FEBRUARY 2022
"THE PRICE OF SUCCESS IS HARD WORK, DEDICATION TO THE JOB AT HAND, AND THE DETERMINATION THAT WHETHER WE WIN OR LOSE, WE HAVE APPLIED THE BEST OF OURSELVES TO THE TASK AT HAND."
VINCE LOMBARDI
VINCE LOMBARDI
Message from the Director
Hello Kindians,
We are already well into the second half of the year. My teachers and I are celebrating the amazing progress of our students. Many children who moved to Kindi this year spent the past year and a half learning virtually. That proved to be a hard experience with a depreciating learning outcome for a considerable slice of children. Our challenge was to elevate those academic levels to meet our benchmarks. The gap was large, and this was the challenge we were greeted with at the start of this school year. Everyone was aware of the situation and the writing was on the walls: Work harder and smarter than ever to meet the challenge!
Our goal is to produce well-rounded students who are able to continue their journey in high school with confidence and competence, believing in who they are and fighting for what they stand for. To achieve this goal, we provide an environment that is intriguing to the mind, embodying to ideas, encouraging to imagination, and compelling to success. Our higher order thinking work is the most exciting throughout the curriculum. The environment Kindi created inspires creativity, critical thinking, and originality.
I have a great team of teachers who concur with my beliefs. We have many ideas in place to make Kindi one of the top sought-after schools in the region. We want all our students and families to be proud that one day they were part of this institution and to stay connected with us for generations to come. We are getting there with steady strides, and we appreciate all your support on the way.
A few days ago, I was interviewed by a 4th grader for his tech video editing project. He asked me “What is you best part about Kindi?” I answered without hesitation “I enjoy being around children and seeing them learn everyday and being excited about it. I also enjoy being around motivated staff!” This is my best part about the school.
It is a please to serve you and educate your children. We are always proud to be a small contributor to their successes and achievements in the future.
I can’t forget here to applaud our Eagles here. The Junior High Girls Volley ball team won their first game this past Saturday as part of the Southwest Volleyball Conference. I am proud of them and their volunteering coaches. I wish them a successful season. Ways to go, Eagles!
Stay warm and safe and talk again in March!
Hatem Elagha
Executive Director
Kindi Academy
News from our 3-6 Class
Ms. Radhika & Ms. Heathers Class,
Welcome 2022! Hope everyone had a wonderful start to the new year! January has been a long month, but we were productive and busy! We presented the parts of a penguin and discussed how animals hibernate, migrate, or adapt in the wintertime. The children had fun role-playing different animals and what they do for the winter to stay warm and protected.
We also presented the map of Asia and talked about the animals and landmarks. The children will continue to work on creating the map of Asia throughout February by tracing, poking, and labeling each country of Asia.
Finally, the children had an amazing time when Dave’s Reptiles visited Kindi for an in-school field trip! They got to see snakes, lizards, a 50-pound tortoise, and a large frog up close – very close! They learned a lot of facts about the animals and asked some great questions too. The children were so brave and even touched some of the animals! Next month, the children will enjoy a “Hansel and Gretel” puppet show at school!
“The greatest gift we can give our children are the roots of responsibility and the wings of independence.” ~Maria Montessori
~Ms. Radhika and Ms. Heather (Room 101)
Ms. Krystyn & Ms. Nosheen's Class,
Hello all, I hope everyone had a wonderful New Year and that we continue to be healthy moving
into 2022! January was a very busy month for classroom 102! We had a few classroom
birthdays and we started art class with Ms. Jackie every Tuesday. Art has been a big hit so far
with learning to make snowflakes and friendship heart cards! This will be wonderful for
furthering the children’s fine motor and creativity in a fun way.
Seeing as this month was Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, we had a line lesson on diversity.
We cracked one white egg and one brown one. Then we led a discussion about how we might
look different on the outside, but we are the same on the inside. We talked about treating
everyone with respect and kindness even if they are different. We also did some writing
exercises on how we can make a difference in the world like Dr. King did. The responses were original and so very sweet!
As far as classroom work goes, I am proud to say that our three-year-olds have come a long way
in learning letter sounds. The four-year-olds are working on reading three letter words, and we
have been learning sight words during line time as well. The children have also been poking out
parts of animals and botany in science. The photos of their beautiful, hard work don’t do it justice!
Aside from science, most of the children finished up their North America maps and now we are
ready to venture into South America!
The overall highlight of January was Dave’s Reptile show! The children were so brave in this
hands-on learning experience! The teachers were also brave too! It is important to educate
children about animals so they understand how to treat them respectfully in nature. These
field trips might be short lived, but children carry these experiences with them for the rest of
their lives! We followed up by writing and learning more about reptiles.
Finally, all of the children in the 3-6 program participated in a demonstration of hibernation,
adaptation, and migration led by all of the 3-6 teachers! We set up props and created an interactive
lesson for all three classrooms to learn! The students had a blast watching and guessing what
the teachers acted out, and then the children took turns acting out these scenarios as if they
were the animals. This was such a fun way to collaborate with the other classrooms and the
children really enjoyed it!
