2020 Distance Learning - 7th Grade

SEVENTH GRADE
This was a transition week in which we were able to establish a structure for the students and create a unified platform for them to manage their work. 

This week, they were happy with their morning lessons with Ms. Bowes and really dedicated to the other assignments that they had in math and language arts. They also produced an artistic piece inspired by the stories covered in the History class on the Travels of Columbus. Their work came out beautiful. We will continue to assign at least one artistic work each week and are looking into bringing even other important aspects of Waldorf education.

I am excited to be receiving their reports for the Renaissance project we have been working on and look forward to seeing the finalized masterpieces on Monday, Mar 30th.

Over the break, they will begin the reading of the book Secrets of the Andes by Ann Nolan Clark, which they will work on with Ms. Bowes as part of their main lesson. I would also like you to take some time to make sure they have an organized working space set up with minimal distractions and properly supplied with materials they may need.

In Math, we are taking this opportunity to reboot their math skills and work with their needs more individually. We have begun our Math Reset with the aid of Khan Academy, starting back from kindergarten and doing an express review and assessment of where the gaps may be and working through them, in an attempt to strengthen their foundation and understanding. At the same time, we will slowly proceed with our practice with percentages and the 7th grade curriculum.

In Language Arts, Ms. Domokos has given them a few assignments in continuation to the work they were doing in the classroom last week.

We are working hard to make this time as enriching and productive to our students, thus, as we come back from spring break their workload will increase. 

I do a daily check-in with them prior to their morning lesson and I’m am available for any question the parents and students may have. 2 x each week I’m available for 1 hour for math support and 2 other days Ms Domokos is available for LA support.
~ Ms. Abbade

2020 Distance Learning - 6th Grade

SIXTH GRADE
On the day before our closure began, the sixth grade came to class in a "monastery" replete with candles, incense, and chanting monks. Here, the students received their first lesson in calligraphy while also learning about the everyday lives of monks during the medieval period. During their weekend they completed Latin and English translations of The Lord's Prayer in Carolingian calligraphy. 

Our first distance learning lesson occurred during our pre-scheduled geography presentation. The previous block discussed the geography of the Silk Road connecting the continents of Africa, Asia, and Europe. The children each chose their own country along the route to research and present upon. The sixth grade this performed their own on-screen presentations on Cambodia, Thailand, Turkey, Japan, and Tibet.

We are continuing with the middle ages in the coming weeks where we will discuss the Crusades, the Black Death, and important figures like Joan of Arc and Eleanor of Aquitaine. The children are reading biographies and works of historical fiction on which they will write and present a book report. 

~Ms. Bowes