School notes: Holy Trinity Episcopal Day School enjoyed exploration and days of discovery By Sandy Stewart
Discovery classes ended their study of farm life and animals with a trip to Old Maryland Farm at Watkins Park. Students saw chickens, ducks, turkeys and peacocks. They were able to feed them corn and see some nests with eggs in them. There was a sheep being sheared and a cow that had been milked. The visit ended with a hayride in a wagon pulled by a big tractor.
The Explorer class celebrated Earth Day by learning ways to conserve the planet. They learned that humans create four pounds of trash daily. They also read The Earth is Good by Michael DeMunn and learned a fun song, "Dr. Jean's Happy is Everything." In art, they made a replica of the planet Earth. Kindergartners visited the National Zoo recently and all the animals were out to enjoy the great weather. They saw the elephants and giraffes and heard the lion roar. They also went into the reptile house to see lizards and alligators.
Third-graders researched the solar system and different planets. Using the information, they will create models of the solar system, planet models, or a travel journal, explaining an imaginary journey through space. Fourth-graders learned about French cuisine and culture during their visit to a French restaurant. Students enjoyed the food and had fun practicing their French language skills with the restaurant staff.
In art, seventh-graders created chessboard designs. They learned about receding lines and vanishing points. As finishing touches, they colored their chessboard in alternating patterns of black and white and filled in negative spaces with unusual drawings. As part of their introduction to Shakespeare unit, eighth-graders enjoyed a presentation by Bill's Buddies, an acting troupe from the Folger Shakespeare Library. The actors performed scenes from several Shakespeare plays and invited the students to join them in acting out variations of some scenes. After the performances, the troupe held a workshop where they helped students understand the nuances of various phrases and plots of the great bard. In classroom lessons, students will perform tableaux vivants for Shakespearean scenes from a variety of plays.
Parents and students shared a meal and enjoyed fun math activities at Math Night at Texas Roadhouse Restaurant. Each family received a math game kit for participating in the event.
---
YORKTOWN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
congratulates Taylor Brice, Lamar Cowan, Damian Gauthney, Becky Hanson, Jerisa Harris, Nia Little, Justin McCallum and Imani Spencer for representing the school in the 2008 Prince George's County Public Schools annual Elementary Solo and Ensemble Festival at Kenmoor Middle School. The musicians impressed the adjudicators earning a superior rating, the highest possible score. Factors such as tone, intonation, technique, balance, interpretation and musical effect were considered to determine the overall rating.
Students participated in a Jump Rope for Heart event recently and collected donations to benefit the American Heart Association. The school goal was to reach $3,000. Students smashed that goal by collecting $5,027.65. The classes also had a goal of $215 in order to earn their "Wow Challenge," an extra incentive to encourage students to collect donations. The classes who earned the challenges are: Mrs. Pierson, pillow/popcorn movie theatre afternoon; Ms. Trudick, she will get slimed by her class; Mrs. Greenberg, play musical desks for a day; Mrs. Johnson, extra physical education; Mrs. Brittain, a picnic lunch; Mrs. Smith, outside lunch; Mrs. Porambo, Ms. Elmore, Mrs. Bermpohl and Ms. Mangum, mismatch clothes and crazy hair day. Physical education teacher Ms. Timulak thanks the staff, teachers, parent volunteers and students for making this a very successful Jump Rope for Heart Event.
The third annual International Night will be Thursday, May 15, from 7 to 9 p.m. This year, the theme "Rainforests Around the World," matches the school's theme for the year, "Radiant Rainforests." As in past years, each grade level will represent one geographic area, which they will showcase with food, artwork, and/or games and music in various classrooms. Families are asked to prepare food typical of the countries assigned to their children's grade levels which are: prekindergarten, Brazil; kindergarten, Peru; first grade, Hawaii and Puerto Rico (USA); second grade, Southern Asia; third grade, Costa Rica; fourth grade, Australia; and fifth grade, Africa.
This can be a sharing as well as a learning experience for all, therefore, the "going green" theme will be followed by providing only one plate, a napkin and a set of utensils for each person for the evening. The PTA will also be recycling plastic water bottles.
All children must be accompanied by an adult. The evening will start with a parade of international flags, followed by a "carnaval brasileiro" of Brazilian rainforest animals, presented by the prekindergarten students. Students for grades kindergarten through second will then showcase what they have learned with the artist in residence, Slim Harrison. These students will perform on their handmade instruments and also dance to music of the rainforest. Grades three through five will perform at 8 p.m.
Interested parents and/or children are invited to dress in traditional clothing from their native country or heritage. If you have any questions regarding International Night, contact the school office or call Ileana Marvi, 301-805-6610.
---
School representatives should send information for School Notes to Sandy Stewart via e-mail at sstewart@bladenews.com or via fax at 301-464-7027.