-Room 102
Hello all, I hope everyone had a wonderful New Year and that we continue to be healthy moving
into 2022! January was a very busy month for classroom 102! We had a few classroom
birthdays and we started art class with Ms. Jackie every Tuesday. Art has been a big hit so far
with learning to make snowflakes and friendship heart cards! This will be wonderful for
furthering the children’s fine motor and creativity in a fun way.
Seeing as this month was Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, we had a line lesson on diversity.
We cracked one white egg and one brown one. Then we led a discussion about how we might
look different on the outside, but we are the same on the inside. We talked about treating
everyone with respect and kindness even if they are different. We also did some writing
exercises on how we can make a difference in the world like Dr. King did. The responses were original and so very sweet!
As far as classroom work goes, I am proud to say that our three-year-olds have come a long way
in learning letter sounds. The four-year-olds are working on reading three letter words, and we
have been learning sight words during line time as well. The children have also been poking out
parts of animals and botany in science. The photos of their beautiful, hard work don’t do it justice!
Aside from science, most of the children finished up their North America maps and now we are
ready to venture into South America!
The overall highlight of January was Dave’s Reptile show! The children were so brave in this
hands-on learning experience! The teachers were also brave too! It is important to educate
children about animals so they understand how to treat them respectfully in nature. These
field trips might be short lived, but children carry these experiences with them for the rest of
their lives! We followed up by writing and learning more about reptiles.
Finally, all of the children in the 3-6 program participated in a demonstration of hibernation,
adaptation, and migration led by all of the 3-6 teachers! We set up props and created an interactive
lesson for all three classrooms to learn! The students had a blast watching and guessing what
the teachers acted out, and then the children took turns acting out these scenarios as if they
were the animals. This was such a fun way to collaborate with the other classrooms and the
children really enjoyed it!
-Room 102
Ms. Brooke / Ms. Sabera / Ms. Huda's Class,
“We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future.”
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Greetings and Happy 2022! I am so excited to welcome all of our students back after Winter Break! We hope everyone had a chance to relax and spend time with their family. The
children seemed to have missed their classmates and were filled with many “shares” about
their break. Transitioning back to a routine school schedule can be challenging for everyone,
especially for young children. Please make your best efforts to have your children get a good
nights rest and continue bringing healthy snacks and lunches so that they may continue to
flourish in their lessons and have energy to tackle their busy Kindi school days!
What Do Animals Do In Winter?
This month all 3 classes joined together in the gym for a fun interactive lesson on Hibernation,
Adaptation, and Migration. With our make shift props, the teachers demonstrated and acted
the 3 different ways in which animals deal with winter’s cold months. Ms. Krysten gathered
nuts, yawned, and fell asleep for winter! Ms. Brooke “adapted” to the cold weather with lots of
winter clothing, snow pants and all! Last, Ms. Radhika bought a plane ticket and went to the
Bahamas until spring! The children participated and had a chance to play out the different ways
in which some animals work to survive in the cold season of winter.
Field Trip/ Dave’s Reptiles
Slithering snakes, a spotted gecko, a giant frog, monitor lizard, and a HUGE
tortoise, all visited us for our indoor field trip! Dave, the zookeeper, was filled with lots of fun facts
and engaged the children by taking volunteers to help present the animals and offered
“petting” the friendly creatures! We are continuing to discuss animal life with lessons on Nocturnal/Diurnal, What is an Omnivore and Animals and their Habitats.
Spring Recital
The class will be performing for the Spring Recital in March. Our class will begin practicing for
the performance each day on lyrics, choreography, and collectively making some of the props.
There will be no specific or required attire for the performance. Girls are welcomed to wear a
favorite dress and boys can wear a dress shirt and/or tie if they choose. We will be sending
literature and lyrics so that you may practice at home with your child as well.
Although we aim to go outside everyday for recess, the temperature is not always allowing.
However please send your child to school prepared in full winter dress. In addition to recess we
incorporate movement on the line everyday to work on balance, coordination, and general
gross motor. Our class has been practicing skating and sliding on the line, holding yoga
positions for our “balance challenge” and using rhythm sticks in tandem with heel to toe!
Stay safe, stay warm and have a wonderful February!
-Room 103
“We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future.”
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Greetings and Happy 2022! I am so excited to welcome all of our students back after Winter Break! We hope everyone had a chance to relax and spend time with their family. The
children seemed to have missed their classmates and were filled with many “shares” about
their break. Transitioning back to a routine school schedule can be challenging for everyone,
especially for young children. Please make your best efforts to have your children get a good
nights rest and continue bringing healthy snacks and lunches so that they may continue to
flourish in their lessons and have energy to tackle their busy Kindi school days!
What Do Animals Do In Winter?
This month all 3 classes joined together in the gym for a fun interactive lesson on Hibernation,
Adaptation, and Migration. With our make shift props, the teachers demonstrated and acted
the 3 different ways in which animals deal with winter’s cold months. Ms. Krysten gathered
nuts, yawned, and fell asleep for winter! Ms. Brooke “adapted” to the cold weather with lots of
winter clothing, snow pants and all! Last, Ms. Radhika bought a plane ticket and went to the
Bahamas until spring! The children participated and had a chance to play out the different ways
in which some animals work to survive in the cold season of winter.
