Students in Social Studies wrapped up the unit on the Holocaust with a reflection on quotes and views about resistance to oppression. We also moved on to study World War II with a focus on appeasement and the major alliances of the start of the conflict.

In Science, students are sharing information about their favorite (for the moment) skeletal muscle during slide-show presentations. Each presentation includes a description of the exercise(s) that can strengthen the muscle. We’d all be in great physical form practicing these – ask your student for a sample.

In Language Arts, we continued our reading of Animal Farm and discussed tone, denotation, connotation, and propaganda uses. Some students also discussed why Orwell used an allegory rather than criticizing Communism. Everyone despises Napoleon now that they realize he has become a dictator. 

Students in Civics applied their work in history class about WW2 and the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising to a discussion of whether going beyond non-violent protest to actual violence is ever justified in pursuit of justice and under what situations it may work or not work.  

In Judaics, we have been working hard on Mishnah Pesachim Chapter 10. We had an interesting discussion of the tamchui (the charity plate) that was used to make sure that everyone, including the poor, had everything they needed for the Seder service. It was interesting to hear what the students had to say about having poor people living in the community.

This week in Art, the students continued to work on their Venetian masks.

In Music, we played Orchestra bingo, and discussed the upcoming presentations they will be doing in class. They are allowed to choose any topic related to music that they are passionate about! Our Mimi Award Winners were Teddy and Tamar.