Theme Days: Bugs, Biomes, & Beyond!

Yesterday and today, TCS students in grades PreSchool through 3 took a break from their normal academic schedules for two fun-filled THEME DAYS of learning! This year's theme allowed teachers the freedom to explore many different ideas and create projects around "Bugs, Biomes, & Beyond!" 

We had a special author named Sarah Albee visit us to share her latest book called "Bugged: How Insects Changed History" (click here to learn more about Sarah and her fascinating research!). We also sang some fun bug songs together, took exploratory nature walks, and many teachers created STEAM projects to support our theme!

In my workshop, I shared time with MS English teacher Teresa Sullivan, who introduced some bug yoga poses to 2nd & 3rd graders. We were able to become ladybugs, butterflies, and even spiders!

Then, we watched a short video about David Rothenberg, a celebrated musician, philosopher, and author of the book "Bug Music: How Insects Gave Us Rhythm & Noise." Below is a video that details the music of cicadas, who come out from under the ground every 17 years to share their songs with the world. 

To learn more about the book click here and to hear previews of tracks from Rothenberg's Bug Music cd, click here.

As the Celebration of the Arts Concert approaches...

Hello Everyone!
Our Celebration of the Arts Concert is coming up on Wednesday, May 7th. The concert begins at 6pm, so students in grades 4 - 8 should arrive at 5:30pm. I will be sharing some of our songs with you here on the blog as the concert approaches. While we can't reveal all of our repertoire, I want to post a few of our songs because our theme for the spring is "Never Give Up!" so many of our songs connect with feelings of perseverance, acceptance, and encouragement. 
The first featured selection is called, "Nothing More" by Alternate Routes. This song will be sung by the 6th, 7th, & 8th grade chorus. Check out the lyrics and the youtube video below...enjoy!

NOTHING MORE (Alternate Routes)

To be humble, to be kind

It is the giving of the peace in your mind

To a stranger, to a friend

To give in such a way that has no end.

CHORUS:

We are love.

We are one.

We are how we treat each other when the day is done.

We are peace.

We are war.

We are how we treat each other and nothing more.

To be bold, to be brave

It is the thinking that the heart can still be saved

And the darkness can come quick

the danger’s in the anger and the hanging on to it.

CHORUS:

We are love.

We are one.

We are how we treat each other when the day is done.

We are peace.

We are war.

We are how we treat each other and nothing more.

Tell me what it is that you see

A world that’s filled with endless possibilities

Heroes don’t look like they used to. They look like you do.

CHORUS (vocals only):

We are love.

We are one.

We are how we treat each other when the day is done.

We are peace.

We are war.

We are how we treat each other and nothing more.

We are how we treat each other and nothing more.

We are how we treat each other.