Posts by Aude Quiroga
Developing Language Skills in Maternelle
Throughout the Maternelle grades, FASP students were introduced to an innovative language method to develop their French skills: Narramus or “the Art of Narrating.” This language method uses French storybooks as apparatus. It allows children to expand their vocabulary, improve comprehension, and develop their oral skills playfully and assertively. In anticipation of the story, children…
Read MoreHour of Code
“Hour of Code” is an international movement to get people coding. Sponsored by schools, libraries, and other organizations, the goal is for everyone to spend an hour coding. Numerous apps and organizations offer free Hour of Code activities on websites. This year, all FASP primary grade students got involved. First graders coded in sequential coding…
Read MoreLook Inside a Cell!
In science class, the 7th-grade students have been learning about classifying and exploring life, including cell structures and functions. They researched plant and animal cells to understand the making-up of living things. Despite looking different and carrying out different roles, cells share specific structures referred to as organelles (mini-organs). Students built models that included labels…
Read MoreKindergarten Rituals
School rituals are composed of repeated moments of a short-duration activity. Frequency and regularity allow students to become comfortable with the activity, increase their autonomy, and gradually master the activity. Beginning in November, the Kindergarten class has been working on its morning rituals which include three activities: The calendar The attendance The encoding of syllables…
Read MoreBudding Scientists in Elementary
At the elementary level, students in grades 2 and 4 were busy experimenting in their science class. Second graders learned about the properties of different materials. Then they realized an experiment: they tested which surface would soak up water the fastest between cement, soil, and grass. Pouring an equal quantity of water on each element,…
Read MoreArt Reinterpretation at the Middle School
In grade 6, students revisited some classic artworks. Observing the paintings, they had to imagine what could have happened before. Why is there a giant head floating? Why are the waves so strong? Why does the man have a pitchfork? Why is there an apple in front of his face? Why does he have all…
Read MoreThe Tasting Week (La semaine du goût)
La semaine du goût or Tasting Week is an annual event in France that gives children the opportunity to discover healthy produces and new flavors. This year at FASP, we embarked the students on a colorful adventure, discovering a rainbow of fruits and vegetables each day of the week. It was a team effort, as…
Read MoreMarathon Team Challenge
During the September and October months, students in grades three through eight trained in endurance running. They got to know their bodies, paced their effort, and defined a running strategy accounting for their psychological, respiratory, muscular and cardiac sensations. They experienced and accepted the effects of physical training and fatigue. They advised and encouraged each…
Read MoreOur Bilingual Big Green Monsters
French and English teachers developed a bilingual project in the preschool class where students learned about their bodies. They acquired new French and English vocabulary about the various facial features and colors. This project stemmed from the album Go Away Big Green Monster! (Va-t’en grand monster vert !) by Caldecott Award-winning author Ed Emberley. After…
Read MoreThe Empathy Project
This year’s primary focus in STEM class is on purposeful inventions, designing something useful or even life-changing. In grade 7, students started a project designing a practical assistive or adaptive device. For this first project, students learned about the engineering process of Ask, Think, Make, Test. They need to figure out the device’s purpose, devise…
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