6th Grade News: 4/8 – 4/18/19

HUMANITIES 

This week in Social Studies, we learned about the Minoan people of Crete in ancient Greece by “traveling back in time” to their palace. We examined the frescoes — or paintings on wet plaster —  that were uncovered on their palace walls, and we made inferences about Minoan culture based on these designs. Read more about the beautiful Minoan frescoes here. We then transitioned to a few hundred years later and visited the ancient Greek agora, or outdoor marketplace. Students learned that the agora was not only a great place to buy and sell goods; it was also a central meeting space where famous scholars shared ideas related to science, philosophy, math, and politics. We re-enacted these conversations and activities by writing and acting out skits set in the agora. Students assumed roles like politicians arguing about ideas, scientists sharing new theories, women fetching water for their families, merchants selling food or crafts, and more. It was fun to reimagine what daily life looked like for ancient Greeks and to see how similar it was to our lives today.

Students also found similarities between ancient Greece and today’s world when we studied the ancient Greek Olympics. After browsing powerful, emotional photos of athletes at the modern Olympic games, students compared and contrasted the Olympics today to the Olympics that took place in Greece a few thousand years ago. We discussed how even though some of the traditions and sports have changed, the pride that athletes and spectators feel, the sense of unity between countries, the athletic talent, and the ever-present excitement have all stayed the same.

Lastly, students are continuing to work hard on their ancient Greece research essays. Students have now become experts on their own topics, which include architecture, sculpture, philosophy, Pericles, Alexander the Great, and others. They’ve researched, outlined, peer-edited, and submitted their first drafts. After vacation, we will continue polishing these essays as we write our final drafts.

Chag Sameach (Happy Holiday),

Naomi

JUDIACS

Please look in your emails for two important emails from me regarding Yom Hashoa, me being in Israel for the 8th grade trip and a Family Passover learning source sheet. These past few weeks we have continued our Exodus (Shemot) Torah study. We studied the text of the plagues and the preparation to leave Egypt. We worked on looking at patterns in text and using them to help up unlock deeper meaning. Your children have so much to say about the Exodus and really beautiful insights on everything leading up to it. Today, our last day before break we read the commandment to celebrate Passover and rid our homes of Chametz. We did a traditional Bidikat Chametz (searching for chametz) in the classroom and found very well hidden lollipops! It was such a pleasure learning with and from your students in preparation for Passover. 

Chag Sameach and Shabbat Shalom,

Laura

HEBREW