Rocket Man

Success! This group’s “egg astronaut” experienced a safe landing!

Clear, sunny skies set the scene for Mr. Turner’s 6th grade Earth and space science students’ launch day. The objective: build a shuttle and parachute system to land an egg “astronaut” safely back to Earth. Each group, using resources in the lab (like tape, styrofoam, bubble wrap, and plastic bags), engineered their own padded capsules to keep the egg fully intact.

Watch below to experience liftoff!

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Laugh and Feel: Author Visit with Mac Barnett

We are thankful that technology has allowed us to continue our tradition of inviting children’s book authors to join us at STJ. Each year, our elementary school librarian, Mr. Benji Martin, coordinates and schedules a children’s book author to visit Saint James School and engage with our students. Renowned author Mac Barnett read aloud to our elementary students, grades PreK3 through fifth grade, and answered questions from the audience. What a fun morning we had with Mac Barnett!

Mac Barnett is a New York Times-bestselling author of stories for children. His work has been translated into more than 30 languages and sold more than 2 million copies worldwide. Mac’s books have won many prizes, including two Caldecott Honors, three New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Awards, three E.B. White Read Aloud Awards, the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, Germany’s Jugendliteraturpreis, China’s Chen Bochui International Children’s Literature Award, and Italy’s Premio Orbil. Mac joined us from Oakland, California via Zoom.

“Really I just hope that kids enjoy the book, that it makes them laugh and feel, and, if we’re lucky, that they think about it for a while after the book is closed. ”

— Mac Barnett

Zoom visit with award wining author, Mac Barnett

Hear from student Mae Martin and Mrs. Dubina's PreK4 class.

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PreK3 Face Series

PreK3 students have been working on art inspired by American Neo-Expressionist artist, Tyree Guyton. Guyton specialties in graffiti and urban environmental art. He has waged a personal war on urban blight on Detroit’s east side, transforming his childhood neighborhood into a living indoor/outdoor museum. Through his art, Guyton has drawn attention to Detroit’s forgotten neighborhoods and spurred discussion and action. The bold colors in his work symbolize our society’s diversity, which can be found in his collection, Face Series.

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“My experiences have granted me knowledge of how to create art and see beauty in everything that exists.”

— Tyree Guyton

Our students, using the signature shapes and colors inspired by Guyton, crated their own face series. Reinforcing academic skills, like identifying colors and shapes, happen daily during enrichment time at Saint James School. All elementary students, grades PreK3 through 5th grade, attend formal art enrichment weekly led by full-time art teacher, Mrs. Patti Pelham.

Read, Write, Create: Celebrating Black Americans

“She had different views, both moral or political. She has such an impact on society today. She helped create laws, fought for more equality and equal pay for African Americans and women. She had challenging life when she was young and overcame a lot... Since taking this class, I’ve become more interested in writing. I have learned to express myself in writing, which I didn’t realize I could do before.”

— Asher Hagler, on Maya Angelou, American poet and activist

Students were asked: Why is it important to celebrate and study Black historical figures?

“I think it is very important, especially in our city, to celebrate and study Black History Month. We should honor those who made a difference.” Anne Kingsley Shaul

“We should honor them and their legacy.” Zoe Poff

Read, Write, Create is a semester-long 6th grade elective taught by Mrs. Elizabeth Harber. During the month of February, students selected important African American individuals to research. Using a variety of online sources including Britanica, Biography.com, and other reputable sources, students learned about their selected subject’s life, impact on our society, and meaningful legacy. Finally, students created slide presentations which they presented to the class.

Read, Write, Create combines both reading and writing workshop models with student-directed research projects. Students read and discuss a wide variety of literature developing appreciation of structure and style. Through writing activities, students become more skillful and confident authors themselves. Research and digital presentation techniques are learned as students conduct and share their non-fiction projects. Student hone presentation and public speaking skills and tailoring content for specific audiences. Peer feedback and self-reflection are also important features of this course.

Students were asked: What did you enjoy most about this project?

“It was fun to include so much science in my research. I am interested in science as well. Neil deGrasse Tyson grew up in a household of scientists. Learning about his family helped me understand his life.” - Jacob McNally

“I picked Jackie Robinson because he was a legend in the MLB. I also love baseball and was interested to learn about his life.” Paxton Haigler

“We are learning more about other people’s lives, it is so cool to know their history.”

— Lily Stanford, on American inventor and businessman Garrett Morgan

“ It was surprising that at just six years old she had to be escorted by U.S. Marshals. I felt shocked, but also impressed by her confidence.”

— “Waverly Milligan, speaking about Ruby Bridges, the first African-American child to desegregate an all-white elementary school in Louisiana in 1960

Celebrity Sighting!

Celebrity sighting! Today our halls were filed with fascinating figures who made unique contributions to our society.

Saint James third graders presented book reports on biographies of a famous people from history. Each student and dressed as their chosen subject. A biography is a true, detailed description about the life of a person. Beyond learning basic facts about their subject, students learned about relationships that person made and their impact on our society. We had so much fun learning about famous people!

Mr. Rogers, Babe Ruth, Joan of Arc, Malala Yousafzai

Amelia Earhart

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Galileo

Dolly Parton, Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Serena Williams, Lucille Ball

Bruce Lee

Goodness Gracious, Great (Rubens' Tubes) of Fire!

Last week, Mr. David Beach used a Rubens' tube to demonstrate sound waves to his physics classes. Sound waves are created by the speaker at one end and move through the gas in the tube. The result allowed students to see the waves passing through as the flames get bigger and smaller. A Ruben’s tube, also known as a standing wave flame tube, is an antique physics apparatus invented by German scientist Heinrich Rubens in 1905.

Experiments like this allow students to apply what they’ve learned in a laboratory setting. It is also a creative way to warm up on a cold winter day!

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From the Heart

Last week, our STJ Wonderworks students and staff created special Valentine's Day cards and messages for some of our favorite local organizations. Wesley Gardens Senior Living Community and MACOA, the Montgomery Area Council on Aging, received colorful handmade creations. We really hope the felt the love!

STJ Wonderworks is our after school program offered until 5:30pm. Students enjoy programmed activities, outdoor and indoor play, homework and reading time, and lots of fun. The Valentine’s Day craft is one of the many service projects out students work on throughout the year.

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A (Sweet) Step Ahead!

This week, students enjoyed a delicious treat for Ms. Meadows’s “Step Ahead” reward. Middle school students who raised at least one letter grade on their report cards were invited to enjoy a Krispy Kreme. Incentives and rewards like special all A’s field trips, cookie cake, and other privileges are given throughout the year. Learning resources like free tutoring and the library’s Writing Center give students the support they need to improve and maintain their grades. Yummy donuts help incentive students, too! Is there anything better than a fresh, hot glazed donut? Well done, middle school!

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Love is All You Need

Somebody loves me, I wonder who. Somebody loves me, could it be you?

Last week, our PreK4 students performed “Love is All You Need,” a collection of songs curated by our elementary music teacher, Mr. Will Reese. Every elementary grade performs a special program once per year. Students learn public speaking skills, stage presence, and gain confidence when they are in the spotlight! Love is in the air in PreK4!

Photos by Esther Malmberg

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Middle School Art

Middle school visual art students created work using marker and acrylic paint.