1st-5th grade
Lower School Green Team
THE DIFFERENCE IS EXTRAORDINARY! This difference is evident the moment you walk through our doors. One of the things that makes our school so extraordinary is the dedication and passion our students and staff have to creating an eco-friendly school, city, and world. At Baltimore Lab School we strive to promote appreciation for our environment, conserve our resources, cultivate and implement ideas that reduce waste, inspire each other to shift their strategies to a more sustainable path, and empower others to do the same.
There are no traditional grade levels in the Lower School, as students are grouped by age and ability and move through the program at their own speed. With many classes led by a two-person teaching team (a full time teacher and a full-time instructional assistant) the student/teacher ratio in our Lower School is exceptionally low. 6 students to 1 teacher.
Lower School Green Team
THE DIFFERENCE IS EXTRAORDINARY! This difference is evident the moment you walk through our doors. One of the things that makes our school so extraordinary is the dedication and passion our students and staff have to creating an eco-friendly school, city, and world. At Baltimore Lab School we strive to promote appreciation for our environment, conserve our resources, cultivate and implement ideas that reduce waste, inspire each other to shift their strategies to a more sustainable path, and empower others to do the same.
There are no traditional grade levels in the Lower School, as students are grouped by age and ability and move through the program at their own speed. With many classes led by a two-person teaching team (a full time teacher and a full-time instructional assistant) the student/teacher ratio in our Lower School is exceptionally low. 6 students to 1 teacher.
Lower School Classroom Environmental Literacy Instruction by grade level and subject.
Lower School Annual Meaningful Watershed Education Experiences
Dates:
September 2, 2016 Grades 3, 4 and 5. 27 students.
September 5, 2017. Grades 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. 23 students.
October 8, 2015 Grades 4 and 5. 25 students.
Local activities reflect our 1st-5th grade student's background knowledge, shorter attention span and physical capabilities. These experiences relate to academic learning standards across subject areas. Students are introduced to complex issues as explorers of our natural world.
Dates:
September 2, 2016 Grades 3, 4 and 5. 27 students.
September 5, 2017. Grades 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. 23 students.
October 8, 2015 Grades 4 and 5. 25 students.
Local activities reflect our 1st-5th grade student's background knowledge, shorter attention span and physical capabilities. These experiences relate to academic learning standards across subject areas. Students are introduced to complex issues as explorers of our natural world.
Date: September 2, 2016. 8:30am-3pm.
Grade Level: 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th grade.
Subject: Language Arts, Science, Math and Social Studies.
# of students: 27
Activity: North Bay Adventures. Susquehanna State Park and River.
Lower school students in grades 1-5 participated in kayaking, fishing, clamming and underwater grass explorations, learning about the environment while enjoying being outside with teachers and friends.
Baltimore Lab School Staff:
Michelle Argent, Casey Banks, Brenna Blount, Tara Boucher, Patti Child, Samantha Kideckel, Amy Kisler, Jackie Lesh, Molly, Meredith, KC O'Connor, Laura Parkhurst, Colleen Rajewski, Kasey Schroeder, Maggie Tyler, Carrie Brazell, Gali Solomon, Ade Adelugba, Alli MacWilliams, Annette Fallon, Kara Wimert, Briana Quinlan, Lower School Special Educators,Language Arts, Science, Math, Social Studies and Related Service Staff.
Date: September 5, 2017. 8:30am-3pm.
Grade Level: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th 5th grade.
Subject: Language Arts, Science, Math and Social Studies.
# of students: 23
Activity: North Bay Adventures. Susquehanna State Park and River.
Lower school students in grades 1-5 participated in kayaking, fishing, clamming and underwater grass explorations, learning about the environment while enjoying being outside with teachers and friends.
Baltimore Lab School Staff: Jackie Lesh, Collen Rajewski, Gali Solomon, Samantha Kideckel, Ade Adelugba, Molly Meredith, Carrie Brazell, KC O'Connor, Abbie MacWilliams, Patti Child, Kara Wimert, Maggie Tyler, Briana Quinlan, Annette Fallon, Hannah Whiddon ,Julie Lurz (intern). Lower School Special Educators,Language Arts, Science, Math, Social Studies and Related Service Staff.
