In the Classroom at the Conservatory Lab

Monthly Assembly Highlights Talent

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 09:39:38 -0500

Today’s assembly featured outstanding performances by individuals and small groups as well as whole school singing. Three of our first graders set the bar high - Emma Sophia Guevara and Sarah Exilus on vocals and dance and Chansly Beauvoir on drums - in a piece they choreographed and rehearsed together. They rocked the house!

Next, five of our Resident Artists, led by brass instructor Chris Schroeder, performed a piece with which we are all familiar: John Williams’ Star Wars theme. Afterwards, each musician described what role his instrument plays in the orchestra and how each musician contributes to the sound and the cooperation required in orchestra. Finally, another first grader, Ezavier Santiago, wowed the crowd with a violin solo of Twinkle. Bravo!

On the Trail of Paul Revere

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 09:24:19 -0500

On Thursday, 22 third graders and their teachers dove into Paul Revere’s Boston. They met their guide, Ben Edwards at Faneuil Hall in front of the Sam Adams statue. From there, they walked to the site of the Boston Massacre and learned some of the real history behind that event.

After a quick snack at Quincy Market and a mini lesson on the bells of Paul Revere, they set off for his house in the North End. They were met by educators who shared all sorts of facts about home life in the late 1700’s - from where they washed their hands to what they ate for dessert. Students asked lots of questions and left with a detailed picture of life in Colonial Boston.

Next, the students walked to the Old North Church where Ben shared many stories of the church and it’s history. Paul Revere had been a bell ringer in the church as a teenager so he was very familiar with the building and how it could be helpful for sending up that signal described in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem, The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere. Students got an extra special treat when they were allowed up to the bell pull room of the church - the very room where the young Revere used to work!

Our third grade students knew the poem and the artwork of the time was not 100% accurate, but now they can tell you the true story of Paul Revere and his midnight ride. Ask them!

K1 Launches 'Portrait of an Artist' Expedition With Visit to MFA gallery

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 09:22:34 -0500

When the K1 artists visited the Museum of Fine Art on Tuesday, it was more than a stroll through the gallery; they were on a mission. The young artists, who have just launched their Portrait of an Artist Expedition, were studying the medium of the painted portrait, exploring the ways an artist chooses what they want their audience to see.

Students examined several portraits from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Picturing America Curriculum, including a self portrait by Ellen Hale and Chuck Close’s “Paul IV”. They compared facial expressions, background, color, and brush strokes in portraits from many styles and eras, exploring the way these factors work together to create mood. Among their favorite paintings was “The Bone Player” by William Sydney Mount, whose depiction of music made an instant connection with many of the children.

Following the tour, the young artists used the resources in the museum studio to experiment with perspective in creating self portraits. Students used mirrors to measure the relationships among their own facial features, then made sketches. Eventually, the students will create their own self portraits in the medium of acrylic paint on canvas.

4th Graders Get The Blues

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 09:16:31 -0500

The 4th grade class welcomed three experts this week to guide them into the final phase of their expedition on The Great Migration. Under the guidance of collagist Ekua Holmes and resident artist musicians Levi Comstock and Christopher Schroeder, students explored the visual and musical art forms through which African Americans shared their stories in the early 20th century.

A Tapestry of Textures

Ekua Holmes, a Boston-based visual artist who specializes in collage and mixed media, led the students through an exploration of the artistic style popularized by Picturing America featured artist Romare Bearden, one of her great inspirations. Students read the story “My Hands Sing the Blues,” by Jean Walker Harvey, analyzed works by Bearden and Holmes, and tried their hand at this expressive style, using magazine clippings to create winter scenes rich in texture and emotion. Students explored the implications of each artistic choice, considering which colors, shapes, and lines would best convey their desired mood.

Getting In the Groove

On Wednesday, students brought their instruments to class for a session on blues improvisation, led by resident artists Levi Comstock and Christopher Schroeder. Through a series of exercises, students explored the connections between musical choice and emotional expression. They tested the limits of what music can express, using tone color, volume, pitch, and rhythm to convey images and concepts.

