Playing in the Woods
11/9/2019
In today’s society, children are becoming more and more disconnected from the natural world. With the help of television, computers, video games and cell phones, children have developed a lack of interest when it comes to spending quality time outdoors. Research suggests children without direct experiences in nature will miss out on crucial opportunities to enhance their overall well-being, health and relationships. Learn more about the positive benefits of playing outside with your child below. Supports CreativitySeveral studies have shown that children who play in nature develop more capacities for creativity, intellectual development and problem solving. The same studies also found that kids who engage in playtime outdoors also play more cooperatively with other children. Improves AcademicsAccording to the American Institutes for Research, studies in the U.S. show nature-based experiential education can support student gains in language arts, science, social studies and math. It was even discovered that students who participated in an outdoor science program actually improved their science testing scores by 27%. Increases Physical ActivityImagine a child playing in a small patch of the woods, where trees can be used to build forts, or utilized as cover during a game of hide-and-go-seek. Children who are exposed to diverse natural settings, like parks and playgrounds, are more physically active and aware of nutrition than children who are not. Improves Social SkillsWhen children are free to roam the outdoors with unstructured playtime, their social skills will increase significantly, and their ability to get along with other children will greatly improve. Unstructured play outside will help your child learn to share, negotiate, problem solve, and most importantly, work with others as a team. Reduces StressLike adults, children can feel more relaxed after a long walk around the park. Researchers have found that the presence of green plants and green surroundings can reduce anxiety among highly stressed children. Improves Self ConfidenceIf your child suffers from low self-esteem, try exposing them to nature on a daily basis. Studies have found that inner city children who have access to green spaces have an enhanced sense of peace, self control and self discipline, especially in girls. Events in the Art Classroom!
10/31/2019
These weeks past have found the Lower School exploring the world of book arts. We've been working with the concertina form. Space Week found us writing thank-yous afterward to Su Curley, NASA Engineer, and Rich Overbeck, Moon Rock Expert.
The 1st-5th Grade classes completed 707 Postcards for Veterans, a project that Rachel Botson and I have coordinated the past three years. We delivered the postcards to the volunteer office at the VA Medical Center on October 28th. Each postcard will be given out all over Alaska to veteran for varied occasions, such as the Thanksgiving Blessing. Alaska has about 80,000 veterans, with about 40,000 of them registered. A total of 158 hours made this project happen. The Fifth Grade are working on their paintings inspired by Guernica. They are working within the parameters of using values with one area of color. The K-5 are working through different techniques of printmaking: monoprint and linocut. We have studied line, shape, value, texture, rhythm, and one point perspective. We have touched upon self-portraits, and will going in-depth in them soon. We will be studying the leaders of our country who characterize compassion and an awareness of world cultures. We will develop our skills in drawing people. There are many ways to teach art, and for the children to learn confidence through the process of art is one of the many goals I set as a teacher. I have several volunteer teacher assistants in my classes, who help make sure my classes have supplies passed out, and are duly cleaned up. The 5'x4' painting that the Eighth Grade completed in May, and Rachel Botson and I delivered with two students, has been hung permanently in the lobby of the VA Medical Center. It looks great! Stop and visit if you have time. The VA Medical Center is across from the Tikahtnu Mall. Artist Notes: I have a painting hung in Jens Restaurant, and several paintings on display at the Georgia Blue Gallery that are rotated frequently. I will be part of the December 7th Trunk Show at the Georgia Blue Gallery, displaying small paintings, notecards and drawings. I'm taking down my solo show at the Allstate Office in Palmer this coming Monday. I will be hanging paintings this coming Tuesday in the group show, Prophetic Art, with two other artists November through December. It will be at Humdingers Gourmet Pizzas in Palmer. I have a solo show in March-April 2020 at the Physical Therapy Office in Wasilla, and a solo show in May 2020 at the Bearpaw River Brewing Company on the Palmer-Wasilla Highway. Talkin' L2
10/26/2019
Today second and fifth-graders participated in a podcast that is meant to help teachers understand how research in applied linguistics can direct their methods in language classes.