Grade Level: 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th grade.
Subject: Language Arts, Science, Math and Social Studies.
# of students: 27
Activity: North Bay Adventures. Susquehanna State Park and River.
Lower school students in grades 1-5 participated in kayaking, fishing, clamming and underwater grass explorations, learning about the environment while enjoying being outside with teachers and friends.
Baltimore Lab School Staff:
Michelle Argent, Casey Banks, Brenna Blount, Tara Boucher, Patti Child, Samantha Kideckel, Amy Kisler, Jackie Lesh, Molly, Meredith, KC O'Connor, Laura Parkhurst, Colleen Rajewski, Kasey Schroeder, Maggie Tyler, Carrie Brazell, Gali Solomon, Ade Adelugba, Alli MacWilliams, Annette Fallon, Kara Wimert, Briana Quinlan, Lower School Special Educators,Language Arts, Science, Math, Social Studies and Related Service Staff.
Date: September 5, 2017. 8:30am-3pm.
Grade Level: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th 5th grade.
Subject: Language Arts, Science, Math and Social Studies.
# of students: 23
Activity: North Bay Adventures. Susquehanna State Park and River.
Lower school students in grades 1-5 participated in kayaking, fishing, clamming and underwater grass explorations, learning about the environment while enjoying being outside with teachers and friends.
Baltimore Lab School Staff: Jackie Lesh, Collen Rajewski, Gali Solomon, Samantha Kideckel, Ade Adelugba, Molly Meredith, Carrie Brazell, KC O'Connor, Abbie MacWilliams, Patti Child, Kara Wimert, Maggie Tyler, Briana Quinlan, Annette Fallon, Hannah Whiddon ,Julie Lurz (intern). Lower School Special Educators,Language Arts, Science, Math, Social Studies and Related Service Staff.
| participant_list_for_northbay_sept._2_2016.docx |
| ls_north_bay_sept._5_2017_field_trip.docx |
Date: October 8, 2015
Grade Level: 4th and 5th grade
# of students: 25
Activity: Clagett Farm Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience
4th and 5th grade students explored Clagett Farm, CBF’s only land-based education center. Students spend the day living a model of environmentally sustainable farming practices. Students explored the farm traveling by hay wagon and foot. Students played a game “Sediment, Sediment” designed to teach them how to slow, cool, and filter harmful stormwater runoff with trees and cooperative actions. Students also learned farm animal appreciation, sustainable organic farming principles, mapping skills and land use (rural, urban, and suburban).
Teachers: Molly Meredith, 5th grade, Amy Kisler, Assistant, Joan Rybas, 4th grade. Allison Weigal, Speech and Language Pathologist, Mindy Schwartz, Lower School Special Educators,Language Arts, Science, Math, Social Studies and Related Service Staff.
Other Staff: Patti Child, Outdoor Education Coordinator, Claire Cambardella and Brendan Casey, Chesapeake Bay Foundation Educators.
Grade Level: 4th and 5th grade
# of students: 25
Activity: Clagett Farm Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience
4th and 5th grade students explored Clagett Farm, CBF’s only land-based education center. Students spend the day living a model of environmentally sustainable farming practices. Students explored the farm traveling by hay wagon and foot. Students played a game “Sediment, Sediment” designed to teach them how to slow, cool, and filter harmful stormwater runoff with trees and cooperative actions. Students also learned farm animal appreciation, sustainable organic farming principles, mapping skills and land use (rural, urban, and suburban).
Teachers: Molly Meredith, 5th grade, Amy Kisler, Assistant, Joan Rybas, 4th grade. Allison Weigal, Speech and Language Pathologist, Mindy Schwartz, Lower School Special Educators,Language Arts, Science, Math, Social Studies and Related Service Staff.
