JohnA. BishopElementary School
Enrichment 2014-2015
All-school enrichment
Nicola Davies - Resident Non-fiction author workshops (October)
Funded in part by a grant from Arlington Education Foundation and in part by the Bishop PTO
Davies, an author and zoologist from Wales came to Bishop for five days. Davies also visited Thompson, Stratton and Dallin elementary schools. In her writing workshops Davies used natural history as a jumping off point for many types of writing including poetry, non-fiction and creative writing. At Bishop Ms. Davies had individual workshops with each classroom-grades Kindergarten through fifth grade. The fourth and fifth grade were lucky to have two workshops each which focused on word choice, details and revision. Kindergarten students worked on reader's theater using several of Davies' books. First, Second and Third graders worked on writing prose about the natural world with a special emphasis on revision and word choice. Many of the teachers commented it was the best enrichment they had to date at Bishop. Davies is extremely skilled at helping students become their characters, think as their characters, and create good word choices for their writing. The students were engaged and she was a full member of our community for two weeks. It was a very special opportunity for students, teachers and parents alike.
The Amazing Nano Brothers (December)
The Amazing Nano Brothers performed two 40-minute shows for the students atBishop. The brothers perform a shorter version of this full-length show every weekat the Museum of Science and we were delighted to be able to bring them to Bishopthis year. Fun for all ages, this comedy show is all about the mysteries of matter —including atoms, molecules, and nanotechnology. Brothers Dan and Joel juggled everything from potted plants to tennis rackets, sometimes from atop seven-footunicycles. Who knew physics could be this fun?
Science Night (April)
Bishop students and their families will gather at afun and free evening of science exploration, sponsored by Enrichment. The gymwill house over 20 parent- and 5th-grade-run hands-on demonstrations as well as an Egg Drop Competition. Over 20 students will design and conduct at-home experiments they will display for the Bishop community in the Library on tri-boards provided.
Art Quest (June)
Art Quest is a unique educational program designed to develop thinking skills through observation of visual works of art. Art Quest integrates art history and art appreciation with class curriculum providing students with an opportunity to learn visually. We invited Art Quest to come to Bishop last June so that we could further enhance our social studies curriculum as well as integrate art and history for each grade level. The program was well-received and we are delighted to have them returning to visit all Bishop classes June 3-5 during regularly scheduled Art time. Specific presentations are listed with each grade level below.
Kindergarten
January- Mass Audubon/Habitat: Animals in Winter
Students examine animal specimens, animal shelter, and a live animal visitor to learn more about strategies animals use to survive changing weather conditions. Find out more about migration, hibernation and dormancy, which local animals employ these strategies and who remains active. Birds, insects, mammals, reptiles and amphibians will be represented.
January Kemp Harris - Storytelling
The Kindergarteners heard stories and music that incorporated rainforest topics.
March: New England Aquarium Tidepool Program
Using guided imagery, a child-size costume and live animals, students explore and interact with local tide pool animals while learning basic biology and anatomy.
May: Mass Audubon/Habitat: Lifecycle: Frogs
Through observation, discussion, and activities, students deepen their knowledge of amphibians' life cycles and habitats. Habitat staff bring live animals for this class.
June : Art quest - Children in Art (during art class)
A basic introduction to observation skills for the younger student through the comparison of great works of art that are concerned with images of children. The paintings include a variety of cultures throughout history to enable the primary student to understand the world around them.
1st Grade
January: Eyes on Owls
This group brought a touch table of Arctic wildlife artifacts, photos, and 6 owls
January: Kemp Harris, Storyteller
In support of the unit on Africa, Mr. Harris told traditional African folk tales accompanied by interactive music activities. He also shared original stories.
May: Mass Audubon/Habitat: Soils
Students find out more about soil and meet the decomposers - the organisms that transform dead leaves, logs, and other organic matter into soil. Small animal visitors are part of this hands-on, interactive program. Students learn in small groups at three different stations.
June : Art quest - African Art (during art class)
An introduction to artifacts that represent the diverse and rich culture of Africa. Students will compare masks, sculptures, and musical instruments. Through discussion they will analyze and interpret the materials and forms of a variety of styles that represent African art.
2nd grade
January: Museum of Science - Engineering Bridges
Through hands-on activities students developed their own bridge models and analyzed the strengths and weaknesses of different testable designs while working independently, in small groups, and then as a whole group to build a full-size bridge in the room.
Massachusetts Framework Connections: Engineering
March: Motoko, Storyteller
As part of the students' unit on Japan, Motoko visited the second-graders for a grade-level storytelling presentation. Following the assembly, Motoko visited each 2nd grade classroom to discuss Japanese culture and share the story of the oni, a scary ogre, who is a familiar figure in Japanese folklore. Every February children perform a ritual of throwing beans to expel the oni! Each child created their own Oni Monster mask to take home.
