Art "Through the Ages"

The Evening of the Arts actually began yesterday afternoon with the Pre-K and Kindergarten concert and continues through the weekend with the gallery open for viewing after Meeting on Sunday. One very special aspect of this annual event is the fact that every single student at every grade level participates and has their artwork on display.

Fifth graders are given special treatment, with individual display space for each one of them. I also appreciate the collaborative works of art. This year, they include Rapunzel's Castle (second grade), the preamble to the Constitution "spelled out" on license plates from the fifty states (fifth grade), and a copy of Picasso's Three Musicians (several grades).

Kudos to T. Dennis, who began the Evening of the Arts many years ago, T. Ruth and Julia Morris (Tyler '03) for their expert hanging of the art show, and T. Karen for her energy in putting together an entertaining concert.

From Africa to the Moon (and beyond!)

This past Friday was a very busy day at WCFS! In the morning, Kindergarten presented the annual African Market, showcasing all that they have learned about African geography, animals, clothing, food, customs, art, music and games. The students were assigned to their stations and answered questions put to them with great confidence!

And then it was on to outer space (at least virtually) with NASA Astronaut Marsha Ivins, a veteran of five space shuttle missions. Marsha gave an extremely engaging presentation to the entire school as well as guests from Goshen Friends School and Chester County Family Academy about the history and future of US space missions. She also visited classes during the afternoon. Marsha said that she hopes to spark the kind of excitement in today's students that many felt when the Apollo missions went to the moon. Judging by the reaction of her audience, I think she succeeded. Many thanks to T. Alice for arranging this special event.

Fifth Grade Trip to Washington, DC

Thirteen happy, weary fifth graders disembarked from the train in Wilmington station Friday evening after two very full and successful days in Washington, DC. They surveyed farm land at Mt. Vernon, toured the Capitol and White House, visited the Supreme Court and several monuments, and walked A LOT.

Each student researched either the Capitol, Supreme Court or White House prior to the trip. When they then got to see "their building", the excitement and joy on their faces was rewarding to see. They made their teachers proud with the amount of knowledge they shared on tours and with the respect they showed at the Tomb of the Unknowns and the Vietnam War Memorial.

The class left a smaller carbon footprint by using public transportation rather than a chartered bus. They became quite adept at managing fare cards and keeping their balance on the Metro!

What's Your Favorite Poem?

Poetry is being celebrated school-wide during National Poetry Month. For example, second graders have been reciting a poem for the entire school at Monday morning gatherings. I've been impressed by their composure and public speaking skills!

Today is Poem in Your Pocket Day. Every student and teacher is carrying a poem either in a real pocket in their clothing or a special pouch designed to be worn around their neck for the occasion and taking them out to share with each other throughout the day. Some special sharing is taking place by bringing students from different grades together.

I have a few Shel Silverstein poems in my pocket and one called "My Dog Is a Plumber" by Dan Greenburg that comes from Free to Be, You and Me. I am also reciting a "mystery" poem that I learned when I was about ten years old and challenging older students to guess where it comes from:

Stop my friend, the reason why,
As you are now, so once was I.
As I am now, so you must be.
So now prepare to follow me.
- author unknown

I invite you to post a comment on the blog to share your favorite poem or make a guess about the source of the mystery poem!

Another Great Science Fair

The Science, Technology and Invention Fair last evening was another great success. Students expertly explained their experiments (third), consumer product research (fourth), and inventions (fifth). We now know that hot water melts ice faster than salt, tomatoes have more vitamin C than oranges, and generic brand diapers hold more water than name brands. Fifth graders have some marketable inventions, like a book stand for people who have trouble holding books and turning pages, a changing station for people on the go, and the Robo-Artist!

Many thanks to Teachers Dottie and Alice for their hard work in preparing these young scientists and designers.

Second Grade's Green Dollhouse

Inspired by our All-School Unit theme of the Environment, the second grade has been making a "green" doll house since the fall. Everything that has gone into this house comes from materials that are recycled from some other purpose. Walls are decorated with paint left over from other projects. Thread spools are now chairs. Plastic pieces from inside pizza boxes are now tables. The roof is tiled with acorn shells and a plastic food container has been put to good use as a greenhouse. There is even a dog house and swimming pool!

Read the article about the doll house that recently appeared in the Daily Local.

The green doll house is on display for tonight's Science Fair, a perfect setting for you to see our second graders' creativity and inventiveness for yourself!

More on the Science Fair tomorrow . . .

Folk Arts Rajasthan

Today we enjoyed an entrancing performance by a group of musicians and a dancer from Rajasthan, India. The Merasi (which means "musician" in the local dialect) are still considered "untouchables" in the Indian caste system, but when they perform here they receive the admiration and respect that they so dearly deserve. In addition to enjoying their music and dance, students learned about their unique instruments and about their culture.

Folk Arts Rajasthan, the organization that brought the Merasi to our school, was established to preserve traditional Rajasthani music, arts, and culture; provide opportunities for education and empowerment; and facilitate international cultural exchanges of music, dance, and crafts. Among their projects, they have established The Merasi School as a means to combat poverty.