Body Parts & Animal Fun in Mandarin Class!
Posted by kellyyehFrom March to April, we focused on studying body parts and animals. The class had a lot of fun with various activities. For the body parts lesson, we sang songs and danced, and students followed my directions to draw their little monsters. The second-graders used Play-Doh to create Chinese characters such as eyes, mouths, ears, and hands. The third and fourth graders tried to make sentences describing themselves. During the animal lesson, we played silent animal acting games and sang songs. In addition, during our culture class, we continued to practice calligraphy and learned how to play Chinese Dark Chess. I am pleased to say that the students really enjoyed learning these new skills.
Early Childhood Celebrates Earth Day!
Posted by Faith BarbutoWhile the rest of the school was off to the zoo, the PreK and Kindergarten classes had a full run of Unquowa and made good use of it. From hands-on snacks, an edible Earth moon cake, and rolling our own Earth shaped meatballs for lunch, the kids really loved getting to be in the dining room and having some one on one time with the chefs. Next we had an animal encounter with creatures from Earthplace. We got to meet a salamander, snake, turtle and screech owl. We learned lots about these fascinating and adorable animals, all of which are native to Connecticut. After a bit of outdoor play, we scrubbed up and headed into the dining room for a pasta bar with our own homemade meatballs. The chefs surprised us with a really fun dessert, worms in dirt! Next up was an outdoor sing-a-long with the upper school music teacher, Mr. Coe. Art class was also outside and inspired by nature. Our school gardener, Ms. Amie, had some fun Earth day arts and crafts set up in the Makerspace and outside on the new picnic tables. We made bird feeders and hung them up for our feathered friends. Our Earth Day Mandarin lessons taught animal names in Chinese and focused on water pollution. As the saying goes “Every day should be Earth Day!”
Quilters!
Posted by Alice DesGrangesThe Pre-K and Kindergarten classes learned about the art of quilting and the women of Gee’s Bend, a small remote black community in Alabama, who have created hundreds of quilt masterpieces dating from the early 20th century to the present. Gee’s Bend quilts transform recycled work clothes and dresses, feed sacks, and fabric remnants into sophisticated textile designs. Quilt designs were created using colored felt boards and geometric shapes.
Black History Month – a Time For Reflection
Posted by Krissy PondenIn the month of February Unquowa celebrated Black leaders, recognizing their innovations in science and contributions to history, literature, art, and mathematics.
- PreK students enjoyed reading and discussing the famous Black women in the book, Dream Big Little Leader. They asked lots of questions and celebrated each other’s uniqueness.
- Kindergarten students read a variety of books and discussed important historical figures such as Martin Luther King Jr., Ruby Bridges, and George Washington Carver.
- First graders began each morning in BHM month reading and discussing figures from both the past and the present. Students focused on artist Kehinde Wiley, abolitionist Sojourner Truth, and gymnast Simone Biles among others.
- Second graders incorporated BHM into their literacy time. After a group read aloud, students read independently or in small groups to practice reading strategies. They discovered the stories of Henry Box Brown, Dave the Potter, Satchel Page, and Jackie Robinson.
- Each third grader researched a famous Black leader, created detailed portraits and wrote a poem about the life and achievements of that leader.
- Fourth graders puzzled together a large portrait of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and decorated it with their own dreams. They created illustrated timelines highlighting important events in history to recognize the efforts that African Americans have made in the struggle for equity and justice.
- In literature class, fifth graders read Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt, a story about a young African American girl who sewed a map to freedom in a quilt. In humanities, students also read about Etta James and listened to her music, learned about Jean Michel Basquiat in art and created mixed media paintings inspired by his work.
- Sixth, seventh, and eighth grade art classes learned about a different Black artist each week and sixth graders further discussed artists such as Kerry James Marshall and Bisa Butler.
- Seventh graders watched Titus Kaphar’s TED talk, “Can Art Amend History?” and in Mr. Izen’s Spanish class students were tasked with a project to create a video or an essay highlighting both a Black and Hispanic person that has brought a positive contribution to society.
- Eighth graders visited the Ruby and Calvin Fletcher African American History Museum to deepen their historical analysis on their studies of race, slavery, Reconstruction, and Jim Crow America They also learned about the origins and innovations of Afrofuturism.
Teachers also participated in professional development discussions on how to ensure they are presenting inclusive and celebratory representation during Black History Month. They had the opportunity to create “zines” inspired by Black-Latina educator and art activist Jennifer White-Johnson’s project, “Zine-Making for Justice and Joy”, that she led at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery.
While February was a time to celebrate Black individuals in history, we recognize that Black History is American History, and we strive to embed these lessons and discussions throughout the year at all levels and in all disciplines. It was important to pause and reflect this month to honor the contributions and sacrifices of those who paved the way and those who are continuing to work towards a just and equitable society.
Xīn Nián Kuài Lè,Gōng Xǐ Fā Cái
Posted by Carina BlackwellPeople who celebrate Chinese New Year say to each other – Xīn Nián Kuài Lè,Gōng Xǐ Fā Cái – Happy New Year and Wish you Good Fortune.
It is that time of the year again at Unquowa! Last week Mandarin students made enough wontons and dumplings for the entire school to enjoy a Chinese New Year lunch and the younger students practiced their skills with Play-Do! All of our Mandarin students have been learning stories of the Twelve Zodiac Animals, making CNY crafts, and they received a Red Envelope to kick off the year of the Dragon. Instead of having money in the red envelope, this year each student received a pass such as One Day No Homework, Earning Fortune Cookies, White Rabbit and Extra Fifteen Minutes Recess. We are grateful to share this culture with the Unquowa community and we wish everyone a prosperous and healthy New Year!
Down By The Bay!
Posted by Megan Kirk
On January 24th, the PreK and K students were so excited to get up on stage to sing “Down By The Bay”! This is a song that really emphasizes how we often use rhymes in songs! In class, students would come up with their very own silly rhymes to add to verses of this song! It was a great way to reinforce their learning of what a rhyming word is! I was so proud of the PreK and K students for wanting to share this song with their Unquowa community!