Números, formas y colores en 1º, ¡Ay! / Numbers, Shapes & Colors in 1st, Oh My!

In my continuous commitment to connect the Spanish language experience to their curricular studies, opportunities have been provided for the first graders to practice their mathematics focus on números (numbers) and formas geométricas (geometric shapes).

To reinforce their numeral skills, the students were presented with lots of fun games and songs to practice counting cero (zero) to veinte (twenty). Afterwards, they were introduced to the concept of counting to cien (one hundred) by diez (tens).

Vocabulary:

diez - ten

veinte - twenty

treinta- thirty

cuarenta - fourty

cincuenta - fifty

sesenta - sixty

setenta - seventy

ochenta - eighty

noventa - ninety

cien - one hundred

Using flashcards to reinforce the learning, the students played the all time favorite, el juego de los matamoscas (the fly swatter game) followed with a brief Bingo game. What fun they had as they heard the number and looked to match the verbal with the symbol!

To connect with their recent “shape hunt” during their math class experience, in Spanish class the first graders learned the Spanish vocabulary for some basic geometric shapes.

Vocabulary:

círculo - circle

óvalo - oval

triángulo - triangle

rectángulo - rectangle

 cuadrado - square

 rombo - rhombus

 estrella - star

 corazón - heart

Once again, the students got the chance to play with the swatters but, instead of using the standard sized swatters they got the chance to use the extra large, and extra fun, BIG swatters.

To add fun to the mix, a game of “Shape and Color” Bingo was played. This Bingo game enabled the students to practice recognizing not only shapes but colors too. 

There is an enormous amount of satisfaction that comes with yelling (or silently demonstrating) the word, “BINGO!” and every student got the opportunity to do just that. ¡Divertido!  

Movie Night is this Friday!

AFS Lower School Book Club

The Lower School Book Club for adults was cancelled due to weather, but we have a plan in place! We will discuss both books at our next meeting on February 23 at 8:00 a.m. in the Lower School library. We will spend the first 20 minutes on The Visionist and then move to the current book In the Unlikely Event. It will be interesting to discuss them together. We hope to see you all then!

Conversation will be lively and engaging as we discuss The Visionist and In the Unlikely Event and enjoy a light breakfast.

The list below includes the two books discussed in the fall and the rest of the books to be discussed this year. Feel free to join us for any of the book discussions that fit your schedule.

A Spool of Blue Thread by Anne Tyler Tuesday October 20 at 8:00 (short listed for the 2015 Mann Booker prize)

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel -Winner of the Arthur C. Clarke Award, Finalist for the 2014 National Book Award and the Pen/Faulkner Award. Tuesday December 1, 2015

The Visionist by Rachel Urquhart Tuesday January 26, 2016

In the Unlikely Event by Judy Blume Tuesday February 23, 2016

10:04 by Ben Lerner  March 22, 2016 Tuesday March 22, 2016

Language Arts by Stephanie Kallos Tuesday April 26, 2016

Skyscraping A Novel by Cordelia Jensen Tuesday May 24, 2016 (the author will be attending)

First Grade Visits Robotics Class

Kathy and Caroline's first grade had the opportunity to visit the US robotics class and loved what they saw! The US students explained how they built their robots and programed them. We even got to see the programs on the computer screens and ask questions. Then we saw the robots in action. The robots were being programmed to complete four missions, one in each corner of the arena. We especially loved the rescue of the miniature person, even when the attempt failed and the little character was run over!

There is lots of tweaking that happens and each mission undergoes many adjustments as you can see in the short video clips. We were delighted to have this chance to meet with the class in anticipation of our upcoming collaboration with them and the other first grade as they launch into an animal robotic unit. The first graders will help brainstorm ideas about animals, behaviors and habitats. Then, we are hoping that in small groups, actual habitats will be designed for each robotic animal. It sounds incredible! We'll keep you posted!

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Ned Hector Revolutionary War Hero and Time Traveler Surprises 4th Grade

Fourth grade had an unexpected visit last week from Ned Hector, an African American soldier who fought in the Revolutionary War. The students learned of the Battle of Brandywine and the important role Hector played in that battle. Ned Hector's job when he was not a soldier was that of a wagoneer. He sold his services to local people to transport their goods and represent their best interests selling their merchandise in nearby towns and cities.

Noah Lewis, the man portraying Ned Hector, shared stories about life in the 18th century and brought the time period alive for the students. They participated in several re-enactment situations.  From selling goods and services, to working as a group, to learning the importance of team work and good directions, students discovered the range of skillful leadership necessary when under siege in battle. In 1775 about 20% of the American colonial population was black, yet only 5% of the Continental Army were African Americans. Noah talked to the students about the role that Black people played in the Revolutionary War and the importance of knowing that African American history and American history is one in the same.

Sharing Stories

Talking to the Commanding Officer

 Working as a team to load a cannon

Showing respect for a fallen soldier

Kindergarten Visits the Arden Theatre

"This is the bestest field trip ever!" exclaimed an excited kindergarten student as we left the F. Otto Haas Stage at the Arden Theatre to see the play Hans Brinker and the Silver Skates. 

The kindergarten classes have been writing their own classroom plays and realized they needed more information about how a play works so what better way to investigate then to go and see a play!                                                                  
Our kindergarten plays have been focused on the topic of "inner light" that we have also been looking at school-wide. By chance, the play Hans Brinker and the Silver Skates also explored that topic as several characters in the play dealt with unkindness and exclusion. Please be sure to ask your child about the characters whose "inner lights" were definitely shining as they extended help, hope and love to those who needed it most in the story. While there were some definite serious and sad moments, the play was also well-balanced with humor and fun. The skating races were amazing and the slow-motion scene was hilarious. The children were very curious about how the actors "skated" on the ice and were eager to feel the stage to see how it worked. Actually special slipper socks and smooth paint helped the skaters "move" along the ice! The children learned more about the skills of the actors at an end of the show question and answer session with the cast.

Our kindergarten children were an appreciative audience and were attentive and engaged during this interactive play. The story certainly held their attention, and we believe the budding thespians also gained valuable insight about acting, voice projection, how to use props and different ways to change scenery- all skills they will be practicing as they rehearse for next week's kindergarten "inner light" play performances at 8:30 am in the Muller Auditorium. We look forward to seeing you there!

                                          

Hans Brinker and the Silver Skates was a first play for many of the kindergarten children and they were eager to return to the Arden Theatre. Please click on the link below if you would like to view more opportunities for your family to experience live play productions in an intimate and kid-friendly atmosphere at the Arden:

http://www.ardentheatre.org/

4th Grade Colonial Trade Signs

In preparation for the annual fourth grade colonial trade fair, the fourth graders have begun creating their own signs to advertise their trades. The fourth grade artists began by looking at images of traditional colonial trade signs. They observed that many of the signs relied heavily on imagery to communicate information. After some discussion, the students concluded that the images must have been important because many people at the time did not know how to read.

With this important information in mind, they began their projects by drawing a design on paper. Equipped with knowledge about their trades from their classroom research, the fourth grade artists decided how to visually communicate their trade.

After finalizing their drawings, the students traced their outline shapes on pine wood and cut them out using a coping saw. The fourth graders were able to build on the sawing skills that they have developed in woodworking projects using the straight saw and the coping saw in previous grades. and are now nearly experts!


Once their sawing was complete, they transferred their drawings onto their wood pieces and began to draw and paint the signs to finish them. To see the final results come check them out at the Colonial Trade Fair!