Category: Second Grade

Las Semillas

During Spanish class, the second and third graders have been learning about where chocolate comes from. Maestra Ester shared with the students that chocolate is made from the seeds of the fruit of cacao trees, which are native to Central and South America. They learned that the Olmecs, Mayans and Aztecs would call it “food from the gods” due to the health properties of the beans. They also found it fascinating that only the royalty and warriors had access to it. Las semillas (the seeds) were actually used as currency by these ancient civilizations. When the Spanish conquistadors came to the Americas for the first time they took the beans to Europe and it was there where they mixed it with milk and added sugar to it for the first time.

The second and third graders were very excited to participate in a Cacao Ceremony, where they had the opportunity to drink raw cacao and emulate the practices of the Olmec, Maya and Aztec people. Each class sat in a circle, set a positive intention, passed cups of cacao around the circle, and sang together in Spanish. Children were very excited about it and the whole experience was lovely.

#SaklanWellRounded

Infinite Love

Can color change people’s feelings? This past month, second graders have been exploring this question during art class, as they designed, planned and created the backdrop for the all-school concert.

Students began this unit by stretching their color theory knowledge, and learning how to use a color wheel to mix colors. They learned about varied interpretations and meanings of colors from different cultures, and noticed that their own feelings towards colors didn’t always align with others.  

Next, the second graders visited the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SF MOMA), to see how different artists use color to communicate and connect with others. Most notably, they were able to experience Yayoi Kusama’s current art exhibit: “Infinite Love.” The students were super excited to step inside the two different colorfully illuminated mirror rooms, known as “infinity rooms.” They noticed that each room featured different color schemes, which changed how they felt in each space. They learned that Kusama created her mirror rooms to evoke feelings of warmth, love and joy, and to spread “peace and endless love for all.” 

Students began to wonder how they could create their own “immersive” art experience with their backdrop design. Second graders learned next about Anne Patterson, an artist who combines sound and lighting with installations of hundreds of strands of ribbon, fabric or wire to create interactive artworks. This inspired them to explore the idea of using lighting and hanging elements in their artwork.

Finally, students were able to pull together their knowledge of color, feelings, and immersive artwork to create their backdrop designs. After many drafts, revisions and discussions, everyone came to a decision on a final design and plan to create it. 

Second graders look forward to revealing their final design at next week’s concert! 

#SaklanPBL

Respectful Students

Saklan’s social-emotional learning emphasis for January is to be respectful. Throughout the month, all Saklan students will be learning what it means to be respectful and practicing strategies for showing respect both at school and at home.

On Friday, January 26th, the first – eighth graders will meet with their family groups and take part in cross-grade level discussions and activities to gain an even greater understanding of respect. We value these opportunities to help our students understand and integrate new SEL concepts each month. Thank you to our 8th graders for leading these opportunities for the 1st – 7th graders, and to our SEL coordinators Vickie Obenchain and Lisa Rokas for organizing such a unique program for our students.

#SaklanSEL

The Studio Habits of Mind

As the K-8 art teacher, there’s a lot of variation in my day. One class period I’m singing a song about how to make green, another I’m teaching 3-point perspective drawing. One thing that stays consistent throughout the day, however, is my philosophy that an artist is largely made in how they make their art, not just in the quality of what they are making. To support this mindset in my classroom, I use something called “The Studio Habits of Mind.”

The Studio Habits of Mind is a research-based framework that helps students navigate the many steps and routines of the creative process. The Studio Habits were developed through Harvard’s Project Zero in the early 2000’s. Lois Hetland and a team of researchers studied the habits of practicing artists and high school art students and identified eight Studio Habits which include: Develop Craft, Engage & Persist, Envision, Express, Observe, Reflect, Stretch & Explore and Understand the Art World. They found that these habits help artists improve their art skills, problem solve, and provide concrete language for the thinking process that happens during art making. 

Something I love about the Studio Habits is how universal they are across grade levels and subjects. Kindergarten is currently learning to Understand the Art World by studying how artists show feelings in their artwork without using words. Middle schoolers are also deepening their understanding of the art world through looking at how Surrealist artists used linear perspective to create mysterious and sometimes impossible spaces. Students can develop their craft of singing in music class, engage and persist on a challenging problem in math class, or stretch and explore different ways to throw and catch a ball in PE. Studio Habits create a universal language of learning that can be used by anyone in any environment. 

