Co-op in Review: September 27, 2012

This week was the final week of the Dialectic class' election unit and the third and final week of our studies of South America.  The Dialectic class worked on their campaign speeches, learned about the electoral college system and made campaign buttons with their slogans.   They really have enjoyed this timely look at the American Political system--and can't wait for Election Night.   The Upper Grammar class studied the geography and landscape of South America by making dioramas of the rainforest out of shoeboxes.  They did a great job!  The Lower Grammar class made rain sticks and "Keep Out" signs--which reminded them of the Monroe Doctrine--a doctrine that stands to day, keeping Europe out of the Americas.  And, the Five in a Row kids read the book, " We're Going on a Bear Hunt."  It's the classic tale of a father and his four children who journey through the great outdoors, and are finally chased home by a bear!  The kids then made cute bear puppets out of paper bags.

Co-op in Review: September 20, 2012

This week, our Upper and Lower Grammar kids continued their look into South America, while the Dialectic kids were in their second of three weeks studying campaigns and elections.  The Dialectic students fine tuned their campaign ad scripts and then recorded their ads, to be edited in the coming weeks and showed off their campaign posters.  They also learned about the influence of the media in elections, polling, different jobs in a campaign and the importance of the battleground states.  The Upper Grammar class discussed the transition of the South American countries from Spanish colonies to independent nations.  They made a unique tambourine and did a mapping project as well.  The Lower Grammar kids did a craft replicating the Nazca lines, using glue.  The Nazca lines are mysterious, ancient Peruvian geoglyphs, art forms created in the rocks near the Pacific coast.  The Five in a Row class read the book, "Ask Mr. Bear."  In this story, Danny doesn't know what to give his mother's birthday.  He finally gets the perfect gift idea from Mr. Bear.  The kids made a great bear paper craft as well!

Co-op In Review: September 13, 2012

This week, all of our three Tapestry classes started a three week long study of the people, geography, culture and history of South America.  During this first week, the kids learned about the European influences that shaped the history of South America, specifically the colonization of much of South America by Spain.  While the Upper Grammar and Lower Grammar classes discussed and did projects related to South America, the Dialectic class will be spending the next three weeks of class time learning about elections, campaigns and the upcoming Presidential election.  This week, the kids Dialectic were divided into two campaigns, three kids were assigned to the Republican Party and three kids were assigned to the Democrat Party.  Throughout the next three weeks, the kids will work together to stage a mock campaign.  This week, the kids learned the differences between Republicans and Democrats, learned some basics about American politics, analyzed political slogans and campaign commercials, and began to work on their own campaign ads.  The Upper Grammar kids discussed what they were learning about South America and then made super cool rain sticks.  The Lower Grammar kids talked about South America, but then did a neat apple tree painting project to remind them of what they learned in literature this week where they read "Johnny Appleseed."  The Five in a Row kids read the book, "I Am An Artist."  This book teaches kids that by exploring the delights of nature, they can be inspired to create.  The kids then created their own paintings, inspired by nature!

Supreme Court and Capitol Field Trip

On Thursday, September 6, our Co-op took a field trip to the Arizona Supreme Court and the Arizona Capitol.  It was a blast!  Chief Justice Rebbecca White Berch led our tour of the Supreme Court.  We started out in the Courtroom, where she talked to the kids about the building, the role of the Court, the types of cases the Court hears and then took questions from the kids.  She then led us through the Justice's conference room and into her chambers, where she showed us around and answered more questions from the kids.  She was wonderful with our group and we are very thankful for her willingness to host us!  Next, we walked across Wesley Bolin Plaza to the Arizona Capitol.  There, we met Representative J.D. Mesnard.  Rep. Mesnard took us through the Arizona Capitol Museum (which is basically the entire old Capitol building) and then over to the House of Representatives building.  We started out in the public hearing room, where Rep. Mesnard explained to the kids how the public can have input into legislation.  Then we headed up to the public gallery, where the public can sit and watch legislative proceedings.  Finally, we had a real treat when we were allowed down on the House floor, to sit in the desks of the legislators and really experience what it is like to vote on and debate legislation.  Rep. Mesnard was great with the kids, answering their questions and talking to them about his career path, what elections are like and what it's like to be a legislator and a part of the bill-making process.  It was a great day and we sure did learn a lot!