entranceway.
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 >>