Student recognitions abounded this week and we couldn't be prouder of their accomplishments. For starters, Alistair Sharp, a student in Ms. Proffer's classroom, recently won an art contest sponsored by HEB. His parents sent me a pic of the winning entry, there may be an opportunity for him to win a prize, and I hear he was super excited. Way to go Alistair! Additionally, Ms. Pappert and Ms. Collins received notification that 2 of their second grade students from the 11-12 school year were selected by the Austin Poetry Society to have their original poems honored at a special ceremony on May 18. Jackson Cox's Hot Colors and Luke Murphy's Dancing in Massachusetts were selected from hundreds of poems by poet Gloria Amescua and were written in collaboration with the Badgerdog Program last year on our campus. The arts, in many forms, are alive and well at school and at home!
Our Campus Green Team finished up all things Earth Week celebrations with a trip to HDI Plastics in Taylor. Per committee member Diana Wheeler, the group dorpped off "all the styrofoam that the Green Team collected at HP during
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| Juli, Tina, and Diana at HDI Plastics |
Cathy McHorse and her FPS team headed to State Competition last weekend and came away with not only a great experience for kids, but a win to boot! Team 55, comprised of Ethan Ripp, Trevor Anderson, Jeanine Bradsby, and Allison Rauch, placed in the Top 10 for the state and we couldn't be prouder. It was especially fitting for this year to end with the recogntion as this will be Cathy's last year as our FPS sponsor. Way to Go!
Tamra Snell's 4th Grade language arts students were in the middle of their newest novel unit when I popped in one day this week. She has been pumped about starting this unit all year long as the book's themes and connections (think immigration, refugees, traditions, culture, importance of animals to people, change, friendship, and more) are rich and authentic and highly engaging for kids. Students have been reading the novel Home of the Brave, along with other related text, working on the all important TEKS along the way. Per a book overview, "Kek comes from Africa where he lived with his mother, father, and brother. But only he and his mother have survived. Now she’s missing, and Kek has been sent to a new home. In America, he sees snow for the first time, and feels its sting. He wonders if the people in this new place will be like the winter—cold and unkind. But slowly he makes friends: a girl in foster care, an old woman with a rundown farm, and a sweet, sad cow that reminds Kek of home. As he waits for word of his mother’s fate, Kek weathers the tough Minnesota winter by finding warmth in his new friendships, strength in his memories, and belief in his new country."
On the day of my visit, I heard students connecting their own experiences of moving to a new place or visiting a new place for the first time. And what that feels like when you are the newbie and possibly don't even speak the language. Honest responses ranged from fearfulness to anxiousness to even helplessness. And ultimately, hopefully, gladness and joy. I also liked the phrase "tossed salad" Ms. Snell used when talking to students about America's diversity rather than melting pot. A much truer depiction of where we are today. Ms. Snell was kind enough to let me borrow a copy of Home of the Brave, and my goal is to dive in this weekend!
I'll end with three arts connected/creative classroom activities that happened on Thursday. First grade has just begun their work with Creative Action and refinement of their tried and true Ocean Odyssey Unit. Yesterday, two CA artists, were brainstorming with Ms. Brunello's students about their chosen performance topic of sea turtles (the performance this year will center around all first graders showing what they know about ocean life) and it was a hoot seeing Ms. Brunello and kids coming up with body movements and voices for some of the leatherback sea turtle's fave foods. Namely, shrimp, crab, and jellyfish. What a great way to emphasize the learning for kids in a fun and engaging way. Really, truly looking forward to this year's annual performance in May.
Yesterday, I was also able to join some of our 2nd and 3rd grade moms at the Blanton Museum for a tour of the alumni collection exhibit. Though I had been fortunate enough to see the exhibit previously, I loved this guided activity centered on a few selected pieces. It gave parents an understanding of the experience our students have when they visit a museum with teachers. Much rich discussion with my group around the Vic Muniz piece Milan, The Last Supper (from Pictures of Chocolate)which was a series of three photographs depicting da Vinci's famous painting. All the more intriguing to our group because the photographed scenes were made entirely with chocolate syrup. Thanks to Christy and Ellen for arranging this visit for us (great idea ladies!) and to Ed Director Ray Williams and other staff for giving all of us the opportunity to explore similiar themes that our kids get to explore when they interact with art. Ideas such as art as social commentary and the multiple meanings within one piece. Don't know where they will go with this idea, but what a great experience if expanded...
Finally, last night's Fine Arts Showcase. Though we're all a bit spent today, I think it was a big success, with parents and students hearing our Scottie Singers in fine form, experiencing a great overview video from Austin Film Kids (truly showing a behind the scenes look at what our kids are doing and learning in the after school offering), and in my mind, a much needed chance to see what arts integration in a regular classroom looks like in action. Though nothing can ever take the place of the real classroom setting (a bit more chaotic when you pull volunteers from the audience!), I nonetheless am grateful to our own Sally Hunter and her demo/explanation of the DBI strategies Role on the Wall - with Santa Anna - and Hot Seat, with the very engaging Noah. Not to mention The Story Wranglers and their story/scene creation with some of our Scottie Singers. It was fun, it was exhausting, it was a great way to end a Thursday evening. Big 'ol thank you to Ms. Satterwhite and Ms. Maca for their help with pulling this night together and to the special areas team as a whole. You all rock!
