A Winter Trip to the Audubon
Posted by Carlene Gordon
Third graders recently spent a snowy afternoon at the Connecticut Audubon Bird Craft Museum. We were instructed on the proper use of binoculars and learned to use a field guide to identify various bird species. After watching many of the bird species from the windows, we headed outside to put our new skills to use. On a walk through the snow covered trails, we identified blue jays, dark-eyed junco, male and female cardinals and black-capped chickadees, to name a few. Our visit concluded inside by being introduced to some captive birds including an American kestral and a barn owl. We discovered that the Audubon takes these birds in after they heal from injuries which prevent them from being able to live in the wild.
Celebrating The Lantern Festival
Posted by Yajuan ZhangI am always impressed with my students’ enthusiasm and curiosity of learning Chinese language and culture. However, when I witnessed students practicing for the celebration of the Chinese New Year at the assembly day, I was still surprised by their tremendous passion and excitement for learning and experiencing the immersion of the language and its culture.
In Chinese New Year, lanterns are symbols for the warmth of the family and the promising new year. Traditionally, Chinese celebrated the holiday for 15 days. On the last day, is the festival called the Lantern Festival. It would not be a surprise when you see grade three students made their lanterns with the characters of 新年快乐 (Happy New Year).
It is quite natural for students to get the concept and sing the song 过新年(celebrating Chinese New Year) with their lanterns waving in the hands. When you watch the video, I am sure you will be touched by the morale and the dynamic in our class and wondering what a small world it is. Right, a completely different language and the culture that seems to be far away is actually all in a sudden just in front of you!
Project Linus
Posted by Carlene Gordon
During a third grade Mindfulness activity, students shared memories of a special blanket. Third graders were asked to envision themselves wrapped up in a soft blanket while focusing on the sounds of their breathing and the calmness throughout their bodies. Students shared that a special blanket made them feel “loved,” “warm,” “comforted” and “peaceful.” Our students decided that all children should have this feeling and an idea was born! We decided to join Project Linus volunteers and make blankets for children in need. Soon our students were in the Unquowa Makerspace measuring, cutting and tying knots. In the end, we created nine blankets which were donated to the local Project Linus chapter coordinator from Danbury. We are honored to report that our blankets are scheduled to go to an overnight camp for children in need this coming summer.
Third Grade Masquerade!
Posted by Alyson Cahill
Third grade drama students have begun learning all about masks, specifically, how to use them as an actor! So far, we have become different characters and beings by using only the masks found in the drama classroom. Students took turns wearing traditional Venetian and Chinese masks, and then used somewhat silly stick masks to create short scenes. Over the next few weeks we plan on exploring mask work in various forms, which will include making our own masks and even playing with clown noses! Our goal is to see what happens to our bodies and voices when we wear different types of masks.
When the Students Become the Teachers…
Posted by Carlene Gordon
Third graders took learning into their own hands. Student groups were each given a different topic within our study of animals to research and prepare a presentation for. After focused student collaboration and the creation of a visual component, third graders were ready to lead the class as teachers. Vocabulary, definitions and fun facts were presented on amphibians, fish, birds, and animal traits and behaviors. Congratulations on a great lesson, student-teachers!
Celebrating American Holidays in Mandarin
Posted by Yajuan ZhangWhen a student asked me whether Chinese celebrate Thanksgiving, it triggered an interesting celebration of this traditional American holiday in class. I was not quite sure what would come of the adventure until I saw how students experienced the culture differences and the charm of language art through their mini-projects.
Many thanks to our art teacher — Mrs. Desgranges, the third and the fourth grade students could have the opportunity to experience the technique of wood burning characters. This added a special flavor for students to celebrate Thanksgiving. Students also had the choice to do the characters with the paint. Can you tell the difference of the two art techniques from the following photo?
The second graders expressed their holiday joy by designing their Thanksgiving cards with the colors, drawings, and the characters for “Mayflower” and “Happy Thanksgiving!”
The first graders and the kindergarteners played with the magic of colors and drawings for their characters. After I put the students’ work together, to my surprise, I could barely notice the subtle differences of the complexity concerning the work from two grades.
With the variety of student work, you will see how naturally students get the gist of the holiday and did it just right expressing it in Chinese. I am sure after you watch the following video, everyone will know30 how to say “Happy Thanksgiving!” in Chinese. Of course, it is 祝你感恩节快乐！(gǎn ēn jié kuài lè).
