One of our objectives for this unit is for children to learn that each Native American tribe is a different culture, affected by the geography of the land where they live. Students collaboratively worked on a puzzle and map showing the many different tribes and where they lived. Students are working on research assignments and Read More >>
Mithila Art from India
Many thanks to Shalinee Kumari for visiting the New School! Shalini is a Mithila-artist from India who was visiting SU for a residency. She came to The New School to share her amazing art form. Then she returned to help students create their own works based on the Mithila style. “Mithila is an ancient painting Read More >>
Karen Kerney, Artist
In early November, Karen Kerney, celebrated artist from Syracuse Cultural Workers, visited our school. Well known for her charming fold out depiction of the Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address, we invited her to our school to share her stencil art process. Then children had the opportunity to create their own stencil of something they are thankful for. Read More >>
Local History
Towards the end of the year we started a unit to learn about Syracuse’s past. We started with learning about how the development of the Erie Canal in the 1800’s impacted our city, bringing economic prosperity and immigrants to our region. In class discussions and games helped us learn about the people who both were Read More >>
Ancient China for Youngers
We started our Ancient China unit for the youngest students by learning about the Chinese Zodiac and having a New Years celebration at school. Students learned about how the zodiac signs were formed with a folk tale about a race called: Cat and Rat : The legend of the Chinese Zodiac written by Ed Young. Read More >>
Ancient China
Students in grades 7 – 8 studied Ancient China, first by researching one of its many dynasties: the Han, Song, Zhou, Shang and Tang Dynasties. They had to develop a presentation by dressing up and acting as one of the emperors of their dynasty and bring to school an artifact that would represent something about Read More >>
Ancient Egypt for middle grades
For our study of Ancient Egypt we started learning about its geography and where Egypt was located. Children drew maps and located the Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea, the Nile, Sahara Desert, Europe, Upper Egypt, Lower Egypt and Giza. We asked the question, “How do we know what we know about Ancient Egypt?” Children working with Read More >>
Ancient Egypt Older Students
This was five-day unit on ancient Egyptian beliefs taught by our student teacher. We focused on their religion because it was such a large part of every aspect of ancient Egyptian life. We focused a lot on how all ancient Egyptians did things in their daily life to please their gods and to increase their Read More >>
Freedom Bound Field Trip
The oldest students, who have been studying the Civil War and the Abolitionist movement, were treated to an end of the year field trip led by the amazing Vanessa Johnson. Vanessa Johnson is a gift teacher and storyteller, who brings history to life! The first part of our experience was to view the “object theater” Read More >>
Native American Class
The Native Americans class focused on the Iroquois tribe. We focused on the Iroquois tribe because it is right in our back door. The Onondaga nation is just south of Syracuse. We started with an overview of the Iroquois nation. They went over how stories were passed on, the six nations of the Iroquois, and Read More >>