Some 8th grade students have been working hard to start a new news blog for GBS. Check it out!
Click HERE to go to SHOUT!
It will always be growing and changing!
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Class Updates
Things are cooking here at GBS. We have lots of classes in full swing!
Greek Mythology has learned about all the 12 major god and goddesses, and is getting ready for an in-class competition to test our knowledge. Then, we'll be making up some Wanted Posters for the villains and monsters of Ancient Greece!
Some of the Greek Mythology students are coming together at lunch time to do an informal book group. They are reading Goddess of Yesterday by Caroline B. Cooney. Here's a link to a summary of the book. So far, it's getting rave reviews.
In Costume Design, we are working on designing across the decades. Students are learning how to read scripts for character, time period and other clues about costuming.
Other students are following patterns to create purses. They are learning how important it is to follow directions carefully!
Improv and Public Speaking has been doing very well. We have a large number of students in the class, beginners as well as veterans from last year. We have recently moved into more complex games, such as one of our favorites, The Dating Game! where improvers don't usually find true love, but they do get some laughs.
The scriptwriters are furiously working on the script for the spring play. It is totally different than last year's creation. This year's play focuses on a motley crew of middle schoolers who are determined to save their play from rediculous directors, misinformation and themselves! It promises to be really wonderful!
The Lego Robotics class is moving along, with everyone working at their own pace. Students are transitioning into making increasingly complex creations out of Legos. Recently, students have been making street sweepers, fishing rods and hotrods, as well as simple machines.
Our Griffins' Nest program has grown by leaps and bounds since last year, with 46 buddy pairs meeting weekly. We have been getting to know each other this fall. Our GBS buddies have additionally been learning about communication skills to help draw their buddies out of their shells!
Stay tuned for more! We're always busy in ELP!
Greek Mythology has learned about all the 12 major god and goddesses, and is getting ready for an in-class competition to test our knowledge. Then, we'll be making up some Wanted Posters for the villains and monsters of Ancient Greece!
Some of the Greek Mythology students are coming together at lunch time to do an informal book group. They are reading Goddess of Yesterday by Caroline B. Cooney. Here's a link to a summary of the book. So far, it's getting rave reviews.
In Costume Design, we are working on designing across the decades. Students are learning how to read scripts for character, time period and other clues about costuming.
Other students are following patterns to create purses. They are learning how important it is to follow directions carefully!
Improv and Public Speaking has been doing very well. We have a large number of students in the class, beginners as well as veterans from last year. We have recently moved into more complex games, such as one of our favorites, The Dating Game! where improvers don't usually find true love, but they do get some laughs.
The scriptwriters are furiously working on the script for the spring play. It is totally different than last year's creation. This year's play focuses on a motley crew of middle schoolers who are determined to save their play from rediculous directors, misinformation and themselves! It promises to be really wonderful!
The Lego Robotics class is moving along, with everyone working at their own pace. Students are transitioning into making increasingly complex creations out of Legos. Recently, students have been making street sweepers, fishing rods and hotrods, as well as simple machines.
Our Griffins' Nest program has grown by leaps and bounds since last year, with 46 buddy pairs meeting weekly. We have been getting to know each other this fall. Our GBS buddies have additionally been learning about communication skills to help draw their buddies out of their shells!
Stay tuned for more! We're always busy in ELP!
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Busy Times!
In Advanced Costume Design, students have researched, planned and created their own costumes, to review the basics of costume design and create something in time for Halloween. This student chose to research and create a Greek Goddess.
Lego Robotics is in full swing, with students working at their own pace to learn the basic principles of simple machines through Lego creations. These students are investigating the use of pulleys when lifting a load.
Our other ELP classes are also doing great work. Look for more updates, soon!
Monday, September 20, 2010
5th Grade ELP Applications Due Sept 30th!
We are getting started with ELP and can't wait for 5th grade to join us! See you soon!
Russian Alphabet Video Links
These are links to some videos for my Independent Study group that is learning Russian. You will not be able to play most of these at school, but can use them to study at home.
Russian Letters with Pronunciations
Russian Letters with English Equivalents
An Alphabet Song from Russian Sesame Street
A Russian Alphabet Song with a Mustached Dancer
Have Fun!
Russian Letters with Pronunciations
Russian Letters with English Equivalents
An Alphabet Song from Russian Sesame Street
A Russian Alphabet Song with a Mustached Dancer
Have Fun!
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Welcome Back!
Welcome back GBS Bobcats and families!
