Showcase FEBRUARY 2015
Table of Contents 1 MIDDLE SCHOOLERS RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT RECYCLING TECH
5 SPRING FLING! 2016 IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER
2 EL SISTEMA PRACTICE BUCKLES DOWN FOR THE UPCOMING SEASON - NEW VIDEOS!
3 K1 GOES SHOPPING...
4 ...AND K2 VISITS THE MFA
• Don’t forget to buy your tickets for Spring Fling! 2016 today! Click here to purchase them! • Your donation helps to bring remarkable educational opportunities to our inner city students! • Questions? Comments? Email us at csoriano@conversatorylab.org
A LETTER FROM DIANA DEAR FRIENDS OF CONSERVATORY LAB, Part of the mandate in our school’s mission is to develop leadership qualities in our students. In the bizarre national climate which presently envelopes our country this election year, it is most appropriate to underscore the importance of having the students build good character traits. Leadership character is about tangible behavior. Learning to speak and consistently behave in ways that reflect qualities such as courage, respect, empathy, responsibility and cooperation that builds trust and determines reputation and a good name. As our students proceed along their Expeditions and prepare for their concerts, the underpinning of their daily progress is this focus on character. We believe that it will help them become ethical individuals, who value honesty, care about other people and work on being good citizens. I thank you always for supporting our work in fashioning a structure and programs in this school that develop the best in our children and help them to fulfill their potential. Warm Regards, Diana Lam
MIDDLE SCHOOLERS RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT RECYCLING TECH THIS MONTH, THE 7TH AND 8TH GRADE SCIENCE CLASSES worked on crafting public service announcements to raise awareness about recycling technology, such as watches, phones, and computer. The middle schoolers are learning that it’s important to recycle technology because inside these devices are precious metals that don’t break down in landfills and are mined out of countries in political turmoil. Their PSAs took form as claymation videos, rap songs, motion presentations, and more! As you can tell from the pictures, the middle schoolers had a blast making and filming their PSAs! Each group put their own unique twist on the subject of recycling technology. You can view a full list of the class’s videos below! Winy and Laura https://www.powtoon.com/online-presentation/ bFcD64DU9Zf/ Akieya https://www.powtoon.com/online-presentation/ fSFazZUmkdQ/
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Ariana, Kiara, Kelsey, and Lilibeth https://www.wevideo.com/view/584476469 Copper Mining https://www.powtoon.com/online-presentation/ dlaFKgA5XlM Geeta, Sanaiye, Ajarae, Thierry https://www.wevideo.com/view/583663376 Blood Phones https://www.wevideo.com/view/584096116 Jessica L. https://www.wevideo.com/view/584140115 Tips to Help Stop E-Waste https://www.powtoon.com/m/efIQdzSLhgI/1/ Kateria, Mariel, and Shana https://www.powtoon.com/online-presentation/ c3VDFAOCQ6P/dont-through-out-electronics-recyclethem/ Alex https://www.powtoon.com/m/by8tnCBqHEV/1/ Yannai, Jasmine, Kayleen, Nahjae https://www.powtoon.com/m/fQhfo3YGCIJ/1/
EL SISTEMA PRACTICE BUCKLES DOWN TO PREP FOR UPCOMING SEASON AT THIS POINT IN THE SEMESTER, THINGS ARE HEATING UP in El Sistema! The Ensembles are starting to dig into preparing their repertoires for our upcoming Spring Fling and June Concert Series. It’s an extremely busy time for our students, and they are rising to meet the challenge! We’ve taken two short behind-the-scenes videos of percussion practice with Mr. Geresy and Dudamel full orchestra practice with Mr. Schroeder. Check them out!
Click here to watch the Dudamel Orchestra practice!
Click here to go behind the scenes of drumline practice!
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K1 GOES SHOPPING... ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, THE TWO K2 CLASSES divided into four groups to visit Whole Foods Market in Brighton and learn more about healthy eating. Each group travelled by public bus from the Lower School to Whole Foods (an adventure in itself) and were met there by Healthy Eating Specialist Annie Hayes. First she took each group on a tour of the market where they learned to identify fruits and vegetables, tried some cheese, got to see a whole fish and watched the butcher cut a side of beef into steaks. They ended their tour in the bakery where resident baker Clifton gave them samples of oatmeal raisin cookies. Next each teacher took a small group of 5 or 6 on a scavenger hunt around the market. Some groups went looking for foods from each food group while other groups looked for ingredients for a specific recipe. All the groups spent some time in the cafe watching Annie prepare a healthy energy bar which they then got to try. The market gave each student a “goodie bag” of healthy snacks on their way out. This trip is a favorite Conservatory Lab fieldwork tradition. Lots of learning, and tasty too! The K2 classes are in the middle of their Healthy Eating Expedition. Their learning so far has included sampling a variety of fruits/vegetables/grains at their classroom Tasting Parties, making and writing different recipes such as Guacamole and Ants on a Log, studying the five food groups that make up our plate, and participating in dramatic play centers that allow students to use play to enhance their learning: this week, the kitchen area was transformed into a Restaurant for students to serve and cook in! By completing field work at Whole Foods, students were able to take what they already have learned about healthy foods and apply it first hand in the grocery store, along with learning more about the five groups of food that make up our “plate”. Students will now be able to assist their families when they go grocery shopping!
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...AND K2 VISITS THE MFA
THE K1 CLASSES TRAVELED TO THE MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS on Monday, February 22. With much enthusiasm and focus, the students discussed their observations of a variety different paintings with the MFA docents. Students discussed materials used to create the artwork, how the artist might have been feeling, colors, and the difference between portraits and abstract art. They also got to view the first painting Frida Kahlo ever sold, brand new to the MFA. After viewing the artwork, students worked in the MFA studio and created abstract designs using oil pastels and watercolors. The parents were so excited about this trip that there were nine chaperones, making this field trip extra safe and successful!
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SPRING FLING! 2016 IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR EVENTS OF THE SCHOOL YEAR will take place on Saturday, April 9 at the John Hancock Hall, part of the Back Bay Events Center on Berkeley Street. This annual event is the parents’ way of bringing all the families together, showcasing the students to family and friends and jointly raising funds that will bring additional support to the school and its programs. This 6th Annual parent-sponsored Spring Fling! will be like no other concert this year. The focus will be on showcasing students in a more personal, slightly different way, that will demonstrate some of the other musical talents they have. The concert will be in two acts with an intermission; total running time is expected to be one and a half hours. Other added attractions will be the raffle of a number of outstanding gift baskets, prepared by every classroom in the school, each with its own theme. Last year, these baskets were works of art and a huge success! Diana Lam, our Head of School, will be the Honoree at this event and Senator Dorcena-Forry of Dorchester will be the presenter. For tickets and more information please go to bit.ly/springfling_2016
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