December 8, 2014
Session two is underway at Bristol Elementary, and students are immersed in a variety of activities. Last week I was fortunate to be able to observe three out of the five amazing workshops being offered this session. Check out the pictures of the clowning, cooking, and yoga workshops!
CLOWNING
Two brave students lay side-by-side on the mat, as their peers preform amazing feats over them, including jumping, somersaults, round-offs, and cartwheels! Students then get the chance to build and practice their juggling skills. Emphasis is placed on form, in order to build the muscle memory and control needed for juggling. In this workshop students are challenging themselves while building confidence and trust in themselves and their peers. And just look at the teamwork involved in cleaning up the mats!
COOKING
This workshop was in such high demand that there are actually two groups being offered this session! In one group, students are in the kitchen making Orange Fluff (some of the ingredients include cool whip, jello mix, and marshmallows- yum!) In the other group students are talking about the importance of measurement, and have the opportunity to practice comparing and measuring different amount of rice. Following directions (a.k.a. recipes) and measurement are two of the many skills that are being practiced in this workshop!
YOGA
Students are learning and practicing several yoga postures, including "downward dog" and "table". The blocks are used in a movement activity, where students are asked to place the block on different parts of their body, or stand and balance on the block (as seen below). The body awareness developed through games and a variety of activities makes this workshop engaging for the students.
Beeman Elementary Expanded Learning Group enjoyed on December 18th the story of "The Gingerbread Man". Then they got into three smaller groups and did their own productions of "The Gingerbread Man". The multiage groups used their creative selves to act out their own versions. After the productions they decorated their very own Gluten Free Gingerbread Man or Girl. We all had a blast before our Holiday break.
A few rooms down, the students in Culture Club: Japan were learning to art of origami! They were able to follow Chris's step-by-step instructions in order to create a pumpkin for Halloween! After this, they created two box halves which fit together to make one box. When asked how the walls stay up, one student remarked "I don't know. They just do. It's Origami Magic!" When students were finished making their pumpkins, they glued them into a card, and Chris helped them write "Happy Halloween" in Japanese!