ELP sign ups are under way! Applications are available by the gym, on the Student of the Month board.
Don't forget! All applications are due by September 9th!
Come see Ms. C or email me at mcullinan@conval.edu with any questions or concerns.
There are lots of great ELP classes to choose from this fall...
Costume Design and Advanced Costume Design
In this class, students learn to design and create costumes.
No previous sewing experience required!
Returning costume designers will learning more about fashion design
and using patterns. Later in the year we will costume a play and put on a fashion show. Here's a link to some costume designers at work.
Magazine
Students create and publish The Bobcat's Meow, our student run online magazine.
This year we'll be putting out print editions, too! Click on the link to see it!
Script Writing
The script writers work collaboratively to create a play that will be performed by the GBS Drama Club in the Spring! This is a 1/2 year course.
Improv and Public Speaking
Recycled Talent, our GBS improv team, creates and performs the announcements every day.
We also do improvisational comedy shows and have fun! Here's a video, containing one of our performances ( near the end)!
Griffins' Nest
This is our AES/GBS collaboration, in which GBS students partner with an AES student to play games, provide rolemodeling and learn about leadership and communication skills.Check it out here and here!
NEW CLASSES!
Greek Mythology
This is a half year class, exploring Greek myths and learning about the gods, goddesses, monsters, heroes and all of the comedy and drama of Greek myths and epic stories!
While you are waiting, you can learn something at this website!
Independent Study
If you have a passion about something, and want to learn about it, Independent Study is for you!
You can choose to learn about anything you are interested in. Ms. C will help you get resources, and come up with an end product showing what you have learned.
Lego Robotics
Here's a link to the official site, which can give you a taste of what Lego Robotics is.
The site is for Lego Mindstorms, but we'll be using Lego Robolab software to program our robots, as it is requires more planning and learning.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Have a great summer!
Thanks everyone for supporting ELP this year. We are very proud of all the hard work and great successes we have had. Have a great summer and feel free to drop Ms. C a line anytime.
New ELP signups will be in September!
New ELP signups will be in September!
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Thursday, June 10, 2010
More Silent Movies in Wilton-PSA
Hello Gang!
Many students have asked me when and where they can see some silent movies again. Jeff Rapsis, our accompanist for our silent movie filed trip, is playing some Buster Keaton comedies soon!
June 27th, 4:30 pm at the Wilton Town Hall Theater! It's free!
Hope to see you there and have a great summer!
Many students have asked me when and where they can see some silent movies again. Jeff Rapsis, our accompanist for our silent movie filed trip, is playing some Buster Keaton comedies soon!
June 27th, 4:30 pm at the Wilton Town Hall Theater! It's free!
Hope to see you there and have a great summer!
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Griffin's Nest, Recycled Talent and Flip Video in the GBS Variety Show!
This Friday, three ELP classes will be featured in the GBS Variety Show.
1st, 2nd and 3rd graders from AES, and their GBS buddies, will perform a Buddy Circus Act to the song Hot Butter Popcorn. It promises to be a spectacular spectacle!
The improv group Recycled Talent! will do two quick games-- Park Bench and The Dating Game, to show off some of our comedy talents.
Flip Video class is going to be debuting a music video performed and created by students.
The Variety Show starts at 1:20 on 6/11/10 here at the GBS gym. Please come and check it out!
1st, 2nd and 3rd graders from AES, and their GBS buddies, will perform a Buddy Circus Act to the song Hot Butter Popcorn. It promises to be a spectacular spectacle!
The improv group Recycled Talent! will do two quick games-- Park Bench and The Dating Game, to show off some of our comedy talents.
Flip Video class is going to be debuting a music video performed and created by students.
The Variety Show starts at 1:20 on 6/11/10 here at the GBS gym. Please come and check it out!
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Online Version of Buster Keaton Movie
Click Here.
Great job finding this, Liz!
Silent Movies for ELP
We had so much fun seeing three silent movies at the Antrim Town Hall this past Monday.
We saw Cops, Moony Mariner and Lizzies of the Field. Almost all of the 90 ELP students were there, and a good time was had by all. We were treated to the live piano accompaniment of Jeff Rapsis, who is an amazing piano player and silent film buff. Here is a link to his blog.
Students enjoyed seeing what life was like in the 1920s, through the lens of Buster Keaton and others. It was a great cultural experience. Some of the student comments were:
"He played the piano so well, I forgot he was there."
"It is weird that they didn't have street lights and a police man had to tell the people where to go so they didn't crash."
" I liked how they told the story with their bodies and faces."
