Our Field Trip to the Arizona Military Museum

In our history studies, we are just wrapping up learning about World War I and will soon be starting World War II. So, it was only fitting that we take a field trip to the Arizona Military Museum on October 28. At the museum, we learned about Arizona's rich military history--from the Spanish Territorial days until the present conflicts in the Middle East. We had a personal tour from the museum President, Col. Joe Abodeely. He was very knowledgeable and passionate about the entire scope of Arizona's military history. It was clear that he loves the museum, and so did we! When asked what their favorite parts were, the kids unanimously declared that they loved seeing the guns used in each war and of course the full sized combat helicopter which was housed in the East room.

Co-op in Review: October 21, 2009

The Upper and Lower Tapestry kids will sure have great memories from this week's co-op! It was busy upstairs, as both groups joined together for the entire class period. To start things off, they discussed the role and expansion of the American Red Cross during World War I. Then they focused in on two specific roles of the Red Cross: Canteen Service and Hospital Service. For a craft, each student made a nurse's hat out of paper. Then the fun began as the kids took turns volunteering at a pretend canteen--serving hot chocolate and singing songs to injured soldiers. Then an Army hospital was set up and the kids were each put into real plaster arm casts. Downstairs, the Five in a Row kids were having a blast as usual. They read "Amber on the Mountain" and made really neat flowers out of coffee filters and pipe cleaners.

Co-op in Review: October 14, 2009

Welcome back from fall break! The kids were sure happy to be back at co-op this week. The moms were wishing for one more week off, however! We had a new artist to study this week, Childe Hassam. Childe Hassam was an American impressionist who painted during the first World War. The picture we were introduced to is called "Allies Day" and it depicts a scene from the streets of New York City decorated in flags from all the Allied Nations. After our large group time, which also included a rehearsal of our group memory work and a review of behavior expectations, the older kids headed upstairs. The Upper Tapestry kids learned all about compasses and their usefulness during war and peace. They then made working compasses out of needles, water and corks. In addition, they learned the importance of a compass rose on a map, learned a compass poem and made maps. The Lower Tapestry kids reviewed what they learned this week about World War I and the invention of the Zeppelin. Then they made cool Zeppelin models out of paper plates and aluminum foil. Downstairs, the Five in a Row class read the book "Lentil". It's a charming story about a boy who saves the day by playing his harmonica. After the book, the kids made their own harmonicas out of tongue depressors and rubber bands and they got to experience how their lips pucker when they suck on lemons!

Co-op in Review: September 30, 2009

It's the last week before Fall Break! And, I think we are all ready for some rest and time off from school! This week, we were missing several of our friends. The Reynolds and Roberts families were both sick. The classes were a bit smaller, but we still had some big-time fun! Upstairs, both Tapestry classes made working periscopes with milk cartons, duct tape and mirrors. After making the periscopes, the kids staged a battle, with pretend trenches and a designated "no man's land." After making periscopes, the kids broke up into their classroom groups and where they did mapping activities and discussed the causes and alliances of World War I. Downstairs, the combined FIAR class was enjoying the book "The Salamander Room." It's a wonderful book about a boy who dreams of making a very natural habitat in his room for a salamander he found outdoors. After reading, the boys had a nature hunt of their own, finding items in nature of all colors and placing them inside egg cartons. Then they returned to the classroom to make salamander sculptures out of clay.