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.

Thanksgiving Break (11/20 - 11/29)

Reminder that students do not have school this Friday (11/20)
Progress reports will be mailed after Thanksgiving.  Everyone should be receiving it in the mail after the break.
Mini-Term begins the day we get back from break (11/30)

Exhibitions

Today the 7th grade gave their Art Exhibitions.  Though I only had the opportunity to watch three of the students (Beca, Juan and Devin who by the way did a wonderful job) I have heard from all the advisors that everyone did remarkably.  They should be very proud of their work.

End of Fall Term

I cannot believe it is already the end of the Fall Term.  Just 6 more school days until Thanksgiving Break (Don't forget, students do not have school on Friday Nov. 20).  However we still have plenty to do.  Besides the projects (Timeline for Social Studies) and Exhibitions (Art) that are due next week, students also need to turn in all back work/corrected work for Music by the latest, Monday Nov. 16th.  Also students will have have a chance to choose their elective for the upcoming Mini-Term.  Information for these classes will be posted/sent home soon so parents can see the choices the students have and help them select the electives that would best suit them.

As always, the homework is posted on the right side of this blog.  Please email me if I forget to update.