Being new to Trinity I am learning that December is jam-packed with fun and that it FLIES by! The month started off with me going to Tampa, FL for the NAIS People of Color Conference. This was a life-changing experience and one made possible by the support of the TES community. Upon my return our schedule has been full of learning in and outside of our classroom.
In the classroom we have set out on several new learning journeys. Students have started our unit on the human body and in social studies we are starting the colonization of America Storypath. In math we are investigating the relationship between multiplication and division as we work with larger 2 and 3 digit numbers. Read the Math Investigations parent letters here. We have also recently done our class preliminaries for both the Spelling and Geography Bees.
Other memorable learning opportunities include today's participation in the opening of First Ward Park. Later this week we will visit the Big Map of North America in Dickson Dining Hall and have a special lesson with Mr. Thorton and his 8th graders as part of Hour of Code. Next week we will travel to a Moravian community in Winston-Salem and have our Moravian Lovefeast. Before the holiday break begins we will have our "Lessons and Carols" Chapel on the 18th. Whew!
There are two upcoming learning adventures happening beyond the walls of room 215. Check out these important upcoming events in more detail below:
December 10th - The Human Body at Discovery Place IMAX
In the classroom we have set out on several new learning journeys. Students have started our unit on the human body and in social studies we are starting the colonization of America Storypath. In math we are investigating the relationship between multiplication and division as we work with larger 2 and 3 digit numbers. Read the Math Investigations parent letters here. We have also recently done our class preliminaries for both the Spelling and Geography Bees.
Other memorable learning opportunities include today's participation in the opening of First Ward Park. Later this week we will visit the Big Map of North America in Dickson Dining Hall and have a special lesson with Mr. Thorton and his 8th graders as part of Hour of Code. Next week we will travel to a Moravian community in Winston-Salem and have our Moravian Lovefeast. Before the holiday break begins we will have our "Lessons and Carols" Chapel on the 18th. Whew!
There are two upcoming learning adventures happening beyond the walls of room 215. Check out these important upcoming events in more detail below:
December 10th - The Human Body at Discovery Place IMAX
December 15th - Trip to Old Salem
On Tuesday, December 15, we will leave by bus at 8:15am and arrive back to campus at 5:30pm. Students do not need their regular backpack on that Tuesday, but they should bring a jacket or light coat, maybe even a hat? The high is projected to be approximately 55 degrees, and we will be outside all day long. Let me clarify: We will be outside in shaded areas, walking around, NOT running around the field. We want everyone healthy and well for the holiday. Please help your child dress for the weather for our outside day of learning.
If your child is bringing a lunch, please try to pack your child's lunch in a throw away container for ease of travel. A snack and water bottle are recommended for the bus ride. Students may also bring games, cards, paper, pencils, and/or a book. However, please help your child pack for the day without electronics. Students are encouraged to bring less than $20.00 for the Winkler Bakery on Wednesday. For a cup of cider and a few Moravian cookies, students should only need $6-7. Each group will stop at the bakery at some point during our visit to Old Salem. We do not visit the gift shops. If you have any questions on the day of the trip, please call the school.
On Tuesday, December 15, we will leave by bus at 8:15am and arrive back to campus at 5:30pm. Students do not need their regular backpack on that Tuesday, but they should bring a jacket or light coat, maybe even a hat? The high is projected to be approximately 55 degrees, and we will be outside all day long. Let me clarify: We will be outside in shaded areas, walking around, NOT running around the field. We want everyone healthy and well for the holiday. Please help your child dress for the weather for our outside day of learning.
If your child is bringing a lunch, please try to pack your child's lunch in a throw away container for ease of travel. A snack and water bottle are recommended for the bus ride. Students may also bring games, cards, paper, pencils, and/or a book. However, please help your child pack for the day without electronics. Students are encouraged to bring less than $20.00 for the Winkler Bakery on Wednesday. For a cup of cider and a few Moravian cookies, students should only need $6-7. Each group will stop at the bakery at some point during our visit to Old Salem. We do not visit the gift shops. If you have any questions on the day of the trip, please call the school.
