Grade 5 Poetry Slam @ Cafe Unq.
Posted by Sarah RaggioTo conclude and celebrate our poetry unit, Grade 5 hosted a Poetry Slam @ “Cafe Unq.” this week. The poets shared their poems and congratulated each other with handwritten Post Its, highlighting the similes, metaphors and other examples of figurative language used. The cafe served drinks and snacks which made the event even more fun. We all agreed that poetry is a great way to express your thoughts and feelings, and the students enjoyed writing their own poetry. Go Gators!
Honoring EARTH DAY!
Posted by Joshua BartosiewiczUnquowa students in grades 1-8 visited Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport, CT in celebration of EARTH DAY! As you may know, we as humans share this planet with MILLIONS of different species of plants, animals and other organisms; so we decided to honor EARTH DAY by visiting the zoo to connect with just a few of the species that the planet helps provide for. Students saw animals as small as prairie dogs, as big as Bison, as gentle as a two-toed sloth and as vicious as a Leopard! During this trip, we also sat in on a Wildlife show were the zoo keepers brought out a turtle and legless lizard for everyone to see and learn about. This talk truly made everyone think about how one type of animal can be crucial for the survival of multiple other species, this significant species is referred to as a Keystone species. By the end of our day (which included a scavenger hunt through the zoo!), our students felt their place and connection with the other organisms that we’re lucky enough to share this beautiful planet with. The students have a better understanding of why it’s important to protect mother Earth!
I’m hungry! I’m thirsty! I’m sleepy!
Posted by Diane NietupskiFifth grade Spanish class worked on projects based on one of the most common verbs in Spanish “tener” (to have), and all of its numerous meanings. They used their wonderful artistic talents to portray the various meanings.
A Step Back in Time
Posted by Sarah RaggioGrade 5 is deeply immersed in the era of the American Revolution. In both social studies and literature, the students are taking a closer look at this exciting time in history. Working across the curriculum, our students gain insight and a deeper perspective because they are engaged in primary sources, secondary sources and historical fiction, simultaneously.
In literature class, we are learning and applying reading strategies to our book, My Brother Sam is Dead, to better comprehend and enjoy the book. Connection was our first strategy and we spent a class period in the kitchen, stepping back in time, learning to bake bread and churn butter the old fashioned way. While we did use the oven to bake the bread, we didn’t cut any corners churning the butter. We learned it took a lot of physical labor to turn cream into butter! The students were able to bring home the bread and butter they made to share with their families, and they were delicious!
The following week, we took another step back and learned about scrap quilts. Sewing was typically done by the women and girls during this era, but the boys in Grade 5 were not about to be left out of the fun! Each student is crafting a 9 block quilt piece with a 1925 sewing machine. Once again, we cut a few corners and used electricity, but the concept of using scrap pieces to create something useful is the same. We are also modernizing the project a bit and using the blocks to make a Yogibo cover for our classroom instead of a quilt. Stay tuned for pictures of the finished product in May!
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.
Feeling the Love in Black History Month
Posted by Faith BarbutoWe started the month learning about Alma Woodsey Thomas, a Black American artist who did not become famous for her art until she was in her 80s! We made Valentine hearts inspired by her signature style. We learned about Mae Jemmison and turned ourselves into astronauts. After reading about Bessie Coleman we imagined where we would fly our planes to if we were pilots. Our 5th grade reading buddies joined us to read about more bold women in Black history. Our story this month was Cinderella. This year I found many new books with Black lead characters, such as a new personal favorite, Cityrella, whose fairy godmother owns the local bodega. This woven with our stories and crafts about famous Black figures from history made for what I hope was a joyful representation of people in color in our classroom. More than anything I want the books I read to show faces that the kids can relate to and have them feel that anything is possible!