In 5th and 6th grade, we studied the differences between Open Primaries / Ranked Choice Voting and Closed Primaries / Plurality Voting. We held a mock vote between Marvel superheroes using both systems. Spider-man won both elections, but I think students learned some valuable information about the way the election works. We also talked about the roles of our state and US congress men and women as well as governor. Our main take-aways were:
● Democracy = People Power. Citizens have power through the right to vote.
● The constitution gives us the right to vote.
● Alaskans voted on a new way to vote in 2020, but not everyone feels the same about it.
It would be great if you have the ability to take your students with you on November 8th as you cast your vote so they can see democracy in action.
Third and fourth graders explored ideas around Friendship and Responsibility as we read the books How to be Cool in Third Grade and The Chocolate Touch.
Last week, K - 4th graders were listening to read alouds or watching videos about the Perseverance. 5th and 6th graders were listening to news articles about patriotism. Next week, we will discuss and name things about our country that make us proud and what we imagine for the future to make our country a more perfect union.
If you have any questions about lost or overdue books, T.I.G.E.R. reading, or what your child has been learning about during library, feel free to reach me at pierce_andrew@asdk12.org.
Happy Reading,
Mr. Pierce
Music News
Our students are doing a great job in their K-5 music classes.
We are singing songs, playing instruments together,
moving with the music, and working on our music literacy skills. We’re also singing our traditional NLABC Thanksgiving songs in preparation for the feast!
If you’d like, ask your Kindergartener about the song “Frog in the Meadow”,
your 1st grader about “Rain, Rain”, your 2nd grader about “Lemonade,” your 3rd grader about “Rain is Falling Down,” your 4th grader about “Papaya” and your 5th grader about the song “Mango Walk.” And please welcome Tamara Mayer as our new Weds. music teacher this year for some 2nd, 3rd and Kindergarten classes!
6th-8th Choir
Our choir students are working hard preparing for their concert, and they are doing a great job! Both groups are making progress as well with their vocal and literacy skills. Parents, you will receive an email with details including dress code and specific ensemble report times for the concert on Dec. 14th. Middle school students are also deciding if they’d like to participate in Solo and Ensemble, a city-wide ASD music event on Feb. 10th. If your student would like to participate, they can get a permission slip in class for before-school rehearsals beginning in January.
If you have questions, you can reach me at
congdon_darinda@asdk12.org
And you can always find more information on our NLABC music website at https://sites.google.com/asdk12.net/nlabcmusic
