Welcome to the Upper Elementary Classroom

Contact me at lgaspari@brookviewschool.org 

Updates from Ms. Lindsay and Ms. Erinn...

Move-Up Night

Move up Night is around the corner with a little twist this year.  Instead of a Q&A with the teachers, parents are invited into the classroom for an open house featuring the students as teachers.  On Tuesday, December 6th, parents entering the classroom may pick up their own workplan and attend presentations from across the curriculum.  The students are practicing their favorite concepts and materials and are very excited to share them with you. 

Current parents may enjoy an early timeslot of 5:30 to 6:15pm. 

Parents of prospective students (of any age) are welcomed in from 6:15-7:00pm with a Q&A following the presentations. 

Students will remain to answer questions and talk about their experiences.  Hope to see you there!

Feasting in the UE:

Feast of the Asian Nations

The Upper Elementary geographic focus has been on Asia lately, with studies of political boundaries and culture.  Each student has selected an Asian country to research and report on to the class.  The room is becoming quite colorful with the flags and visual aids the students are making.  They will present their countries to each other throughout the next few days with the projects culminating in a feast of authentic dishes from the each country studied. 

Next we explore the topography of the continent, from land and water forms to biomes, including the flora, fauna, and people that populate each region.

Feast of the Plant   

As the local plant life begins to prepare for their long, winter slumber, the UE students takes their botany studies into the soil to consider the nutrients plants need to thrive.  We used words like "macronutrients" and "micronutrients" and found many of the elements we discussed last year in the chemistry unit.  The botany chart that illustrates this concept is titled, "The Menu of the Plant."  We took the work a step further and created menus for plant cafes and restaurants with meals like, "nitrogen nachos" and "manganese mac-and-cheese," and my personal favorites, "beef boron-yone" and "bananas phosphorus." 

Students selected an item from their own menu and prepared it for the class to sample.  We had a delicious Feast of the Plant with enough beverages, sides, salads, entrees, and desserts for any aged-oak or young sapling to enjoy.

Practical Life Day: 10/31/11

While excitement ran high on Halloween, the Upper El students channeled it into learning new practical life skills.  Split into three groups, they rotated stations throughout the morning. 

At one station, students practiced threading needles and learned how to sew buttons.  They sewed 2-hole, 4-hole, and decorative buttons onto scraps of fabric.  "I thought this might be boring but it's actually really fun!" one student commented.  Many returned to the station later and requested more buttons and thread.  At the second station, students learned the steps to baking an apple pie.  From peeling and coring to mixing and stirring, the product of their labors was a delicious snack.  At the final station, the students learned tool basics with volunteers, David Ryan and  Andy Faust.  They practiced with hammers and nails, learned the types of screwdrivers, and participated in a hands-on demo of drills.  They tried drilling with a crank drill and an egg-beater drill, and finally, under careful supervision, many tried the electric drill.  Though they enjoyed the manual drills, most found they preferred the electic one! 

The day went very well and the students were pleased with their new skills.  They hope to have another Practical Life Day, soon!

What's New in the UE 2011

 The Upper El students have had a change of plans in their physical education routine.  We are practicing the basics of soccer under the direction of Andy Faust.  Once a week we troop down to the field to practice drills and end with a scrimmage.  Next we will be studying dance with a focus that coincides with our next geographic study of Asia and Africa. 

Aside from our normal classroom studies of the universe and cosmos, our other special areas of study include gradening, cooking projects, community service, a nature class with Sarrett, and learning the highly mathematical game of cribbage.  Students are also taking on farm duties, feeding the animals and cleaning out the barn.  We are enjoying the new animals very much and will be launching a can drive soon to help raise funds for the farm.

Welcome Back! 

The 2011-2012 school year is off to a terrific start!

Our annual fall trip to Camp Eberhart was a blast.  It rained but the weather couldn’t dampen our spirits.  We played several group dynamic games, building our teamwork and communication skills.  The kids were able to transport a pvc pipe all the way across the dining hall and up a flight of stairs--while balancing a golf ball inside of it.  When the weather cleared up we rode horses, identified spices while blindfolded, went on a trust walk, played a ball game, searched for animals tracks, poured plaster casts, and invented devices to protect eggs from a thirty-foot fall.  We sang silly songs, roasted marshmallows over a fire, heard stories and before we knew it, it was time for bed. 

