Doherty
February 4, 2021
Out-of-This-World Writing in Pre-Kindergarten
Doherty Pre-kindergarteners in Karen Lawrence’s class are taking their knowledge of language arts, math, and science to infinity and beyond! The students are writing a multi-faceted space book. “Each page is an area of focus, whether it be a particular planet or the Earth’s moon,” said Lawrence. “We will answer the questions, ‘Why do we have days and how does that happen? How long is a year and why does that happen?’” Lawrence said her students are using writing skills, letter recognition, and word formation, as well as an illustration, which really taps into their creativity and how to relate what they picture in their minds with how they want to show it to people.” Lawrence said the project also incorporates math as the students learn to use different sizing techniques to relate the size of each planet and the distances between the planets. Lawrence said the rich unit is one that allows her students to apply deep knowledge while taking steps into lesser-known skills. “We are getting ready to count all the moons that the outer planets have in order to understand just how amazing this planet is with its atmosphere, gravity, water, good distance from the sun, and particular rotation and revolution schedule,” she said.
Pre-kindergarteners Use Google Earth to Expand Their Worlds
Pre-kindergarten teacher Molly Seta has been asking her students to think of their place in relationship to the bigger world. As part of a recent unit titled, “We are a part of the world,” Seta began with whole class discussions that guided her students’ learning and brought their focus to the homes they live in. “The students collaborated as they built replicas of their own homes with wooden blocks and other materials in dramatic play,” said Seta. “They viewed their real homes on Google Earth, they created a basic map of their street, and they learned that their homes are part of a greater community.”
In Love with Pre-kindergarten for 2-year-olds
Two-year-old pre-kindergarteners in Julie Brackett’s class recently completed an activity about peace with watercolors. Brackett said her students painted images of hands and mittens on paper then arranged the images of mittens and hands into a peace sign with help from Brackett and teacher Nikki Ravenscraft. “We talked about how everyone is valued and makes a difference,” said Brackett. “We read the book, ‘You Matter’ by Christian Robinson. I told my students that even little hands can help change the world, with hugs, high fives, helping, and hello waves. When we all work together as a team, that help goes a long way in the classroom.”
Doherty Hears from Annual Chemical Dependency Speaker
As part of an annual focus on substance abuse awareness, Seven Hills’ Counseling Department hosted a virtual program format of Freedom from Chemical Dependency (FCD) in late January. The national program focused on prevention and education around drugs and alcohol. “Speaker and longtime educational partner Glenn Hall presented information and answered students’ questions in an honest and relatable way,” said counseling department chair Angie Bielecki. “We were pleased to have him work with our students across grade levels again this year via Zoom!”
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Five Stingers Sign to Play in College
Five Stingers from the Class of 2024 signed their letters of intent to continue their athletic careers in college.
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