Marybeth's Class Notes

The children enter week ten feeling accomplished and excited to share their learning with the school at a special Election Day gathering on Tuesday, November 3rd. They have been working towards this deadline for several weeks now. Each child has completed their research on a different suffragist, and will honor them by sharing an inspiring quote with the school. In the simplist terms, we have learned what the Constitution is and what an Amendment is. Through shared read-ing we explored the various trials and tribulations that were endured over decades as women, and some men, fought tire-lessly to get the 19th Amendment passed. The children created a beautiful banner of the 19th Amendment, which will also be read aloud at our gathering.

Last Wednesday we participated in an interactive, virtual field trip with the Museum of the City of New York, titled Women's Suffrage and Voting Rights Now. The presentation reinforced the learning we have been doing for several weeks, and introduced us to some new, lesser known, local suffragists. We were also able to view and analyze various artifacts held in the museum’s collection. I was so proud of the way the children confidently displayed their expertise on the topic as they answered a series of questions asked by the presenters.

Friday’s stormy weather didn’t stop us from enjoying a fun halloween celebration. We read Chris Van Allsburg’s The Wid-ow’s Broom in a dimly lit classroom, watched The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown, and played several rounds of freeze dance to The Monster Mash and Werewolves of London. The website has been updated with some pictures for your en-joyment.

Please be reminded that the children are invited to dress up as suffragists, and/or wear the colors of the movement (white,

yellow and purple) for Tuesday’s celebration of 100 years of women’s suffrage. The following day, Wednesday the 4th, their hardwork is being rewarded with “Pajama Day”, and a viewing of the BFG.

The following week, beginning Monday, November 9th, our class will enjoy their second week in the art studio with Perry

& Sabra. In the classroom we will be making some simple but beautiful handmade books where the children will catalog some of the learning they did about their suffragist.