Explorers Drama class 1

 Today we worked together getting to know one another better and brainstorming some ideas about how to make our drama class work. The children introduced themselves and met our TA Sharon Y as well as my co teacher Tram F.  Following introductions we warmed upour bodies and voices and then answered the following questions:

• If you were performing how would you want your audience to treat you?  

1. Be a good listener (we talked about eye contact and attentiveness)

2. Be a good audience (sit quietly, focus on the performer)
3. Treat others the way you want to be treated
4. Show respect
5.  Give encouraging words

• What is drama?   I was pleasantly surprised at how creative and on target their answers were.  After defining drama we had the opportunity to practice a few dramatic actions!

We concluded the class with a basic activity to help them think about emotions and what they look like.  The children are welcome to finish their drawings at home.

Discovery of the Americas - History Summary 9-10-13

Prince Henry, Columbus, & Magellan

The second half of the 15th century was a time of great exploration by Europeans.  Prince Henry the Navigator started a school to teach men how to make accurate maps in order to set up new trading routes which would avoid overland caravans.   

Christopher Columbus, who trained at one of Prince Henry’s observatories, hoped to reach India by sailing west. He crossed the Atlantic Ocean in 1492, and believed that he had reached India.

Soon Amerigo Vespucci made the same trip, but unlike Columbus, he recognized that this was a “New World.” Later mapmakers decided to call the new land America in Amerigo’s honor.  It was maps like these that a bold and determined Ferdinand Magellan used as his team completed the first voyage circumnavigating the world in 1522 in the continued quest for a better trade route. 

In Class Activities 9/10/13:

• Began our Early Modern History notebook
• Mapped the accomplishments of Prince Henry, Columbus, & Magellan
• Sampled "Spices from the East"in the form of cinnamon sugar graham crackers
• Discussed the importance of trade as we traveled our own difficult trade route
• Made bead bracelets with items collected on our journey

Optional Lesson Extension Activities You Can do at Home:

• A fun way to review - cartoons! 
• The Ballad of Magellan, Animaniacs cartoon
• Columbus cartoon
• Research - Mr. Donn has a great site covering all of the explorers with lots of information and several free games
• Color explorer images online or on paper at OnColoring.com

In preparation for our next class please have your child read history cards #4 & 5 covering Spanish & Northeast explorers.  

Drama, week 1

We began with discussing satire.  This is an art form that began to emerge during the middle ages, and we see it in many areas, political cartooning, art, and the theater of the day.  The definition of satire is...a way to persuade your audience by showing the opposite as being absurd, viscous or inhumane.  The main goal being, to "first make people laugh, and then make them think"  We discussed examples in class as well as the difference between teasing and satire, and some famous playwrights and authors who used it!

For our practical application this week, we began with diction and projection.  Diction is proper pronunciation and projection the use of our diaphragm to rise our voices without yelling!  We used a few exercises and games to practice these concepts :)

Faith Art Supply Needs

Dear FAITH families,

I wanted to write a note concerning the art for the older two groups. 

First a comment about the assignment given in class.  I asked the students to work on a self-portrait before coming to class on the 10th.  I realize this is too difficult without some instruction so if your child has already made the self-portrait or is happily working on it please continue.  If they would like to try something else my original thought was to have them do a drawing or painting on an apple.  Either will be acceptable.

I have been busy researching the time period looking into native American art and colonial craft and am exciting about the projects we will be working on.  There are a few things I will need the students to collect at home to bring in for the projects on September 10 and 17. 

Please have along on the 10th

compass, pencil, eraser, ruler (transparent preferred), calligraphy marker (if you already have)

On the 17th please bring in a small glass jar with a lid (no bigger than 3"in diameter and 3" tall).  A baby food jar or jam jar should work.

Also a large eyed needle and thin yarn color of choice.  ( I will have plenty extra if you forget or don't have some on hand.)  You may bring in a larger jar as well and we will use it if we have time, it could be used as a pencil holder.  We will be needle hitching around the small jar and using it in future weeks to hold ink for our quill pens.

In November each student will be needing a 3" hoop for embroidery.  If anyone has extra that someone else can use please let me know.  We will also need white embroidery floss and 8 x 11 felt in green and red. 

Thank you for taking the time to gather these supplies.  I look forward to getting started!

Sincerely,

Janelle Kamerman

Sent from Windows Mail

Class Schedule 2013/2014

Class 1 - Explorers

1:00 History

1:45 Music

2:30 Assembly/Timeline

2:40 Drama

3:25 Art

Class 2 - Trailblazers

1:00 Music

1:45 History

2:30 Assembly/Timeline

2:40 Art

3:25 Drama

Class 3 - Pathfinders

1:00 Art

1:45 Drama

2:30 Assembly/Timeline

2:40 History

3:25 Music

Class 4 - Navigators

1:00 Drama

1:45 Art

2:30 Assembly/Timeline

2:40 Music

3:25 History

Instructor Biography - Leah F.

Leah Ford is returning to the FAITH team for her 2nd year, exposing children to the wonderful world of art.  She enjoys getting her hands dirty along with the students and finds much satisfaction working with such creative minds.  Her passion for drawing and painting began as a small child and grew wildly through high school and college.  She enjoys studying architecture, interior design, and art and is excited to share her passion with FAITH.  

Leah and her husband live in Manchester with their home schooled children.  She enjoys running, cooking, crafting, painting, and reading with the family.  Another passion of Leah's is helping those through her mobile massage therapy business.  Working with muscles and tissues day to day has truly given her a different perspective in the art of the human body.  How wonderfully each of us were created and formed!

Volunteers Needed

One of the things I love about FAITH is the sense of community that exists.  It is so wonderful to spend time with caring friends.

I don't know if you noticed, but last year Kristina ended up leaving fairly late every week.  We could really bless her if we were each diligent in volunteering to help with clean-up one week per year.  Want to join me?

Click Here to sign up online.  Simply select any date that fits your schedule, and enter your name and e-mail address.  The program will automatically send you a reminder when it is your turn.

Thank-you!
Sheryl G.