Other Staff: Patti Child, Outdoor Education Coordinator, Claire Cambardella and Brendan Casey, Chesapeake Bay Foundation Educators.
| 4th_and_5th_grade_clagett_farm_participants.docx |
Date: Wednesday December 14, 2016 9-12noon
Grade Level: 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th grade
# of students: 31
Activity: Hands On Time with Diamondback Terrapins,
Subject: Math. Design a Diamondback,
Subject: Reading/Language Arts. Terrapin Show and Tell,
Subject: Science. Terrapin Travels,
Baltimore Lab School Teachers: Michelle Argent, Casey Banks, Brenna Blount, Tara Boucher, Patti Child, Samantha Kideckel, Amy Kisler, Jackie Lesh, Molly, Meredith, KC O'Connor, Laura Parkhust, Colleen Rajewski, Kasey Schroeder, Maggie Tyler, Lower School Special Educators and Related Service Staff.
Other Staff: Laura Baker, Maggie Cavey,Maryland Environmental Service
Grade Level: 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th grade
# of students: 31
Activity: Hands On Time with Diamondback Terrapins,
Subject: Math. Design a Diamondback,
Subject: Reading/Language Arts. Terrapin Show and Tell,
Subject: Science. Terrapin Travels,
Baltimore Lab School Teachers: Michelle Argent, Casey Banks, Brenna Blount, Tara Boucher, Patti Child, Samantha Kideckel, Amy Kisler, Jackie Lesh, Molly, Meredith, KC O'Connor, Laura Parkhust, Colleen Rajewski, Kasey Schroeder, Maggie Tyler, Lower School Special Educators and Related Service Staff.
Other Staff: Laura Baker, Maggie Cavey,Maryland Environmental Service
| wednesday_december_14__terrapin_lesson.docx |
| diamond_back_terrapin_visit.docx |
| md_environmental_services_partnership.pdf |
| december_14_diamond_back_terrapins_e_lit_standards.pdf |
| diamondback_terrapins_request.doc |
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Date: February 23, 2017
Grade Level: 5th Grade Subject: Science # of students: 18 students Activity: Trout from Trees Read the Book, Trout are Made of Trees by April Pulley Sayre. Students made visual food webs examining the transfer of energy from the sun to trout and then collaborated with 8th grade students who were creating a mobile of the life cycle of the trout. We analyzed the balance in the stream ecosystem, trees, leaves, algae, bacteria, Crane flies, caddisflies, shrimp and stoneflies, minnows and trout! Trees and shade affect the survival of the our trout. We then visited the trout in our school. Baltimore Lab School Teacher: Jackie Lesh |
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Date: November 10, 2016
Grade Level: 5th Grade Subject: Science # of students: 5 Activity: Students studied the sun as the primary source of energy for all living organisms by reviewing photosynthesis and creating a food chain. How might we get our energy from the sun? Ask the student what plants need to grow. ( sunlight, space, water. air) What do the plants do with the sunlight? ( make food, get energy) Students divided into groups and completed their own food chains, using pictures or words, that link what they eat to energy from the sun. Baltimore Lab School Teacher: Jackie Lesh |
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Date: October 5, 2017
Grade Level: 4th grade Subject: Science # of students: 8 Activity: Our class has been focusing on weathering, erosion, and their effects on various landscapes. We have been utilizing our knowledge of the scientific method to execute multiple experiments and labs. We wanted to answer the question: “What effects do wind and water have on our environment?” By questioning, hypothesizing, observing, and recording, students were able to come to their final conclusions. Students were able to record their findings in their interactive notebooks. Baltimore Lab School Teacher: Molly Meredith ,Carrie Brazell |
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Date: May 5, 2017
Grade Level: 3rd and 4th grade Subject Area: Language Arts and Art # of participants: 8 Activity: Students create paintings, drawings, sculptures that all relate to artists that paint FISH!. We have explored Henri Matisse and Roy Lichtenstein's Versions of this Goldfish Painting. Teacher: Ms. Kideckel, Language Arts, Ms. Rybas, Assistant, and Ms. Griffiths, Art. |
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Date: October 12, 2017
