The study of the Silk Road has been rich with opportunities to explore lessons in language, art, geography, religion, culture and commerce. It has also served as a vehicle to enrich community within Summit. With Summit's coordinated curriculum across levels, the upper elementary students began this unit of study just ahead of Lower Elementary. This gave them the opportunity to develop and share their work with their younger friends, helping the younger students engage in the unit they were about to begin.  The older students shared highlights from their studies with their friends in Lower Elementary on two occasions: sharing historical fiction essays and sharing character studies they developed to support the puppet program sponsored by SMPA.

Bringing this rich period in Asian history to life, upper elementary students engaged in a creative writing exercise, developing historical fiction accounts from the perspective of characters along the route. They displayed their creative genius, developing colorful essays depicting life along the Silk Road. We heard account from traders, bandits and royalty. We were treated to descriptions of caravans, deserts, mountains, marketplaces, and oases. With great detail and emotion, each vignette brought this rich period in history to life.

As an extension of this writing exercise, each student focused on one character, developing a detailed character study as preparation for a special Curriculum Enrichment program sponsored by Summit Montessori Parent Association (SMPA). SMPA hosted a visit from puppeteer Deborah Costine. She worked with the elementary students. In preparation for this program, the upper elementary students developed and shared their detailed character studies with lower elementary. From this inspiration, each elementary student developed a character from along the Silk Road. Deborah taught the students to bring each character to form as a hand puppet. She returned for a second visit, demonstrating her craft of puppeteering, giving the students lessons on working with the puppets. The puppet characters were brought to life through role-playing scenes from the Silk Road.

 

The studies sparked the imagination and enthusiasm of students, culminating in creative essays, poetry, artwork and song. Upper elementary students worked in teams to research, write reports, and generate PowerPoint presentations, sharing their discoveries of various religions observed by inhabitants along the Silk Road. All of this inspiration, knowledge and creativity will come to life in June's Night of the Arts performance. With the coordinated curriculums of Lower and Upper Elementary, we are able to collaborate in developing our first unified elementary Night of the Art performance. The students have begun scripting scenes. Songs have been written. Working with Ms. Edith in Art, the Upper Elementary students are constructing dioramas representing each of the stops along the Silk Road. The dioramas will be on display at The Night of the Arts, giving artistic form to stops along the Silk Road. Mark your calendars now and prepare to come out for Night of the Arts. Support the students as they share their joy of learning: Thursday, June 5 at Temple Beth Am

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Many thanks to all of you who enjoyed Pizzeria Uno's Day and supported the SMPA.  While the total dollar amount we raised has not yet been tallied, the day was a complete success.  Adults mingled, children table-hopped, alumni families dined with current families, and Magician Joseph had his best audience ever!  Our sincere thanks go to Anu Sehgal for coordinating this fun event for the SMPA.   

 

 

 

If anyone has any questions or suggestions about SMPA, please contact co-Presidents Mary Ann Ciampa (maryann.ciampa@comcast.net

) or Diane Michelson (RDMichelson@comcast.net).  If you have not had an opportunity to pay volunteer dues ($25 per family), your check can be made out to Summit Montessori-SMPA and given to Lorna in the school office.  Thank you for your volunteer time, good ideas and financial support!