Ms. Cassario’s 4th graders have the unique opportunity to present an illustrated book to Greg Mortenson, author of Three Cups of Tea. The class has appropriately titled their book Sixteen Cups of Tea.

Mr. Mortenson’s book is a true story of his mission to build a school for a poor village in Pakistan. He was motivated by a desire to repay the people of the Village for their kindness and assistance when his group became lost while climbing K2.

The book was chosen as a  “read aloud” book for 4B because it allows the class to work, as a group, with a novel that may be beyond their reading level.  The reading operates much like a book club, with frequent opportunities for class discussion.

After finishing a read aloud novel, students typically draw pictures, discuss the book, and write about their favorite part. Many of the students enjoyed the interview at the end of the book, with Greg Mortenson’s daughter Amira. She talks about what it’s like to share her father, now a philanthropic leader, with the world.

After learning about the reading assignment, one 4th grade parent, a friend of Greg Mortenson, suggested that Mr. Mortenson and his daughter Amira would enjoy seeing the student illustrations. She graciously arranged for a bound compilation of the students illustrations to be sent to Mr. Mortenson.

Author Karen Cushman captured the attention of Villa Academy students this morning with a self-introduction that included a story from her childhood. As a little girl in an ethnic neighborhood of Chicago, Karen loved to tag along with her grandfather, everywhere but the “boogey joint.” Later, she realized that the bookie joint was not where the boogeyman hung out, and that her bookie joint was the library, a favorite spot for a little girl who loved to read and write.

Ms. Cushman told students that despite writing a 5-page novel as a child, she never considered writing as a career, until 20 years ago, when her husband refused to listen to another story she’d likely never write, and insisted that instead, she sit down with pen and get started.

Ms. Cushman shared with the students how her collection of personal experiences combined with historical tidbits she gathers from primary sources aid in the creation of her novels.

Student’s filled the last 15-20 minutes of the presentation with very thoughtful questions about what inspires Ms. Cushman’s stories, her writing process, and her plans for future stories.

One student confessed that she had started writing a story of her own, but was worried it was too short to ever become a novel. To this, Ms. Cushman responded, “Basketball players don’t start by playing in the championship game, they practice their shot for a long time first.”

WATCH VIDEO of Splish Splash Day

The Villa Preschool celebrated Splish Splash Day on Tuesday, June 8^th. It was a cool, but sunny, 65-degree morning, and the kids were ready for a little end-of-the-year fun. Students donned cute summer swimsuits, slathered on a healthy layer of sunscreen, wrapped up in their beach towels and headed outdoors. Just the sight of the bubble table, sprinkler and squirt guns had the kids squealing with excitement. Off went the towels and Splish Splash Day officially began!  Enjoy the short video clip above.

On Friday, June 4^th the Villa Academy Second Grade preformed a dramatic retelling of the West African tale, “Why Misquitoes Buzz in Peoples’ Ears.”

Did you miss the show? Watch VIDEO clips of the play.

Newbery Award winning author, Karen Cushman will speak to students in Grades 2 – 6, Thursday, June 10.

Ms. Cushman is the author of the following books:  Midwife’s Apprentice, Rodzina, Cathrine, Called Birdy, and The Ballad of Lucy Whipple. She won the Newbery for Midwife’s Apprentice. Her new book, Alchemy and Meggy Swann, has just been released.  A selection of her books will be for sale following the event.

Author Visit Details

Watch: Egg Drop VIDEO

This week Villa Academy’s 6^th grade students finished designing and building egg drop structures.

“What’s that?”

The egg drop structures are handmade contraptions that will safely transport an uncooked egg, dropped out the window, from Villa’s fifth story floor to the front patio. Some eggs survive, while others face a tough break!

Yesterday, the Villa Academy 5^th grade bundled up for a day at the beach.  Both classes headed to Whidbey Island for a visit to Deception Pass and a picnic lunch on Rosario Beach.  Fortunately, the questionable weather held off and the fifth-grade was able to enjoy a dry day outdoors.

Their adventure started with a guided tour of the tide pool area and a presentation on the legends and lore of The Maiden of Deception Pass. The tour included opportunities for the students to observe the living organisms that dwell in the tide pools and the tour guides advised students on with specimens were safe to touch and which were for observation only.

After lunch, armed with shovels, trowels, buckets, cookie cutters, a wig, coconut halves, a gallon jug of vinegar, baking soda, PVC piping, and various other materials, the kids “dug in” and began work on their group sand sculptures.

It was busy day, but a very successful fieldtrip!

The Villa Academy Green Team is planting a native garden in the strip of soil between the two carpool lanes on the east side of the school. Funding for this student-driven project came from a $300 “Terry Husseman Sustainable School Award” granted to Villa Academy by the Washington State Department of Ecology.  Preparations for the garden began in May and will continue through the summer and into next year.

All the plants in the Green Team garden will be native to Washington State. In an effort to save water and energy in the summer months, the Team has focused their selection on plants that flower only in the spring and fall and have chosen species that are found in areas with more sun exposure and drier soil.

The students have worked diligently to plan and prepare the execution of this project. Lots of brainstorming, research and schedule planning preceded the first day of digging last week. As part of their preliminary planning, the Green Team writes, “Our native plant garden is important because it gives homes to native animals and our plants are adapted to the climate and to native animals. It also provides a variety of foods all through the year.”

At one of their earliest meetings, student members of the Green Team voted to spend the $300 award from the WA Department of Ecology on tools, supplies and planting soil to keep their garden growing.

Join us as we watch the Green Team’s Native Garden bloom! Students will begin planting this week. Informational plant signage and additional garden touches (such as bird feeders, woodpecker suet logs, etc) will be coming soon!

Jenna, a first grader in Ms. McFarland’s class, stepped in for Mrs. Skinner today and took over Villa as “Head of School for the Day.” To watch the fun, click on:  Head Master Jenna

Each summer the various branches of public libraries in Seattle and King County provide an array of fun and educational activities to keep kids, teens and adults reading.  Check out all the activities at http://www.SPL.org or http://www.KCLS.org.

The Seattle Public Library program, “Where does reading take you?” starts June 1. http://www.spl.org/default.asp?pageID=audience_children_srp