What’s Happening
From September’s opening day to June’s closing ceremonies, we document and share events from all over our campus in an attempt to continuously communicate all the diverse goings-on at The Unquowa School. From school-wide events, assemblies, visiting presenters and other highlights from around campus, here’s a sample of what’s happening…
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The Second “Greatest Show”
Posted by Megan Kirk
Students in second grade have been practicing for weeks on a secret, self produced, outdoor production of “The Greatest Showman!” Inspired by the Upper School performing arts students, the second grade has been spending their recess time putting together their show. Students then wrote a lovely note to Ms. Lauer asking her if they could put on show for those who wanted to attend. At assembly the class stood up and invited the school to come and watch their show. At 2:45, on a very chilly Wednesday afternoon, the school gathered to see what they second graders had put together. The second graders shared their favorite songs from “The Greatest Showman,” with choreography and even set pieces! The confidence, joy, and pride these students showed was amazing; and the smiles from both the performers and the audience was something special to see. Bravo second grade!
An Inspiring and Creative Morning!
Posted by Wendy Kerr
This morning the third and fourth grade students enjoyed an author visit from Michaela MacColl! She is a local author who writes in the historical fiction genre. Students had been exposed to her book, Nobody’s Secret, and were eager to discuss the characters and events with the actual author! Mrs. MacColl shared a bit about her history as a writer, about what makes a piece of historical fiction and the process of writing a book from start to finish. After the morning presentation, students then received a tailored workshop with her in their respective classrooms. An inspiring and creative morning for all!
Not So Spooky Stories Sizzle at Bonfire Night!
Posted by Ariel Warshaw
Fifth grade writers spent most of October working on “Not So Spooky Stories” in our narrative writing unit. We learned about the five story elements – plot, character, conflict, theme, and setting – with a special focus on a well-sequenced plot. Students explored how various dialogue types could help further their story telling, and practiced writing effective figurative language that would add to their tales.
The fifth graders visited with Mrs. Engelke’s second grade class on multiple occasions, as they were also working on autumnally-themed stories. During these collaborations, the older students taught their “buddies” about story mapping, plot, and the importance of descriptive details. The two classes came together to enjoy a storytelling performance with Ms. Karen Hall, where we gained insight on how to best share our tales to an audience. They practiced reading and editing their tales with the second graders, who provided lots of meaningful feedback to our fifth grade writers!
Our culminating event was our annual Bonfire Night, where our storytellers shared their tales amongst family and friends. While the weather did not cooperate, we enjoyed a “virtual” bonfire in the gym – replete with hot cider, cushy seating, campfire treats, and a burning fire on the big screen! It was a wonderful evening filled with the magic of the season!
Kindness Delivered
Posted by Faith Barbuto
The Kindergarten celebrated World Kindness in what has become an eagerly anticipated yearly tradition, leaving random notes of kindness on cars in the parking lot. We began by carefully constructing 50 notes with kind words and figuring out exactly how many each student needed to make to get to 50! The bitter cold did not stop us from out task, to put a note on every car in the parking lot. We had a first this year as one car was occupied and our delivery boy got to actually hand her a note! Everyone was excited to see the joy on the face of the recipient. After all our notes were dispersed, we enjoyed some much deserved fun jumping in a pile of autumn leaves. As William Cullen Bryant called it ” Autumn, the year’s last, loveliest smile.”
Unquowa Students Travel to the Land of Chief Myanos to Study the Earth
Posted by Craig Knebel
The 6th grade Earth Science class got a close look at the glacially formed valley known the Mianus River Gorge. This gorge was cut during the Wisconsin Ice pack from 50,000 to 15,000 years ago. Students learned that the metamorphic bedrock visible on the trails was compressed during the time of supercontinents when today’s North America slammed into what became modern Europe. Students hiked in brilliant fall weather 2.5 miles to a mica and pegmatite quarry from the 1800’s. The mica was a cheap replacement for glass in huts and later on, the pegmatite was used in ceramic bathroom’s in the 1800’s. The land takes its name from the Wappinger Confederacy chief Myanos, who was killed near the gorge in 1683.
Trolleys at the Shore
Posted by Maureen Diallo
First grade traveled along with PreK and TK to the Shoreline Trolley Museum for a morning of history and fun. The Shoreline Trolley Museum has the oldest continuously running suburban trolley line in the USA! As a preview to 1st grade’s upcoming unit in social studies called “Change Over Time,” the class made comparisons about transportation then and now as we rode along one and a half miles in the Shoreline’s vintage trolley car! Mr. Paul, the conductor, gave us a glimpse into what life was life traveling from one place to another. We also learned how the trolley car changed directions on the line without even turning around! Each student got to pick a pumpkin out of the festive Halloween trolley barn! Many thanks to the Shoreline Trolley Museum and to Ms. Palm for inviting us to come along!
