Sweet Verbs in Spanish!
Posted by Diane NietupskiSixth grade Spanish class are learning how to conjugate verbs, that is, changing their ends to correlate with subjects and pronouns. For an activity, they spelled out words such as “I sing”, “they speak”, and “you have dinner”, with the candy gummies alphabet. Every time their answers were correct, they got to eat their gummies! Everyone had a 100%!
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.
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!
The Road Not Taken
Posted by Megan Kirk
The 6-8 grade chorus sang a beautiful and challenging piece called “The Road Not Taken” at assembly recently. This complex piece of work had very challenging three part harmonies that the upper schoolers worked very hard to learn. We also have been working on vocal placement in class, and this song showed how the students knew how to use vowel placement to blend their sound. Great job Upper School Chorus!
Stop Motion in the Art Studio!
Posted by Krissy PondenSixth graders have been planning, prepping, and storyboarding their stop motion animations, and soon they will begin recording! Stop motion is an awesome introduction to animation, and it can be easily made with a free app and a camera. Students have been experimenting with clay, legos, pencils on paper, and even Barbies! It is so much fun to see the students’ animations coming to life, and they are loving the process!
Pen & Paper, Volume 13, “New Horizons.”
Posted by Eric SnowWe are proud to announce this year’s edition of Pen & Paper, Volume 13, “New Horizons.” This edition is organized around the themes of change and transition, beginnings and endings, aspirations and dreams. The Pen & Paper editorial team has worked hard to select, edit, and organize this issue, and we couldn’t be prouder to share it with the Unquowa community. This issue is 130 pages made up of 95 pieces of art, photography, short stories, and poetry taken from submissions and the 7th and 8th Grade Voices of Change projects. There are a total of 32 contributors.