All Eyes on Egypt: Class 2020

May MET tour 2017 and Visit with Dr. Kent Weeks

On a glorious May 4th day, the fifth and sixth grades departed TCS for their annual NYC trip to visit Cleopatra's Needle in Central Park and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  The 5th grade spent most of their time in the Egyptian exhibit while the 6th headed to the Greek/Roman and Arms/Armour exhibits. Enjoy some snapshots from our day and student comments from our debrief back in the classroom today.

"I imagined the ancient Egyptians looking up at Cleopatra's Needle with pride."
"I was so excited to see Hamilton's statue since I love the musical."
"The alabaster vases and the variety of rocks. The canopic jars looked the same, but I found a few that were different."
"...been to the MET before but background knowledge made it a richer experience."
". . . city life was fascinating to observe- different people, music on street, etc."
"NYC hot dogs are the BEST!!!"
"Loved the freedom to roam room to room in the exhibit."
"Born in New York city, but Cleo's Needle is one spot never experienced. This was a once in a lifetime experience, especially with all of my friends."
"Grateful to travel to the MET with my class at my age. Amazing detail and craftsmanship that went into the creation of red and black figure ware in Greek exhibit."
"Fun hanging on the steps of the MET with all my classmates on a beautiful day."

A few TCS students and parents visit Essex Meadows on Sunday, April 30, to hear Dr. Kent Weeks speak about his recent work in and vision for The Valley of the Kings, Thebes, Egypt.

"February is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire. . ."

The fifth grade luncheon has become an annual event over the past ten years and is hosted by the class parents after the students complete a series of mini-lessons on dining etiquette as well as other social savvy touchpoints. This year's Italian-themed luncheon was a hit! Poised and ready to show-off their dining and social savvy, the fifth graders and their guests were greeted by maitre d',Mr. Dean Singewald and a top-notch waitstaff! Check out the tux and several parent servers.

An Italian menu was featured offering such delectables as minestone soup and chicken parmesan, all topped off by Neopolitan ice-cream and assorted Italian cookies. The Italian venue of a draped ceiling of tuille, grapes and vines; Chianti candle centerpieces; and red-checked table cloths made for festive dining and conversation! Fifth graders especially enjoyed the sparkling wine and conversation starters, so much so, that one student asked if the class could dine until 2 P.M. and another thought it would be a great idea to dine like this every week!! "Grazie" from the fifth grade to all of our parent volunteers!

The first significant snowstorm of the season called for a class photo with all decked out in their "snow gear." With rulers and shovels in hand, several students put their architectural talents to test by sculpting a replica of the Great Pyramid of Giza out of snow. Unfortunately, our building site melted before the gang had time to finish the project!

This year Valentine greetings and goodies were delivered by fifth graders to decorated "envelope mailboxes," created by the students and then hung in their lockers. The fifth grade version of "mailboxes" brought memories back to the day of shoeboxes decorated with crepe paper and attached to desks. Students gathered on the reading rug to read cards and savor a treat or two.

It was a heartfelt day for all!

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Dr. Chappel held our final mindfulness session on February 17th. The focus of this meeting was to review what we had learned during the 6-sessions with her and how the fourth and fifth grade might serve as ambassadors in teaching some mindfulness strategies/practices to their Lower School schoolmates. We feel very fortunate to have spent this peaceful time and practice with Dr. Chappel. 

                                                             

                                                                                       

"Winter came down to our home one night
Quietly pirouetting in on silvery-toed slippers of snow,
And we, we were children once again."
-  Bill Morgan, Jr.

As snowflakes dusted the field outside our window, fifth graders could not resist the opportunity to play in the fresh flakes. We quickly became a group of 18 angels as we lay down to swish our arms and legs across the freshly fallen snow, making imprints of our first snow angels of the season as a class. I look forward to building snow pyramids and even possibly a sphinx with our next snowfall. Let it snow!

Memorable moments for all of us.

Ms. Lightfoot departed for New Orleans this morning, Feb. 1, with an enormous bag of art supplies in tow, representing the final shipment of the 4/5 donations that were collected a while ago. We are hoping to FaceTime with Isabel's (Ms. Lightfoot's daughter) class of fifth graders so we can meet the young artists who are enjoying the art supplies donated by us.  It is so rewarding to make someone else h

In preparation for Game Night, Ms. Leah Booth joins the fifth grade to teach them how to play five card draw (no $ bets made). Surprisingly, many students were already savvy players and luck was in the cards for several fifth graders, as they proudly called flushes, full houses and straights. Some players kept their cards very close to their chests and took great pride their winnings.

