Lotspeich

Second Graders Explore the World through Bridges

On Dec. 13, second graders hosted Bridges Day and showcased their recreated bridges from around the world! Throughout the semester, students learned about bridge construction, geography, and mapmaking. Students’ friends, family, peers, and teachers gathered in Founders to hear the little architects present their creations and explain why they chose their specific bridge.

Students learn the basics of coding

Lotspeich third and fourth grade students learned the ins and outs of coding with the help of Upper School students and Upper School computer science teacher Marcus Twyford. The special events were part of the worldwide phenomenon Hour of Code, which seeks to demystify coding and broaden access to learning computer science. The Upper School students first demonstrated the necessity of specific directions while coding by asking Lotspeich students to give directions on how to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. The younger students began to give increasingly specific instructions, which included grabbing two slices of bread, using a knife to spread peanut butter only on one side of one slice of bread, and putting the sandwich together by placing the jelly slice on top of the peanut butter. After a demonstration, Upper School students assisted Lotspeich students as they learned how to code games and other activities online.

Kindergarten’s Festival of Lights

Every holiday season, kindergartners in the Early Childhood Center learn about several holidays in which light plays an important role. Students learned about Dia de los Muertos, Diwali, Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanza and held a Festival of Lights on Dec. 14. The kindergarten classrooms were decorated with the many important items used during these holidays, including a Kwanzaa kinara, candles for Diwali, and a menorah for Hanukkah. Students showed their families the different items and explained the holidays as they toured the classrooms.

Winter Songfest

Lotspeich students celebrated the last day of school before Winter Break with their annual holiday sing-a-long! Students loved celebrating with one another while singing songs like “The 12 Days of Seven Hills Winter Break,” “This Little Light of Mine” and many more.