Field Trip/ Dave’s Reptiles
Slithering snakes, a spotted gecko, a giant frog, monitor lizard, and a HUGE
tortoise, all visited us for our indoor field trip! Dave, the zookeeper, was filled with lots of fun facts
and engaged the children by taking volunteers to help present the animals and offered
“petting” the friendly creatures! We are continuing to discuss animal life with lessons on Nocturnal/Diurnal, What is an Omnivore and Animals and their Habitats.
Spring Recital
The class will be performing for the Spring Recital in March. Our class will begin practicing for
the performance each day on lyrics, choreography, and collectively making some of the props.
There will be no specific or required attire for the performance. Girls are welcomed to wear a
favorite dress and boys can wear a dress shirt and/or tie if they choose. We will be sending
literature and lyrics so that you may practice at home with your child as well.
Although we aim to go outside everyday for recess, the temperature is not always allowing.
However please send your child to school prepared in full winter dress. In addition to recess we
incorporate movement on the line everyday to work on balance, coordination, and general
gross motor. Our class has been practicing skating and sliding on the line, holding yoga
positions for our “balance challenge” and using rhythm sticks in tandem with heel to toe!
Stay safe, stay warm and have a wonderful February!
-Room 103
Updates from Our 6-9 Classroom
“Children acquire knowledge through experience in the environment.”
Maria Montessori
Our students began the New Year with a great vigor and enthusiasm for their lessons, which is leading them on a path of growth and success.
Our First Year students have adapted the class routines gracefully. Learning to be organized and time management skills are an important part of their learning. They are enjoying reading comprehension, sequencing words in alphabetical order (preparation for how to use a dictionary for future), categorizing nouns, and learning about verb function. Continual practice with creating sentences is also an integral part of their English language learning curriculum that helps students to gain more familiarity with the writing process as they progress to the next grade level. Students are excited about advancing their math skills with rounding off numbers, and 4 digit addition with carry over. Ongoing understanding of money, time and fractions will serve as a scaffolding for their future concepts. In History and Geography, we are diving into map skills, learning about the parts of the Earth, and geographical features. First Year students have been introduced to the life cycle of frogs and the needs of plants to grow their understanding of biological science. They love to make projects and show-off high quality work.
Our Second Year students are developing a more mature attitude towards their work. This month, we have continued to grow our knowledge of punctuation and grammar to become proficient in proofreading and editing skills. Ongoing reading comprehension exercises help them apply critical thinking skills and practice looking back in the text to find information. Second Year students have also been introduced to 4-digit multiplication with a 2-digit multiplier using Montessori math materials. We continue with practice of word problems and students are excited to practice multiplication tables and understand the correlation of math concepts. In History and Geography, students are learning map skills and they loved making their BC/AD timelines which has given them a deeper understanding of historical background. In Science, their projects of Fundamental Needs of Humans are looking great!
Our Third Year students have been very busy this month as they continue to practice skills in editing, proofreading, and grammar to improve their writing skills. In math, students have been introduced to more abstract multiplication and division concepts. We have learned the Greatest Common Factor (GCF) with a review of LCM. Students are excited to learn math with decimals and place value of decimals. In History and Geography, Third Year students are studying the timeline of Ancient Civilizations. In Science, we are discussing animal and plant cells which will build a foundation for future concepts in Biology. Children are demonstrating a high quality of work in their social sciences projects.
"Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare it for today".
Sincerely,
6-9 Teachers
2nd and 3rd Grade Coding Class
Our Coding Classes for 2nd and 3rd grade have gotten off to an AMAZING start! I have enjoyed meeting the 2nd and 3rd graders as they learn to code. The excitement they have for learning this new technology and essential 21st century skill is amazing!
We’ve spent our first few classes learning about what coding is, proper ways to use the Chromebooks, and logging into their Google Accounts. We then started exploring all about Code.org and started coding using Angry Birds!! The kids had a great time learning it and I’m excited to work with our 2nd and 3rd grade programmers!
Best,
Sevim Memisovski
Coding/Technology Teacher
Maria Montessori
Our students began the New Year with a great vigor and enthusiasm for their lessons, which is leading them on a path of growth and success.
Our First Year students have adapted the class routines gracefully. Learning to be organized and time management skills are an important part of their learning. They are enjoying reading comprehension, sequencing words in alphabetical order (preparation for how to use a dictionary for future), categorizing nouns, and learning about verb function. Continual practice with creating sentences is also an integral part of their English language learning curriculum that helps students to gain more familiarity with the writing process as they progress to the next grade level. Students are excited about advancing their math skills with rounding off numbers, and 4 digit addition with carry over. Ongoing understanding of money, time and fractions will serve as a scaffolding for their future concepts. In History and Geography, we are diving into map skills, learning about the parts of the Earth, and geographical features. First Year students have been introduced to the life cycle of frogs and the needs of plants to grow their understanding of biological science. They love to make projects and show-off high quality work.
