5OrganizeOurselves


 * 2008-2009, 2009-2010

Art** Students will examine the artwork, "The County Election," by artist George Caleb Bingham. This is a historical recording of "democracy in action." Students will examine the differences between voting practices in 1852 and modern day. They will discover that artist himself was running for a seat in the state legislature, but was defeated. In the painting, his opponent can opening be seen electioneering to the people waiting in line to vote. Women and African Americans were not pictured, as they did not yet have voting rights. Votes were cast openly and verbally for all to hear, unlike today. Also, there was no voter registration system in place to ensure that people voted only once. Students will look at other politically charged art from the "Picturing America" print series, such as "The March from Selma to Mongomery," "George Washington Crossing the Delaware," "Col. Shaw's Memorial, "Allies' Day," and "The Freedom of Speech," just to name a few. Students will examine how artists capture and document historical / political events and how the artist's intent affects the viewer.

In music class, while preparing for our 5th grade musical, we will discuss the many necessary components that make up the organization of a musical production.  This will include the systematic process of holding tryouts, rehearsals, and other aspects of organizing a performance such as script writing, making props and directing. This POI will also be reinforced through use of the Concepts of Cooperation, empathy, tolerance, and respectfulness and how they relate to community life through discussion rehearsal and performance of our 5th grade musical //__KIND 24/7__//.
 * Music**

"Communication", and "Grand Canyon"."Hunker Houser" is a game of tug-of-war in which the participants use thinking skills. "Smog's Jewels" is a team-building game in which the participants attempt to capture a "jewel" and cooperate in taking turns to be the "dragon". "Communication" is a game to build trust in which the team players use a blindfold and communicate how to go through an obstacle course. "Grand Canyon" is a game with cooperation and teamwork as the focus. The object is to get all members across safely and stand together on a mat without falling across.
 * PE - The students will participate in activities and games which stress the value of cooperation such as "Hunker Houser","Smog's Jewels",

Spanish -** To support the central idea that systems of government organize societies, the students will look at the Spanish government under Franco compared to the current government under Juan Carlos I.
 * Library -** The students will discuss what they know about the history of voting (who, when, rules established, percentage of registered voters who typically vote...). They will listen to the book __The Day Gogo Went to Vote__ which is about the 1994 elections in South Africa. Students will discuss reasons people might have for not voting, and the importance of voting today. More books on governments from around the world and voting are ordered.