Friday morning after breakfast we went rock-climbing.  Even Ms. Rebecca strapped on a helmet and climbed to the top of the wall!  Then we learned about the layers of soil and the critters that live in them, discussed the various adaptations animals have developed according to their biome home, designed our own animals, and took a hike through the Nature Center.  After lunch we learned how to use a compass and set out orienteering, a sort of scavenger hunt following coordinates hidden around the camp.  As our time at Camp Eberhart drew to a close, we divided the class into two groups for the final class.  One group paddled around Corey Lake in canoes, and the other shot a few bullseyes at Archery.   Then we loaded up and drove home, tired but happy.  So long, Camp Eberhart, see you next year! 

In The Classroom

Back at school in the Upper El room, the students are anxious to show off their skills.  They are ready to get down to business and work hard.  Spelling tests and Lit Circles will begin will begin next week, but the presentations have already begun, including Mario Montessori's Story of the Universe. The students have illustrated the tale and retold it in their own words.  Their beautiful projects can be seen displayed outside the room.

Specials classes have begun as well.  Upper El students have the opportunity to sign up for "studio time" with Mr. Larry, an additional 10-15 minutes of solo instruction in music.  Students may choose to have a mini piano lesson, compose music, or explore other aspects of music education.

Out On The Farm

You might have noticed some new noises coming from the farm.  We have rescued a sheep and a goat from a neglected farm in Coloma.  The goat is a buckskin Nubian dwarf; she stands about knee-high.  The sheep is a female Swiss Black-Brown Mountain sheep, a medium-sized breed noted for it's chocolate-colored wool.  The animals are shier than our last herd, but with time and patience I am confident they will warm to their new care-givers. We are happy that they have found their home at Brookview where they will be loved.  Upper Elementary students will have farm duties as usual, and are already bonding with the animals.   

YEAR ONE

With the blooming of the summer rose,

Our year together drew to a close.

The months slipped by so quickly, time flies when you have such fun,

Those moments all are precious, I will treasure every one.

It seems so long ago, and yet not so distant past,

I met you all for the first time, but certainly not the last!

Three of you patiently listened, one August afternoon,

While I presented math and science, as part of interview.

And another made acquaintance, while my mouth was full of toothpaste.

Then two more introduced, at a party, “Back-to-School” based.

To meet the final pupil, I had to wait a little more.

I knew who she must be, when she walked in through the door.

And so our year began.

We made rules and jobs and estimations,

Plans for field trips, pets and presentations.

We bought supplies, put them to use, practiced how to write and spell.

You learned the words to, “Dynamite,” and golfed with Lower El.

In the classroom we were busy, I instructed and presented,

You gobbled up the work, no deadline you resented.

October rolled around and then, to Camp Eberhart we traveled!

(And talked of little else, I'm certain, by Shaun you all were dazzled!)

Gracie went to Europe, and we all stayed behind.

We had October conferences, and other work to mind.

We gardened and we tended sheep, we named our little lambs,

We solved equations, sorted nouns, did research, and drew diagrams.

Spelling tests were “Easy!” because you did the work,

Homework came in early, no follow-ups did you shirk.

We read Hatchet altogether, and Pipkin joined our class,

We caroled at the Whitcomb, fall days slipped quickly past.

When Aiden got pneumonia, in unison you chimed,

“We'll Trunk-or-Treat for him!” but he recovered just in time.

Although it had turned colder, enthusiasm never dampened.

Recess was not the only time, your creativity ran rampant.

Winter Celebration unleashed a tropical breeze,

And transported all our visitors, to Central America: Belize

Becca baked us LOTS of muffins, Hannah's book reports inspired,

You learned some latin dances, and built a lean-to I admired.

Before vacation was upon us, I asked you all to read,

A book that was non-fiction: American biographies.

When you returned in January, you had your projects done,

We met Abe Lincoln, Laura Ingalls, and George Washington.

We learned about brave Rosa Parks, and Sacajawea, with her baby in tow,

Listened to MLK's famous speech, and the escapes of Geronimo.

You learned the vital functions of all living creatures.

You learned to classify the species, by their traits and by their features.

We played with Greek and Latin, prefixes, suffixes, and roots.

Created creatures like the ploctopus, the peaslock, weagle, and bevecoon.

In February love was shown, in many different ways,

You planned and organized, two very special days.

I shall never forget my 29^th birthday, or that I'm a proper noun.

The Lower El will always remember, The Valentine Luncheon will be renown.

March marched into prehistory, and early humans came to stay,

Skeletons lined up across the floor, Livi's Neanderthal lead the way!

