Mandarin Fun in September!

We had a fantastic start to our LS Mandarin Classes in September. We practiced using classroom language in Mandarin and celebrated the Mid-Autumn Festival. The students were also introduced to Chinese characters and learned to ask, “How are you?” and “What is your name?”

It was a great month of learning, and I look forward to creating more exciting memories for our Mandarin students in the 2024-2025 school year!

Culture Time, aka Fun Friday!

On Friday, Upper school and 4th grade Mandarin students participated in their very first culture class, where they learned about chopsticks, a traditional utensil used in many Asian countries. After a brief lesson on the techniques of using chopsticks, everyone eagerly began practicing their skills. The atmosphere was filled with laughter and determination as students attempted to pick up various sizes of pom poms. Soon, the excitement grew as the class transitioned into a friendly competition. Many students tried their hardest to win, showcasing their newfound abilities. It was particularly impressive to see some classmates who had never used chopsticks before skillfully maneuvering them with confidence. The competition not only highlighted their dedication but also fostered a sense of camaraderie and cultural appreciation among the students.

View the Lower School Magazine: Unquowazine Volume 6

Unquowazine Volume 6 – View Here!
Working with the Lower School Art and Literary Club members on Unquowazine Volume 5 has been such a pleasure. They have worked tirelessly on various stages of magazine development. This year, they have included more original content in the form of interviews, comics, and book reviews. Together with their staff, Mila and Arianna worked very hard on all of the various components. They did a fantastic job of being mindful of each student’s work while honoring its authenticity. As their advisor, I guided them and gave them structure and support. Kudos to all of their hard work and dedication!

Body Parts & Animal Fun in Mandarin Class!

From 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.

Honoring EARTH DAY!

Unquowa 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!

Black History Month – a Time For Reflection

In 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.