4PlaceTime


 * 2008-2009, 2009-2010 **

Art- Students will study the book, "The Great Migration: A Story in Paintings," by Jacob Lawerence, who tells the story through art of the African American migration in the United States from the south to the north during 1916-1930. We will discuss reasons for this movement (to escape racism, seek employment, get a better education - search for a better life.) Students will discover ways in which this migration helped to spread African American culture, particuarly in the arts, that led to the Harlem Renaissance. Students will also look at other examples of how cultural influence (because of migration) can be seen throughout the arts in a variety of media. Examples include cultural influences from Africa that African-American slaves brought to the U.S: ceramic "jug heads," or "ugly jugs," show the fusion of spiritual belief systems caused by migration; quilts show the influence of African Kente cloths, etc.

Music- In 4th grade music class we will sing the songs //__Texas our Texas,__ __Follow the Drinking Gourd,__ __The ballad of the Underground Railroad,__ __Free at Last,__// and //__Bluebonnet Blue__// that speak to Personal histories, and especially: Homes and journeys. We sing many songs that tell stories of historic events and journeys and have been passed down through the generations. The style of the music reflects the culture and the time period in which it was created. Lyrical content reflects the language of the times and culture. Political and social issues also influence the writing of songs which can serve as anthems for a group of people; giving a musical voice to a particular time and place. 2010 Songs can tell the story of how people and families migrate to different places. Songs by Woody Guthrie: __So Long it’s been Good to Know You__, __This Land is Your Land__, __Hard Travelin’__. Other Songs: __I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking for__, ” __Hawk Can’t Catch Me,__ __Bluebonnet Blue.__

PE-The students will focus on the benefits of proper nutrition and exercise. The students will observe a real heart and brain from a sheep and be introduced to the concept that the good choices one makes will benefit the heart and brain. The students will play "Couch Potato", a game which distinguishes poor habits of doing sedentary activities like watching t.v. or playing video games excessively while making poor food choices from proper nutrition and exercise. The students will participate in running club which stresses the attitudes of enthusiasm, commitment, confidence, and integrity. The students run laps around the track and keep a record of the number of laps completed each class. The students are decorating signs with all the P.Y.P attitudes. The physical education teachers are doing the lettering and colloborating with the art teachers to produce signs which will eventually be hung in the gymnasium.


 * Spanish ** - The Aymara Indians live high in the Andes Mountains of Bolivia. The harsh climate, as well as limited access to electricity and higher education have led to a migration of many people to the cities. In 1976 there were 35% of the population living in the cities and 65% in the rural areas. Since then there has been a reversal of those percentages with 62% living in town and 38% remaining on their ancestral lands. We will explore the reasons for this migration, and how Heifer International is stepping in to help the people find ways to stay on their land and preserve their cultural traditions. Key concepts that will be emphasized are causation, change, and ​perspective.

The students will explore why people have migrated from Spain in the past, and the primary reasons people are migrating to Spain today. We will also take a brief look at the cultural effects of migration on Spain.

Library- Students come to the library as needed for independent research on their explorers. A variety of online and print resources are used.