After school with Mr. David, we had a lot of fun,

Molding, sanding, staining, painting, 'til “Baaa Humbug” was done.

We took the train down to Chicago, to the Museum of Natural History.

We used tools, made paper molds, at Andrews University.

We shredded paper from our scrap pile, added water, used our wooden shaper,

With a lot of sponging and of patience, we made our own recycled paper.

You know what Dangerous Pie is, how Fudge got his fangs, and,

Tried prickly pear, played Harry Potter, and made a secret land.

Spring slowly made it's presence known, with rain and thunderheads.

We played steel drums, and practiced our lines, for snack, ate lots of breads.

You showed appreciation, when you made us all a lunch.

The staff was wowed and I was proud, what a thoughtful bunch!

We played tennis, we played soccer, and we learned about Titanic,

We heard presidents, and government, our curriculum is gigantic!

I read aloud from Watership Down, Isaac began his internship,

We practiced for The Tempest, then we took our final trip.

Back again to Camp Eberhart, for two nights, would you believe?!

We sailed and swamped and searched for owls, and didn't want to leave.

On our final day of school, we debuted The Tempest.

Quinn helped us out between the scenes, and you all performed your best.

With swaying sails and lightening flashes, a story filled with strife,

You captivated your audience, and made your characters come to life.

What a way to end our year, those months so filled with fun.

I know that I shall never forget, this time at Brookview, Year One.

Off-Campus Experiences: April

Recently, the Upper El attended a Steel Drum clinic at Upton Middle School.  With this year's geographical focus on the Americas, a calypso-themed musical seminar was very timely.  The students learned three types of steel drums, the lead (melody) cello, and bass (accompanying harmony).  They learned the history of steel drums as an instrument, from their origin on the islands of Trinidad and Tobago to their popularity around the world today.  The kids were pleased to try all three sets and picked their favorite.  From there, they were encouraged to learn a short tune in which each set played a different rhythm.  All together, the students delighted in their music.

March

Andrews University Woodshop: pictures coming soon!

Chicago Field Museum

 To round off the our study of prehistory, the students of Upper Elementary visited the Evolving Planet exhibit at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, IL.  We rode the South Shore train into the city.  Passengers were impressed with the quiet, self-directed manner in which the students carried themselves. 

At the museum, we saw Sue (the dinosaur, not the Dubar) and watched a 3D movie of what life was like for her back in the Mesozoic Era, how her bones were discovered, and how she came to live at the museum.  We explored the fascinating Evolving Planet exhibit, marvelling at the similarites to Dr. Montessori's own material, the Timeline of Life.  Students compared their feet to the footprint of a dinosaur, peered into the viewing glass of the first mammal, posed before a realistic raptor, gazed up at a 10-foot giant sloth, tried the tar pit demo, and searched for the models of the early humans they had just finished researching back at school.  

After lunch we checked out an exhibit on DNA, oogled the recently reopened Hall of Gems, and briefly examined Ancient Chinese theater paraphernalia.  For our final exhibit, we caught a tour of the Ancient Americas as kick-off to our Ancient Civilization studies.  Then it was time to catch the train back home.

The students enjoyed the train rides almost as much as they liked the museum.  They look forward to our next adventure in the city!

Early Hominid Remains Discovered in the Upper Elementary Classroom!

the left hand of a Neaderthal man       replica of Neanderthal brain

archeologists hard at work                  piecing homo erectus back together

 prehistoric cave art                       Neanderthal skulls were bigger than ours

        a prehistoric scene             artist's rendition        under construction

HAPPY VALEN-TIMES! 

This Valentine's Day, the Upper Elementary invited the Lower Elementary and the hard-working ladies in the front office to join us for a Valentine Pasta Luncheon.  We used this opportunity to practice grace and courtesy by serving others.  The UE planned the luncheon in advance, from decorations to menu to invitation.  We prepared a marinara sauce on the Friday before, chopping onions, crushing garlic, simmering tomatoes, measuring olive oil, and adding spices until the entire school smelled like an Italian restaurant.  We also prepared a special treat, shaking cream packed in snow and rock salt until it turned into delicious ice cream.  Monday morning we decorated the kitchen and finished the food preparation, garnishing each table with carrots and a bread basket.  By lunchtime, the Lower El was welcomed into a candle-lit dining room swathed in red, white, and pink.

