Social Studies Winter Term

January 5-Febuary 11

We shift our focus from the war in Europe to the in the Pacific.  We will continue to study key figures and battles and will hold debates on the dropping of the A-bomb.  Also on February 4th we will have a test and the 7th grade will be giving their History Exhibitions the following week.

Geography Bee

In December the students of the Upper School competed in the preliminary rounds of the Geography Bee.  Each student from 4-8 competed with their classmates and 10 qualified for the final round.  The final round will take place in the Community Room this Friday January 8th from 2 to 3.  The Finalists are: 

Michal Rubingh (4th)

Zoe Oro-Hahn (4th)

Francesca Marsh (5th)

Hans Schundler (5th)

Tomas Silva (5th)

ZoeGrace Raak (6th)

Adrian Voysey (6th)

Pedro Gavilano (7th)

Eliot Kaufmann (8th)

Franklin Prado (8th).

2010 Thoughts

As we start a new term and a new calendar year I wanted to share some (brief) thoughts.  During the break I had some time to reflect on being an educator and my personal philosophy on education.  (For Mustard Seed's philosophy on education check out this link on our website http://www.mustardseedschool.org/about/philosophy).  My challenge this year is to better integrate my educational philosophy into the day to day affairs of the classroom.  So what is my educational philosophy?  It has changed quite a bit over the past 12 years and I'm sure it will continue to evolve as I grow as an educator.  Two specific beliefs I want reflected in my classroom are: 1. Education should involve the whole student so not only guiding them academically but socially and spiritually as well and 2. Teach students to learn and understand rather than memorize and regurgitate.  I will try and post my progress regularly so as to hold myself accountable.

Las Posadas

This Friday is Las Posadas.  Seventh grade students need to be at the park at 6:30 to get ready.  Remember to dress warmly, the weather is supposed to be cold.  After the procession and the concert we will move on to the gym for music and donuts.  Everything should be wrapped up by 9:00.  I hope to see everyone there!

Carnegie Hall Trip

We will we leaving for Carnegie Hall tomorrow at 8:30 AM.  This means students needs to be at school on time so we can board the bus by 8:20.

The dress code for tomorrow's trip  is a black shirt, black pants/skirt and shoes.  If students do not have black pants they may wear khakis.  If students still have polo shirts from last year's concert please bring them in tomorrow.

Latest News -

Latest News -

Progress Reports -
The fall term ended on the last day of school before the Thanksgiving vacation. Progress reports are being written now and will be mailed to you on Friday.


Mini-Term - Carnegie Hall, Mini-term Electives, & Las Posadas

Every year, the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas are busy ones at Mustard Seed.

Carnegie Hall -
This year, the mini-term begins as students participate Carnegie Hall's Global Encounters Program: Music of India. Visiting musicians will perform at MSS on December 7 and we will participate in an interactive concert at Carnegie Hall on December 9. Visiting artist, Steven Dunn, will also be joining our classrooms as we take part in this study.

Mini-term Electives -
Among other things, during the mini-term, students will take part in electives the on the mornings of Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays.

Advent & Las Posadas -
On Friday, December 18, we end the term with a whole-school celebration led by Upper School students, (including the MSS Chorus & Choristers) at Las Posadas. Until then, students in K-8 will celebrate Advent together and service projects will be prominent.

Other Studies -
While electives, global music, and Advent preparations shape our days, studies in Spanish, Algebra, and language arts will continue. Literature will include the reading of Shakespeare! Advisory groups will still take place every week, along with spelling, vocabulary, and grammar - but the new test and book-talk days are FRIDAY!

What's Happening in the Mini-Term Electives?

What is the Relationship between Structure and Freedom?
What are some of the characteristics of freedom?
Where does freedom exist and what do we do with it?
When are structures (and rules) good and when are they frustrating?
How do we balance freedom and structure if we are to create good lives, work and play well, and fulfill our callings?

These are some of the guiding questions that will be recurring in our December miniterm. Whether in literature, mathematics, our common study of Indian music and culture, or electives, students will be considering these questions and others in the three weeks to come.


Of the 8 offered electives, each student participates in two.

Session #1:

Living Well (Ms. Rupke): This mini-term will involve a variety of activities. It is intended for you to think about what it means to live a healthy life style. This will include exploring physical health and goals, social relationships, and spiritual well being. Some of this mini-term will include learning how to bake "from scratch", participating in Yoga and Pilates, collage creation, and creating journals.

Capoiera (Ms. Penfold): Capoeira is a unique martial art that is African in origin and Brazilian in evolution. Introduced to the US in the mid-1970s, Capoeira has become one of Brazil's top sports (second only to soccer). Capoeira's agile movements are deft and tricky, a combination of sweeping kicks and acrobatics that marries flexibility, agility, strength, balance and coordination and results in self-confidence.

Paisley Pattern Printing (Ms. Buckley): In this mini term elective students will experiment with different printing techniques. We will start by carving potato blocks and develop the skills necessary for lino printing. The designs we'll use will be based on traditional paisley patterns, a motif that was popularized on textiles from Kashmir, India. This option will also include a time of henna painting, an activity in which students may choose to participate (that part is optional).

Weight Training and Cardio Training (Mr. Gerardo): Students will experience circuit weight training along with cardiovascular workouts. We will be working in the MSS gym and also at Church Square Park.

Session # 2:

Modern Indian Culture as "Scene" in Bollywood (Mr. Choi): This mini-term students will explore Indian culture as it is portrayed in modern Bollywood films. We will watch three films and discuss how they differ from Western films: What values are emphasized? How is humor, violence, romance and drama portrayed differently (or similarly)? The three films will be Koi...Mil Gaya, Krrish, and New York.

Indian Independence and the Question of Pakistan (Ms. Hanson; Assistant: Caroline Groce): In this elective, students will explore the difficulties surrounding independence for British India and the series of events that divided India from Pakistan. In this elective, students will examine the effects of British imperialism, reflect upon the biographies of Mahatma Gandhi and Mohammed Ali Jinnah (through documentary and movie clips, as well as texts), study the geography of the Indian subcontinent, consider the ancient religions of Hinduism and Islam, and participate in an informal debate, as we examine the conflicting positions that existed at the time of the Cabinet Mission that was assembled in 1946.

History of Baseball (Mr. Gerardo): Students will be able to learn the history of baseball. We will be watching a variety of baseball movies and documentaries.

Capoiera (Ms. Penfold): Capoeira is a unique martial art that is African in origin and Brazilian in evolution. Introduced to the US in the mid-1970s, Capoeira has become one of Brazil's top sports (second only to soccer). Capoeira's agile movements are deft and tricky, a combination of sweeping kicks and acrobatics that marries flexibility, agility, strength, balance and coordination and results in self-confidence.