here are some of the capstone projects the students completed.
As the 2014-15 school year draws to a close, here are some of the capstone projects the students completed. Students created self-portraits out of words linked to their learning over this past school year. This idea arose from a conversation with educator Gabby Schoppa, on our shared train ride as we traveled back from the fall Maker Faire (see 9 September 2014 blog post). Students also created an illustrated book, "Three Generations at Stony Point." They worked in small groups to interview a current SPES 5th grader, his mother, and his grandmother, all of whom have connections with our school. Students drew illustrations, took photographs, wrote text, and created and published the book using an online photo shop site. A call-out to instructional coach Megan Weary, who was instrumental in partnering with me in this process. Another thank you to the SPES PTO, for funding the publication of the book--copies of which are now in our lobby, school library, and classrooms. The students were amazed at details such as wearing gloves (see photo below) and that 50 years ago, a carton of milk in the cafeteria cost 5 cents . . . Finally, students used clothespins to create a tree of knowledge--a.k.a., "Frank." We began with art teacher Ms. Mary Lou sharing a slideshow on clothespin creations, and then got some out for the students to tinker with freely. We brainstormed what to build, and eventually decided on a tree. At our end-of-year Quest Fest celebration, students made paper leaves and set them out for people to write down things they've learned over this past year, and then clip them to the tree. Below are some of the school-wide lifelong lessons . . . Thank you for sharing this year with me!
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By popular request, we held a "Peanuts Day" in our classroom. Students dressed the part--Linus and Peppermint Patty are shown. Students created and solved Peanuts-related math work. In reading, we enjoyed a Peanuts-related passage from Faiza-raintree.blogspot.com, and then choice comic books and related activities. I brought in some of my books to share, and played the "Linus and Lucy" theme for them on the keyboard in music class. Good grief! We're sorry it had to end. Maybe next year?
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March 2020
AuthorMs. McGill is a public school librarian at Stony Point Elementary. She has previously taught all subjects in 4th & 5th grades, and creative nonfiction at UVa's Young Writers Workshop for nine summers. Categories |