Currently most classes are in the middle of their second Unit of Inquiry. In the MYP teachers created unit questions that the students are exploring in connection with the subject objectives. The complexity of the universe and space is inquired into by the fifth graders. Our fourth graders are interviewing members of religious groups to gain a perspective of different belief systems and values. The histories of indigenous people, explorers and settlers are investigated by grades three. They look at it from the perspective of how newcomers impact existing populations. The second graders are looking at adaptation of communities over time as they compare the Ohlone village with those of settlers and today. Transportation systems and basic scientific principles connected to these are the concepts explored by our first graders. In our Vorschule students examine shelters and how they changed over time to meet the needs of the people. Making sense of the world through dramatic play is the unit that will start in Preschool next week. Looking at these big concepts provide students with opportunities to be inquirers and become knowledgeable global thinkers. 

Our lantern parade, a well loved tradition in Germany and at GAIS is coming up. Please read below about this year's play, organized by David Giesen, who is an English teacher at GAIS and the head of the drama department.

The St. Martin story is fairly well known to most Europeans. About 1,600 years ago a Roman soldier gave up his sword and shield to follow the contemplative life of a Christian monk. One frigid night he met a beggar by the town gate and shared his cloak with him. There's also something about a goose-pen, and being tricked into taking on the role of bishop.

This story is celebrated each year with a beautiful lantern walk and caroling in the late autumn chill on the evening of November 11. And for years the story has been retold at GAIS with a shadow puppet play, followed by hot drinks, and a neighborhood lantern walk. But there's a twist this year in the retelling. The GAIS 3rd-5th grade theater group was tasked with producing the story, and they've created a version that will please first-timers as well as those who've come before. The young actors have set the scene in north Texas approximately 120 years ago. Ten cowpokes are driving their cattle north to the rail-head in Dodge City, Kansas, and have encamped during a blizzard. Two of the cowboys are German-born, and in an attempt to keep the hearts of their beleaguered fellows in good cheer, retell the St. Martin story.

Please join us for this pre-parade play that features fire and ice, song and dirge, humor and homily. The play begins at 6 pm behind the main GAIS building. The lantern will parade follow. Weckmaenner and drinks are sold afterwards. You can see sing the songs with your children by watching the video on our website.

Grade 2 recently visited Filoli Garden in Woodside. The setting at Filoli's made it easy to slip into the time where only Ohlone people lived peacefully in the Bay Area.. The students learned how natural resources were used to build shelters, clothes, tools and medicine. This 2^nd IB unit has resulted in a large number of Field Trips throughout the school including such interesting places as Buddhist Temple, Mission Dolores, History Museum, Rengstorff House, Ardenwood, USGS and Edgewood Park. Many thanks to our teaching staff for organizing these outstanding educational experiences and many thanks also to all the parents who have offered their time as drivers.

GAIS Girl Scout Troop 32528 will again this year hold a coat drive from November 10 to 12 to benefit Haven House. Haven House is a program for homeless families in Menlo Park. All sizes of coats are needed. Please bring coat donations to school and spread the word to any families, who are coming to the St. Martin Lantern Parade. Also like last year, the Girl Scouts will be selling glow sticks at cost during the parade.

Emma from Grade 5 is our latest soccer champion.  She plays with the Juventus Blast, a Redwood City club soccer club where several other GAIS boys and girls also play at various levels.  Emma's team plays in the U11 Gold division (highest class) and they just won the Breakers' Halloween Cup in Santa Cruz in a hard-fought battle against a strong team from Livermore.  Emma is pictured bottom left in the photo. Congratulations Emma!!

Open House - Saturday November 20

On Saturday, November 20, from 1 to 4 pm we will have our Open House. The event will feature a choir performance, presentations on the Preschool, Elementary School and Middle School, a panel discussion with former GAIS students about life after GAIS and tours of all the classrooms.  Parents, students, friends and interested families are invited to attend.

Stanford GATE Presentation

Stanford's Education Program for Gifted Youth (EPGY) is inviting our families to a free presentation on Wednesday, November 17, 2010 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.  Experts from Stanford University's Education Program for Gifted Youth (EPGY) will answer questions, share resources and information, and provide guidance about issues and opportunities in gifted education. The presentation will be in the School of Education Auditorium, 485 Lasuen Mall, Stanford University.

Natasha Martin Speaks with Art to Action Club 

Do kids in Africa need a pillow case? These and many more questions were asked of Natasha Martin, during the weekly Art to Action Club Class, a new extra curricular program this semester. Natasha Martin is CEO of G.R.A.C.E. USA, a grass roots organization based in Half Moon Bay that helps children and families in Kenya to improve their quality of life.

The Action Club kids have done numerous art projects already that they sent out to people they felt needed some comfort or encouragement. These include hand made cards to the fire victims of San Bruno, an Oma in Germany, hand painted pumpkins for a nursing home and now pillow cases for children in Kenya.

What is the Art to Action Club? The Action Club was born after the GAIS student body wanted to help the people in Haiti. Needing an outlet for their need to express their compassion, a bake sale was created as an Action. The Action Club activity is a way the students at GAIS can put what they learn in their IB units into reality and into service for the community.You don't need to be part of the Art to Action Club to do this. What does your family do for the community? Please share your families' activities and stories  with us.  Send your stories to manu.hipkins@att.net

German Book Fair

Thanks to a great team of volunteers this year's German Book Fair was a big success. The most sought after item by our book loving customers was "Warum ist die Banane krumm?" which answers all typical children's questions. In all we sold books for over $9,000. The profit of $1,600 will be used to expand our library collection in several areas.

Presentation for Teachers and Parents

The Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes in Menlo Park (801 El Camino Real) is hosting a special event for teachers and parents.  They will present a short overview of their programs and provide you with an opportunity to continue to strengthen your students' learning skills.   They are hosting the presentation on Wednesday, November 10th at 4:30 PM. The approximate length will be 40-55 minutes with take away tools and suggestions for teachers and parents to use in the classroom and at home.  Contact jessica.corinne@lindamoodbell.com for more information.