A Day in the Life
Winthrop Avenue School hosted “Journey into American Indian Territory” for two full-day, in-house field trips. In conjunction with the current curriculum, Native American studies educational experts, focusing specifically on Eastern Woodland tribes, visited each school, playing traditional Indian games, re-telling historical stories, and interacting with a museum of authentic Indian artifacts, some of which are still utilized to this day.
Throughout the two days, students were provided with an in-depth look into the culture of Native American Indians. A museum displayed artifacts from every aspect of life, including clothing, tools, cooking utensils, games, artwork and even a fully-constructed longhouse. Each artifact was described to students with a background story and lesson. Students learned how Native American Indians respected each other, nature and animals, which laid the foundation for their flourishing society. Traditions of teamwork and equality, deeply rooted in the culture, were portrayed through stories of agriculture.
Students were able to gain hands-on experience by simulating tribal games such as King and Pin, as well as by crafting an original clay pot to bring home and discuss with their families.
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Sing Along for the Holidays
Prior to the December vacation, students from Shore Road School spread holiday cheer by performing holiday music at the Nassau County Medical Center. The select choir, band ensembles, and chamber orchestra, under the tutelage of choral director Laura Laude, band director Jennifer Oshiro and chamber orchestra director Kathy Rostholder, enjoyed playing and singing along with the patients and staff on the rehabilitation floor. The student-musicians played and sang such holiday favorites as “Let It Snow” “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer,” “Jingle Bell Rock,” “Winter Wonderland,” and “Feliz Navidad.” The students also caroled throughout their school the next day, with classes coming out into the hallways to sing along!
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Long Distance Learning
On Wednesday, December 14, students in Stacy Epstein's kindergarten class at Charles A. Reinhard Early Childhood Center participated in a videoconference, where they engaged in a distance-learning program with the Indianapolis Zoo. Presented by a member of the zoo's educational staff, the program focused on the story of The Three Snow Bears by Jan Brett and incorporated the curricular areas of science, social studies, language arts, geography and technology. “The students greatly enjoyed the opportunity to observe real polar bears and seals at the zoo and to learn more about these animals,” remarked Mrs. Epstein.
Promoting Awareness and Tolerance
Third and fourth-grade students at Winthrop Avenue School in Bellmore received practical lessons in safety from Child Abuse Presentation Services (CAPS), a Long Island organization dedicated to preventing bullying and child abuse. During the presentation, the students learned about various types of bullying and the role of the victim, the bystander, and the bully through discussion, activities, and role-play. Focusing on community and empathy, the students learned there are friends and classmates, but no enemies. The program was designed to create safe places where children have the opportunity to share, develop and practice the skills necessary to protect themselves from harm. Additionally, the presentation promoted social skills building and encouraged civility, kindness and compassion toward one another.
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