THAN YOU to Celeste Lunetta set up the movie screen and projection equipment and to the Town Hall Staff for letting us come!
We saw Cops, Moony Mariner and Lizzies of the Field. Almost all of the 90 ELP students were there, and a good time was had by all. We were treated to the live piano accompaniment of Jeff Rapsis, who is an amazing piano player and silent film buff. Here is a link to his blog.
Students enjoyed seeing what life was like in the 1920s, through the lens of Buster Keaton and others. It was a great cultural experience. Some of the student comments were:
"He played the piano so well, I forgot he was there."
"It is weird that they didn't have street lights and a police man had to tell the people where to go so they didn't crash."
" I liked how they told the story with their bodies and faces."
THAN YOU to Celeste Lunetta set up the movie screen and projection equipment and to the Town Hall Staff for letting us come!
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Flip Vid -- Cooking with Saucy Steve and Tasty Ted
is one of the videos being produced by our Flip Vid class. It is a cooking show. Stay tuned for more episodes!
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
April Brings Showers of Creativity
We've been super busy here in the various ELP classes this past month. Costume Design has been especially focused, as our play Dragon-Aid, the Flavor With the Fiery Kick performs the weekend of May 14th.
A couple of weeks ago, Magazine, Costume Design, FlipVid and Birding all presented for the School Board and the community. Mackenzie Burnside presented her findings about eggs as well. We've gotten a lot of very positive feedback about the presentations. Thanks Juliet, JT, Liz, Morgan, Cailin, Davi, Molly, Mackenzie, Marina, Isabella, Matt and Carly for coming and representing us so well!
This past week, many eighth graders went to DC as part of a class field trip. Those who stayed at GBS were incredibly productive and helpful to creating the costumes. Quinn Kepner, Triston Spaulding, Storm England, Sean Campell, Becca Goldspring as well as many others really stepped up to help bring everythign together. We are very proud of the giant dragon puppet that is coming together in the IT room with help from Mr. Sweeney. Pictures will soon be following!
Flip Vid Class has several films in production that we hope to screen soon. They include a film about GBS for upcoming 5th graders in the elementary schools, a music video to a rap called Let Learning Happen and a cooking show starring Tasty Ted and Saucy Steve. I can't wait to see the final product!
Magazine has been creating many fabulous articles, although our staffing has been pretty severely impacted by the DC trip, NWEA testing, and field trips. Even with all the spring business, the students continue to do a great job.
Applied Mathematicians have been stretching and growing in a unit on logic puzzles and logical thinking. We've had a great time working together to solve the puzzles.
5th grade mathematicians have also worked on logic puzzles, and are currently learning about coordinate grids, congruency, reflections, translation and other concepts.
Improvers had their first show for Ms. Bundy's class. A good time was had by all. The improv group continues to grow. We've welcomed Kaitlyn and Michael B. as our newest members this month. We're looking forward to perhaps doing a small performance at the June talent show.
Birding is working on bringing Project Nighthawk to GBS. Here's a link.
Lastly, we had a great field trip with the Griffin's Nest to Bowling Acres in Peterborough. We have 62 students involved with the program. We are very excited with how it has helped bridge AES and GBS.
As you can see, ELP is bubbling with a Spring explosion of creativity and work!
A couple of weeks ago, Magazine, Costume Design, FlipVid and Birding all presented for the School Board and the community. Mackenzie Burnside presented her findings about eggs as well. We've gotten a lot of very positive feedback about the presentations. Thanks Juliet, JT, Liz, Morgan, Cailin, Davi, Molly, Mackenzie, Marina, Isabella, Matt and Carly for coming and representing us so well!
This past week, many eighth graders went to DC as part of a class field trip. Those who stayed at GBS were incredibly productive and helpful to creating the costumes. Quinn Kepner, Triston Spaulding, Storm England, Sean Campell, Becca Goldspring as well as many others really stepped up to help bring everythign together. We are very proud of the giant dragon puppet that is coming together in the IT room with help from Mr. Sweeney. Pictures will soon be following!
Flip Vid Class has several films in production that we hope to screen soon. They include a film about GBS for upcoming 5th graders in the elementary schools, a music video to a rap called Let Learning Happen and a cooking show starring Tasty Ted and Saucy Steve. I can't wait to see the final product!
Magazine has been creating many fabulous articles, although our staffing has been pretty severely impacted by the DC trip, NWEA testing, and field trips. Even with all the spring business, the students continue to do a great job.
