This week in Jeff's Kitchen, we embraced the cold and did a deep dive into the world of soup. Starting off the week learning about the making of Dashi (traditional Japanese broth) for this year's first miso soup, and ending the week using locally grown and donated potatoes for potato leek soup.
Read MoreThis week in science, students discussed the meaning of biodiversity. As a class, students worked together to define biodiversity in words, then translate this into illustrations. These illustrations came together to create a biodiversity mosaic, where the students hope to educate others of the meaning and importance of biodiversity through art.
Read MoreStudents have been exploring a variety of art techniques in the studio, including painting, charcoal drawing, and renderings inspired by animal-made structures. They’ve also been experimenting with materials like watercolors and clay to expand their creative approaches.
Read MoreArtist Philippe Cheng is leading our senior learners on a journey of self-discovery in our residency at The Watermill Center this January. The students are using the format of the United States passport as a unique anchor to explore the role of a passport in their lives.
Read MoreEarlier this week we set a firm end date for our sea lore projects. This has kicked off a flurry of productivity as the children, sew, paint, illustrate and craft their way toward their end goals. Simultaneously we have begun to shift our focus toward the next phase of our work - nonfiction stories of the sea. We had a wonderful first discussion about what history is and comments from eager participants included things like, “History is telling a story about something old,” “It is something we should know about - it is important,” and “History isn’t now because we changed it to make the world better.”
Read MoreThis month, we began the new year by creating vision boards to help foster a productive and motivated mindset. Students reflected on their goals, interests, and passions while brainstorming new things to try and skills to develop. This activity allowed them to start the year with clarity and excitement, laying the foundation for a successful and creative year.
Read MoreRefreshed from our holiday break, we are eager to jump into the activities of our new year. On our first week back we welcomed Hayground Alum and Lora’s son, Leonardo Dougherty, to work with us continuing our friendship study.
Read MoreWe’re back and ready to dive into a fresh start! We hoped –and have heard– that everyone’s break was as wonderful and rejuvenating as imagined. We've enthusiastically returned to our classroom routines, rediscovering the rhythm of our daily schedule and reacquainting ourselves to the flow of being back at school.
Read MoreThe kids enjoyed their first week at The Watermill Center with Philippe Cheng. Philippe engaged them in a discussion about self and identity, focusing on passports. They explored the information found in a passport and the format of portraiture. In the coming weeks, the kids will create their own passports to further investigate self and identity.
Read MoreAs we begin the second week of December we are immersed in the world of Shakespeare’s The Tempest. The children are loving this tale of adventure, magic, romance, and conspiracy. They are exploring the meaning of the text in their scene rehearsals and through our annual art project, The Shakespeare Scramble. The “Scramble” is a collaborative project whereby partners illustrate a line of text in the form of a multimedia poster.
Read MoreOur class is busy, busy, busy. We are proud to have finished the projects for our Upcycled Design Challenge, and look forward to donating them to the youngest students at Hayground—if we can part with them. The kids were inspired after visiting the Watermill Center and seeing the art of Lucien Shapiro, who used objects found while beach combing on Shinnecock beaches.
Read MoreWhat are useful ways you utilize a surfboard? I hope you’re not thinking surfing, because we want new, innovative, out-of-box, answers only! We all brought in random everyday objects and brainstormed new ways we could use these objects. Other than a surfboard, we analyzed a spoon, brick, floss, a mask, a juicer, and much more!
Read MoreAs the weather gets colder we are eagerly observing the changes in foliage. Much of our artwork this month reflects the warm orange, yellow, red and browns that are now part of our outdoor classroom life. In the spirit of giving thanks, we read Remember by Joy Harjo who inspired us to write our own reflections on memories and things we hold dear.
Read MoreNow that apprenticeships are over, the senior learners are reflecting on their work and researching to further their knowledge and understanding of their mentor organizations for their digital portfolios. Much goes into reflecting on their learning experiences, and the senior learners are enjoying the creative freedom of creating a digital portfolio. This process will take a while, and when the portfolios are complete, the students will present them at a gathering.
Read MoreIn keeping with our class endeavor to eliminate waste, our class repurposed political signs so we could share our Hayground values with those who pass by Hayground School. The students brainstormed the qualities and goals we strive for at Hayground, and we posted the signs by the back entrance to the school on Mitchell Ln.
Read MoreOctober has been a truly special month for us all! Embracing adventure, discovery, and learning amidst the beauty of fall is such a lovely way to celebrate the season.
Read MoreAs October comes to a close the children are finding the rhythm to our days and are enjoying the crisp fall air and abundant sunshine. We’ve enjoyed several exciting visits this month:
Read MoreThe senior learners participated in an anti-bullying workshop conducted by the LGBT Network this week.. This interactive workshop defined bullying as aggressive, unwanted, and repeated behaviors toward others that involve a real or perceived power imbalance. The kids were asked to work in groups to describe instances they witnessed bullying either in real life or in film, to come up with reasons why bystanders may not get involved when witnessing bullying, as well as ways that one can stand up for those who are bullied.
Read MoreOur class is deeply involved in constructing their designs that repurpose cardboard boxes. We can’t wait to unveil the finished products soon. They are now better able to use tools, such as box cutters, tape, screws magnets and zip ties, with greater independence.
Read MoreIn addition to students diving into clay, drawing, painting and sculpture, we have started our big school-wide collaborative project! Inspired by the Spanish designer and architect, Antoni Gaudi, we have been studying the intersection of sculpture, architecture and the natural world.
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