Lotspeich
May 6, 2021
Lower Schools Virtually Welcome Author Don Tate
Lotspeich and Doherty Lower Schools were excited to virtually welcome author and illustrator Don Tate! In late April, Tate, who is the author and illustrator of more than 50 books, spent two days with Lower School students of all ages discussing his life and his work, as well as drawing in real time. “I consider myself one of the luckiest people in the room,” Tate said of his career. Tate said at a young age, he always loved to draw and was passionate about the arts. He encouraged students to follow their talents, and said each and every single person has a special talent. Tate also discussed some of his books, including “William Still and His Freedom Stories: Father of the Underground Railroad” and “Swish!: The Slam-Dunking, Alley-Ooping, High-Flying Harlem Globetrotters.” He told students how he conducted research and gathered images for reference. Then, Tate drew for students and showed how he illustrates books. In addition to speaking to students, Tate also spoke to Lower School faculty and shared books with themes of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Thank you to Lotspeich librarian Lori Suffield and Doherty librarian Jo Schnirring for organizing Tate’s visit!
Fourth-graders Create Blackout Poems
Fourth-graders in Melissa Foraker’s Language Arts class created their own blackout poems to celebrate National Poetry Month, which is held in April. Foraker wanted students to have a fun and creative way to make poetry. To create the poems, students started with a piece of text, such as an excerpt from Roald Dahl’s “The BFG” or a biography of a changemaker, and circled words in the text that stood out to them. Next, students made word choices that formed a poem. The final step was to black out the text they didn’t use. “Students had fun using programs on the iPad, such as Procreate, to make unique pictures that tied their words to images,” Foraker said. “The imagery and creative scenes students produced were beautiful!”
Fifth-graders Study American History with Hands-on Activities
Fifth-graders in Jennifer Steller and Tracy Hickenlooper’s classes take part in an extensive study of early American history throughout the school year, bringing the lessons alive with experiential activities. One popular activity is the dye bath, in which students dye wool and wooden beads using natural dyestuff such as walnuts, goldenrod, and pokeberries. Students will use the wool and beads to create macrame plant holders. Students began the dyeing process with a fire. “The fire tender committee starts our campfire with flint and steel and takes turns throughout the day fueling the fire while the dyebath crew stirs the dyebath,” Steller said. “Both groups worked under the supervision of their homeroom teachers and gracious parent volunteers. Water and macrame helpers also play an important role in measuring the cord and filling the dyebath.” Steller added that each dyebath produces a unique result. Students learn that handmade products are very different from the mass-produced products of the industrial age.
Fourth-graders Learn Code in Project Math
Fourth-graders in Laura OGrady’s Project Math class are learning to code. Students recently wrote programs which allowed Lego robots to complete a series of challenges. “Students’ robots ‘kicked’ ping pong balls into goals, changed light sequences to match a rainbow road, and performed original dances for a robot dance party,” OGrady said. In the coming weeks, fourth-graders will be adding sensors to provide input that will help their robots navigate in even more complex challenges.
Sixth-graders Share Writing Workshop Work with Second-graders
Sixth-graders in Bill Waskowitz’s Writing Workshop recently applied their study of point of view to rewriting fairy tales from the perspective of another character, “think “Hansel and Gretel” as told from the Witch’s point of view,” Waskowitz said. Waskowitz said once the stories were re-written and illustrated, students shared their work with Lotspeich second-graders in Danielle Necessary and Cicely Knecht’s classes. “Following their readings, sixth-graders asked the younger students for suggestions and thoughts about their stories; what was enjoyable, what could be improved upon, etc.,” Waskowitz said. “This experience allowed both sixth-graders and second-graders the chance to interact and read with a purpose that benefited both age groups.”
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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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