The LP Bulletin #30Thursday, April 4th

UPCOMING LP EVENTSThursday, April 4th - 5th Grade Play for Parents - 8:00amFriday, April 5th - 3rd Grade Special Friends Day - 8:05/6th Grade Dance -7:00-9:00pmMonday, April 8th - ERB Testing Grades 1-5/6th Grade to DCTuesday, April 9th - ERB Testing Grades 1-5/6th Grade to DCWednesday, April 10th - ERB Testing Grades 1-5/6th Grade to DC/6th Grade Parent Meeting (Transitioning to 7th Grade) - 8:00 Thursday, April 11th - ERB Testing Grades 1-5/6th Grade to DCFriday, April 12th - ERB Testing Grades 1-5/6th Grade to DC and 5th GradeSpecial Friends Day - 8:05-9:30Monday, April 15th - April Vacation begins.

HEADLINES

CURRENT 'HABIT OFTHE HEAD, THEHEART, AND THEHAND'

Appreciation

ATTACHMENTS

2018-2019 SchoolCalendar

2019-2020 Calendar

A Lot Happening

A succcesful Earth Hour on Monday that helped us all discover that we may not need to have as many lightson continuously as we have had in the past. And, most certainly, using less electricity here is a small step toreducing overall carbon emissions for our planet. Another sensational thespian production today by Fifth Grade--a not so gentle and often ludicrously funnyparody of the Greek Myths entitled The Quest for Immortality. The Sixth Grade Dance tomorrow night--written about in last week's LPB, which you can consult forguidance and emotional comfort as needed. The Sixth Graders depart for D.C. on Monday; excitement mounts. And Grades 1-5 have an adventure of a different sort next week--the ERB's. See above comment on guidanceon comfort in last week's LPB. And this week, on Monday, we observed the early opening of the buds on the magnolia in our frontyard. Despite the chilly days, the blooms persist.

The Auction

Our Auction is fast approaching and we hope everyone is getting excited for a toe-tapping, paddle raising,memory-making evening. Amidst all of the fun, we hope to raise funds to support our special little schooland to that end, we are still seeking items for both our silent and live auction portions of the evening.

Does your yoga instructor owe you a favor and might be willing to donate a few class passes? Do you havegreat seats to a Sox-Yankee game that you'd be willing put on the auction block? How about your great-grandmother's gnocchi-- could you host a cooking class that will let lucky winners in on your "secret" familyrecipe? Access to a beach or a pool in the summer?

Please think creatively about experiences you could offer or businesses that you frequent that might bewilling to donate passes or gift cards. If you have any questions, please contact the Auction Chair, JamieHayhurst at jhayhurst722@gmail.com or Sarah Hutchinson at shutchinson@learningproject.org

Tickets to this event are available for purchase on our Auctionwebsite: https://learningproject.ejoinme.org/LPAuction2019

Screenagers Follow-up: I

We were quite pleased with the turn out for this important film--over 50 viewers on Friday morning andabout 20 for the evening viewing. We shared it with the fifth and sixth graders on Friday and then, also, withthe fourth graders on Monday. All viewings were followed with discussion.

Here is an email we received from a LP parent that seems fairly typical of the response we heard: "I've taken a new look more at my own usage of the internet and electronics as a result of viewingScreenagers. Glad for the opportunity to see it, and for hearing what other folks think, both at school andhome. Our family had a lengthy impromptu conversation . . . . We discussed the movie itself, what it was about, theinternet and cell phones, fear and damage to our brains and general quality of a good life and of being good. Some new developments in our house that have come from our discussion - I turn my phone off in themorning on the weekend. No screens for anyone until 9 am. Then, a timed hour of screen use -- if theychoose, for anyone that wants it. My phone goes on then too - but I noticed I was less likely to use it in thehouse to surf around -- as I remembered the kids are always watching. Toys that have not been touched in months got played with this weekend. I felt glad to have started thisconversation early with both kids as inevitably the computer and cellphones will be more a part of their livesand development then I can even imagine. One thing I have been thinking about too -- is that computers,electronics, phones, all of it boil down to choices. We can help our kids make good choices, and help them tosee how to balance the use of these electronics so as to better their lives, and enhance their day to day being. It really is a good thing to start early. . . . So far, computers and electronics in our home have helped bothkids with learning how to spell, read and do math. We utilize the apps We utilize theapps Bedtimemath http://bedtimemath.org/apps/, ABCya!, Starfall, PBS kids games, and YouTube kids. Allwith supervision and guidance. We cannot be afraid of the internet and all of the nefarious pitfalls that comewith it. Lasso the educational parts and harness them to grow and learn."

Screenagers Follow-up: II

Another parent sent this link suggesting that it might be helpful for parents who missed the showing ofScreenagers. The video focuses on the video game 'meltdown' caused by their powerful addiction--aphenomenon associated with uncontrolled cellphone usage as well. https://www.wsj.com/articles/why-videogames-trigger-the-nightly-meltdownand-how-to-help-your-child-cope-11554206405?mod=hp_lead_pos5

Screenagers Follow-up III:

Finally, the Screenagers staff has contacted us about a program they've created called Tech Time Circles,which they support with some excellent 'discussion guide' type material. If there is sufficient parentalinterest in forming one or more of these, we would be happy to help with the organization of themhere. Contact Claire to indicate your interest --and in which of the topics.

