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2006-2007 Highlights

Folktales
The sixth graders in Marisa Guastaferro's humanities class did a study of folktales from around the world.  After reading several folktales and examining the common structures, they outlined and wrote their own tales.  One thing that we learned about folktales is that they were originally an oral tradition passed down through the generations. For this reason, we decided to publish our work as a recording, rather than a written document.  Please take a minute to listen to our folktales. Who knows, you might learn a valuable lesson!
 
 
Immigration Debate
Monica Amaro's social sciences classes debated immigration issues.  Student teams opposed or affirmed the following topic: All undocumented immigrants in the US should be granted amnesty and allowed to become US citizens.
 
 
Don Quijote Skits in Spanish
Students inTalia Gonzalez's Spanish class read about Don Quijote and re-enacted scenes with costumes and props.
 
 
Math Carnival with 2nd Grade Buddies
Patti MacDonald's math students made board games and calculated the probability of landing on designated "win" areas. 2nd grade buddies came to the Math Carnival to play these original games.
 
 
Romeo and Juliet Podcasts
6th Graders in Marisa Guastaferro's Humanities and Rachel Klem's Music classes created podcasts. Students gathered costumes and props before photographing each other to depict key moments from their chosen "Romeo and Juliet" scene. After recording their dialogue, students composed an original musical score to finish their project.
 
 
Tres Leches Cooking Shows
Students in Talia Gonzalez's Spanish class performed skits inspired by Tres Leches (the delicious cake made of three different kinds of milk (evaporated, condensed, and regular).  To the left is a picture of the Tres Amigos performing their cooking show sketch.
 
 
Our World Today Blog
"Our World Today" is a blog created by Monica Amaro for the students in her social sciences classes.  After reading the specified articles, students will have a common space for publishing their responses.
 
 
Students Spaces Humanities Project
6th Graders used iWeb to design and edit personalized websites.  Click below to link to Marisa Guastaferro's homepage and student works.
Character Body Maps
Over the Winter Break, The 6th graders all read books from out Identity Reading List.  All of these books had main characters that, in one way or another, struggled with their identity.  These Body Maps use pictures, symbols, words, and quotes to represent the different aspects of these characters.  Specifically, we examined the character’s thoughts, feelings, actions, appearance, and connections to others.  Our Character Analysis Essays will join these maps soon!
 
 
Math Tessellations
To correspond with their study of Islam and Islamic Art, 6th grade Math students learned about four different types of transformations: translations, reflections, dilations, and rotations.  Using Geometers' Sketchpad, students constructed,  manipulated, and colored their unique designs.  Eventually, students will take their sketches to their Visual Arts class and recreate their ideas in clay.
 
 
The Giver Blog
6th grade Humanities students post responses to Marisa Guastaferro's blog about The Giver
 
 
  
Community Walk
Advisory groups tramped around the Upper West side. Key sites included The Cathedral, Morningside Park, Columbus Avenue, Riverside Park, and Columbia University.
 
  See photos from the walk.
 
  
Islamic Cultural Center Trip
As part of their study of Mecca and Islam, students and teachers visited the Islamic Cultural Center at 96th and Lexington. Our visit included a detailed explanation of Islam and an illuminating Q and A session with the chief imam.
 
  See photos from the trip.
 
  
Potluck Dinner
Families and Faculty enjoyed a wonderful potluck sponsored by the 6th grade parents. Thank you!
 
  See more photos here.
 
  
Mecca Curriculum Share
6th grade shared their integrated curriculum projects with families today. Works on display included exhibits from Science, Humanities, Social Studies, Visual Arts, Math, and Spanish classes.
 
  See photos here.
  See the musical presentations.
 
  
Florence Kick-Off
6th graders explored Italian-American sites around the Upper West Side to kick-off their study of Florence.
 
  See photos here.
 
  
Bodies Exhibit
6th graders visited the Bodies exhibit at the South Street Seaport. While expoloring the collection, students sketched artifacts in the style of Leonardo da Vinci.
 
  See photos here.
 
  
Essay Share
Students shared their Rennaisance research with each other at our Essay Share.
 
  See photos here.
 
  
R and J Ballet Trip
6th grade students and faculty visited the New York Ballet and watched the company practicing scenes of "Romeo and Juliet." We watched the dancers practicing the balcony, party, and street fight scenes.
 
  See the photos here