Our Second Year students are developing a more mature attitude towards their work. This month, we have continued to grow our knowledge of punctuation and grammar to become proficient in proofreading and editing skills. Ongoing reading comprehension exercises help them apply critical thinking skills and practice looking back in the text to find information. Second Year students have also been introduced to 4-digit multiplication with a 2-digit multiplier using Montessori math materials. We continue with practice of word problems and students are excited to practice multiplication tables and understand the correlation of math concepts. In History and Geography, students are learning map skills and they loved making their BC/AD timelines which has given them a deeper understanding of historical background. In Science, their projects of Fundamental Needs of Humans are looking great!
Our Third Year students have been very busy this month as they continue to practice skills in editing, proofreading, and grammar to improve their writing skills. In math, students have been introduced to more abstract multiplication and division concepts. We have learned the Greatest Common Factor (GCF) with a review of LCM. Students are excited to learn math with decimals and place value of decimals. In History and Geography, Third Year students are studying the timeline of Ancient Civilizations. In Science, we are discussing animal and plant cells which will build a foundation for future concepts in Biology. Children are demonstrating a high quality of work in their social sciences projects.
"Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare it for today".
Sincerely,
6-9 Teachers
2nd and 3rd Grade Coding Class
Our Coding Classes for 2nd and 3rd grade have gotten off to an AMAZING start! I have enjoyed meeting the 2nd and 3rd graders as they learn to code. The excitement they have for learning this new technology and essential 21st century skill is amazing!
We’ve spent our first few classes learning about what coding is, proper ways to use the Chromebooks, and logging into their Google Accounts. We then started exploring all about Code.org and started coding using Angry Birds!! The kids had a great time learning it and I’m excited to work with our 2nd and 3rd grade programmers!
Best,
Sevim Memisovski
Coding/Technology Teacher
Updates from upper elementary classrooms
4th Grade English Language Arts and Reading
It’s a brand new year for Fourth Grade! We started this year reading one of the two biographies. These biographies will help the children understand American History better. The first biography we read was Who was George Washington? Students got an in depth look into the life of our first president. Not only did they learn about important facts, but they got to learn about him as a person. Then, the students did a project on President Washington to put their knowledge to the test!
Students also have been practicing writing paragraphs. Students went over the different parts of a paragraph. Now, students are practicing writing detailed and well written paragraphs.
4th Grade Social Studies/World Regions
New year and new semester means a new topic for 4th grade Social Studies! We are now learning about American History. Students worked on a research project learning and teaching each other about different Native American Tribes.
It’s a brand new year for Fourth Grade! We started this year reading one of the two biographies. These biographies will help the children understand American History better. The first biography we read was Who was George Washington? Students got an in depth look into the life of our first president. Not only did they learn about important facts, but they got to learn about him as a person. Then, the students did a project on President Washington to put their knowledge to the test!
Students also have been practicing writing paragraphs. Students went over the different parts of a paragraph. Now, students are practicing writing detailed and well written paragraphs.
4th Grade Social Studies/World Regions
New year and new semester means a new topic for 4th grade Social Studies! We are now learning about American History. Students worked on a research project learning and teaching each other about different Native American Tribes.
Happenings in the Science Room
In 4th Grade, we began the new year by learning about energy; that it cannot be created nor destroyed, but it can be converted from one form to another. We learned about mechanical energy, and how potential and kinetic energy are related. Next, we moved to chemical energy and where energy is stored as potential energy waiting to be released when chemical reactions occur. We also played around with sound energy and how it travels through space in waves.
During winter, when it is too cold to go outside for recess, some 4th graders like to come and use their creativity and imagination with materials found in the science classroom!
Since learning about Earth science from the beginning of the school year, 5th Graders worked on their volcano presentations to end the Dynamic Earth unit.
For the rest of the year, the 5th Graders will be learning about the structure of the universe. One of the things we learned is that space can be very crowded or very empty, forming clusters, superclusters or voids. Scientists like to compare space to bubbles, some areas have giant bubbles, and other areas are empty spaces, or voids. The students are busy are creating their own “universe” filled with bubbles and voids!
For the rest of the year, the 5th Graders will be learning about the structure of the universe. One of the things we learned is that space can be very crowded or very empty, forming clusters, superclusters or voids. Scientists like to compare space to bubbles, some areas have giant bubbles, and other areas are empty spaces, or voids. The students are busy are creating their own “universe” filled with bubbles and voids!
Sixth Grade Science cells and heredity unit could not be completed until the kids learned about the structure of DNA. They got to learn about its double helix shape, the nucleotides, and how they pair up. At the end of the lesson they got to create a candy gene, mRNA, and extracted.
After having been learning about the periodic table, atomic number, atomic mass, and isotopes, we have began learning about redox reactions. As an introduction, students learned about displacement reactions and how they are used to extract metals from ores.
Eighth Grade switched from Physics to Biology! They have been learning about cell structure and function. They also got a chance to get familiar with the use of microscopes and how to prepare slide mounts with onion cells and their own cheek cells.