The Upper EL took their serving roles very seriously and were attentive hosts.  Pasta was replenished, sauce was ladled out at request, and pink lemonade flowed aplenty.  "Please pass," "Thank you," "You're welcome," and "May I?" accompanied the dinner music playing softly in the background.  When the dishes were cleared and the Lower El returned to their classroom, the UE students sat down to their own meal, tired, but still cheerful and pleased with their event.  They are already looking forward to next year's Valentine Luncheon!

Thank you very much for the donation of carrots and bread for our special occasion.  They balanced the table nicely.

January in the UE Classroom... 

 As January rolled to a close, we also wrapped up our studies of the Vital Functions of the animal world.  Vital Functions are those systems of the body which are necessary for survival, such as nutrition, respiration, circulation, support & movement, sensitivity, and reproduction.  The animal kingdom sports a variety of ways to meet these needs, from the very simple to the extremely complex.  Yet even in their simplicity, some of the "lower lifeforms" are capable of advanced technology that humans cannot accomplish without a laboratory.  Who knew that a simple sponge had mastered the science of cloning way back in the Paleozoic era?  Why can a seastar regenerate a lost arm, yet we need expensive bionic prothetics?  The beautiful and fascinating world of animals has kept us busy!

We studied the vital functions of several invertebrate phylums, five classes of chordates (animals with a vertebral column), and two of the in-between animals that don't quite have a backbone, but do have the beginnings of one, such as the lamprey and the hagfish.  The students chose animals from each division and compared the vital functions in some outstanding projects that are currently hanging up outside the classroom.  Check out some of those digestive tracts and pulminary sacs!

So, a carot, a bevecoon, and a bizzard walk into a bar... 

Now that we've studied what animals have in common on the inside, we've also taken another look at the scientific words zoologists have given used in order to classify them.  Combined with our language studies of prefixes and suffixes, we are now able to translate those scientific syllables into meaningful descriptions of the animals themselves!  For instance, cephalopod comes from the greek words for "head" and "foot," meaning animals whose feet or legs seem to grow out of their heads...squids and octopi!  The "arthro" in arthropod gives those animals the name, "jointed-leg," encompassing all of the creepy crawly insects, arachnids, and crustaceans!   (Swap the second syllable of that word for "itis," meaning "disease characterised by inflammation," and you get a much more recognizable word.)  Even the rhinoceros' name literally means "nose-horn."

Fuelled by the excitement of translating all these Greek and Latin words, the students were invited to create brand new animals.  They created their own taxonomy to classify their animals right down to genus and species.  Visit the upper el and you just might find yourself face-to-face with a ploctopus, a peaslock, or a weagle.

Outdoor Fun!

Lately, Upper El has employed their recess minutes working together to build a lean-to big enough for all of them to fit inside.  The first Literature Circle book was about a boy who was stranded in the Canadian wilderness and rescued just before winter.  Their love of the novel led most of them to also read the sequals on their own, or for their November book report.  One of the sequals was an alternate ending, suggesting what would have happened if the boy had not been resuced, and had had to survive through a winter in the woods. 

The Upper El decided that if Brian could build a shelter, so could they.  This is the beginning of their efforts.

Biographies!

For their December book reports, students were asked to choose a biography of a famous American.  Over break they all gave careful consideration to creating a project based on their books.  Each student presented his or her American in fine form, with several in character and costume!  They also wrote condensed versions of their reports to share with the Lower El at the January Community meeting. 

Caroling in St. Joe Retirement Homes

On the last day of school before break, we went to the Whitcomb in St. Joseph to perform a holiday concert.  The students put together their program of holiday favorites.  They serenaded the residents with the melodies of "Jeanette Isabella," "Feliz Navidad," O Hannukah," and of course, "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer."  They concluded their performance by inviting their audience to join them in "Deck the Halls." 

Then we headed over to Coventry House Inn's Caretel facility.  There, the students not only sang for a seated group, but also walked the halls in true caroling fashion for the residents in their rooms.  There were many smiles and lots of applause.  We even made a friend who invited us all into her room to share her collections and tell a few stories.

We were met with warm reception and joyous appreciation at both retirement homes.  They studentes enjoyed the experience very much and have already begun asking when we may return.

Winter Celebration!