The cards are dealt with flying fingers.

A straight is called!!

Farewell to the Old, Ring in the New

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On Wednesday, January 4, WTCS welcomed in the New Year by singing in the round "Farewell to the Old Year, Ring in the New Year" with all grades participating under the direction of Ms. Wepler! "Ding, Ding, Ding, Ding, DONG!" Happy 2017 to All! 

Since September, the fifth grade has served to mentor the fourth grade in eventually taking over the production of WTCS. On Wednesday, January 4, a fourth grader, joined Caleb Butler, fifth grader, to host the New Year edition of the radio show. Eventually, the fourth grade will assume full responsibility for the program as fifth grade moves on in March to join Middle School meetings. 

A quick review of the addition and subtraction of fractions awaited fifth graders on their first day back in math class. This was one sure way to clear out the cobwebs!

Prior to break the fifth grade completed the reading of a biography of Howard Carter to build background knowledge as they set out to begin their study of ancient Egypt. Much of what we know about Egypt initially came to us through Carter's discovery of Tut's tomb. The excavated some "wonderful things" and some disappointing challenges as they delved into the work of this obstinate archeologist's life. 

Inspired by the palette exhibition at the Florence Griswold Museum, each fifth grader will represent a chapter from the biography, capturing the big ideas in visuals and words on a palette of his/her own creation. Once completed, these palettes will be on display at TCS. Further details to follow.

Palette inspirations from the Flo Gris Exhibition.

Also upon returning from winter break, the fifth graders found themselves touring the banks of the Nile and beyond, using a floormap to navigate this mighty river's course. This exercise prepared students for an upcoming mapping project where they will locate, label and learn approximately 50 key places in and outside of Egypt. Oh, the places they will discover and hopefully, will be able to visit one day. . .

Teddy Marino spreading TCS spirit and cheer in 2017 by donning the newest version of TCS's sweatshirt and a "vintage" TCS hat. The smile is what really caught the camera's eye.

A Birthday Candle

Thirty today, I saw

The trees flare briefly like

The candles on a cake.

As the sun went down the sky,

A momentary flash,

Yet there was time to wish. 

-Donald Justice from Poetry 180

Preparation for the MacLane Poetry Recitation, a TCS long-standing tradition, has begun this week with the search for the most inspiring poem that moves not only the reciter but his/her audience. Unlike my example, the poem must be at least 14 lines long and take no longer than two minutes to recite. Our search will take place in the classroom but feel to support your child by listening to the poems they are considering. All selections must be made by no later than January 17. Please review the letter sent home by Mrs. Sullivan for more details. Your son or daughter will also receive a copy of this letter as a reference. I have challenged fifth graders to pay tribute to the works of modern-day and some of the not so well-known poets, as well as the masters from the past. The overall purpose being to celebrate the voice of poetry.

As you have read, we have returned from vacation to a wonderfull collection of exciting learning adventures! Here's to ringing in a new year at TCS!

"No one has ever become poor by giving."

~Anne Frank~

As fifth grade Book Clubs came to an end today (11/22), each group gave a brief book commercial, advertising their particular novel to potential reading "customers."  A commercial included: the book's title and author, the setting, introduction to the main character and any important supporting characters, a hint of the problem, and a collection of adjectives describing the novel.  The three novels read in clubs were: Number the Stars, Bud, Not Buddy and The Cay. 



               

                                     

Fifth grade archaeologists examined Native American

artifacts in a presentation made by Mrs. Vitali, grandmother of Christopher Childs. Mrs. Vitali lives on a 55 acre farm in Wallingford, CT. The previous owner of the farm discovered about one hundred arrowheads while plowing his field. Fith graders made some guesses as to what this site might have once been with such a large number of arrowsheads unearthed. Possibly a hunting site, an Nativwe American village, the scene of a battle???  Beaded bags made to hold herbs and tobacco were purchased by Mrs. Vitali when she was a young girl visiting North Dakota.

 

In keeping with a 10-year-old tradition, fifth graders hosted the annual "Gobble-Off" with their reading buddies who are invited to hear a round reading of All About Turkeys, followed by a strut and gobble down the turkey track runway. The kinders arrived decked out in their turkey headdresses and joined in the gobble-off fun!
Even Mr. Fixx and Mr. Howe could not resist visiting the flock and showed off some fine stutting and gobbling alongside 5th graders and buddies.

The fifth grade sends heartfelt wishes for a memorable Thanksgiving 2016!