Since September, students have been exploring multiple facets of the period between 1910 and 1930, when millions of African Americans moved north to pursue economic opportunity and escape racial persecution in the south. Students have been listening to blues artists through The Listening Project and studying the poetry of contemporary poets Elouise Greenfield and Langston Hughes. Looking through historical and artistic lenses, students gain a more understanding of the relationships between art and culture.

Putting it Together

All three visitors will return next week for follow-up lessons, which will culminate in multimedia presentations of original blues compositions. Their work will be featured at the 2012 Picturing America Conference hosted by Conservatory Lab on March 30th at Wheelock College and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Applications for the conference are still available to interested educators. Visit the conference page on the Conservatory Lab website for more details.

This Land is Our Land: First Graders Explore America Through Symbols

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 09:59:12 -0500

The first grade class wowed friends, family and staff with their poise at the celebration of their This Land is Your Land Expedition on Wednesday afternoon. The students began the event by describing the process of the Expedition. They directed the audience to their research posters, the word wall and the pictures of the American symbols they studied.

The Expedition culminated in the production of beautiful and informative bookmarks with drawings of and facts about several important American symbols. These bookmarks, along with their binders of research were prominently on display in the classroom for visitors.

After half the students described the learning process, Ms. Bollacker led the students in a rousing rendition of This Land is Your Land by Woody Guthrie. The students sang and signed their way through several verses. After the song, students shared their reflections on what they had learned and how they had learned it. Thiago described how he applied the Expeditionary Learning Design Principle of “Success and Failure”. He wasn¹t satisfied with his first attempt at drawing the dome on the Capitol Building so he made multiple drafts until he was satisfied with his work.

Once the presentations were over, there was a “juice and cookies” reception where families could look at their child’s work and socialize with other families. A great time was had by all!

Conservatory Lab Goes to the A.R.T.

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 12:38:13 -0500

Hans Christian Andersen’s fable, The Snow Queen, came alive on December 20th for all students from K1 through 5th grade to provide a marvelous, seasonal, cultural adventure! Conservatory Lab students and chaperones filled the seats of the American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) for this performance. The fun started well before the performance, however, as A.R.T. education staff and actors (in full costume!) guided the students through crafts and movement activities before the play. By the time the play began, everyone had made a snowflake and a rose. The narrators told us to be prepared to wave these items later in the play when requested. The students were entranced by the story, the sets and the performances. The staff at the A.R.T. was hugely impressed by the students’ engagement and delighted in their enjoyment of the performance. We are sure to be asked back! Thank you to all families who contributed to the success of this event - chaperones and scholarship ticket money were in abundance and made this whole school field trip a success!

Conservatory Lab to Host Two Conferences in Arts Integration

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 10:52:26 -0500

Conservatory Lab Charter School is on the cutting edge of arts integration and a current leader in professional development for elementary school teachers in the northeast. We are currently preparing for two conferences designed to share our unique curricula with elementary school teachers on the regional and national levels.

The first, entitled Art and Music as Tools for Learning, will be held on March 30, 2012 at Wheelock College. During this one-day conference, funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), teachers will analyze artworks, interpret musical compositions, and learn how to integrate art and music into Social Studies and English Language Arts curricula for grades 3 through 6. As a result of the grant from NEH, we are able to offer a $250 stipend to each participant.

Shortly after on June 1, 2012, we will host another conference for grades pre-K to grade 5 sharing our unique Expeditionary Learning curriculm. Expeditionary Learning provides a framework for interdisciplinary, project-based curriculum that actively engages students in creating authentic products and producing performances. Participants will receive copies of past expeditions, resources such as curriculum for our Listening Projects, many rubrics to assess final projects and presentations, and book lists to go with each expedition.