Eighth Grade switched from Physics to Biology! They have been learning about cell structure and function. They also got a chance to get familiar with the use of microscopes and how to prepare slide mounts with onion cells and their own cheek cells.
News from our Middle School English Classroom
English
5th Grade
It's been a great new semester so far in 5th Grade. The students have been busy learning about the Civil Rights Movement and Civil Rights leaders as well. They have created digital posters and presented their research. They did a great job! The research prepared them for the novel we are currently reading. We started reading The Watsons Go To Birmingham 1963, by Christopher Paul Curtis, last week and so far the students are really enjoying it.
Additionally, we have completed another set of vocabulary and are heading towards a review unit. The students do a great job with the activities and practice games, so I know they will do well. We have started to review some basic grammar, like comma usage and have been practicing both in class and at home with IXL. I have noticed a great improvement with the students' writing, which makes me very excited. They should be proud of themselves.
Finally, we are starting a supplemental reading series from RAZ kids. Each week, the students will be assigned three readings that support the topics being studied in Social Studies, Science and English. My hope is that a little extra reading practice will strengthen their reading skills and help them become more confident in their reading. Overall, it's been another great month in English.
6th Grade
The students started out this semester by reading about various conflicts in the world. We learned about the Jewish refugees during World War 2, the Cuban refugee crisis in the 1990s, and the Syrian refugee crisis in present day. We used maps and various "trips" via Google Earth to gain a better understanding of where these problems have occurred. With the new understanding of some big global concerns, we started reading our novel Refugee by Alan Gratz. The novel features three children and their journey to safety. The students are hooked! They love the story and have been busily analyzing it and creating a digital map of the characters' progress., and writing well organized character analysis essays. They can't wait to see how it ends.
Additionally, we have completed another set of vocabulary and are heading towards a review unit. We have started to review some basic grammar, like comma usage, and have been practicing both in class and at home with IXL. Our next grammar unit will have us diagramming sentences. Their writing continues to improve and I am excited to see them progress.
7/8th Grade
Our topic for 7/8th grade so far this semester has been Civil Rights. The novel that we have started reading, Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor, is about a family of free blacks in the 1930s. Through this novel, the students have studied the affects of the Great Depression, sharecropping and discrimination. They even gained some financial literacy in the form of learning about credit, collateral and debts and interest, issues that the characters in the book all face. They have analyzed characters and reviewed the use of figurative language and discussing the symbolism of the various aspects of the novel.
To go along with the Civil Rights theme, we also had another leadership class where the students discussed Martin Luther King Jr. and Muhhamad Ali. They discussed civil disobedience and contemplated numerous laws or rules that they considered unfair, while brainstorming ideas of how to peacefully make a difference in each situation.
Additionally, we have completed another set of vocabulary and are heading towards a review unit. We have started to review some more advanced grammar, like comma usage and have been practicing both in class and at home with IXL. Our next grammar unit will have us diagramming sentences. I am consistently impressed with their level of writing and always look forward to seeing their thoughts on paper.
5th Grade
It's been a great new semester so far in 5th Grade. The students have been busy learning about the Civil Rights Movement and Civil Rights leaders as well. They have created digital posters and presented their research. They did a great job! The research prepared them for the novel we are currently reading. We started reading The Watsons Go To Birmingham 1963, by Christopher Paul Curtis, last week and so far the students are really enjoying it.
Additionally, we have completed another set of vocabulary and are heading towards a review unit. The students do a great job with the activities and practice games, so I know they will do well. We have started to review some basic grammar, like comma usage and have been practicing both in class and at home with IXL. I have noticed a great improvement with the students' writing, which makes me very excited. They should be proud of themselves.
Finally, we are starting a supplemental reading series from RAZ kids. Each week, the students will be assigned three readings that support the topics being studied in Social Studies, Science and English. My hope is that a little extra reading practice will strengthen their reading skills and help them become more confident in their reading. Overall, it's been another great month in English.
6th Grade
The students started out this semester by reading about various conflicts in the world. We learned about the Jewish refugees during World War 2, the Cuban refugee crisis in the 1990s, and the Syrian refugee crisis in present day. We used maps and various "trips" via Google Earth to gain a better understanding of where these problems have occurred. With the new understanding of some big global concerns, we started reading our novel Refugee by Alan Gratz. The novel features three children and their journey to safety. The students are hooked! They love the story and have been busily analyzing it and creating a digital map of the characters' progress., and writing well organized character analysis essays. They can't wait to see how it ends.
Additionally, we have completed another set of vocabulary and are heading towards a review unit. We have started to review some basic grammar, like comma usage, and have been practicing both in class and at home with IXL. Our next grammar unit will have us diagramming sentences. Their writing continues to improve and I am excited to see them progress.
7/8th Grade
Our topic for 7/8th grade so far this semester has been Civil Rights. The novel that we have started reading, Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor, is about a family of free blacks in the 1930s. Through this novel, the students have studied the affects of the Great Depression, sharecropping and discrimination. They even gained some financial literacy in the form of learning about credit, collateral and debts and interest, issues that the characters in the book all face. They have analyzed characters and reviewed the use of figurative language and discussing the symbolism of the various aspects of the novel.
