One of my goals this year is to visit every teacher’s classroom twice a week. The why behind this is so I am plugged into the teaching and learning happening across our school. It also provides the opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue with faculty and students about their growth throughout the year. I continue to be blown away by the incredible learning that is constantly occurring at MJDS and wanted to share a few highlights…

6th grade Jewish studies students researched different countries represented at the first World Zionist Conference in 1897. Students chose signature dishes from each country and are now in the midst of cooking these in our kitchen. They will recreate the conference later this week and share their research and culinary delights.

6th and 7th grade ELA students watched 3 pixar film shorts and then gathered evidence to support their investigation, thinking and research of each film (text) to support individual ideas and inferences about each story.

Kindergarten hosted friends from the Indian Community School earlier this week to share Jewish traditions and build relationships as part of our Repairing Together program. Yesterday they visited the Urban Ecology Center to explore

1st and 2nd grade are working together to research different countries, starting with Brazil. Students are learning how to effectively utilize online search engines and identify factual and unbiased information.

8th grade is working to understand the concepts behind the standard form of linear equations.

5th & 6th grade ETC (Exploring The Core) are testing their ideas for rescuing Rapunzel from her tower, a great example of how students are learning how to apply the concept of finding and solving problems and handling constructive feedback in collaboration with peers.

3rd grade ended their morning meeting with yoga and mindfulness.

4th grade is peer reviewing each other’s writing as part of their daily writers workshop.

5th grade is in the process of interviewing MJDS staff to inform the biographies each student will be writing after winter break.

1st & 2nd grade were creating new melodies for Adon Olam.