If you know educators who would be interested in attending one or both conferences, or for more information, please contact our conference coordinator, Chris Schroeder.

K1 Thespians Take on Carle's 'Caterpillar'

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 09:10:55 -0500

The K1 class has made their dramatic debut last week with an original adaptation of Eric Carle’s “The Very Hungry Caterpillar.” Having studied the text as a class, the students began by creating illustrations to represent the number patterns that drive the story. They studied the way the book’s illustrations use color and texture to bring the story to life. They then set to work creating vivid costumes using a variety of painting techniques to emulate the the style of the illustrations.

The premiere received wild acclaim from families and classmates in attendance. Audiences marveled at students’ mastery of “performance posture” and unique artistic interpretation. At the Friday morning assembly, the students were delighted to reprise their performance for the entire school.

RedLine Quintet Brings Listening Project to Life

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 10:38:00 -0500

Last Friday, the RedLine Quintet, a horn ensemble from the New England Conservatory paid a visit to the Upper School at Conservatory Lab. They played several pieces to illustrate polyphony and dissonance to the 5th and 6th graders who are learning about classical music through their Listening Project this year.

In The House of Blues

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 10:35:40 -0500

On Tuesday, November 15th, the fourth grade class, along with seven helpful parent chaperones, attended an interactive musical performance at the House of Blues. The fieldwork was an absolute blast! The class attended this performance for two reasons. The first is that it connects with the Listening Project genre, Rhythm and Blues. The second is that the current Learning Through Music Expedition is focused on The Great Migration, and with that, they are learning about how African Americans used music and art to express themselves during a difficult time in their lives. During the performance, students were told three reasons why it is beneficial to learn about the history of the blues.

To hear stories of people in the past.
To learn how people used music as a way to creatively express themselves.
To understand how the blues influenced other genres of music, such as jazz, soul, hip hop, and rap.

While there, the performers shared historical information and then played a song to support the history that was just presented. Some of the songs we heard (and sang along with of course), were “Crossroad Blues” by Robert Johnson, “Respect” by Aretha Franklin, “Rapper’s Delight” by the Sugar Hill Gang, and “Man in the Mirror by Michael Jackson.

As we move through the expedition, students will soon be writing their own blues. Through the songs in our Listening Project and the performance as a whole, the students will be able to refer back to many of the songs to guide them in their own writing. When they are ready to perform their pieces to an audience, they can refer back to what made Tuesday’s show such a high-quality and enjoyable performance to watch.

At the end of the performance, the students were given the following advice: “model what musicians have done and use your voice to express your creativity and change the world for the better!”

Wampanoag Dancer and A.R.T. Playwright Visit 3rd Grade

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 09:47:01 -0500

Have you ever heard of the giant Moshup? According to Wampanoag legend, he was a friendly giant who lived among the Wampanoag people on Martha’s Vineyard before the first European settlers arrived.

As part of their Learning Through Music expedition, Way Back When, 3rd graders are writing and producing a play about the good giant Moshup. This week, they welcomed two special experts to help them. On Monday, Annawon Weeden, founder of the Wampanoag Singers and Dancers, enthralled students with traditional Wampanoag stories and taught them Wampanoag songs and dances to incorporate into their play. On Wednesday, Brendan Shea of the American Repertory Theater (A.R.T) conducted a scriptwriting workshop with students. After brainstorming the elements of a good play, students set to work writing dialogue to bring the story of Moshup to life. Stay tuned for news about the play, which promises to be a gigantic success.

3rd Graders Visit Plimoth Plantation

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 10:05:17 -0500

On Thursday, November 4, third graders traveled back in time to 1627 on a visit to Plimoth Plantation. As part of their “Way Back When” Learning Through Music expedition on the Wampanoag and the Pilgrims, students conducted fieldwork at this living history museum where they explored recreations of a 17th-century Wampanoag homesite and a Pilgrim farming and maritime village. With the keen eyes of historians, they recorded their observations, questions, and notes in fieldwork journals, comparing Wampanoag homes, called wetus, with Pilgrim homes. What a beautiful day for fieldwork!