Grade Level: 4th and 5th grade Subject Area: Language Arts # of students: 8 Activity: : In reading, students have been discussing the Earth and creating a fine balance. We’ve explored this topic by answering the question “When nature interacts, what happens to the harmony, or balance among the species?” These discussions are leading us into the text we’ll be focusing on this quarter, National Geographic’s Kids Almanac, which everyone is very excited about! Baltimore Lab School Teacher: Molly Meredith, Carrie Brazell, Marianne Angelella |
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Date: June 3, 2017
Grade Level: 5th grade Subject Area: Science. # of participants: 6 Activity: For our last week of science, we learned about plants. We enjoyed a Brain Pop video discussing the parts and functions of a plant and then completed a plant part fold-able. We hope you enjoyed eating our edible plant cell, we sure did! Baltimore Lab School Teacher: Kara Huggins |
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Date: May 16, 2014
Grade Level: 1st and 2nd grade Subject Area: Discovery Club (Social Studies, Art, Geography, Humanities). 7 students. Activity: Discovery Club Park Ranger Video-Chat. First and second grade students have been learning about the importance of preserving the wetlands and protecting the alligators. Throughout the lesson the students have developed a list of questions about wetland environment and alligators behaviors. The students had a chance to get their questions answered by Ranger Rick Gupman. Baltimore Lab School Teacher: Laura Parkhurst, Social Studies, Art, Geography, Humanities. Other Staff: Ranger Rick Gupman, National Park Ranger at Jean Lafitte Nation Park, in Louisiana. |
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Date: August 25, 2013- present
Students meet daily for the entire school year.
Grade Level: 1st-3rd grade Discovery Club.
Subject Area: Social Studies, Geography, Art and Drama.
7 students.
Activity: Discovery Club.
The Discovery Club employs dramatization and the
hands-on creation of art projects to interpret and experience
the contributions to society made by conservationists
and naturalists throughout history.
Students become historical figures like Teddy Roosevelt
and John Muir; artists like John James, and Audubon & Ansel Adams;
and contemporary figures like Pete Seeger, Jane Goodall, and Alice Waters.
Teacher: Laura Parkhurst, Special Education, Club Leader, Art, Social Studies, Geography, Government and History.
Students meet daily for the entire school year.
Grade Level: 1st-3rd grade Discovery Club.
Subject Area: Social Studies, Geography, Art and Drama.
7 students.
Activity: Discovery Club.
The Discovery Club employs dramatization and the
hands-on creation of art projects to interpret and experience
the contributions to society made by conservationists
and naturalists throughout history.
Students become historical figures like Teddy Roosevelt
and John Muir; artists like John James, and Audubon & Ansel Adams;
and contemporary figures like Pete Seeger, Jane Goodall, and Alice Waters.
Teacher: Laura Parkhurst, Special Education, Club Leader, Art, Social Studies, Geography, Government and History.
Date: October 25, 2016. 9-12 n00n.
Grade level: Fifth grade
Subject: Science students
# of students: 12
Location: The Food Lab, Johns Hopkins, at Clyburn Arboretum.
Activity: Food System Tour with Johns Hopkins Center for Sustainable Living.
Fifth and Eighth grade science students took a field trip to the Food Lab at Clyburn Arboretum. They learned about the cycle of oxygen and nutrients that benefit both the fish and the plants they grew. They even got to taste a lemony green called "sorrel!" Students were able to closely compare the Clyburn Lab to Baltimore Lab's own aquaponics system. They will use the information they gathered at the Food Lab to create their own closed system terrariums while paying close attention to the relationships between producers, consumers, and decomposer, and the water cycle.
Baltimore Lab School Teachers: Jackie Lesh, 5th grade Science teacher, Kara Wimert, Speech and Language pathologist, Casey Banks, Classroom assistant.
Other Staff: Patti Child, Outdoor Education Coordinator and Jesse Blom, Johns Hopkins University Center for Sustainable Living.
Grade level: Fifth grade
Subject: Science students
# of students: 12
Location: The Food Lab, Johns Hopkins, at Clyburn Arboretum.
Activity: Food System Tour with Johns Hopkins Center for Sustainable Living.
