tales from a far-land

The Wednesday after Memorial Day was the kids' last day of school.  They were so excited.  And to be honest, so was I.  I am looking forward to a couple months' break from homework, tests, spelling words, writing assignments, special projects, and making lunches. Both kids had a good school year.  Each had their own inherit challenges.  Madilyn struggled all year with her math facts, but she continued to work hard and showed a strong determination to learn. Aiden's challenges this year were more focused around his behavior. His impulse control, a rambunctious group of friends, and resistance to authority may have allowed him to become more than acquaintances with the Dean of Students.  However, his caring nature and his charming personality enabled him to right some wrongs along the way. They are each becoming such amazing little humans.  I cannot wait to see how much they thrive and grow in the next school year. Madilyn Rae May 2019 Last Day of Third Grade

During the last week of school at all BASIS schools, students participate in a Term Project. Term Projects are an opportunity for our students to explore a topic that they are really passionate about and to use skills they have learned throughout the school year to produce a product that showcases the culmination of their school year. Term Project Week is considered the sixth and final grading period of the school year. This year, Madilyn selected "Ninja Warrior Camp" as her final Term Project.  During project week, Madilyn learned a multitude of ninja warrior/gymnastic skills.  Her entire Term Project was held at Arizona Sunrays.  Her final presentation consisted of showing off her skills through various obstacle courses throughout the gym.  She really enjoyed the entire experience. Aiden's term project this year was titled "Hogwarts House Championship".  In this class, the students were placed in Hogwarts Houses by the Sorting Hat.  Aiden was place

The kids' last two grading periods at BASIS Phoenix Primary flew by so quickly.  The BASIS curriculum allows the kids to learn so many substantial things.   I am always amazed at the concepts that my kids are taught and how fast they pick them up.  This year, I can see such an vast improvement in my kids' reading and writing abilities.  Madilyn's humanities class they observed a bald eagle nest in Pennsylvania.  The kids followed the progression of the nest from when the female laid her eggs all the way through the hatching of the eaglets.  This was a fun activity for the entire family.  We loved checking in on the nest all together to see if the eggs had hatched or how the baby eaglets were surviving.  Here is the link that we followed for a couple of months:  Bald Eagle Cam While conducting this exercise, Madilyn also had to write a five page research paper on eagles.  She loved the whole experience -- from researching to the rough draft to the final draft.  I love

BASIS Phoenix Primary held end-of-school award ceremonies as a way of celebrating the students before their passage to the next grade level.  During the awards ceremony, each Learning Expert Teacher (LET) had the opportunity to introduce their students so they could receive their promotion pin.  The award ceremonies also included special awards presented to students who showed exemplary behavior and hard work throughout the year in a specific subject at school.  Madilyn was presented with one of these awards as she was nominated by her Drama SET. Here is a fun recap of what Aiden's school year comprised of as stated by Ms. Ewald, Director of Academic Programs, during the award ceremony: It's been a year of timed math tests and phonics practice.  A year of learning about the Westward Expansion, editing our writing and Gong Xie.  We've enjoyed trips to the Odysea Aquarium, the theater to see Schoolhouse Rock and the Pioneer Living Museum.  Students learned about our go

The entire second grade class at BASIS Phoenix Primary enjoyed their last field trip of the year on the last full day of school.  They went to the Herberger Theater to see Childsplay Theatre's version of the play "Schoolhouse Rock".  Josh was lucky enough to be selected as a chaperone for the field trip.  He and Aiden enjoyed this experience throughly.  Aiden's favorite part of the play was the song "Just a Bill". What a great out of the classroom experience for my kids (and husband)!  On the bus Waiting for the show In the theater Enjoying a picnic lunch Aiden and Josh