K2 Brings Joy to the Library

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 10:01:18 -0500

On Wednesday, November 2, the K2 class continued their mission to bring joy to the Brighton community. On a beautiful fall morning, children walked one mile to Brighton’s Faneuil Library, where they performed a medley of songs for toddlers and their families. The smiles on everyone’s faces told children that their mission was accomplished.

Next month, the K2 class will be returning to Brighton’s Veronica Smith Senior Center for a follow-up to their debut performance there on October 6. The community performances are part of the K2 Learning Through Music expedition, “Music for Everyone.” Students are investigating what makes a community and creating their own unique way to be community helpers by sharing the joy of music.

Anatomy of a Pumpkin

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 10:49:00 -0400

The savory aroma of toasted pumpkin seeds wafted through the corridors of Conservatory Lab last week, heralding the coming of autumn and the conclusion of a successful math lesson. Fourth graders spent time estimating, counting, and graphing the number of seeds in each pumpkin, not to mention scooping out pumpkin goo, separating the seeds, and roasting them with sugar and spices.

The pumpkin seed project has become a beloved fourth grade tradition, and serves as an example of math lessons which employ targeted skills to solve an authentic problem. As students work to divide the seeds of several pumpkins among a hungry classroom, they must perform their calculations accurately and document their results thoroughly.

Young Readers Flock to Bookfair

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 10:46:24 -0400

The fall Bookfair has drawn crowds of students this week, from the smallest picture book connoisseurs to the young adult fiction enthusiasts. For weeks they have been tightening their belts and saving their allowance money in order to bring home a new volume of stories, characters, and ideas.

Felice Rutstein-Lee has been organizing bookfairs at Conservatory Lab for several years. She loves seeing the students so excited about reading. “Students start asking me about it in September,” she explains. “Students tell me they wait to buy their favorite books here because they know it helps the school.”

Tips for Reading at Home

Literacy Coach Shoshana Jacobs offers advice for encouraging reading among young learners.

Make reading a part of every day. Carry a book with you to the doctor’s office, on the T, in the car… reading isn’t just for bedtime.
Make the story come alive. Read to your child, in any language and make it fun. At every age, children need to hear what fluent reading sounds like.
Talk about books with your child. Ask them what they liked or didn’t like about the book. Talk about what you think might happen next. Discuss the illustrations, characters, and events or the information learned in a nonfiction book.
Encourage your child as they read to you. Give them positive feedback. Make the reading experience joyful.
Visit the library together, find out what kinds of books your child loves. Feed into their interests in order to help them build a love of reading.
Be a reading role model. Your kids will learn the best habits from watching those around them.
If you weren’t able to buy books at the Bookfair this time around, your child can visit the Conservatory Lab Lending Library or the public library to borrow books!

Studying Snakes in Second Grade

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 12:18:32 -0400

The second grade class spent Thursday morning at the Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary doing the work of herpatologists, scientists who study snakes. Guided by rangers from the reserve, students studied and looked for snakes in marsh and field habitats, and had the opportunity to hold and touch several different kinds of snakes. Favorite snakes included the milk snake and the hognose snake, which fools its predators by playing dead and emitting a foul smell.
“Snakes are important because they protect our food,” explained budding herpatologist Javier R. His colleagues added that they eat mice and rats, which threaten grain crops, the source of our breakfast cereal.

This year’s second grade class is generally less afraid of snakes than their predecessors, having watched last year’s class become experts and enthusiasts of the species. As the year progresses, they will look forward to many similar projects, as well as some new surprises

K2 to the Rescue! Bringing Joy to Brighton Seniors

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 09:21:01 -0400

On Thursday, October 6th, the K2 class walked to the Veronica P. Smith Senior Center and took center stage in the activity center by performing a medley of songs for the assembled seniors.