Most importantly, the more that I weave the Studio Habits into my teaching, the more I have seen a shift in how students define success. Maybe they’re still working on their craft mixing the perfect shade of green, or drawing a tree-house in 2-point perspective, but they can leave the classroom feeling proud that they stretched themselves to try something new, and engaged and persisted, even when things were hard. 

 Día de los Muertos

In October, the Kindergarten – 3rd grade students celebrated Día de los Muertos and California’s cultural roots with a field experience to watch the professional performance group Cascada de Flores. The bilingual and participatory performance included lively songs, stories, musical instruments, and dance. Students learned about the difference between Halloween and Day of the Dead, and then explored Day of the Dead traditions, such as building an altar, to honor lost love ones.

Student highlights of the trip included the opportunity to participate in the performance by dancing on stage and carrying flowers to the altar, as well as riding in a yellow school bus!

#SaklanFieldExperience

Guest Expert Tour Guides

The Owlets have been expanding their community circles study to learn about our school as a community. While the Owlets have become familiar with some areas of our campus, there were still plenty of spaces they had not yet explored, and people they had not yet met. The 2nd graders recently completed a unit on maps, and presented some of the maps they made at a recent CLAS. After seeing the map they made of Saklan, the Owlet teachers knew they would be the perfect guest experts to guide the preschoolers on a tour of our school!

The second graders led the Owlets around campus, showing them several classrooms in the Lower and Middle school areas, as well as the office. Along the tour, the second graders introduced the Owlets to some of our school community helpers, and shared about their roles here are at Saklan.

Looking for Guest Experts

Just like our second graders, you probably have knowledge you can share with our community! As part of our PBL work, we are looking for the following guest experts:

  • Architect
  • City Planner
  • Author
  • Illustrator
  • Scientists
  • Muralist

We are also looking for someone who can share about any facet of life, religion or culture of Ancient India.

If you have knowledge in any of the above areas and are willing to share that with the Saklan students, please reach out to Linda at llathrop@saklan.org.

#SaklanGuestExperts

Special New Friends

Last Friday morning there was much excitement on campus as our Preschool – 5th grade students met some special new friends – their learning buddies! Learning buddies are a purposeful way to encourage cross-grade friendships, help students develop a sense of responsibility and practice mentorship, and make learning fun!

During the first meeting, the buddies took time to get to know each other and did some reading together. The older buddies marvelously modeled good reading behaviors by reading with expression and fluency for their younger buddies. Some of the older buddies were also honored to listen to their younger buddies read too.

Once a month the buddies will get together to spend time reading, learning and playing together. The buddy program is not only fun for the students, but helps to build empathy and community on campus.

#SaklanBuddies #SaklanCommunity

Welcoming Signs

In the art room, students in grades one, two, three and five, have been using their art skills to help make Saklan more a welcoming, inclusive place. 

After reading Alexandra Penfold’s book All are Welcome Here, students reflected on times when they have and haven’t felt welcome at school. They then worked in teams to brainstorm words and phrases that would make everyone at Saklan feel like they belong. Each team collaborated to paint and assemble their positive messages into decorative signs.

 Next time you are in the school breezeway or lower school area, keep your eyes open for their brightly colored words of wisdom! 

#SaklanCompassionate #SaklanCommunity

Pollinators & Habitats

On Monday, the second grade class went on their first field experience of the year to the Moraga Gardens Farm! Guided by farm expert and Saklan Library Coordinator Meredith, the class learned about the value of bees and how they help with the pollination process, enabling food to grow. Additionally, they looked at the habitats of the animals they found in the garden.

The students really enjoyed sampling some of the yummy products from the farm including mint, blackberries and grapes!

#SaklanFieldExperience

Moving Up Day

On Wednesday morning, the Saklan Preschool – fifth grade students participated in Moving Up Day. The students and teachers alike were buzzing with excitement!

This annual tradition allows the students to get a snapshot of what next year will hold. The teachers planned special activities that highlighted their grade level and enjoyed getting to know their rising students a little better. Morning meeting activities, questions, stories, art activities, classroom scavenger hunts, and enthusiasm for next year filled the classrooms! If your child “moved up” on Wednesday, please ask them all about it. They will likely have something enthusiastic to share!

#SaklanConnected