Fifth and Eighth grade science students took a field trip to the Food Lab at Clyburn Arboretum. They learned about the cycle of oxygen and nutrients that benefit both the fish and the plants they grew. They even got to taste a lemony green called "sorrel!" Students were able to closely compare the Clyburn Lab to Baltimore Lab's own aquaponics system. They will use the information they gathered at the Food Lab to create their own closed system terrariums while paying close attention to the relationships between producers, consumers, and decomposer, and the water cycle.
Baltimore Lab School Teachers: Jackie Lesh, 5th grade Science teacher, Kara Wimert, Speech and Language pathologist, Casey Banks, Classroom assistant.
Other Staff: Patti Child, Outdoor Education Coordinator and Jesse Blom, Johns Hopkins University Center for Sustainable Living.
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Date: Daily, August 2016 to present
Grade Level: Fifth Grade Subject Area: Science/ Movement Location: Baltimore Lab School Rain Garden # of students: 12 Activity: This year, fifth grade science will focus on ecology. Each day the eco trekkers venture outside to make scientific observations about the interrelated pieces of our ecosystem. Each of the students has found a personal sit spot and visit and report back their findings daily. We have just begun our study of the food web and we will examine the need for producers, consumers, and de-composers as we prepare to make our own Eco pods. Teachers: Jackie Lesh, 5th grade Science and Movement | ||||
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Dates: May 2, 2016
Grade Level: 1-5th grade Subject Area: Math, Science, Language Arts. Location: Baltimore National Aquarium # of students: 27 Activity: Aquarium Trip. Students explored the interactive displays revealing the eco-system of the Chesapeake Bay watershed and our connection to the living organisms in the Bay. After this they participated in a presentation on Birds from the Amazon. This led to a discussion about how our local ecosystem is connected to a distant place and land. Teachers: Samantha Kideckel, Amy Kisler, Molly Meredith, Colleen Rajewski, Lower School Special Educators and Related Service Staff. |
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Date: January 21, 2015
Grade Level: 1-5th grade
Subject Area: Math, Science, Language Arts.
# of students: 25 students
Activity: Baltimore Lab School Outdoor Education Film Festival.
All students in the Lower School, watched a film called Chasing Water, that was directed by Peter McBride. The film documented waters journey from the Colorado River to the Ocean. After watching the film the lower school participated in a discussion and interactive activities about environmental issues with Lisa DeGuire- Blue Water Baltimore.
Teachers: Ms. Meredeth, 5th grade, Ms. Herzberger, 4th grade, Ms. Kisler, Classroom Assistant, Ms. Kohel, 3rd grade, Ms. Rajewski, 1st and 2nd grade.
Other staff: Wade Boarman- SustainaFest, Kevin Schabow- NOAA, Lisa DeGuire-Blue Water Baltimore, Jim Thompson- DNR of Maryland, and Patti Child- Baltimore Lab School Outdoor Education Coordinator.
Grade Level: 1-5th grade
Subject Area: Math, Science, Language Arts.
# of students: 25 students
Activity: Baltimore Lab School Outdoor Education Film Festival.
All students in the Lower School, watched a film called Chasing Water, that was directed by Peter McBride. The film documented waters journey from the Colorado River to the Ocean. After watching the film the lower school participated in a discussion and interactive activities about environmental issues with Lisa DeGuire- Blue Water Baltimore.
Teachers: Ms. Meredeth, 5th grade, Ms. Herzberger, 4th grade, Ms. Kisler, Classroom Assistant, Ms. Kohel, 3rd grade, Ms. Rajewski, 1st and 2nd grade.
Other staff: Wade Boarman- SustainaFest, Kevin Schabow- NOAA, Lisa DeGuire-Blue Water Baltimore, Jim Thompson- DNR of Maryland, and Patti Child- Baltimore Lab School Outdoor Education Coordinator.
| january_21_mountain_film_festival_and_speaker_series_lower_school.docx |
Date: Dec 10th ,2015
Grade Level: 5th Grade
Subject Area: Art
4 students
Activity: Recycled art project.
The artist Alexander Calder is an artist exemplar we are using as inspiration for this unit. We also discussed the artist Leonard Streckfus who’s artwork was shown at Johns Hopkins “Synergy” art show.
The students are using recyclables with duct tape, hot glue and paper mache to create 3-D robot sculptures.