Students were interested in calling in after we had a discussion about the way that our classes work to help them acquire language. I was somewhat dismayed that they didn’t immediately answer a question I asked them: what are the two ways we acquire language? With some guidance, students eventually replied that we acquire language when we understand spoken and written messages. (Songs also count as “spoken” language.) Linguists like Bill VanPatten have helped me understand that when we hear or read language that we understand, we start creating an implicit system for that language in our brains. The opposite is also true: if we listen to or read language that we don’t understand, we don’t process anything and don’t develop any fluency, even if we can talk about the language or conjugate verbs. Ideally the activities in Lower School Spanish classes provide input that all the children understand. They have a signal (the "Whoosh") to tell me if I am not being clear, and they are mostly confident about using it. Meanwhile, we learn songs, and discuss their meaning. We tell stories and read novels, making sure that what we read is comprehensible so as to lay down grammatical and syntactical forms in our brains. We interview class members to get to know one another, and as we do, we continue the process of absorbing critical phrases and verb conjugations. It’s important to reflect occasionally not only on how, but on why we offer Spanish classes, so today we called into the podcast, Talkin’ L2 with BVP. The moderator enjoyed the questions our children asked, and answered the children seriously. Take the opportunity to listen to the section with the PNA students, if not the entire podcast. There is always some fluff in this particular podcast, mostly because it shakes language teachers’ deeply-held beliefs and pushes us to work harder and more efficiently. A little humor helps that medicine go down smoothly. Our students’ interest, their questions, and their deportment make me proud to be part of PNA. Here is the link to the podcast. Start at 26:38 to hear PNA questions. Interstellar Music!
10/18/2019
While NASA didn't send the real David Bowie into space, this astronaut was able to cover his famous work, Space Oddity during his free time in the International Space Station. I've been looking for an excuse to show my students this incredible video. Finally, the opportunity presented itself!
We were also able to look into Gustav Holst's famous work, The Planets. The Planets' provide a musical representation of all the known planets of the Solar System seen from Earth at the time of which it was written (1914-1916). Each piece has a different character that coincides with the astrological character of each given planet. For example, Mars (the bringer of war) is vivacious, intense, and fast paced! Venus, (the bringer of peace) on the other hand, is serene and beautiful. Space week has been an awesome experience for both students and teachers alike! We wanted to thank everyone, parents and volunteers included, for all of the hard work that was put into making it all a great success! What an amazing opportunity for the kids! Have a great weekend! -Mr. Bissell Football Season
9/28/2019
Football season has arrived...in more ways than one. Not only is America's beloved sport back in season on a television or field near you, but we started our football and throwing/catching units in Physical Education Class. Now, I know that football isn't for everyone, but the rule follower in me loves the complexity of the game and the need to follow the intricate rules to be successful. There's also that competition component and the teamwork needed to be successful that appeals to me as well. Watching football and yelling from a couch is one thing, but teaching it to kids who may have never even seen a full-game in action is another thing entirely. Challenge accepted.
The most common question I get when announcing that we are starting the football unit is: "Can we play tackle?!?!" I try to explain to them (with a straight face) that playing tackle football, on a gym floor, is just not allowed. Especially since we aren't wearing any sort of padding or even helmets. Luckily, we have some nifty flag football belts that allow the students to play a game and still stay safe. The unit takes off slowly with some basic throwing and catching skills, then proceeds to passing routes and learning the positions. Those students that have played before are encouraged to help teach others who have never heard of an "offensive line" or know what it means to "protect the quarterback." Visual Art and the Community
9/21/2019
Last May the Eighth Grade completed a five foot by four foot painting that was donated to the veterans of Alaska who also are served at the VA Medical Center. Many thanks to Rachel, Piper, and Pearce Botson who helped deliver the artwork to Samuel Hudson, the Public Affairs Officer at the VA Medical Center. Last week the painting was hung in the front lobby where hundreds will view it every week. This is a permanent display.
The Lower School artists are also making postcards to give to the veterans. They will be distributed all over Alaska. You will hear more about this later. The Early Childhood and the Lower School are completing their displays for the Annual Harvest Festival. The Early Childhood's 3-D pumpkins demonstrate their two-handed painting techniques, learning to hold cardboard vertical and paint at the same time as holding on, rinsing the brush to change colors, mixing orange, and mixing green from primary colors. The Early Childhood have been developing their brush holding skills, and refining their scissor work. They have been learning and reviewing their color mixing. Lots of laughter and lots of paint fill the rooms! It is great to hear the music coming from Andrea Gardner's classes, and the Spanish from Emani Secret's teachings while I am in the Early Childhood Center. The Lower School have been developing their knowledge of painting techniques and skills while learning the elements and principles of design. They have been working with experimental painting techniques. At first, we learn the precise art of holding and moving the tools we use. Next, we gain confidence through using the tools frequently, and developing our skills. We have been working with the experimental techniques of spatter and paste papers for our journey into book arts this fall. Self-portraits are starting to be reviewed and developed. Art Notes about the instructor, Ms. Brenda Jaeger: I have a painting, Box Canyon, on display at Jens Restaurant through the Georgia Blue Gallery. There are two just hung paintings of mine at the Georgia Blue Gallery. A couple from Chicago just purchased a large painting they saw at Jens through the Georgia Blue Gallery, and it's being shipped there. I'm donating a painting to the Annual Jewish Gala I have a solo show at the Allstate Office in Palmer. The images are of construction workers. I took down the work at the group show at the State Fair, (guitar imagery), and the group show at Humdinger's Artisan Pizza in Palmer (Alaskan landscapes). |
Specialist & Enrichment Teachers Archives
February 2021
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