We are excited to share about the rigorous learning happening at Manchester!
During the March break, 12 students, 3 staff members, and a parent attended the HTH Graduate School of Education in San Diego. Our story was covered in the ICO last Wednesday. Students and staff have been putting together a video and presentation of the experience and we can't wait to share more with our Manchester community about our learning!
In Ms. Nicole’s math and science classes, students have been engaged in hands-on activities to reinforce key concepts:
2nd and 3rd grade students are creating mosaics using 2D shapes and strengthening their understanding of math basic operations through interactive games.
4th and 6th grade students have been exploring polygons, quadrilaterals, and parallel lines by designing tangrams and studying angles, sides, and vertices.
2nd-6th grade students have been diving into ecosystems by building 3D models of habitats that meet the basic needs of a selected animal.
Meanwhile, 8th graders are working on their independent science projects, applying the scientific method to explore their chosen topics.
These activities encourage creativity, critical thinking, and a deeper understanding of math and science concepts in a fun and engaging way!
In Ms. Laura’s Spanish classes, students have been creating: “Mi Animal Favorito” - Creating Imaginary Creatures in Spanish
Students unleashed their creativity by creating “a hybrid animal”, combining two different animals using AI. In addition to imagining their unique creature, they wrote descriptions in Spanish using basic sentences, adjectives, and grammatical structures. This project was not only an opportunity to develop their imagination but also to reinforce their language learning in a fun and meaningful way.
Arpilleras: History and Creativity in Fabric
In Social Studies and Art classes, students have been creating Arpilleras- a textile art form originating from Chile. These colorful fabric scenes, made with hand-sewn scraps, have traditionally been used to tell stories and represent daily life. Our students have been working on their own arpilleras, exploring visual storytelling through art and sewing. We are very excited to announce that their works will be exhibited at the Gualala Arts Center this month!
We look forward to seeing you at the Gualala Arts Center exhibition to appreciate the talent and effort of our students.
In Ms. Amee’s and Ms. Isidora’s classes, students are bringing their imagination to life through a fantasy project using recyclable materials. They are creating castles, fortresses, skateparks, and masks, each with unique details and stories. It’s exciting to see their creativity and problem-solving skills in action!
Their class of our youngest Manchester learners follow a Project-Based Learning approach with Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to ensure all students can access, engage with, and express their learning in different ways. The teachers provide:
Multiple ways to learn (visual, auditory, hands-on activities).
Different ways to demonstrate understanding (writing, building, storytelling).
Engaging experiences tailored to student needs and interests.
Students rotate through three levels of difficulty every 10-15 minutes, allowing personalized support based on their progress.
Our TK-2nd Grade Students are learning the following that you can help to reinforce at home:
Spanish (Letters F & C)
TK/K: Identifying words with F and C, forming letters with Legos, Play-Doh, or classroom objects.
1st grade: Creating syllables and simple words.
2nd grade: Writing complete sentences.
Math (Measurement, Addition, Subtraction & Geometry)
TK/K: Recognizing and naming basic shapes through hands-on activities.
1st grade: Identifying and composing shapes, adding and subtracting within 20.
2nd grade: Exploring shape attributes and solving word problems up to 100.
Science (Materials & Structures)
TK/K: Exploring different materials (wood, plastic, paper).
1st grade: Testing material strength for building.
2nd grade: Investigating how structures stay stable.
With this interactive and flexible learning model, students develop creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills while having fun!
Thank you for reading!