October 29, 2009 – Year 2 Field Trip to Columbus Circle
The Middle School, Year 2 class went on a field trip today as part of their Geometry study and Native Americans unit of study.  Students have learned about different types of angles, triangles, and polygons in class.  In order to prepare for construction of their own longhouses in CORE Arts, students traveled to Columbus Circle to study the use of angles, triangles, and polygons in modern architecture and engineering. They used the iPod Touch technology to engage in an audiovisual tour of the various types of architecture represented in the area of Columbus Circle.

Zaccari records his findings.

Ben finds inspiration in the globe.

Nico engages in the audiovisual tour of Columbus Circle.

Alexis finds a comfortable perch to complete her assignment.

Nicky explores the wide variety of geometric features in the area.

October 28, 2009 Etiquette Lunch begins
Beginning today, the Middle School Year 1 students will engage in Etiquette Lunch with Ms. Gomez every other Wednesday. The first session covered the guideline of keep your elbows off the table. Ms. Gomez taught the students the rationale behind this rule and its significance to expected table behavior. Ms. Gomez also reviewed the good manners of waiting until everyone is served before beginning to eat, and asking for items to be passed instead of reaching across the table. Future planned etiquette lessons include: napkins in lap and expected conversational topics.

October 26, 2009 Halloween Bash!
This afternoon, Aaron Academy hosted a Halloween Bash. This was a student/sibling event and a great opportunity to welcome Aaron Academy siblings of all ages to our new school building!  Immediately following school, the Aaron Academy students changed into their costumes and were responsible for decorating the school in order to set the mood for Halloween. Students welcomed their siblings, and all attendees engaged in a variety of Halloween themed activities, including pumpkin decorating and creating an illuminated shadow puppet to decorate their own homes. Good times, fun and laughter were had by all!
Special thanks to the Integrated Service Team who organized and hosted this event.
Students decorated the library and CORE Arts room in preparation for the Halloween Bash

Marty works on the final touches of his costume

Ready to party!

October 26, 2009 Students of the Week
Congratulations to the Aaron Academy Students of the Week! These students consistently give their best efforts, demonstrate a positive attitude, and are assets to our school community.
Congratulations to Jack from Middle School, Year 1 and Zaccari from Middle School, Year 2!
Jack
Zaccari

October 20, 2009 Gallery of Community Artists
As you enter our school you will see our newly formed Gallery of Community Artists, a project conceived and implemented by Ryan McCarthy of our CORE Arts Department. Different artists will display their work each month, visit our classrooms to discuss their work and vie for a spot in our student curated museum. Parents and guests will be invited to the Academy Art Gallery showings in February and June 2010.
In the meantime, you are welcome to view the monthly installations upon visiting Aaron Academy. This months gallery includes work by CORE Arts Teacher Renee Bareno, CORE Arts teacher Sara Fromboluti, CORE Arts teacher Ryan McCarthy, in addition to select School of Visual Arts (SVA) graduates.

Community Artist: Chris Linn

Community Artist: Ryan McCarthy, Aaron Academy CORE Arts Teacher

Community Artist: Renee Bareno, Aaron Academy CORE Arts Teacher

October 19, 2009 Students of the Week
Congratulations to the Aaron Academy Students of the Week! These students consistently give their best efforts, demonstrate a positive attitude, and are assets to our school community.
Congratulations to Sarah from Middle School, Year 1 and Anna from Middle School, Year 2!
Anna

Sarah

October 14, 2009 Core Skills, Year 2
Students participated in an assignment in Core Skills 2 in which they were responsible for creating a collage from a variety of media sources which depicted non verbal behaviors. Students than interviewed each other and presented their partners collage to the class. The students were very proud of their work and we had a great time!

Steven, Swai, and Ethan plan their presentations.

Anna, Zaccari, Alexis, and Tailor gather information.

Victoria conducting an interview of classmate, Adam.

October 13, 2009 Students of the Week
Congratulations to the Aaron Academy Students of the Week! These students consistently give their best efforts, demonstrate a positive attitude, and are assets to our school community.
Congratulations to John from Middle School, Year 1 and Nico from Middle School, Year 2!
John

Nico

October 6, 2009 Students of the Week
Congratulations to the Aaron Academy Students of the Week! These students consistently give their best efforts, demonstrate a positive attitude, and are assets to our school community.
Congratulations to Marty from Middle School, Year 1 and Steven from Middle School, Year 2!
Marty

Steven

October 5, 2009 Middle School, Year 1 Math
After learning about a variety of patterns, such as color, number and shape patterns, the students began to explore their environment for patterns they see every day. The Year 1 students completed an activity in which they worked in pairs and explored Aaron Academy in search of a variety of patterns. After spotting the patterns, the pairs discussed the type of pattern they found, as well as the function of the pattern. This activity helped draw the connection between the big idea for MST, and the activities they do in their classroom. After reflecting on the activity as a class, they students discovered that they see many patterns in their environment each day!

Murel and Kasriel work cooperatively.

Tara searching in the library.

Kasriel and Murel search in the wood grain.

Tara and Sarah

Meghan and Dylan search the Year 2 classroom.

Marty and Zachery search for patterns in the CORE C classroom.

John records his findings.

John and Myles

Meghan and Dylan hit the pattern jackpot in the ISP office!

October 2, 2009 Electives
Middle School students began electives courses. Students are able to choose from: Physical Arts, Dance, Graphic Arts, Strategy Games, and Visual Arts. For the first 2 weeks of the term, students will choose 2 electives to trial, then in the following weeks, will choose a single elective to focus on for the next few months.

Electives provide students with an opportunity for focused study in an area of strength and/or interest. Students are welcome to make suggestions regarding future electives that they would like to see offered.

Strategy Games

Strategy Games: Adam explains the rules of Blokus

Strategy Games: Jenga helps students to make strategic plans and inhibit impulses.

Physical Arts: a very popular choice.

Face off in Physical Arts!

Dance with Ms. Bekerman