To go along with the Civil Rights theme, we also had another leadership class where the students discussed Martin Luther King Jr. and Muhhamad Ali. They discussed civil disobedience and contemplated numerous laws or rules that they considered unfair, while brainstorming ideas of how to peacefully make a difference in each situation.
Additionally, we have completed another set of vocabulary and are heading towards a review unit. We have started to review some more advanced grammar, like comma usage and have been practicing both in class and at home with IXL. Our next grammar unit will have us diagramming sentences. I am consistently impressed with their level of writing and always look forward to seeing their thoughts on paper.
Physical Education
GRADES 1-3
This month, students have gotten to enjoy a variety of gross-motor challenges to develop a deeper understanding of spatial awareness and relationships to objects and people. We are also building our cooperation levels as we work with other students to share space or objects while developing sports skills. This month we played “toilet” tag, which the students loved! It is a version of freeze tag where students can “flush” the “handle” by gently pressing down each other’s arm to unfreeze a student. They work together and practice treating each other gently. We have started 4-Square ball work where students are practicing motor control and aim where they underhand bounce a ball giving each student a turn in small groups to bounce the ball back using the proper 4-Square technique.
GRADES 4 -8
Through team building games and sports we work cooperatively with others to accomplish a set goal in both competitive and noncompetitive situations. This month 4-8th Graders built upon 4-Square skills to actually play competitive games, focused on sportsmanship and fair play. As a team-building challenge 7-8th grade students built upon sports skills they have already mastered to try their hands at “Beach Towel Volleyball” where we used a sheet as a parachute to catch and launch the ball to opposing small teams. It was a tricky challenge that encouraged students to communicate, work together, and problem solve!
ART
3-6 Students
This month, students have explored different media. Students have practiced cutting snowflakes and making hearts. We have used colored pencils to make our favorite zoo animals after a listening lesson about following directions.
GRADES 4 -8
This month art students learned about line work and even tried their hand at a little calligraphy while making friendship hearts. We began to take selfies for 6-8th graders as we move into our study of photorealism. Students will be challenged to make and complete a grid drawing of their own self-portraits which they took. These will be displayed around the halls of Kindi once completed. 4-5th Grade students are learning line work with making helping hands. Students are practicing decorative line weights while being practicing precision with tracing hands. Look for these too!
Now offering 6-9 students a weekly art class starting in February!
Ms. Jackie
GRADES 1-3
This month, students have gotten to enjoy a variety of gross-motor challenges to develop a deeper understanding of spatial awareness and relationships to objects and people. We are also building our cooperation levels as we work with other students to share space or objects while developing sports skills. This month we played “toilet” tag, which the students loved! It is a version of freeze tag where students can “flush” the “handle” by gently pressing down each other’s arm to unfreeze a student. They work together and practice treating each other gently. We have started 4-Square ball work where students are practicing motor control and aim where they underhand bounce a ball giving each student a turn in small groups to bounce the ball back using the proper 4-Square technique.
GRADES 4 -8
Through team building games and sports we work cooperatively with others to accomplish a set goal in both competitive and noncompetitive situations. This month 4-8th Graders built upon 4-Square skills to actually play competitive games, focused on sportsmanship and fair play. As a team-building challenge 7-8th grade students built upon sports skills they have already mastered to try their hands at “Beach Towel Volleyball” where we used a sheet as a parachute to catch and launch the ball to opposing small teams. It was a tricky challenge that encouraged students to communicate, work together, and problem solve!
ART
3-6 Students
This month, students have explored different media. Students have practiced cutting snowflakes and making hearts. We have used colored pencils to make our favorite zoo animals after a listening lesson about following directions.
GRADES 4 -8
This month art students learned about line work and even tried their hand at a little calligraphy while making friendship hearts. We began to take selfies for 6-8th graders as we move into our study of photorealism. Students will be challenged to make and complete a grid drawing of their own self-portraits which they took. These will be displayed around the halls of Kindi once completed. 4-5th Grade students are learning line work with making helping hands. Students are practicing decorative line weights while being practicing precision with tracing hands. Look for these too!
Now offering 6-9 students a weekly art class starting in February!
Ms. Jackie
5th-8th Grade Social Studies News
Happy New Year to all! The kids have been hard at work in Social Studies class since coming back from Winter Break!
The 5th Graders have completed their study of the Ancient Hebrews, and are now in the midst of studying the Ancient Greeks. The kids have learned about the development of democracy in Athens, and discussed how it compared to democracy in the United States. We’ve also been learning about Greek Mythology. The kids researched a Greek God/Goddess and wrote an autobiography about them, as well as created life-size posters depicting the God/Goddess they researched.
Our 6th Grade students just completed their unit on Russia and the former Soviet Republics. We spent some time discussing current events around Russia, and the students did research on one of the former Soviet Republics. They compiled their research into either a Google Slides or Canva presentation. We are now beginning our unit on North Africa and Southwest Asia.
