Dragon Dispatches: Where Our Dragons Roam!
Climbing and Souring, Foraging and Exploring: Fifth Grade Field Trip-a-Polooza!
Speyer's Fifth Grade has been out and about in NYC, building community and kicking off their Humanities unit!
First up was rock climbing at Movement at LIC! From scaling the indoor walls to tackling various climbing obstacles, the purpose of this fun and active trip is to build community, work on communication skills, and practice problem-solving strategies. Students worked together and encouraged each other to take on new challenges, supporting their peers to climb and jump impressive heights. It's a great trip that brings everyone in the grade closer and emphasizes how essential having a solid community is!
Next stop: Central Park! As part of their first unit of study, Speyer fifth graders have been digging deep into our origins, where we as humans began. They've been examining the difference between modern humans and our earlier ancestor hominids from a variety of angles. To learn about how our early ancestors lived as hunters and gatherers before discovering the benefits and efficiency of farming, our fifth graders ventured out to our local patch of nature: Central Park. There, they met up with environmental expert and foraging specialist Wildman Steve. He taught the students how to forage for edible and medicinal plants and explained how to identify plants that are safe to eat and also plants that were poisonous. This expedition allowed the students to connect to nature in the same way their ancient ancestors did, understanding how important resources are all around us.
Spotted off the Boulevard and at the One World Observatory: Speyer First Graders on a Sky-High Adventure Atop One World Trade Center!
As part of their Humanities unit, our first graders have been studying New York City, specifically focusing on our city's five boroughs. The sprawling 360º views of One World Trade Center provided students with an unmatched perspective of our amazing city, allowing them let to explore the geographical features and structures unique to New York from a quite different angle. Seeing all five boroughs and their landmarks was jaw-dropping, awe-inspiring, and a whole lot of fun for our young historians studying the Big Apple.
From the Cloisters to the Hudson River to the Morgan Library: Speyer Seventh Graders' Excellent Adventures Throughout NYC!
In the first two months of the school year, our Seventh Grade Dragons have traveled throughout our fair city to explore their Humanities, Art, and Science studies in a hands-on, truly excellent way!
First up, it was a trip to the Morgan Library! In an interdisciplinary unit between Humanities, Art, and Science, our seventh graders are studying the power, technique, and raw manpower required to create a single book in the Middle Ages. From visiting the "Sing a New Song: The Psalms in Medieval Art & Life" exhibit to J. Pierpont Morgan’s personal study in the library, our students immersed themselves in the rich tapestry of the Middle Ages.
Next up, they had a jammin' time at the Hudson River! As a cornerstone of their Science curriculum, the seventh graders participate in the Hudson Data Jam, which begins with their work for the annual citizen science project A Day in the Life of the Hudson River (aka Snapshot Day). On the same day in October, students from many educational institutions collect physical, chemical, and biological data up and down the Hudson River. All of the participants then share their data to have a richer understanding of Hudson River life.
It was a glorious fall day when the Seventh Grade set up their area along the Hudson. Our Dragons shifted from station to station, taking turns measuring many aspects of the water itself, the rate and direction of the current, the height of water as the tide cycle unfolds, turbidity, salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, and wind levels. They also observed life in and around the pier.
Once the data is collected from all of the participating schools, our students will select a topic of their choosing about the Hudson River watershed and tell their specific scientific story via an extensive research paper using that shared data. Through this assignment, they use all of the foundational skills they have cultivated in previous grades. Past student research topics include Hudson River invasive species including zebra mussels and water chestnuts, the poaching of glass eels in the Hudson and around the world, and many more.
Finally, the seventh graders took an uptown trek to the Cloisters! Just this week, they traveled to the Cloisters as part of their study of the Middle Ages after the fall of the Roman Empire. In this unit, they looked at the evolution of folklore, the shift in collective thinking, and the societal impacts of the growing power of the Catholic Church, as well as the monarchies that emerged in Europe alongside the Mongol Empire, the Jing Dynasty, and the crusades. To underscore what they have been learning in the classroom, they went on a guided tour to experience life in a medieval monastery, examining effigies, tapestries, and ornamental decorations. By studying the symbols in these artifacts, they gain a better understanding of the time period.
Both learning to create books from the Middle Ages and the Hudson Data Jam challenge our students to tackle long-term projects, which build on skills they've learned throughout their time at Speyer and prepare them for high school. It is a fantastic way for them to embrace new academic endeavors while doing so with creativity and individuality.
Sixth Grade Artists and Historians Trek to the Met to Explore Byzantine Art!
In Humanities, our sixth graders are studying the Byzantine Empire, including the founding of Constantinople by Emperor Constantine, the art of Byzantine diplomacy, and the fall of the empire in 1453. They are exploring the Byzantine Empire, both at the imperial level and the level of the small village. Meanwhile in Art, students are studying the concept of iconography inspired by the symbolism and religious imagery of Byzantine icons, encouraging students to consider how icons have evolved over time.
As a way to go even deeper with both of these units, the Sixth Grade trekked to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where they had the opportunity to delve into the rich history of Byzantine art. During this immersive experience, students participated in a scavenger hunt that challenged them to closely observe and analyze Byzantine mosaics, icons, and artifacts. This hands-on activity allowed them to deepen their understanding of the artistic, religious, and historical significance of the era while sharpening their observation skills through sketching elements from the collection.
Students are working on creating their own reimagined Byzantine mosaics of Modern Day Icons. Incorporating techniques and elements observed during their visit, they created mosaics of a contemporary figure they found iconic and reflected on their cultural impact. This creative project allows students to further explore the beauty and intricacy of Byzantine art while connecting their historical studies with their artistic expression!
Spotted off the Boulevard: Speyer's Third Grade Jetés to Lincoln Center to See The Nutcracker!
Speyer third graders headed north to Lincoln Center to see George Balanchine's The Nutcracker, performed by the New York City Ballet! Alongside their teachers and some enthusiastic staffulty chaperones, Speyer dancers entered the historic David Koch Theater with anticipation and excitement! In their red plush seats, our Dragons listened to the orchestra turning up and then — as the hush fell over the crowd — the golden curtains parted…and the performance began!
Our Dragon dancers were memorized throughout the show, taking in the details of epic storytelling and applauding the premier athleticism of the cast — which included fellow Speyer students fifth grader Rohan S. and fourth grader Elodie L.! Prior to this performance, the duo visited with the third graders to tell them about what it's like to be a part of this amazing production.
After the show, our Dragons returned to Speyer as visions of sugarplums (and party children, soldiers, mice, and angels) still danced in their heads! Bravo to the NYCB, bravo to Rohan and Elodie, and bravo to Ms. Kelly and all of our chaperones!