Applied Mathematicians have been stretching and growing in a unit on logic puzzles and logical thinking. We've had a great time working together to solve the puzzles.
5th grade mathematicians have also worked on logic puzzles, and are currently learning about coordinate grids, congruency, reflections, translation and other concepts.
Improvers had their first show for Ms. Bundy's class. A good time was had by all. The improv group continues to grow. We've welcomed Kaitlyn and Michael B. as our newest members this month. We're looking forward to perhaps doing a small performance at the June talent show.
Birding is working on bringing Project Nighthawk to GBS. Here's a link.
Lastly, we had a great field trip with the Griffin's Nest to Bowling Acres in Peterborough. We have 62 students involved with the program. We are very excited with how it has helped bridge AES and GBS.
As you can see, ELP is bubbling with a Spring explosion of creativity and work!
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Costume Design Field Trip
We took a great field trip to Concord today, where we got lots of supplies for the costumes we've been working on. The costume designers have been doing a lot of planning, sketching and finding of costumes in the last few weeks. With our latest supplies, we will be able to finish the sewing and creating we have planned.
Come see the GBS production of Dragon-Aid (The Flavor With the Fiery Kick!) in May to see what we've been up to!
Griffin's Nest Parachutes Into Fun!
Here are some pictures of a recent Griffin's Nest activity with our AES buddies....team building through the use of a giant rainbow parachute on the most beautiful day of Spring. Thanks to Mr. K for letting us borrow it the parachute.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Pi Day Celebration
5th Grade Mathematicians recently celebrated Pi Day. Pi Day is March 14th ( 3.14) every year....
We celebrated by wearing Pi crowns, cooking and eating apple, chocolate and pizza pie, and of course learning all about how to find the circumference and area of circles. We also found the circumference and area of our heads (pretending, of course that they were perfectly round circles.)
We're proud of Maria for memorizing 27 digits of Pi to win our Pi memorization contest!
If you click this link, you can see some Pi songs written by our 5th graders.
Here are some pictures from our celebration...
Creating our Pi crowns
Using the crowns to help us determine circumference...
Ms. Blair helped us with her cooking expertise and kitchens. We are so grateful to her!
Monday, March 8, 2010
Applied Math Homework for 3/8
Here is a great trebuchet based game called Crush Crush the Castle
When you play it, take the time to consider what it takes to successfully knock down the castle walls. Come to class prepared to discuss your findings. Good luck!
When you play it, take the time to consider what it takes to successfully knock down the castle walls. Come to class prepared to discuss your findings. Good luck!
Friday, March 5, 2010
Pictures from Improv and Public Speaking
In February, the improv group had two special events.
The first one was a visit from Jonathan Farmer, who is an actor, director and writer out of NYC. He taught us about projecting our voices and about pronouncing things clearly.
Here are a couple of pics from that visit...
And try these tongue twisters:
You know New York, unique New York
You know you need unique New York
Red leather, yellow leather (x5)
Rubber baby buggy bumpers (x5)
We also partnered with some 4th graders from AES to present the Change for Haiti Results
GBS and AES together raised almost $1600 for earthquake victims!
Here are a few pictures from our presentation to the AES and GBS students ...
Thursday, February 18, 2010
ELP Update
Hello ELP students and Families,
We've been super busy here at GBS....
There are over 100 students involved with ELP at GBS. It is the whole range of grades and learners. I'm proud of you. Keep up the good work everyone!
We've been super busy here at GBS....
- If you get a chance, check out The Bobcat's Meow. The student journalists have been creating many fabulous articles about the happenings at the school
- The scriptwriters have finished the play. It is called Dragon-Aid : The Flavor with the Fiery Kick. It promises to be a fantastic show!
- Costume Design is in full swing, now that the play is finished. We'll have a display of some models of costumes in the main hallway right after vacation. The designers have been creating and thinking very thoughtfully.
- If you check out the previous post, you can see what the Applied Mathematicians have been doing.
- 5th Grade mathematicians have been learning about graphing and about Pi. We are looking forward to Pi Day in March!
- Improv and Public Speaking has been working with new members to continue learning good public speaking skills and to start to prepare for a show in April.
- Griffin's Nest boasts 60 total children involved with the program! We are very excited to celebrate the ongoing connections between GBS and AES students.
- Our newest class, Flip Vid Movie Making is off to a great start. We hope to have some movies to show you soon. So stay tuned!
There are over 100 students involved with ELP at GBS. It is the whole range of grades and learners. I'm proud of you. Keep up the good work everyone!