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Register Online NowSeptember 25, 2009
We eased into the week with a pool party hosted by one of our school families. This enabled use to get to know each other while having lots of fun. After a few hours of swimming, picnicking and playing on the lawn we returned to school and our explorations.
Last week children were offered 19 possible classes. Each of these classes evolved as the staff acknowledged children’s expressed interests and curiosities and their own expertise and interests. Once the classes were presented and discussed students made their choices and set their schedule. Of the original 19 classes offered 13 were selected. This week we began our studies in earnest.
Our Global Studies classes include Themes in Music, Money and Food.
In Themes in Music the children listened to anti-war songs from the sixties. They studied the lyrics and discussed what they thought the songwriter was conveying in the music and lyrics. We explored what we knew about the Vietnam War and the thinking among Americans at the time. The students in Money were asked, “What is money?” They considered what makes our currency valuable and why an individual cannot take create his own currency. Or…Can he? Children examined the dollar bill and began to draw and label its parts. In the Food students discussed what brought them to the class. The responses ranged from, “I like to eat” to “I wonder about genetically engineered food.” This discussion will help shape the course of our studies and field trips.
One of our math classes, Strategy Game, pondered the difference between strategy and luck. Students listed the games available in the school and charted where they fall on the continuum from pure skill to absolute chance. Then, with Tic-Tac-Toe, we began to learn the basics of a strategy game and to discuss the influence of organized thinking, planning and anticipating an opponent’s next move.
In Reading/Writing the students entered Storytelling or Poetry and Lyric. Over several days students in Storytelling were treated to several tales told by our master storyteller. Through observation and discussion students identified the skills that help create a compelling narration. Children then chose picture books from our library and analyzed each with the lens of a storyteller. Children were also encouraged to tell stories they already know. In the Poetry and Lyric class students created list poems. As they wrote and discussed their work the teacher pointed out examples of meter, rhyme and beat.
In science the children chose between the study of fossil and Caring for School Pets. Students worked in groups to examine individual turtles. They listed their distinguishing marks and characteristics. Children hope to identify the species and habits in an effort to provide the most appropriate habitat.
In the Fossil class we learned about the history of our area, how fossils came to be and the types of fossils that are typical. We learned that Monmouth County is one of the best places in the United States to find fossilized shark teeth. Then we built sieves for our upcoming field trip to Big Brook in Marlboro where we will search for the remains of aquatic life from millions of years ago.
Our Mushroom study continued throughout the week. Each day the students picked mushrooms and identified them with the aid of field guides. They used the colors, shapes and spore prints as primary reference points. Parents joined in our study during our first Community Forum. Their observations and questions were share with students and a dialogue ensued.
Of course, during the week, children delved into personal interests including Lego construction, reading, painting, drawing, bug-eye Stratego and moviemaking.
