Welcome to the start of the 2013-2014 School Year. After preparing for their classes, meeting their students, and beginning to teach, teachers will commence writing the teacher blogs in October.

Elementary Bible Day at SBEC

What a great time we had at Bible Day 2013!  Every year our fourth grade students study a unit on Biblical culture.  During this unit, they learn more about people who lived during the Bible days and how their lives were much different than ours today.   

 

Our fourth grade students worked for many weeks in their Bible classes to prepare for Bible Day.  They selected a character from the Bible and read an encyclopedia article about him or her.  They wrote a report about their Bible character and dressed up as that character for Bible Day.  They also researched various aspects of Biblical culture and wrote paragraphs and made illustrations about them.  They worked with a team to use these paragraphs and illustrations to create a display board for Bible Day.  They also made an object that would have been used during Bible times like a sling, unleavened bread or even a model of a mud brick house.  The fourth graders took a field trip to the Biblical Resource Center and Museum in Collierville, TN.  During that field trip they got to hold a lamp that was excavated from Jerusalem and was during the time that Jesus lived.  They saw pictures of the modern cities that Paul traveled to on his second missionary journey.  They even participated in a scavenger hunt in the museum’s gallery.

During the morning of Bible Day, March 7, each team of students put their display board, their character reports, and their Bible objects on a table in the Trojan Hall gym and presented what they had learned to other students at SBEC.  For most fourth graders, this was the best part of Bible Day.  The students really enjoyed telling the younger students at SBEC all that they had learned.  They were also able to view a model of the Tabernacle and second Temple during Bible Day.  These items were made possible through a grant.  In the afternoon, the fourth graders participated in various activities to increase their knowledge of Biblical life.  They played Bible Baseball, made Stars of David, and studied about Hanukkah which included playing with driedels.  They also participated in a Passover Seder Tasting and learned more about this Jewish feast.  

Cindy Brassel

Elementary Bible Teacher

2nd Grade Penguin Day!

In 2nd grade we have Penguin Day to conclude our study of penguins.  The students are shown a PowerPoint with facts about several different kinds of penguins.  They also have the opportunity to read books about penguins.   The students then have to choose one kind of penguin and write a 3 sentence report about it.  They use this report to make a “Penguin Booklet.”  This booklet is penguin shaped and the students color it to match the penguin their report is on.  They write the facts from their report on the belly of the penguin.  They get to share these with the class.  On Penguin Day the students get to dress like a penguin by wearing black and white.  They also tasted several different flavors of goldfish, since penguins eat fish, and vote for their favorite flavor.  We use the results of the vote to make a graph.  We also have some special snacks:  blue jello (the ocean) with cool whip (icebergs) and Swedish fish (fish) and a penguin looking treat made out of oreos and other candy.  The kids have great fun on this day and enjoy “waddling” down the hall!

Christine Ross

2nd Grade Teacher 

 

SBEC Elementary Music Classes

1st–4th Grade Music class at SBEC engages students in active music making.  Children learn by doing.  They have room to move around and are active participants making music.  In the music room is open space for movement as well as lots of fantastic instruments :  bongos, congas, hand drums, cymbals, bells,  xylophones, metallophones, glockenspiels, slide whistles, shakers, guitar, contra bass bars, and much more.  If  you were to walk by my classroom at SBEC during music time, more than likely you would see us playing instruments, musical games and imagination games.  You might also see us singing, dancing or using our own body as a percussive instrument in order to introduce, learn, or reinforce certain musical skills. 

Folk songs, folk rhymes, traditional games and dances form an integral part of the repertoire included within the curriculum.  Christian songs are interspersed throughout the year that show children that God Almighty is the one who gave us the capacity to make and enjoy music.    

The curriculum demands students to simultaneously process multiple layers of musical skills.  For example, while they are singing a song, I might have the class divided into two concentric circles rotating in different directions.  After 8 beats, the concentric circles change direction and they might be given another layer of movement such as clapping every other beat.  All the while they are singing a song.  This method of teaching requires tremendous concentration and focus from the students.

