Unit on Charlottesville
As part of our perspective and social studies units we have
delved into Charlottesville’s past and present, in order to expose children to
change over time.
We had
Charlottesville Day School parents paint a picture with words and images about
how Charlottesville has developed since the 1970s. The children were engaged,
enthusiastic, and shocked to find out how different things were! The downtown
mall was a ghost town? The regal movie theater hasn’t been here for years?
Through pictures, words, and stories they have determined that culture is
shaped by innovation – for example: cell phones, television, internet,
transportation methods. With that in mind, the Charlottesille-Albemarle Historical Society took us on a tour of Maplewood Cemetery. We heard stories, learned about different symbols, and about famous historical people and events that helped paint a picture of Charlottesville in the early 1800s.
Bottle Transformation:
The bottle transformation experience originated from a
course on creativity at UVa. Last year our middle-schoolers were inspired by
the challenge of transforming a can. The feedback was so positive that we
decided to jump on the train and explore creativity with our bears! Their
enthusiasm this year matched those of the middle schoolers! They worked very
hard on their project for several hours, some insisting on working through
their recess time!
Their results were a kaleidoscope of ideas, which we were
able to combine with the ideas of the university students in an anonymous
gallery. Students then rated their designs on categories such as novelty, use,
and aesthetics.
It was fascinating to see the children evaluate their peers’
projects and reflect on their own process and product.
1st/2nd Collaboration: The Writing
Process
Fall came with beautiful colors, delicious smells, spooky
stories, and plenty more to inspire our bears to write thoughtful, elaborate
fall poems. The Spirit and Polar Bears worked on the writing process while
creating and editing their work for excellence. We were effective editors and
inspired the 1st/2nd graders to elaborate on their own
fall poetry. They took great ownership in reading their poems using tone and
all the tools in their writing toolbox in order to help the Black and Brown
Bears create something they could be equally proud of!
Author Study Boards:
Our Bears had the opportunity to take their summer reading
to a new level! We couldn’t be prouder of how they embraced and committed to
their work. We made connections and comparisons between their books and
authors. We found similarities and differences, and discussed ideas about what
inspired their authors to create each work. The bears found exciting facts
about their authors that they couldn’t wait to share! We concluded the project
with a Festival of the Book in the MAC. Students shared their summaries and
facts with the Kindergarten through the Middle School, inspiring other readers
to pick up and love their books as much as they do!
Grandparents Day
We were so ecstatic to welcome over 80 grandparents and
special friends to our classrooms this October for Grandparents Day! We loved
looking at their photos, hearing their stories, and sharing our classroom
activities and experiences with everyone. Thank you to everyone for helping
make this day such a lovely experience!
Harvest Festival
After being SO inspired by our read aloud Masterpiece,
the Polar and Spirit Bears chose to dress up as Art Thieves for the Harvest
Festival! Each student was presented with their own masterpiece created by an
artist who is featured at the National Gallery to research, study, and
recreate. We couldn’t have been more impressed with how they jumped into this
project! Their attention to detail and enthusiasm for their artist made the
project all the more meaningful. Our classrooms will continue this project with
a biography study of their artist and a study of their artist’s city which will
connect to a 3rd/4th grade timeline of Charlottesville!
We are looking forward to another month full of adventures! We will keep you updated with all of our plans and academic goals as we continue to move forward with this exciting year!
With our sincerest thanks for everything you do,
Theresa, Karin, and Katie
