Bonfire Stories Sizzle and Spark!

Throughout the month of October, our fifth grade writers worked tirelessly to create descriptive, autumnal, and creative stories to share around a bonfire. We began our writing process by exploring “fall sensory bins.” Students got to smell the spices of the season, feel smooth and bumpy gourds, and crunch vibrant leaves; they wrote down descriptive details and what memories the items conjured up for them. We learned about the five key story elements – plot, character, conflict, theme, and setting – and how to develop a meaningful plotline, and got to work!

We then collaborated with Mrs. Engelke’s 2nd graders, who were writing fall-inspired personal narratives of their own. Our 5th graders taught their younger buddies about “Story Mountains” and how to identify the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution of a story. Together we read a spooky tale, and plotted each part of the story on a Story Mountain. The 2nd and 5th graders shared their rough drafts with one another and offered compliments, suggestions, and corrections. In order to highlight the importance of telling an engaging, descriptive tale that would be enjoyable read aloud, Ms. Karen from Acting Out visited to share her story, A Friendly Ghost Tale. Both classes had the chance to act out various characters – it was a wonderfully active and engaging experience.

Finally, our big day arrived on October 26th – Bonfire Night! Earlier in the day, the 2nd and 5th graders reconvened to consider how to share a story around a campfire. “What should it sound like?” “How should you read your story?” “What tips could we share with one another?” The students practiced reading their final drafts with their buddies. That evening, three bonfires burned as 36 storytellers read their tales to admiring family and classmates. Guests nibbled on fresh popcorn (adorned with chocolate chips and marshmallows!) and sipped on hot apple cider. Our storytellers engaged their audiences with descriptive details, figurative language, and dramatic plotlines. It was a truly special evening – one our 5th graders won’t soon forget!

Staying Active

During the first few weeks of school, our second graders presented how they maintained all that hard-earned fitness over the summer. Biking, swimming, hiking, walking, and running were their favorite activities. We were surprised by the cliff jumping! The class is happy to be back and excited for another happy, healthy and active year in PE class!

Numbers to One Thousand

The second grade class has been working very hard on numbers to 1000. Using base-ten blocks, place value charts and various activities we have been extending our knowledge beyond numbers to 100. We are identifying numbers and placing them according to the value of their digits in terms of ones, tens, and hundreds. We are also learning how to write numbers in words. Lastly, we are comparing and verbally describing more than two numbers in a set using the terminology of least and greatest.

Second Grade Performing Arts!

The second graders could not be more excited for performing arts! Students rushed into class with wonderful energy ready to jump right into our lesson! We had a lot of fun with some new vocal warm ups and talked about great singing posture! We started learning a new song called “Back to School” which we are using to work on some basic rhythm skills and pitch identification. What a great start!

Second Grade Visits Hotspot Glass Studio

Second grade had an amazing field experience when they visited Dylan Cotton’s Hotspot Glass Studio. Currently studying matter in science and Dale Chihuly in art, visiting a glass studio was the perfect excursion. We learned about the properties of glass and received an overview on the studio. We then got to choose which glass object we wanted to make. Working side by side with the professional glassblowers, we learned the basic techniques of the trade, including forming and shaping glass with tools and adding colors. In the end we all went home with a gorgeous finished product!

狗年大吉大利 Luck and prosperity in the Chinese New Year of the Dog!

Click here to watch the Chinese New Year Assembly.

With the drumbeat and chant from our kindergarteners, the excitement of performing to celebrate the Chinese New Year of the Dog began from the first moment. Students performed songs and chants using their own traditional crafts as props and introductions and background were given by our older students in… Mandarin and English!

Making these crafts gave students the opportunity to learn the Chinese traditions involving food, decorations and the history of this holiday. Very quickly each student knew the character – 福（fú, luck and happiness)and the traditional gesture for wishing a good Chinese New Year with the expression – 恭喜恭喜 ( gōng xǐ gōng xǐ). Students in third and fourth grade were very proud of themselves when they made their 福（fú）character crafts. As students learned in class, when福(fú）is upside down, it means “luck and happiness have arrived.” There are several upside down 福（fú）characters in the first grade students’ crafts, so luck and happiness have just arrived around us at Unquowa. Upper school students also made their own 春联 ( (chūn lián), adding happiness and best wishes to the celebration.

As you are watching this video full of our students’ enthusiasm and talent, we wish you and your family 狗年大吉大利 (gǒu nián dàjí dà lì)…luck and prosperity in the Chinese New Year of the Dog!