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W. L. Morse 2009-2010 News
Good times were had by all at Morse’s Family Math Night last Thursday. There were a variety of activities covering each of New York State’s content strands. The emphasis this year was on using household items to build mathematical concepts. The discussions our students were having with adults left many with math goose bumps! Students from Morse also had their hearts in the right place when they offered to sell hot chocolate for Haiti. How Much Will It Hold? was a popular table where families chose two containers and tried to figure out which one would hold more rice. 3-D Shape building! combined toothpicks and gumdrops to create some amazing structures. How Long For A Kiss? children predicted how long it would take them to eat a chocolate kiss. Shake Them Up! involved tossing 10 lima beans that were painted on one side. Students observed different combinations to make ten with each toss. Pasta Patterns making colored pasta necklaces is always great fun! Hope to see you next year at Family Math Night! (Posted 1/1/10) Morse Artists study the Art of the Middle Ages—History Comes Alive!
Third graders learned that books were made and illustrated by hand and created their own “decorated letters.” First, students selected a letter. Then, we began decorating the letter with imagery from the period. Crowns, knights, dragons, castles and medieval flower designs were all used by Morse artists to decorate their work. They then transferred the drawings onto black and gold metallic scratchboard and etched their beautiful designs in gold. Also in keeping with the medieval theme…third graders designed and created simulated stained glass windows using stencils. A polymer product which dries to a transparent finish creates the beautiful color. The work can be seen on display on the first floor of Morse School. Please come take a look! The Middle Ages are between ancient and modern times. The Middle Ages began with the Fall of Rome (500) and ended with the Renaissance (1400). This period is associated with many beliefs and practices that now seem out of date, for example, the belief that the sun revolves around the Earth, and a host of popular superstitions. The early Middle Ages are sometimes called the Dark Ages. The later middle Ages, however, saw many notable human achievements. Among these were the building of modern nations, such as England and France; expanded trade and the beginnings of the Age of Exploration, some remarkable works of literature and the building of magnificent churches. The period saw major technological advances, including the invention of printing, gunpowder, spectacles, and greatly improved ships. (Posted 12/15/09) The Cubist Tradition at Morse School
Cubism was an early-20th century school of painting and sculpture in which the subject matter is portrayed by geometric forms without realistic detail, stressing abstract form rather than realistic representation. Along with our discussions of art history and shapes, students were able to develop their understanding of color theory. While painting, each child was challenged to mix his or her own colors discovering firsthand how to make particular shades and hues. Students eagerly shared their discoveries with their classmates and answered each other’s “color questions.” Cubists used geometric forms in different ways. Robert Delaunay and his spouse Sonia believed that color and shape alone could create beautiful art. They worked together for many years making paintings that looked like fragmented rainbows. In the spirit of the Delaunays, the third grade used templates to create designs filled with overlapping shapes and then colored their work with cake tempera paint. Please stop by the Morse Museum (on the first floor) to see the student’s work. The work will also be on display at the Warner Library Children’s Room beginning November 17th. (Posted 11/18/09) Family and Friends Celebrate Literacy at Morse In the afternoon on Friday, November 6th, family and friends joined students and teachers in classroom celebrations of literacy. Teachers have been working with their students on reading and writing and each classroom prepared their own way to share with their visitors what they have been learning. In some classrooms, students read and even performed works of literature that they are studying, including fairy tales and personal narrative touchstone texts. In other classrooms, students shared their own writing pieces, helping our visitors understand the writing process. In all rooms, family, friends and children had the chance to share positive feedback on these remarkable works. After the classroom sessions, Randy Lichtenwalner, Literacy Staff Developer for preK-5, gave a parent talk about our Fountas and Pinnel reading assessment. We are very grateful that so many friends and family could come to join us. If you were not able to come or couldn't stay for the parent talk, please know that you can download the PowerPoint used in the talk from the Morse page on the district web site. Click here to see how one classroom brought their stories to life. (Posted 11/08/09) Our "Morse Code"-- Values we live and learn by This year, the Morse staff is launching a comprehensive student values and character education program. We designed the program based on best practices that are aimed at cultivating a thriving learning community, enhancing student self esteem and diminishing bullying behavior. Our program incorporates aspects of our existing Second Step curriculum, includes components from the research-based Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) approach, and actively teaches core community values. Please click here to see our "Morse Code" statement, or visit the Morse page to download our Parent/Student Handbook and read more about the four values on which we will focus in this program. Students will learn about these values through school-wide assemblies and activities as well as during weekly classroom meetings. We will reinforce these values throughout their school day, as students will earn Morse Code awards and receive positive feedback when they are caught doing the right thing. Parents should look forward to monthly letters and calendars that will help them understand what students are learning as well as what they and their child(ren) can do at home to further this important work. Aqui, Lee sobre la programa en español. (Posted 9/20/09) Morse Back to School Night: Wednesday, September 23rd at 7pm. The Morse Staff looks forward to welcoming parents back to school on Wednesday, September 23rd. The general program will begin at 7pm and will proceed according to the following agenda. Simultaneous translation will be available during the opening meeting. There is a special session for parents of ESL students that will start at 6pm in the school library. Please contact the school if you have any questions at 631-4144. Agenda for Morse Back to School Night
Programa Morse Noche de “Back to School”
(Posted 9/20/09) Click here for the Morse 09 - 10 Student Handbook
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Every
September third graders begin their year in the art studio by designing and
executing Cubist paintings. These paintings will be on display at the Warner
Library Children’s Room beginning Nov 17th.
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