What’s Happening at Lincoln School
October , 2017
Lincoln School CAP/CAMP/LEAP Field Trip to Memorial Field
Walk-A-Thon
October 4, 2017
Based on the NJ Core Curriculum Standards of Character Development and Ethics, Lincoln School collaboratedwithJardine Academy for National Walk to School Day at Memorial Field. Lincoln School students teamed up with Jardine Academy students in an effort to engage in healthy social interactions and physical activity. Students acknowledged and respected each others’ similarities, differences, and disabilities. The character education service learning project included and complemented a board range of educational approaches such as whole child education, service learning, social-emotional learning and civic education. All share a commitment to helping Lincoln School students become responsible, caring and contributing citizens.
Cranford community was well represented as local police officials, a board of education member, community members, and school representatives were present. Lincoln students demonstrated an extraordinary ability to participate in selfless acts of kindness.
Maria Polyviou – Oct. 2017
Happenings in the Art Room
C.A.M.P, students are working on the 10th annual Cranford Scarecrow Stroll. In the process of making a scarecrow, the students will have an understanding of assemblage sculptures. Our students will be exposed to various artists and their work and will also grow their own hand building skills. The students will also gain an understanding of working in theme. Each year our students start to brainstorm an iconic theme, which is then voted upon. From there they draw and brainstorm what types of materials which will be used and how the assemblage will be achieved. This helps them learn to problem solve when faced with an unusual challenge. Each scarecrow in the past has been unique in style and approach. Students look forward to the challenge year after year, participating in a community- based project. This lesson is extended with a walking trip throughout our downtown. The trip allows our students to be even more vested in the project when they are allowed to vote and participate in the process. Our students are equally proud to be the recipient of first place winners, 5 years in a row.
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Language Arts
Ms. McDonough
A culminating ‘kindness week” activity in Ms. McDonough’s CAMP ELA class has been a character building activity: Creating a “Kindness Rocks” garden. The intended recipients will be the staff and students at the Jardine Academy of Cranford.
It’s a simple act of kindness that is taking root across the country. Originated on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, the idea originated when one woman wrote a simple message on a rock and left it for a stranger. The stranger turned out to be a friend who was so inspired by the message, the idea grew nationwide. Community Kindness Gardens are growing in every state, and the Cranford Achievement Middle School Program’s students are new members in the New Jersey community.
The execution is simple, but powerful. Students were led through a discussion of their differences, while recognizing that those differences don’t make a person superior or inferior to another. Words, quotes of inspiration were shared, as students discussed how their rocks could reflect their idea, and that the intended recipients could be comforted or have their day brightened. Rocks were spray painted and decorated with words and designs. The Kindness Garden Rocks will adorn the grounds of the Jardine Academy, our service learning partners.