On Thursday, October 20th, the Omega class had a Lock-In at Rainbow – but this event might be better-called a Lock-Out because the event was in honor of their current unit.
One Omega teacher, Jason, helped students discover constellations, planets, and other mysteries in the sky. Students began the unit that began at the end of October.
Constellations are so fun because students have to use their imaginations to compose their shapes in the night sky and use the stars as guiding points.
The Omega classroom became its own spaceship to travel to far away places in the starry night sky.
Stardate 20.11.14
Students arrived back in their classroom – after a full day at school – at 6:30 pm to set up their sleeping space prior to the evening of Myth, Stars and Mystery.
Before the night sky was all aglow, the students settled in to watch a modern day myth: Star Wars. Students transported themselves to a galaxy far, far away to understand how to use the Force for good.
This movie would illuminate the elements of a hero’s journey and myth, as well. Students explored this concept in an English extension of their astronomy unit.
At light speed, students propelled into a world of myth and legend, learning about the stars and constellations.
During the film, students worked to create gifts for the younger grades that would remind all the Rainbow students of the stories in the night skies.
Fun Fact: Did you know that for more than 5,000 years, humans have looked into the night sky and saw the same configuration of stars that they do today?
Another Fun Fact: Humans can only see 5,780 stars in the night sky with the naked eye. There are millions and millions more they cannot see.
Once the movie ended, the students reflected on the connections to the unit of study prior to layering up for an outdoor exploration of the winter sky.
After the students had the opportunity to look thousands of years into the past (this is exactly what happens when you look at the stars), they migrated back into their classroom.
They took some time to reflect about their experiences and their learning prior to dozing off and dreaming the myths and legends of the nigh sky. In the photo above, one student read to another before lights “out.”
The group gathered for a community breakfast in the morning, discussed different cultural myths connected to the zodiac, and prepared for a normal school day on Friday – a great send-off before heading off for break.
The Third Grade Huskies held a Thanksgiving Food Drive for Children First, a local organization that is dedicated with empowering and advocating for children and adults who face poverty.
RCS has teamed up with Children First on projects throughout the year and the third grade has done the food drive for the past couple of years.
Students collected food in food boxes from November 4-18, 2014.
They dropped off all the food collection at Children First yesterday.
Photo courtesy of Jodi Ford of Children First
RCS was able to help so many families. The third grade really had lots of boxes of generously donated food and goods. There were carloads!
Jodi at Children First sent us a warm email. She said,
Thank you AGAIN for the AMAZING Thanksgiving Food Drive—the shelves of our food pantry are stocked with all of your wonderful goodies! I personally think that the donated food tastes so much better, because there is caring and compassion involved!
Your class, and all of your staff, students and parents really outdid themselves this year—it truly is amazing how full the pantry is now! Please share our gratitude to everyone.
Third grade at the pantry. Photo courtesy of Jodi Ford at Children First.
The third grade really worked hard in reminding folks in the RCS community to contribute to the food drive, collecting food and delivering it to Children First.
Our assessment is that the main roads are fine and there is no black ice. There are cars out driving in West Asheville without slipping, as far as we can tell. We understand that some of you live further out or have steep driveways. If you are not able to make it to school until later or not at all, we understand, and the teachers will be accommodating about their work. Please make a decision that is best and safest for your family.
If you arrive late, there is no need to get a tardy slip, please go straight to the classroom.
It’s a beautiful sunrise, but going to be cold today. Please dress warmly!
If you were on campus this past Wednesday, then you’d know that we were bustling with so many events centered around experiential education and holistic learning.
First Grade
Then first grade was hosting the Cold Mountain Cloggers. They have been studying a unit on Appalachia, learning about food, customs, food and dancing! They had a great time learning the steps to effective clogging, a true mountain tradition. Here’s a video of our cloggers:
Omega Students
At the outdoor stage Omega students were rehearsing for their play. They’re doing a mythology unit, and we caught them on camera. The class was divided into three groups, each one doing a scene from Clash of the Titans. Here was a snapshot from the scene, Story of Perseus. Students were working on lines and their acting, and by the looks of it, they were doing really well!
Second Grade
Next stop was second grade. They were celebrating the culmination of their unit studying the Cherokee. They had a feast, and the students presented on their knowledge of the Cherokee Native American Indians. They demonstrated how to make a fire, and shared various crafts they learned how to make.
Fifth Grade
The fifth grade also had a feast. Students had to make a meal based off of a recipe from colonial times. They had just finished studying the early colonies, making crafts, maps and sharing their knowledge of early U.S. history.
Early colonial US
Song Circle
Students that weren’t part of another activity attended Song Circle around 11:50. They sang a few catchy tunes.
Sixth Grade
Over in sixth grade, students have been working on a project with Homeward Bound. They are trying to furnish an apartment for a homeless family in Asheville. Yesterday, they picked up a couch in north Asheville and delivered it to the school. Students are storing furniture on campus until they will take it to the apartment that Homeward Bound will provide.
They also held a fundraiser recently to help with the costs of furnishing the apartment.
RCS students are doing some pretty amazing things!
“There is no risk-taking without a culture of trust and respect.” ~Tony Wagner.
Parents at Rainbow repeatedly cite how the social environment at Rainbow is one of acceptance. It takes courage to take risks, so being surrounding by people who support you, unconditionally, is vital to learning and risk-taking.
(Photo: Tony Wagner and Renee Owen, Changing the Odds Conference, Dallas, TX, 2014)