The 7th graders have switched gears from Human Geography and are now beginning U.S. History. To start off the new year, we are jumping into the U.S. Constitution Unit! This is a graduation requirement for admission to high school. We have finished discussions about the Historical Events leading to the Constitution’s writing, what it means to be a U.S. Citizen, as well as a look at the Branches of Government. Students put together awesome Flipgrid Videos acting out the various roles of the President. Just a reminder that the U.S. Constitution Test is scheduled for Tuesday, February 15th! They’re going to do an AMAZING job!!!
Our 8th grade class started the new year learning about the Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment. We read about different Enlightenment thinkers and how their ideas spread throughout the world. We then learned about the French Revolution. The students did an AWESOME job creating posters to gather support for one of the estates- showing whether they were for or against the revolution. We are now studying the rise of nationalism in the 1800s and looking at various Independence movements that went along with that in Europe and Latin America.
Thank you all for your support with these awesome students!
Best,
Sevim Memisovski
Social Studies Teacher, Grades 5-8
4th-8th Grade Technology News
Happy New Year to all! Our Technology classes have been hard at work since we came back from break!
The 4th and 5th Graders started the new year writing stories about their Winter Breaks. Then, they told their stories using Flipgrid. The kids recorded themselves telling their stories and learned to add little effects to their videos. They did a tremendous job!
4th Grade is starting a News Project reporting on different events around Kindi! They sent emails to teachers or other students to set up interviews, will use Google Calendar to set reminders and schedule their interviews, and will record their newscasts using Flipgrid. I can’t wait to see what an awesome job they will do!
5th Grade is going to start a research project on one of the U.S. Presidents. They will then create an infographic using Canva to present their research.
Our 6th, 7th, and 8th graders have just finished a project creating their own personal website and portfolio using Google Sites. They included pages about themselves and goals for their future, which were awesome to read! The portfolio section will be used to highlight different achievements from their various classes. They did a great job! The 6th graders are now going to complete a Digital Art project, creating “Subway Art” using varieties of words/text that center around one topic.
The 7th and 8th graders are becoming podcasters! They will be writing and recording their own podcast. Each podcast will be unique, however, all will center around the theme of overcoming a struggle. I can’t wait to see what the kids come up with!
All 4th-8th Grade classes have also started Coding using Code.org! We’ve learned about Sequencing and Sprites and will continue to learn to code as the weeks continue. This is such an essential 21st century skill for the students and we are so thrilled to be able to offer this to them! By the end of the year, our 4th/5th Graders will be able to program their own animations, artwork, and games. The 6th, 7th, and 8th Graders will be coding their own Apps and Websites, too! I can’t wait to see what our computer programmers come up with!
Best,
Sevim Memisovski
Technology Teacher
Happy New Year to all! The kids have been hard at work in Social Studies class since coming back from Winter Break!
The 5th Graders have completed their study of the Ancient Hebrews, and are now in the midst of studying the Ancient Greeks. The kids have learned about the development of democracy in Athens, and discussed how it compared to democracy in the United States. We’ve also been learning about Greek Mythology. The kids researched a Greek God/Goddess and wrote an autobiography about them, as well as created life-size posters depicting the God/Goddess they researched.
Our 6th Grade students just completed their unit on Russia and the former Soviet Republics. We spent some time discussing current events around Russia, and the students did research on one of the former Soviet Republics. They compiled their research into either a Google Slides or Canva presentation. We are now beginning our unit on North Africa and Southwest Asia.
The 7th graders have switched gears from Human Geography and are now beginning U.S. History. To start off the new year, we are jumping into the U.S. Constitution Unit! This is a graduation requirement for admission to high school. We have finished discussions about the Historical Events leading to the Constitution’s writing, what it means to be a U.S. Citizen, as well as a look at the Branches of Government. Students put together awesome Flipgrid Videos acting out the various roles of the President. Just a reminder that the U.S. Constitution Test is scheduled for Tuesday, February 15th! They’re going to do an AMAZING job!!!
Our 8th grade class started the new year learning about the Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment. We read about different Enlightenment thinkers and how their ideas spread throughout the world. We then learned about the French Revolution. The students did an AWESOME job creating posters to gather support for one of the estates- showing whether they were for or against the revolution. We are now studying the rise of nationalism in the 1800s and looking at various Independence movements that went along with that in Europe and Latin America.
Thank you all for your support with these awesome students!
Best,
Sevim Memisovski
Social Studies Teacher, Grades 5-8
4th-8th Grade Technology News
Happy New Year to all! Our Technology classes have been hard at work since we came back from break!
The 4th and 5th Graders started the new year writing stories about their Winter Breaks. Then, they told their stories using Flipgrid. The kids recorded themselves telling their stories and learned to add little effects to their videos. They did a tremendous job!
4th Grade is starting a News Project reporting on different events around Kindi! They sent emails to teachers or other students to set up interviews, will use Google Calendar to set reminders and schedule their interviews, and will record their newscasts using Flipgrid. I can’t wait to see what an awesome job they will do!
5th Grade is going to start a research project on one of the U.S. Presidents. They will then create an infographic using Canva to present their research.