This jubilant performance was in response to an urgent missive brought to their classroom by messenger. The letter, specifically written to these K-2 students, called for assistance in meeting an obvious need in the City of Boston for more joy. The letter stated that all other city agencies were otherwise occupied with their own directives and no other group could respond as well as they to this urgent need.

Without a moment’s hesitation and recognizing the importance of the call, the students immediately sprang into action by rehearsing the repertoire of songs that they felt the seniors and others would like.

The performance is a component of their Learning Through Music Expedition, “Music for Everyone,” and marks the beginning of a relationship between the K2 class and the senior center that will continue throughout the year. Students will also be looking for other ways to share their joy with the world around them and become community helpers..

Students Sail the Ocean Blue Aboard the Roseway

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 13:04:14 -0400

On Monday, September 26, 2011, the entire 5th & 6th grades (28 students and 4 teachers) journeyed aboard the Roseway to participate in a full day curriculum with the World Ocean School. The Roseway, an original Grand Banks schooner, is a registered US National Historic Landmark.

The first task was to raise the enormous tanbark sails. The group sure worked hard to lift all of the sails for a total of 5,600 square feet! They split into four groups, each named for the different sails: “Fore,” “Main,” “Jib” or “Jumbo, so that they knew where to stand when directions were given. “It was heavy to lift,” recalls Jose (5th grade), “it took a lot of teamwork to get the sails up.”

Some of the lessons were hands on - knots and rope coiling, navigation including working with charts, with hand bearing compasses and parallel rulers to find position and course, and some were about the history of Boston Harbor/Islands and the Roseway’s significance to that history. They explored the “Life of a Sailor” through a tour of the boat, which gave students greater appreciation for the Crew, who lives on the boat full time. The fantastic Roseway crew worked together to inspire each student.

This introduction will serve future lessons which will focus on the Islands later in the school year.

Student Achievement Soars Across the Board

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 12:45:00 -0400

The recently released 2011 MCAS results confirm a continuing increase in student achievement, in the same year that our El Sistema music program added three hours of music to the students school day. Thanks to the hard work of students, teachers, and parents, the percentage of students proficient or advanced in math jumped by 23 points, putting us now 8 points above the state average. Science jumped by 34 points, and English Language Arts rose steadily by two points, making us approximately even to the state average. Our grade three class was ranked number 5 out of 87 elementary schools in Boston, with fourth and fifth grade also in the top 20.

In addition to these quantitative gains, there have been so many signs of student achievement that a test cannot measure. Through Expeditionary Learning students experience being scientists, authors, historians, and even sailors. They not only build the skills and knowledge of each discipline, they learn to put themselves in a new mindset and look at the world through different eyes. The measure of this is in the collaboration and leadership 5^th and 6^th grade students demonstrated aboard the sailing ship Roseway on Monday, as they traveled on location to study the Boston Harbor Islands. That day, their math lessons in cartography and compass work helped them to find their way home.

Through music they learn to embody their learning, to connect their hearts to their heads and to their hands. This has never been more evident than on the stage of the Strand Theatre last Sunday, when the Dudamel orchestra stood before an audience of 250 and passionately performed four memorized pieces, in collaboration with the dancers of BalletRox.

However we choose to measure it, our students are achieving. Our thanks go out to our hard-working students, dauntless teaching staff, dedicated parents, and impassioned supporters whose generosity sustains our efforts. Together, we are shaping the future and preparing our children for lives of beauty, service, and accomplishment.

Head of School Signs Compact Uniting Boston Charter and Public Schools

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 12:51:00 -0400

Head of School Diana Lam sat down with Mayor Menino and Boston Public Schools Superintendant Carol Johnson on Tuesday to sign a compact that will lead to greater cooperation between charter and public schools in the Boston area. The compact, spurred forward through a campaign by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, marks a new era of cooperation, in which charter and public schools will share resources and innovative practices to provide more students with a stronger education.