We had the privilege to have two musical guest visit the 3rd graders during our last 9 weeks of music. A professional violinist as well as a Blue grass band came and shared their music, knowledge, and skills. What a delight it was for me to see the excitement and curiosity in the students as these fine musicians shared their joy.

Mr. Ransom

1^st – 4^th Grade Art/Music

SBEC

Elementary Athletics

The SBEC elementary intramural sports program was developed with the hope of allowing all children, regardless of skill level, an opportunity to succeed in athletics.  For a nominal fee, children who attend SBEC and/or Broadway Baptist church may register to play in one (or all) of the sports offered in our program.  The sports included in this program are:  soccer for JrK-4th grade (the fall sport), basketball for 1st-4th grade (the winter sport) and t-ball/coach-pitch for JrK-4th grade (the spring sport).  The fees cover the cost of jerseys, trophies, pictures, referees and equipment. 

These games are a substitute for neighborhood games of old, when children could go to an empty lot and play games with their friends.  It was a chance for kids to enjoy the fresh air and to have fun in a non-competitive environment.  Emphasis is placed on good sportsmanship, both from the parents and the players.  Respect is to be displayed at all times to all players, referees, and coaches.  Positive reinforcement for all players is expected.  Negative criticism of others is not allowed.

Most organized sports tend to exclude children with little or no skills and are usually very competitive.  In the SBEC intramural sports program, rules for each sport are established to help all children succeed, regardless of skill level.  This program gives kids a chance to get together and play for fun in a non-competitive atmosphere, without the stress and pressure of making mistakes.

The SBEC elementary competitive teams are available to SBEC students only in the 5th and 6th grades.  These teams play other school teams from around the Memphis area in the Parochial Athletic Association (PAA).  Volunteer coaches with a heart for children and a working knowledge of each sport are recruited to help the athletes learn fundamentals about the sport.  The sports that are offered to these students are:  Cheerleading, Cross-Country, Football, and Volleyball in the Fall; Basketball in the Winter; Baseball and Softball in the Spring.

These competitive teams are the most visible representation of SBEC to the Memphis area, so it is very important that the players are taught how to not only compete at the highest level, but also how to do so in a way that shines a positive light on themselves, SBEC and ultimately our Lord Jesus Christ.  At this level, the athletes, coaches, fans and parents are held to a high standard of sportsmanship and respect for others, including the officials.  Fans and participants alike are to be positive and encouraging to all of the children playing, not just their own.

SBEC has some of the best children and parents in the Memphis area.  It is the desire of the Elementary athletic program to shine a light on our amazing families when these games are played.

Sherri Howard
Elementary Athletic Director

SBEC Elementary Library

“Congratulations! Today is your day. You’re off to Great Places! You’re off and away! You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go.” (From Dr. Suess’ Oh, the Places You’ll Go!)

Books are taking our elementary students on exciting adventures and to exciting places. I am so grateful for the volunteers who helped to make the Scholastic Book Fair a success. The library was able to get many new titles from the proceeds. I have enjoyed listening to the students conduct their own little book talks about what is being read.

I am excited to announce that the proceeds from the Book Fair exceeded our expectations and we will be hosting an author visit. Tammy Bronson will be visiting all of our elementary students on March 5th . Each grade will spend time with the author. She will share her books with the younger students. She will give a presentation on how to become a writer with the older students. March 5th will be an exciting day for the elementary library! You can look at Tammy Bronson and her works at: http://www.bookaroos.com/tammycarterbronson/ Information about this exciting event will be sent home in the near future. Students will be able to pre-order Tammy Bronson’s books.

The Birthday Book Club has been another wonderful way for the library to acquire new titles. 107 students joined the Birthday Book Club this year. We have celebrated birthdays for August through December. January’s birthday club members will celebrate on January 29th . I try to conduct the party on the last Tuesday of each month for the club members. If you did not join this year, there’s always the opportunity next year (grades Sr-K through 3rd).

“Oh! The places you’ll go! You’ll be on your way up! You’ll be seeing great sights! You’ll join the high fliers who soar to high heights. You won’t lag behind, because you’ll have speed. You’ll pass the whole gang. You’ll soon take the lead.” So pick up a book and be off on your way. Off to the school’s wonderful library.

Cheri Saunders

SBEC Elementary Librarian