Our 6th, 7th, and 8th graders have just finished a project creating their own personal website and portfolio using Google Sites. They included pages about themselves and goals for their future, which were awesome to read! The portfolio section will be used to highlight different achievements from their various classes. They did a great job! The 6th graders are now going to complete a Digital Art project, creating “Subway Art” using varieties of words/text that center around one topic.
The 7th and 8th graders are becoming podcasters! They will be writing and recording their own podcast. Each podcast will be unique, however, all will center around the theme of overcoming a struggle. I can’t wait to see what the kids come up with!
All 4th-8th Grade classes have also started Coding using Code.org! We’ve learned about Sequencing and Sprites and will continue to learn to code as the weeks continue. This is such an essential 21st century skill for the students and we are so thrilled to be able to offer this to them! By the end of the year, our 4th/5th Graders will be able to program their own animations, artwork, and games. The 6th, 7th, and 8th Graders will be coding their own Apps and Websites, too! I can’t wait to see what our computer programmers come up with!
Best,
Sevim Memisovski
Technology Teacher
Updates from our spanish classroom
Spanish with Maestra Alicia:
4th Grade
Students have been excited and engaged with our current instructional topic: ¨El salon de clase¨ (The classroom). They have mastered naming classroom objects and school supplies in the target language. They know how to use “hay” (there is) when naming and counting. Students are still learning to add -s and -es plural endings to nouns, as well as “los” and “las” and associate them with plural nouns endings. They’ve been assigned to create a drawing where classroom items are properly labeled using the correct vocabulary. It's amazing to see their creativity and enthusiasm. I look forward to their presentations!
5th Grade
Students have been building vocabulary to use words and expressions for measuring and naming different times of day. Examples include “un minuto,” “un cuarto de hora,” and “la noche, la tarde.” Students have shown effort and attentiveness in learning these concepts and applying them to their activities. I enjoy answering their questions and assisting in getting everyone comfortable with the time related vocabulary.
6th Grade
It has been positively ¨fabuloso¨ to see these students getting “Aja” moments as they are revisiting previously introduced topics, but now at a more complex level. Students have been working on subject Pronouns such as “ser” (to be) and conjugation. They have been great in practicing these and are really improving their ability to communicate in Spanish! Genial!
7th-8th Grade
These Seventh and Eighth Graders overall did a great job on their “La familia” Project. They incorporated all the vocabulary (names, age, birthdays, and relationship of family members) and grammar (possessive adjectives) that they learned in the lesson. They were really proud to talk about their families! Students will continue working on possessive adjectives and lesson vocabulary and also practice saying birth dates.
4th Grade
Students have been excited and engaged with our current instructional topic: ¨El salon de clase¨ (The classroom). They have mastered naming classroom objects and school supplies in the target language. They know how to use “hay” (there is) when naming and counting. Students are still learning to add -s and -es plural endings to nouns, as well as “los” and “las” and associate them with plural nouns endings. They’ve been assigned to create a drawing where classroom items are properly labeled using the correct vocabulary. It's amazing to see their creativity and enthusiasm. I look forward to their presentations!
5th Grade
Students have been building vocabulary to use words and expressions for measuring and naming different times of day. Examples include “un minuto,” “un cuarto de hora,” and “la noche, la tarde.” Students have shown effort and attentiveness in learning these concepts and applying them to their activities. I enjoy answering their questions and assisting in getting everyone comfortable with the time related vocabulary.
6th Grade
It has been positively ¨fabuloso¨ to see these students getting “Aja” moments as they are revisiting previously introduced topics, but now at a more complex level. Students have been working on subject Pronouns such as “ser” (to be) and conjugation. They have been great in practicing these and are really improving their ability to communicate in Spanish! Genial!
7th-8th Grade
These Seventh and Eighth Graders overall did a great job on their “La familia” Project. They incorporated all the vocabulary (names, age, birthdays, and relationship of family members) and grammar (possessive adjectives) that they learned in the lesson. They were really proud to talk about their families! Students will continue working on possessive adjectives and lesson vocabulary and also practice saying birth dates.
Updates from our Arabic Room
Salam for All, Marhaban,
Our Students are really busy in school these days between projects, games, and class activities in Arabic.
We implemented the Montessori linguistic method to Arabic, so our students can easily form good Arabic sentences following the same method they used in their previous English classes.
This month, we are covering the units of workers in our community and their place of work with the upper elementary classes.
While the younger grades are studying about families and relations, the Middle school students are working on an animal unit, learning habitats of animals, and describing their manners, while expanding their grammar and writing skills.
Come and enjoy living the dream of Arabian tales with our lessons!
Ms. Hayat Al-Quttub
Our Students are really busy in school these days between projects, games, and class activities in Arabic.
We implemented the Montessori linguistic method to Arabic, so our students can easily form good Arabic sentences following the same method they used in their previous English classes.
This month, we are covering the units of workers in our community and their place of work with the upper elementary classes.
While the younger grades are studying about families and relations, the Middle school students are working on an animal unit, learning habitats of animals, and describing their manners, while expanding their grammar and writing skills.
Come and enjoy living the dream of Arabian tales with our lessons!
Ms. Hayat Al-Quttub