On Friday morning, at 8 :30, the 4th and 5th graders had the chance to listen to Pierre-Yves Plat, “a brilliant improviser, willingly iconoclastic, humorous, and an amazing pianist”. Pierre-Yves Plat played classical and jazz pieces, interacted with the students and shared his passion for music.
Each year the fourth graders dive into the history of California. They learn about the first inhabitants and then the Spanish colonization, which includes the famous California missions. The students are asked to independently research one of the twenty one missions. They write a report, create a project, and orally present their knowledge in front of their peers. This year students chose from a variety of project ideas including the traditional 3D model, a detailed powerpoint, Prezi or Keynote, a poster, or even generate an online 3D form of their mission using the platform Minecraft.
–Cathleen Anderson–
This past week, our Music program has started for 4th and 5th graders.
In 4th grade, Sufi Raina taught her first class of Indian Kathak Dance. Students were very engaged and focused in this new and specific way to discover a new culture.
Since January, students from 1st to 5th grade have had regular class councils. This important moment of Citizenship allows the students to listen to each other, to share their opinions and to debate with respect. This week, teachers have asked them to think about what they value the most at SDFAS. These values will be collected and will contribute to a bigger school project.
In 3rd grade, delegates are in charge of the debate. For the 3rd B, the most important school value is: Friendship.
Visual Arts are parts of our program from 1st to 5th grade. During the past trimester, the 4th graders have experimented original ways to express themselves with forms and colors in a calm and serene ambience.
On February 23rd, Kindergarten to 3rd grade students were pleased to listen to the Philharmonic Wind Quintet , performing Peter and the Wolf.
Six students were invited to read as Special Guest Narrators.
At the end of the presentation, students were able to ask questions and to know more about the instruments they heard.