April: Jessie Brown, Poetry
Arlington Poet, Jessie Brown, will conduct a grade-level poetry reading and discussion. She will return for poetry reading, dramatization, brainstorming, and writing workshops with each of the 2nd grade classes.
June : Art Quest - Art of Mexico (during art class)
This program takes students on a journey through ancient Mexico and up to contemporary times by comparing works of art from the country's rich history. Children will look at sculpture, architecture and paintings, learn about stories and common themes that intrigue Mexican artists, and discuss the influence of art throughout Mexico's history.
3rd grade
January: Plimoth Plantation: Hands-on Wampanoag Craft Workshop
A Native museum teacher guided students as they worked with traditional materials to make a clay pot. In this context, students learned about Wampanoag culture, including the significance of the raw materials and the use of the object they made.
February: Origamido origami workshops
Michael LaFosse led the students through a hands-on, ,paper-folding workshop in which they discussed and explored 90 and 45 degree angles, warm and cool colors, and fractions. They all took home a one-of-a-kind project and more paper to experiment with at home.
April 28: Thomas Potter/ Ed ? Colonia Reenactor
Mr. Potter and Mr. ? will visit the 3rd graders to provide persuasive arguments from both sides of the conflict leading up the American Revolution. The presentation will tie in to both the students' persuasive writing unit as well as their exploration of Massachusetts history.
May: Museum of Science - Motion: Forces & Work
Students will learn how forces create motion, what simple machines have in common, and why this helps us perform a large amount of work with minimal force. Mass Framework Connections: Physical Science ,Technology/Engineering
June: Dance History Live
Colonial dance instruction to celebrate Massachusetts and Colonial Life social studies unit.
June: Art Quest - Art of Massachusetts (during art class)
An introduction to the history of Massachusetts through works of art. Students will compare slides of paintings and engravings from colonial times through the late 19th Century.
4th grade
November - Museum of Science: Weather, Wind,
This presentation demonstrated how atmospheric phenomena interact with each other to create the weather we experience every day. Students watched a hot air balloon launch toward the ceiling, pressurized a tank to create enough wind to power a cannon, and saw a cloud form before their eyes.
February -Geology Rock Detectives - Museum of Science
The mineral mania classroom workshops help students peek beneath the crust and uncover what Earth is made of. The workshops introduced children to the world of geology, including geological formation, classification systems and the fundamental characteristics of rocks and minerals. Students had an opportunity to classify rocks, pan for gems, and recreate the process of rock formation through hands on experiments.
February: Origamido origami workshops
The students enjoyed hands-on workshops with Michael LaFosse in which they explored angles and other grade-level math concepts, as well as created a paper project to bring home.
May : Museum of Science - Electromagnetism
Among some of the difficult ideas in science to grasp is electricity. The Museum of Science comes in to help make the idea of electricity more concrete for our students. The MOS bring in high tech equipment for students to explore voltage, current, resistance and the interrelationship between magnetism and electricity. Students will see hair stand on end, create a human extension cord by sending an electric current through several people, and shoot a metal ring to the ceiling of the school!
June: Art Quest - Immigration (during art class)
This program shows a broad survey of images representing the diversity of immigrants in America’s past. References are made to immigrants from Eastern and Western Europe, South and Central America, China, and other parts of Asia. This lines up very well with the fourth grade social studies curriculum which delves deeply into immigration.
5th grade
December: Museum of Science- Animal Adaptation
In two workshops, students expanded their understanding of biological adaptations by observing both skulls and live animals. They saw three live animals from different groups, placed the animals in their correct classes, and learned about specific adaptations each animal has developed. After observing the live animals, students engaged in hands-on activities in which they became scientists and examined particular skulls to determine how the animals may have adapted.
February: Origamido origami workshops
The students enjoyed hands-on workshops with Michael LaFosse in which they explored angles and other grade-level math concepts, as well as created a paper project to bring home.
April: Museum of Science - States of Matter
Students will observe how solids, liquids, and gases change phases when subjected to extreme temperatures, and learn how to define the states of matter. The Museum of Science's demonstrations involve intensely cold liquid nitrogen. Students will see balloons shrink, a teakettle whistle without a stove, and lids pop off snack cans.
May: Thomas Potter - Ed ? Colonial Educator
Mr. Potter will visit the 5th graders to give a presentation on Colonial Life in conjunction with the students study of Massachusetts history.
June: Dance History Live
Colonial dance instruction to celebrate Massachusetts and Colonial Life social studies unit.
June: Art Quest - Two Cultures Meet: Native Americans/Europeans
This program takes a look at the ways in which European and Native American art and culture influenced each other from the time of exploration to the 20th century. Students will begin by observing traditional Native American art, architecture, and artifacts produced before the time of contact with European voyagers. They will then contrast those images with 15th century European paintings that depict court life, the Catholic Church, and explorers. The second part of the program focuses on contact and attitudes between the indigenous Americans and the Europeans. This lines up with the fifth grades study of history from colonialism to early slavery.