Trinity's enrichment teachers also want to share updates below:
Art:
The fourth grade artists have been working hard in the art studio. They continue to find ways to express their ideas through each new piece they create. In addition to our “normal” explorations, the fourth graders worked with a group of 8th graders to create one of the nine nutcrackers that are on display at 7th Street Public Market. Here is the artist statement that is on display with the work:
Creating Scholars through Math, Science and Technology
Collaborative effort: 8th grade Art Expo class and all 4th graders
The fourth grade students gave the 8th grade Art Expo class some ideas around what “Creating Scholars” looks like. No matter the subject, a Trinity student can always be found with a composition book and paper. As technology advances, it becomes a more essential part of a Trinity students learning process so the visual of a laptop was appropriate (although it is not the only form of technology they use in the classroom). Science is the perfect layer between math and technology and Science at Trinity is full of exploration, experimentation and discovery. The 8th graders (with the help of the art teachers) created the background and carried out parts of the visual brainstorming the 4th graders did. Whether they are in the lab, the garden or visiting doctors and science professionals these 4th graders understand the importance of exploring scholarship in math, science, technology and beyond!
What to know what happens on a day-to-day basis in the Art Studio at Trinity? Check out this story on our blog to get a little taste of what amazing things can happen when students create work that is meaningful and personal. Although the story is about 5th graders, you can imagine what the creative 4th grade artists would come up with. As always, feel free to come visit to see everything in action!
Thanks,
Jen Rankey and Mary Ann O’Sullivan
P.S. Don’t forget the subscribe the the Art Department Blog (tesartdepartment.wordpress.com) and follow us on Twitter (@tesarttab1) to keep up with all the wonderful things happening!
Faith Studies:
What do you do when the events of the world scare you and makes you question your faith? This is the question we are currently wrestling with in 4th grade as current events have crept into our conversations and prayers. Students are working on artwork and prayers to send to “the world” which will be used in an upcoming chapel. As difficult as the discussion are, it is powerful to see/them process their understanding of God and faith and how we are called to act with justice, even in the face of questions and our fear.
PE: After a great start to the year, we have continued to progress nicely in PE. We completed a unit on football skills, working on proper passing technique (grip, step, elbow high, and release), running routes, and teamwork through games, “Two Minute Drill”. The teamwork and willingness to learn from others during this game was very evident. Students who had never played football were listening and learning from classmates with experience. The support and encouragement they give to each other during our game was refreshing.
After completing football, we moved into a basketball skills unit, emphasizing ball handling, footwork, passing, and shooting form. Taking a page out of Mrs. Rankey’s book, each class offered multiple stations for students to choose from, allowing each student to choose the skill they wanted to work on. I was very impressed to see that many students chose to work on areas that they needed improvement, not just gravitated towards the stations where they were most successful. We played games of Boundary Ball, a team keep away game that emphasizes spacing and passing. Trinity Basketball will be in good hands in the near future!
Finally, our fitness days (Wednesday) have been quite successful. Choosing from three options (running on the track, yoga/pilates, and agility station work) has improved our participation and enthusiasm. We did tailor our fitness classes to basketball skills during that unit, introducing “touch the lines”, a new variation on the shuttle run, speed dribbling, and using a basketball as a “medicine ball” during core exercises and ladder work/cone work. We have started making the connection between maintaining fitness and improving ability in athletics and other areas of physical activity.
As always, if you have any questions, please email me ([email protected]), or call the school and ask for extension 454.
Spanish:
http://tesguerrero.weebly.com/
Please click on your child’s grade level.
Choir: Our fourth grade choir members have been learning basics in choral sounds. We are delving deeper into the sounds of choral blending and vowel production. Additionally, we have had two performances under our belt and we are heading into performing at the annual Lessons and Carols.
It is time to start plugging in the music for the kids. Here is the website for the kids for "Phantom Tollbooth." http://tesmusic.weebly.com/phantom-tollbooth.html
Strings:
We continue to learn skills and techniques on our instruments. Playing a stringed instrument involves lots of brainpower, physical coordination, and reading ability all at the same time, so we are taking it slowly so that those foundational skills will be solid. We are up to page 21 in the Essential Elements book, which is only 3 pages away from the staples of the book! I told the students that we would try to get to the staples (the middle of the book) by Christmas (the middle of the year). But more importantly, we will spend as much time as it takes to assure that everyone feels comfortable with bowing, fingering, posture, and note reading. I hope you are hearing lots of practicing at home!