Belize it or not, the Upper Elementary students decorated their room with projects from their Belizean studies.  Each student researched the flora and fauna of the country, as well as some history.  The room was transformed into the jungle and the Caribbean Sea, with indigenous animals peeking out from behind trees, and marine life in suspended animation.  Most of the animals were life-size with an exception made for the whale shark, whose true size, at forty feet, dwarfs the confines of our space.  A twenty foot palm tree towered the "beach" inbetween the sea and jungle.  Also on display was a Mayan pyramid, a clay tablet with the Mayan alphabet carved into it, and a chart of words translated into the six languages spoken in Belize.  Students grated three pounds of sweet potato and made a sweet potato pudding for visitors to try. 

It was sad to take all the beautiful works of art down, but the Upper El delighted in taking home their hard work.  Great job, guys! 

Pipkin

At the end of October we welcomed a new addition to our classroom-Pipkin!  A solid black, soft-as-velvet, mini-rex rabbit.  She has won over all our hearts, including a few on the farm!  So far she has been very sweet and friendly with everyone.  She loves apples, carrots, and escaping from the mazes we build for her.

  Can you spot the bunny in this picture?

October 5th, 2010

The leaves may be dropping but the Upper El is anticipating new growth!  We are studing the Living World, and within that, both the Monera Kingdom and the Plant Kingdom this week.  After discussing the Vital Functions of plants, we pulled on gardening gloves and got down into the dirt.  Under the guidance of Jane Schnell, we cleaned out our back garden, planned the landscaping, and planted small bushes.  We also planted a variety of perennial bulbs that we hope to see bloom in the spring.  Inside, we are trying to force a bulb of each variety to add some color and oxygen to our classroom.  We also swept the Boardwalk and pruned back all the undergrowth that had grown over the boards.  Enjoy a walk down to the prairie without being snagged by thorns or wondering if that vine growing across the way is poison ivy! 

                                                          

The Upper Elementary especially would like to thank the slow snack parents for the zuchinni bread.  It was delicious!

October 4th, 2010 

We have wrapped up our first complete week without interruptions!  I assure you that all of the students have been working very hard.  Amongst their math presentations, noun studies, geometry presentations, Literature Circle activities, and science presentations, the students also performed experiments, charted the Living World on a nature walk, finished and performed their Big Bang Projects (very cute!), and continued the year-long focus on chemistry with set 2 of “Laboratory Terminology.”  Some of the students have displayed their work outside the classroom.  They continue to impress and delight me with their enthusiasm for learning, their positive attitudes, and joyful dispositions.  We are off to a wonderful start.The Upper Elementary has kicked off to a great start this year!  Students are enthusiastically embracing the schedule and routines of our classroom.  We neighbor the Lower Elementary room this year, and will combine for gym classes, Spanish groups, and some of the field trip experiences.   

There will be several opportunities to help this year.  Currently, we are looking for someone with sewing skills and a little extra time.

In a GIANT estimation work, we put together a budget for school supplies, submitted a funds request, was granted it, and shopped together for our supplies. 

CAMP EBERHART 

We also went on our annual overnight trip to an outdoor education camp.  Students were consulted on the selection of classes they would like to take.  We chose Group Dynamics, Tracks and Scat, Gone Senseless, Canoeing, Pioneer Crafts, Scavenger Hunt, Night Hike, and Campfire for the first day.  In the morning, we went rock climbing, learned how to shoot a bow and arrow, took a survival class, and designed contraptions to protect eggs from a 20' drop.  Then it was time to pack up and go home.  (I was exhausted!)  The students lamented leaving the entire ride home.  They are already trying to decide on a way to fundraise for another trip in the spring.  Below are pictures from our experiences.  Check out Hannah's article in the October newsletter about our field trip. 

Literature Circle update: 

Please help your child remember to bring the copy of Hatchet as well as his or her homework, back to school on Mondays.  As a part of learning accountability and meeting deadlines, we decided that students who are not prepared for Lit. Circle will not participate, but will work solo to catch up.  “Not prepared” encompasses not having the required independent reading finished on time, not completing the follow-up activities on time, and forgetting the folder at home or in the car.  “My dad forgot to put the folder in my backpack!” and “It’s in my mom’s car!” will not be acceptable excuses for not being prepared.  Your children are ready to take on more responsibility and the folder can be one of those things.  We decided as a class that not participating seemed to be a logical consequence for not being prepared.

                We also discussed that sometimes our lives are very busy and we do occasionally forget things.    Therefore, we decided that there should be a day of grace, a single time when a student could “forget” and still participate.  If you have any questions regarding any of the above, please send me an email and I would be happy to answer your questions.

Meeting with you child's teacher: