Lower School Science: Students learned all about the first Latina woman in space, Ellen Ochoa. After learning about her life and many accomplishments, students worked in groups to generate pictures of Ellen in space using Magic School AI. They had to include details that they learned about her in their pictures!

Third grade: Students researched a country that celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month. They had to research a landmark, famous person, holiday, traditional food, style of music, and popular art forms. They then had their first experience using Canva to create a poster for their country including the facts they found.  Art: (Grade 5) we celebrate the Ojo de Dios as a beautiful example of Mexican Indigenous art and cultural tradition combining creativity, color, and meaning. The Ojo de Dios (Gods Eye) is a traditional Mexican craft made by weaving colorful yarn around two crossed sticks. The design represents the eye of God watching over and protecting those who make it and receive it. Fifth Grade Literature –Following the directions in the back of the novel, Esperanza Rising, students made their own yarn dolls just like the characters in the book.

Kindergarten –  learned about the contributions of Hispanic-Latino people to the fabric of American culture and culminated our lesson with a fun game of Loteria. Musical Arts: As part of our Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations, students across grades 1-4 engaged in enriching activities that highlighted the diversity and richness of Latin music and culture. 1st and 2nd Grade: -Explored various genres of Latin music, learning about influential figures such as Tito Puente and Millo Castro Zaldarriaga. -After hearing the story “Celia Cruz, Queen of Salsa,” students learned a basic salsa dance, bringing the music to life through movement. – Played rhythm instruments to accompany the story “Drum, Dream Girl,” a story about female Cuban drummer Millo Castro Zaldarriaga. 3rd and 4th Grade: -Sang traditional songs from Mexico and Puerto Rico, deepening their appreciation for cultural heritage. -Participated in a classic Mexican passing game, enhancing teamwork and rhythm skills. -Students played Boomwhackers to the lively music from Encanto, composed by Hispanic American artist Lin-Manuel Miranda. These activities not only fostered musical skills but also provided a meaningful connection to the rich traditions and histories celebrated during Hispanic Heritage Month. We are proud to honor and share this vibrant culture with our students!

Kindergarten – We had a parent come in to discuss their family’s Rosh Hashanah traditions with us. She provided the class with apples and honey to celebrate a sweet new year.

PreKindergarten – We had a parent come in and read a short story to the PreK class about Diwali and gave a firsthand account of the the symbols and traditions associated with Diwali. He and his daughter wore traditional celebratory attire and gave each student a Diya to take home. First Grade – We had a student in our class who celebrates Diwali share his experience. We watched All About Diwali on YouTube. Afterwards the students colored an information booklet about Diwali.  

4th Grade Science – students learned about the daily life, culture, interesting facts of six major Native American tribes located in the United States. Students then created a prototype for the Native Americans (past or present) to make their lives easier. This STEM project had to relate to a profession, transportation method, culture, or contribution of the Native American tribe. Check us out!

Kindergarten – Kindergarten celebrated Christmas with gifts from Santa and a family Gingerbread House decorating party. In addition, we learned about the significance of the menorah and participated in lighting a candle representing each night of Hanukkah. First Grade – For Christmas students wrote about their favorite Christmas tradition with their families. For Hanukkah students listened to a story, The Hanukkah Bear, and answered comprehension questions on the dreidel paper. After watching a video about Kwanzaa, students colored a little booklet about Kwanzaa. First Grade – We watched videos, read stories, and shared our own personal experiences for Christmas and Hanukkah, and then we wrote stories telling what our favorite part of the holidays were. For Kwanzaa and Las Posadas, we watched videos about each holiday. For Kwanzaa, we made an informational booklet about the holiday. For Las Posadas, we made beautiful poinsettias for the holiday. First Grade – We celebrated Chinese New Year by reading stories and watching videos in class. One child in class told us about how his family celebrates Chinese New Year. We made a class booklet about the holiday and made Chinese lanterns. Third Grade – In 3rd grade student learned about different ways people celebrate New Year’s Eve around the USA. In Temecula, CA they drop a ball of grapes because they grow grapes there, In Boise, Idaho they drop a giant lit potato! In Bethlehem, PA they drop a giant fiberglass “peep” because that is where they were in vented. In Plymouth, Wisconsin they drop… you got it a big Cheese. I will be doing a celebration for the Lunar New Year on Jan. 29th. I will be teaching students about the lunar new year and the many traditions. I will also teach about Chinese calendar that has 12 animals named for 12 years of their calendar. Students will act out a folktale with the animals. (If allowed students will get small treats.) Also, we will be doing a dragon/lion dance all throughout the school to wish each class “Gong Hay Fat Choy!” Have a happy and prosperous new year!!! Kindergarten – One of our Kindergarten families came in to share their traditions for the Lunar New Year. The visit included delicious food, Chinese balloons and crafts, and a Chinese yo-yo demonstration.

Kindergarten – The children learned about the contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through their Scholastic magazine, books, and completing their own craft stating would their dream would be if they were Dr. King. Kindergarten – The children enjoyed many books celebrating Black History Month.

First Grade – We celebrated the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. by reading stories and watching videos in class. We made our own class booklet about his life. We then wrote about our own dreams for the world and made drawings of Dr. King.  The children learned about a variety of Black Americans who made history in our country whether it be political, athletics or inventions. They then colored this booklet about them. First Grade – We celebrated Black History Month by learning about Garrett Morgan and Charles Henry Turner. We learned about Garrett Morgan, who invented the traffic light and the gas mask, by watching a video and reading a passage about his life. We then made a traffic light in his honor. We learned about Charles Henry Turner, who is a famous entomologist, by reading about him in our Scholastic News and listening to a story, “Buzzing With Questions”, about his life. We then made bees in his honor.

Art Class – Fifth grade made a city scene collage inspired by Romare Bearden and his Harlem Renaissance collages. The Harlem Renaissance was an intellectual and cultural revival of African-American music, dance, art, fashion, literature, theater, politics and scholarship centered in Harlem. Sixth grade is just starting their Alma Thomas (Black female artist) inspired Abstract Expressionism. They will create their own abstract paintings inspired by her signature mosaic-like style. 8th grade has been working on a project inspired by Jean-Michel Basquiat a Brooklyn-born, African-American artist who became a cultural icon of the 1980s New York art scene. His work, which combined graffiti and Abstract Expressionism, was highly expressionistic and gestural.

Fourth Grade – In LA, students read Langston Hughes’ poetry and created their own poems in his style. In homeroom, we made bulletin boards for the poems, highlighting 9 Black Americans and their achievements. In homeroom, we read about the lives of these individuals.

French – In Class with 7th grade we incorporated French African cultures with African American culture. We did Projects on French speaking Africans and African Americans who spoke French. Maya Angelou was a favorite. She spoke fluent French and 5 other languages as well as her many other accomplishments. We all learned a lot. Sixth Grade – Students read, discussed and were evaluated on the understanding of the Storyworks articles, “Marching Toward a Dream” and “Change the World”. The first article explains the true story of Tom Ellison’s real life experience at the March in 1963. The second article is in interview with Dr. King Jr.’s granddaughter Yolanda Renee King and how she is continuing his dream.

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Eighth Grade – After studying America in the 1960s and apartheid in South Africa, the 8th LIT classes analyzed both Dr. King and Nelson Madela’s speeches.

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Computer Class (5th grade) – Lewis Latimer contributed to the invention of the lightbulb and the telephone. Today he helps us with 3D printing!!!!! Lewis invented carbon fiber filament which was used in light bulbs. Today carbon fiber filament is primarily used in 3D printing, allowing for the creation of strong, lightweight parts with high stiffness.

Kindergarten – was thrilled to have one of our families come visit us to discuss the history of Ramadan. We learned about their family traditions and were treated to dates and sweet chocolates.

First Grade – During the month of March we learned about and celebrated Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr. We learned about both holidays by reading stories and watching videos. After learning about Ramadan, we wrote about how we can be a good friend and help our friends. After learning about Eid al-Fitr, we made beautiful lanterns to help celebrate the holiday.

Third Grade – we had the pleasure of having a parent come in and do a presentation on how and what Persian New Year is and what it means.

Art – Alma Woodsey Thomas was an African-American artist and teacher known for her vibrant, abstract paintings. She didn’t start painting full-time until she was was 68 or 69 years old, when she retired from teaching. Thomas achieved success as an African-American female artist despite the segregation and prejudice of her time, which makes her story even more inspiring!

Art (5th grade) – In this lesson inspired by Georgia O’Keeffe, students explored the beauty of nature by drawing close-up views of flowers using oil pastels to emphasize vibrant colors and delicate details. They learned about O’Keeffe’s unique perspective and practiced blending techniques to create bold, expressive floral artwork. 6th -In this Alma Thomas-inspired project, students created vibrant, abstract paintings using repeated patterns and bright colors to mimic her signature mosaic-like style. They learned about Thomas’s contributions as a Black female artist and explored how color and rhythm can express emotion in art. 4th – In this Frida Kahlo-inspired project, students created self-portraits. They learned about Kahlo’s life and how she used art as a form of self-expression and storytelling.

First Grade – We learned about Mae Jemison, Sally Ride, and Dr. Wangari Maathai during Women’s History Month. After learning about Ride and Jemison (Two female astronauts who were the “first” in their league), we made little rocket ships and wrote on them what we would like to explore in space. After learning about Dr. Maathai, we created a tree in our classroom and wrote on the leaves what we could to help others.