What Are Tech Time Circles?

Friendly conversations about issues related to screen-time and device use. Parents, kids, friends, family andcommunity members gather in the comfort of their homes to speak, listen and learn how best to managescreen time and the effects it is having on our wellbeing. We provide you with links to free guides to help getit going. Currently, we have 3 Tech Talk Circles, and will roll out more in the next few months:

1 Social Media Tech Talk Circle2 Video Games Tech Talk Circle3 Time Tech Talk Circle

Faculty Update

Amelia Ayers, who has served us so well for three years--first a an Intern and then for two years as theKindergarten Assistant Teacher--has decided to attend Boston University full time next year to earn herM.Ed. We will miss her, but are so pleased that she has elected this career path because she is quite suitedfor it, and we wish her well. We have posted this position on our website and elsewhere, and we welcome any referrals that parents mayhave.

LP Board Meeting Last Night

The fourth Board Meeting of the year occurred last night. My report included a story about two LPgraduates--one who died in February at the age of 50, and another, a best friend (also an LP graduate) wholed a successful fundraising campaign to pay off the mortgage of his widow; then I reported on ourupcoming Earth Week plans, and on our recent round of Admissions. Ms. Lesky reported on the AnnualFund and Capital Campaign. Mr. Hajj did a very interesting power point presentation on our ProfessionalDevelopment Program at The LP, which I am going to ask him to make available more broadly. It isexcellent. Mr. Duane, Board Chair, then reported on preliminary thoughts about the transition process involving Mr.Hajj and, also, our bringing on a new Business Manager. Interviews for that post are currentlyunderway. We are approaching this hire with the idea that the start date can be flexible, and will includesome significant overlap with Elisabeth McCord

Word of the Week: Activate (v)

to make active; a nice synonym for our phrase "power up." During 'Earth Hour' on Monday we activated our concern about global warming and climate change byturning off lights. (And we'll be doing more activating in a few weeks when we are scheduling a week longimmersive study around Earth Week--compacting a good part of our Sustainability Curriculum into that firstweek after vacation. (More on this later).

Linkedin

The Learning Project is now on Linkedin. You can follow the link to find our page; we hope you you willfollow us. https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-learning-project-elementary-school

Quote of the Week

Always remember that you are absolutely unique. Just like everyone else. Margaret Mead

Announcements James and the Giant Peach

April 12th - May 12th at the Wheelock Family Theatre.

A new musical adaption of Dahl's classic story gives us all of therhymes of the book with whimsical music and lyrics from thecreative team behind The Greatest Showman and Dear EvanHansen.

Recommended for ages 6+

Reserve your seats today at wheelockfamilytheatre.org or callthem at 617-353-3001

iD Tech Summer Camp

Artists of the Week Bird PortraitsTo celebrate the return of migratory birds, the Kindergarten classcreated multi-media images of birds in their habitats. They learnedabout VALUE, an element of art and practiced shading images toachieve lights and darks of the image. They closely observed images ofbirds and experimented with color blending to give their subject mattera sense of realism. They then collaged their bird on patterned paper toresemble the realistic work of Kehinde Wiley.

Layla Grant, Kindergarten

Abstract Expressionism Self-PortraitsThis project introduced the students to the work ofcontemporary artist, Shinique Smith. In her artwork, sheuses expressive lines, emotive colors, and scraps of her ownclothing to create what she calls "self-portraits". Eventhough they are completely abstract, she considers themrepresentations of her because they reflect her personalemotions. To create their abstract self-portraits, the studentspainted expressive lines and used colors that representedwhat they were feeling. They used scraps of fabric and alayering process to add personality to their pieces, and madeeach painting a unique visual representation of theiremotions.

Isabelle Lu, First Grade

Animal Bust CollagesFor this project, the second grade class learned about theconcept of a bust, a drawing or sculpture of a figure from theshoulders up. Continuing their study of the line and shape,the students used these two elements of art to construct adrawing of an animal bust. They then considered theenvironment in which their animal lives, and drewand collaged elements from that environment aroundtheir animal.

Cole Attardo, Second Grade

Giacometti-Inspired FiguresIn art, the students have been studying the properties of gesturedrawing, and learned that artists use gesture drawings to capturemovement and a quick representation of a subject. For this project,individual students came up to the front of the art room and posedfor a gesture study. We did eight gesture drawings in total, and thestudents chose one pose to try to sculpt three-dimensionally. Forinspiration, we looked at the work of Alberto Giacometti and sawthat his sculptures consisted of elongated figures that appear to be inmid-motion. While his pieces were made of bronze, the studentsbuilt their sculptures with a wire armature and covered them withpaper mache. We then attached our figures to a base toresemble Giacometti's famous work, "Piazza"

Teddy Choe, Fifth Grade

Sewn Geometric FormsTo continue their study of FORM, an element of art, the sixth grade students examined the work ofcontemporary artists Chiharu Shiota, Gabriel Dawe, and Nike Savvas. They noticed that their work combinesmath and art concepts and stretches the boundaries between two and three-dimensional artwork. Thestudents did several mathematical sketches and used sewing techniques and multiple colors of thread tocreate visual representations of their geometric forms.

Ben DeJesus, Sixth Grade

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