Our morning began with workshop time. Engineers spent time racing their robots. They could be seen rounding the picnic tables.
Rockets were fine-tuned checking for lift and distance. Each launching was videotaped and the distance was observed and recorded. Some children modified their rockets based on previous flights.
Children used their Writers’ Notebook covers to inspire their writing, telling marvelous stories that were recorded and revisited. They also discussed the difference between personal narrative and memoir. Others continued developing research topics while another group created characters.
In Global Studies children heard a story about a Peace Corp worker’s first day of school in a foreign place. The story focused on customs and contrasts in culture. These ideas will be provocation for future conversations about various cultures. Our work in math continued.
Tuesday
Several children took a trip to Ten Thousand Villages in Red Bank. This company works “with over 120 artisan groups in more than 30 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America to bring fair trade jewelry, home decor, gifts and more to our country. They build long-term relationships with artisans that are based on mutual understanding and respect. Fair trade enables artisans to earn a fair wage and provides the opportunity for a better quality of life.” This concept was shared with children when they notice a few unusual instruments among the expected selection in our classroom.
Given the children’s interest and the opportunity for learning across subjects we decided to visit the store with several goals; buy instruments; manage a budget, $100.00; and introduce new ideas, economics and fair trade. After a brief presentation and a movie we began our shopping adventure. First the children tried a variety of instruments, then voted to buy many rather than a few. Each child brought one instrument to our decision-making meeting and everyone tested and voted for each. This was an exciting trip that also extended our sense of community.
Meanwhile our older students engaged in a global studies class focused on culture and context and began learning a few chords on their guitars in a music class. During science crystals were started, measuring the ingredients and following a recipe. Everyone continued to search for ideas for their writing. Some of the children conferred with partners to gauge reactions to their stories.
Wednesday
Some students decided to attend an art lesson, using paint to represent texture. They had an opportunity to practice representing textures considering a variety of artifacts.
Exploration of context in culture continued. Students recognized and discussed the subtle differences that affect expected behavior, such as their eating behaviors at home, at a friend’s house or in a restaurant.
Our overdue Math-U-See book order arrived and was greeted with heightened excitement. Children swarmed the table to find their new book. A few children were driven to carry their book from place-to-place continuing their work throughout the day. Sadly, we are waiting for a few more books
After eating on the veranda most of our athletes played a spirited game of Capture the Flag. Although the temperature was mild everyone ended up working up a sweat. For the teachers there can’t be a better workout than chasing or running away from ten students at a time.
Some of our writers called for a meeting with Karen to express their dissatisfaction with the genre they were being asked to write, Realistic Fiction. They professed that they were already skilled in this style and therefore should be allowed to choose their genre. They were compelling and presented their position artfully. In the end we found that three children were creating Realistic Fiction while three were writing Fantasy. Once this was settled we defined storytelling methods including, movie, comic and pen to paper. All our students continued to work on their story ideas. Everyone read or was read to.
Fun Math consisted of playing strategy games including monopoly and Chess. Our more adventurous students decided to play new games such as Gobblet and Dorado.
Children identified foreign language interests. Six will learn Italian, two Japanese, two Spanish and one German. We will be purchasing Rosetta Stone programs to support this learning. The children have committed to spending at least 10 minutes each day learning and practicing and to meeting twice each week to speak their new language. Although other children did not express interest we think they will come on board once they see others engaged.
Thursday
During our hike one student found a tree branch with a peculiar growth. It was shared during morning meeting. Several students hypothesized about its origin and offered to research the item. Other students made slime, quickly figuring out that adding more borax to the mixture would make the slime firmer and bouncier.
Our mathematicians completed their work. In their continued excitement over new books some spent additional time completing more problems. Students focused on their masks during art. We now have knights, superheroes and animals running around the school. Several children discovered the palm frowns from our new plants and repurposed them as skirts and fans. Our collection of masks and headgear for our chessboard is growing.
Our authors continue to write in their respective genres. Some dictated stories and puppet shows, each of which was shared with the rest of the class. All the children have now found literature to engage in during our quiet reading period each day.
Many students played cards with Karen’s father, Carlo. He taught them Blitz and engaged them in a matching game where they had to name cards in Italian before picking them up. They also learned formal and informal greetings and a few basic phrases.
Another group designed necklaces with Karen’s mother, Doris. They enjoyed exploring all of the sizes, colors and shapes of the beads and then stringing them. They even learned how to use a simple device to string tiny seed beads. Each student left with a personal piece after considering size, repetition and style. This activity addresses fine motor skills, mathematical thinking, aesthetics, and individuality.
Friday
Several children were invited to tell a story with paint. Teachers took dictation as children created their masterpieces. Chess pieces and masks were revisited. All our current masks are now hanging in L’Atelier for convenient access. Reading and math ensued.