Teacher: Laura Griffiths, 5th Grade Art
Grade Level: 5th Grade
Subject Area: Art
4 students
Activity: Recycled art project.
The artist Alexander Calder is an artist exemplar we are using as inspiration for this unit. We also discussed the artist Leonard Streckfus who’s artwork was shown at Johns Hopkins “Synergy” art show.
The students are using recyclables with duct tape, hot glue and paper mache to create 3-D robot sculptures.
Teacher: Laura Griffiths, 5th Grade Art
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Date: November 24, 2015
Grade Level: 1st,2nd, and 3rd grade Subject Area: Science, Math and Language Arts # of students: 26 Activity: Real Food Farm, Baltimore Maryland. 1st,2nd, and 3rd grade students explored the farm and learned about land use and sustainable farming. Teachers: Mindy Schwartz, 1st grade, Colleen Rajewski, 2nd grade, and Joan Rybus, and Samantha Kideckel, 3rd grade.
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Date: 2013- present. Students attend this class on a daily basis for an entire year.
Grade Level: 5th grade Subject Area: Social Studies, Geography, Government, History, Art and Drama. # of students: 8 Activity: 5th grade Revolutionary Club: From the American Revolution to present day Environmental Issues. How do people's actions and decisions, business, laws and governments affect and change our environment? AMERICAN REVOLUTION CLUB American Revolution Club Detectives are currently solving the mystery of the Lost Colony of Roanoke in 1587! They are reading historical fiction about this event and they are developing a large list of new vocabulary. The students recently figured out that Sir Walter Raleigh chose John White to lead the Roanoke Colony because he had been to the new world before, as evidenced by the paintings White made of crabs, turtles, lizards, and the countless new species he discovered there. To connect these facts to students' own interests, they visualized stepping off of a ship in a new land full of real, wild Pokemon! The students used checklists and visuals to determine what these creatures would look like and what type of environments they would live in if they were real. They then created their own watercolor pencil paintings in order to “prove” the existence of these animals in a strange new land. Teacher: Laura Parkhurst, Special Education, Art, Club Leader, Social Studies, Geography, Government and History. |
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Dates:
July Summer Program 2015 July Summer Program 2016 Grade Level: 1st - 6th grade # of students: 24 Teacher: Zac Lawhon, Art, Social Studies, Geography and Language Arts. Activity: Summer Wacky Tacky Traveler's Club. The Wacky Tacky Travelers Club of the Summer Program created a sculpture project inspired by Piura, Peru. This city is responsible for commissioning an underwater sculpture garden that will become a sanctuary for fish by protecting them against illegal fishing practices. Students used air dry clay to create their own sculptures honoring undersea animals, and then painted them. Students also studied the carved gourd art of Incan artist Bertha Medina, and created ceramic “Carved Gourds” to take home. Students finished their Franz Marc-inspired paintings, created and used solar ovens to make s'mores, and made photo prints of objects to celebrate the power of the sun. These solar energy projects were inspired by Germany's Energiewend (energy shift): Germany's ambitious goal to switch over 45% of their energy use to solar and wind energy by 2025. "Heroes of the Chesapeake," featuring Francis Scott Key and Frederick Douglass. We illustrated scenes from the night Key wrote the Star Spangled Banner and discussed his position in the Harbor that night. We also learned how to caulk the side of a ship like Frederick Douglass did when he was working at a Fells Point shipyard in Baltimore, and developed a fact portrait of his life. |
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Dates: 2016-17
Grade Level: 1st - 6th grade Subject Area: Art, Music and Drama # of students: 24 Draw, sing and dance your way to the Bay. In the Lower and Middle Schools our arts teachers also collaborate with classroom teachers to provide an arts-integrated curriculum in which an art form is used as an approach to teaching and a vehicle for meeting learning objectives in an academic subject area and an art form as it relates to environmental literacy. Teachers: Zac Lawhon, Marianne Angelela, Jackie Lesh, Amy Weishaar, Laura Early, Laura Parkhurst, Anna Pollit, Lower School Art, Dance, Music and Drama. |
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