Co-op in Review: February 24, 2010

This week our Tapestry classes both focused on the Civil Rights Movement. The Lower Tapestry of Grace boys read the story of Ruby Bridges, a brave six year old girl who was the first black child to attend an all white elementary school in New Orleans. All of the students were touched by Ruby's bravery and her willingness to pray for her enemies. What a great lesson for all of us!! The kids then made Ruby Bridges school buses, talked about the dreams that they have for their futures and made little bitty Martin Luther King fact books. On the other side of the room, the Upper Tapestry of Grace class watched a power point presentation over viewing the major events, causes and people of the Civil Rights Movement. At the end, they were challenged to share their thoughts about civil rights, equality and segregation. Then they looked at a handful of Bible verses that give us a clear idea of how God views racial prejudice. Then the group read about the Freedom Rides, mapped one of the most violent rides and then made a protest poster--with their own ideas and slogan! Downstairs, the younger kids read the book, Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening". It's the picture book adaptation of Robert Frost's famous poem. The kids enjoyed going on a nature walk of their own, all around the church campus. They collected little treasures from nature--sticks, leaves, rocks--and then made collage pictures when they got back to the classroom.

Co-op in Review: February 17, 2010

Let the race begin--the Space Race, that is! This week, both Tapestry of Grace classes learned about the Soviet satellite, Sputnik. The launch of Sputnik shocked the United States and caused us to fear the Soviets even more. Sputnik was an 184 pound satellite, that merely sent bleeps back to earth, yet, it was the first man-made object in space and the Soviets took the early lead in space exploration. In class, the kids made their own space craft out of household objects-showing great creativity and ingenuity. They mapped out the United States and the Soviet Union and the Lower Grammar kids made small Sputnik models and the Upper Grammar kids made little paper rockets that can be launched by blowing through a straw. Downstairs, the younger kids read "The Rag Coat." It's the touching story of a little girl, Minna, who lives in poverty in Appalachia. She can't go to school because she doesn't have a coat. The "quilting mothers" of her town get together and make her a coat out of quilted rags. The kids at school make fun of Minna's coat until she tells them how each rag tells a story, then they love Minna's coat! Next, the kids had a coat fashion show of their own, telling a story of what they would like to do in their coats. Then the kids shared their favorite quilts and they made a paper quilt craft.

Co-op in Review: February 10, 2010

Happy Valentine's Day! Co-op this week, started off with a little Valentine's celebration for all the kids! They had a blast exchanging cards and then they all enjoyed some yummy cupcakes! Then it was time to get busy! Upstairs, it was all about the 1950's. The Lower Grammar boys talked about the toys, restaurants, inventions and culture of the 1950's. They made a collage of 50's culture: televisions, Elvis, McDonalds, and hula hoops. They then discussed the transition from families listening to radio shows to watching situation comedies on televisions. The boys were then able to watch a hilarious segment from "I Love Lucy". Then they made "I Like Ike" campaign buttons. Meanwhile, on the other side of the room, the Upper Grammar kids were also learning about the 195o's. They focused in on the abstract art of the decade, making paper relief sculptures in the style of Frank Stella. What great creativity and bold use of color! Downstairs, the younger kids read "The Glorious Flight". This book recounts the persistence of Louis Bleriot as he builds a flying machine to cross the English channel. Then the kids did watercolor paintings of Louis' airplane flying through the sky over the channel.

Co-op in Review: February 3, 2010

This week, both groups of kids started doing new memory work. The Five in a Row kids are memorizing "The Goops" and the Tapestry of Grace kids are memorizing Martin Luther King's famous 1963 "I Have a Dream" speech. They are all off to a great start!! Upstairs, both Tapestry classes focused on Korea and the Korean conflict. They learned why and where Korea is divided and about the economy, culture and history of these countries. They also contrasted the two very different forms of government: democracy and communism. When asked which one they would rather live under, there was no hesitation: democracy all the way! What smart kids we have! The fighting in Korea lasted for three years, from 1950 to 1953, with almost 4 million deaths from all sides. And, sadly, Korea remains divided to this day. Both classes joined together to make "Yut Nori" game boards--a traditional game played by children in Korea. The Lower Grammar kids also made Korean drums out of oatmeal containers while the Upper Grammar kids made fact books about Korea. Downstairs, the littler members of our co-op were reading "Little Nino's Pizzeria". In this story, young Tony proudly tells of how he helps his father, Nino, in his pizzeria. Then success causes Nino to open a large, fancy restaurant, where Tony is in the way and Nino is too busy for him. All ends well when Nino misses the smaller operation and reopens his pizzeria. The kids then were able to pretend they were working in a real pizzeria. They even made pizzas out of construction paper, shredded paper and red paint! Bravo!!

End of Unit Celebration: January 31, 2010

On Sunday, January 31, 2010, we celebrated the end of our studies in Unit 2 of Year 4. The Nail Family hosted a wonderful afternoon party for the entire co-op. The kids were excited to show off what they have learned. We started by singing the "Star Spangled Banner" together. Then the adorable Five In A Row kids recited the poem "Work". Finally the Tapestry kids wowed the crowd by reciting Franklin Roosevelt's First Inaugural Address. It was then time for a break to celebrate something very special. We are all thrilled that our dear friends, the Glaziers, are not moving away. We wanted to do a little something to let them know just how special they are to us, so we presented Mrs. Glazier with a bouquet of flowers and had a "Welcome Back" cake for everyone to share. Just like past Unit Celebrations, each family brought crafts, projects and school work from the previous unit to share with the group. It was a lot of fun to visit each table and have the kids tell us about the awesome things they have made and done the past couple of months. Great job everyone!!