Eclipse
Posted by Faith BarbutoThis week we have been learning about things in the night sky. We started with a moon craft made by painting on black paper with a salt water solution that turned white when dry. We also learned about what makes day and night in preparation for the big event on Monday, the solar eclipse! Students all took turns being the orbiting Earth while another student playing the light giving sun shone a flashlight on them. Through this activity we experienced why some parts of the earth see light while others are in darkness. To create a visual representation of the solar eclipse we started by cutting out a white circle and taping it to a blue paper. Then each child traced around the circle with a yellow or white piece of chalk. Smudging the chalk was the fun part! We removed the paper and were left with what the sun will look like when the moon is in front of it during the solar eclipse on Monday.
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.
Marshmallow Math!
Posted by Faith BarbutoWhen you see a bag of marshmallows, math might not be the first thing that comes to mind, but one bag of mini marshmallows taught my Pre-K class advanced math concepts such as estimation, comparing amounts and parts of a whole. During our Rapunzel unit, we estimated how many marshmallows we could stack into a tower. After recording our estimates we tested them out and wrote the findings. Then, we ate them! While learning the concepts of more and less, we practiced making groups that were larger, smaller and equal to the number I wrote on the board. Then, we ate them! For another activity we each counted out 10 marshmallows onto a napkin divided into two halves. We moved the marshmallows from side to side while I recorded all the equations of ways to make 10. Then, we ate them! Do you see a pattern here? So the next time you see a bag of marshmallows as empty sugar calories, think of all the learning that can be squished in!
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!
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!