What happened in Wittenberg?
We spent time learning about how the church began in Israel, then spread to Rome, then spread around the world, and why it needed to be reformed during the Renaissance. We learned about Martin Luther and his ninety-five complaints about church abuses. Students performed skits, pounding ninety-five theses to the church door in Wittenberg, Germany (well, we had to use the classroom 301 door). We watched parts of the movie Luther with Joseph Feinnes, and students wrote letters to Pope Leo X, arguing for Luther’s side. Students also wrote letters to friends, pretending to be Martin Luther in hiding as he translated the Bible into German.
Miss Jensen
Famous Figures
Transitioning from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance, when western culture was reborn, we studied important figures such as Johann Guttenberg, Leonardo Da Vinci, and Christopher Columbus. We looked at how better science led to better technology, which led to better ships, and more exploration. Students had to pretend to be a significant Renaissance figure in front of the class and be interviewed. Students then had to guess whom each person was based on their contribution to society.
Miss Jensen
Coat of Arms
During our session on the Middle Ages, student studies heraldry. Students had to learn about the meanings of colors, shapes, and symbols that knights would wear on their shields or display above their doors. Students had to create their own coats-of-arms using Middle Ages heraldry symbols. This gave students a way to express their personality and character, as well as learn about how people lived in medieval times.
Miss Jensen
Middle Ages
After studying the Roman Empire and its fall, we studied the Middle Ages; when much learning and wisdom was lost for a while. Some students made model castles, some made posters, and some did projects on Middle Ages legends, such as Robin Hood and King Arthur. A few students studies the medical practices of the Middle Ages, inspired by our overview of the Bubonic Plague. Students reported on health practices such as blood-letting, medicinal herbs, watching the stars and planets, using frogs as medicine, and many other intriguing methods.
Miss Jensen
Catacombs
Students studied the beginnings of democracy in ancient Greece and Rome, and how these two empires shaped our culture today. Students made projects on the Roman catacombs—underground passageways where Christians would hide during Emperor Nero’s persecution. Some students made posters, and some made model catacombs out of styrofoam or paper boxes. This project also gave the students insight into the religious differences between Christians and Roman pagans, since the catacombs were also underground burial grounds, and Romans were too afraid of dead bodies to go inside them.
Miss Jensen
Temple of Dandur
After studying Ancient Egypt, the 6th graders took a trip to Manhattan’s Metropolitan Museum of Art to see their Egyptian wing. Students got to go inside parts of the Temple of Dandur, learn about how mummies were made, and learn about Ancient mythology. The students were able to ask (and answer!) questions about Egyptian religious beliefs, burial practices, and daily life.
Miss Jensen
Celebrate
June was an exciting month for our second graders. Not only did they receive awards for their accomplishments but they also had a chance to celebrate their birthdays. We had lots of food and plenty of games. To complete the school year, second grade made a class book as a keepsake. We had an awesome year.
Mrs. Boodram
Henry and Mudge
Our second grade students learned a valuable lesson when we went to Manhattan to see the play Henry and Mudge. They learned that we should never be a show-off because it is not nice. Even if they are tempted to show-off they will try not to because it may hurt someone else’s feelings. When we are kind to our friends we will have many friends. If Annie wouldn’t have been a show-off she would’ve stayed longer at Henry’s house, and they would’ve had a fun time together. When we hurt our friends’ feelings we miss out on a lot of fun. They also learned that we should never run away from home no matter how angry we become with our family. It is not safe. Another valuable lesson our second graders learned was how we should treat a dog. Just as we should be kind and gentle to our friends we should also treat animals kindly. Henry was kind to his dog Mudge but he sometimes didn’t have patience with him and would forget that Mudge is a dog. For instance, he played dress up with Mudge. The kids laughed when Henry put a dress on his dog.
Most of our kids enjoyed the trip. Some enjoyed the bumpy ride to the city, while others were thrilled with the opportunity to sing songs of praise. There were a few who took a nap while others looked at our beautiful sky scrapers. Most of our students liked the show and commented on how funny it was. Overall it was a wonderful experience for our second graders.
Mrs. Boodram
Fathers Day Tie Card
Elementary worked on father’s day cards that unlike the traditional cards these resembled a shirt and tie! They were able to personalize the card to include their father’s favorite color and pattern.
Miss Arnau
Mothers Day Fans
Mothers deserve so much! Instead of the traditional Mothers Day card students made their mothers a colorful elegant fan, great for when she’s on the bus, train, park bench or even at church and needs to cool down. Using regular drawing paper students made designs and colored the entire page then folded it accordion style, and tied a ribbon at the end.
Miss Arnau