Art:
The fourth grade artists have been working hard in the art studio. They continue to find ways to express their ideas through each new piece they create. In addition to our “normal” explorations, the fourth graders worked with a group of 8th graders to create one of the nine nutcrackers that are on display at 7th Street Public Market. Here is the artist statement that is on display with the work:
Creating Scholars through Math, Science and Technology
Collaborative effort: 8th grade Art Expo class and all 4th graders
The fourth grade students gave the 8th grade Art Expo class some ideas around what “Creating Scholars” looks like. No matter the subject, a Trinity student can always be found with a composition book and paper. As technology advances, it becomes a more essential part of a Trinity students learning process so the visual of a laptop was appropriate (although it is not the only form of technology they use in the classroom). Science is the perfect layer between math and technology and Science at Trinity is full of exploration, experimentation and discovery. The 8th graders (with the help of the art teachers) created the background and carried out parts of the visual brainstorming the 4th graders did. Whether they are in the lab, the garden or visiting doctors and science professionals these 4th graders understand the importance of exploring scholarship in math, science, technology and beyond!
What to know what happens on a day-to-day basis in the Art Studio at Trinity? Check out this story on our blog to get a little taste of what amazing things can happen when students create work that is meaningful and personal. Although the story is about 5th graders, you can imagine what the creative 4th grade artists would come up with. As always, feel free to come visit to see everything in action!
Thanks,
Jen Rankey and Mary Ann O’Sullivan
P.S. Don’t forget the subscribe the the Art Department Blog (tesartdepartment.wordpress.com) and follow us on Twitter (@tesarttab1) to keep up with all the wonderful things happening!
Faith Studies:
What do you do when the events of the world scare you and makes you question your faith? This is the question we are currently wrestling with in 4th grade as current events have crept into our conversations and prayers. Students are working on artwork and prayers to send to “the world” which will be used in an upcoming chapel. As difficult as the discussion are, it is powerful to see/them process their understanding of God and faith and how we are called to act with justice, even in the face of questions and our fear.
PE: After a great start to the year, we have continued to progress nicely in PE. We completed a unit on football skills, working on proper passing technique (grip, step, elbow high, and release), running routes, and teamwork through games, “Two Minute Drill”. The teamwork and willingness to learn from others during this game was very evident. Students who had never played football were listening and learning from classmates with experience. The support and encouragement they give to each other during our game was refreshing.
After completing football, we moved into a basketball skills unit, emphasizing ball handling, footwork, passing, and shooting form. Taking a page out of Mrs. Rankey’s book, each class offered multiple stations for students to choose from, allowing each student to choose the skill they wanted to work on. I was very impressed to see that many students chose to work on areas that they needed improvement, not just gravitated towards the stations where they were most successful. We played games of Boundary Ball, a team keep away game that emphasizes spacing and passing. Trinity Basketball will be in good hands in the near future!
Finally, our fitness days (Wednesday) have been quite successful. Choosing from three options (running on the track, yoga/pilates, and agility station work) has improved our participation and enthusiasm. We did tailor our fitness classes to basketball skills during that unit, introducing “touch the lines”, a new variation on the shuttle run, speed dribbling, and using a basketball as a “medicine ball” during core exercises and ladder work/cone work. We have started making the connection between maintaining fitness and improving ability in athletics and other areas of physical activity.
As always, if you have any questions, please email me ([email protected]), or call the school and ask for extension 454.
Spanish:
http://tesguerrero.weebly.com/
Please click on your child’s grade level.
Choir: Our fourth grade choir members have been learning basics in choral sounds. We are delving deeper into the sounds of choral blending and vowel production. Additionally, we have had two performances under our belt and we are heading into performing at the annual Lessons and Carols.
It is time to start plugging in the music for the kids. Here is the website for the kids for "Phantom Tollbooth." http://tesmusic.weebly.com/phantom-tollbooth.html
Strings:
We continue to learn skills and techniques on our instruments. Playing a stringed instrument involves lots of brainpower, physical coordination, and reading ability all at the same time, so we are taking it slowly so that those foundational skills will be solid. We are up to page 21 in the Essential Elements book, which is only 3 pages away from the staples of the book! I told the students that we would try to get to the staples (the middle of the book) by Christmas (the middle of the year). But more importantly, we will spend as much time as it takes to assure that everyone feels comfortable with bowing, fingering, posture, and note reading. I hope you are hearing lots of practicing at home!