A Generation of Generations: Connecting Students to the Past
Melissa Tassoni
Even though Generations has been an important part of Shipley’s seventh grade curriculum since the early 1990s, the multi-disciplinary unit is more relevant than ever in the personal and academic lives of students.
Sure, some things about the unit have changed—like the time of year when it takes place and the specific teachers guiding students—but at its core, Generations is still about “who we are in relation to history,” says the project manual, which lays out the parameters of the nine assignments students are asked to complete during the final two weeks of the school year.
The Generations unit is also very much about exploring different ways of communicating, and students are given the opportunity to organize and present what they learn about their family and history in a variety of ways.
Through interviewing family members and friends, examining artifacts and memorabilia, engaging in activities and reading books their interview subjects did when they were growing up, students learn about the past and get a new perspective on their own lives.
In addition to giving students the opportunity to learn about themselves, Generations challenges them academically, too. With careful guidance, students manage and set their own deadlines to complete assignments, including a research project, a 5-7 page intergenerational narrative, and a retelling of a family story, among others.
Generations wraps up with a “Museum Reception,” where family members are invited to see the students’ work and sample their family recipes. It’s a true celebration for the ages.
Head of School Michael Turner announced that Rebekah Adens will be Shipley’s next Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, effective July 1, 2023.
Middle School science teacher Ace Schwarz was one of 10 educators selected to participate in the 2023 NASA/IPAC Teacher Archive Research Program (NITARP), which partners small groups of educators with a research astronomer for original, year-long, authentic research projects.
On Saturday, December 3, Shipley’s Upper School Science Olympiad team participated in the 2nd Annual Dick Smith Memorial Invitational. Competing in the B Division, Shipley’s Upper School team finished 31 out of 74 teams. Several students also placed in individual events.
Chess team members Srijan Velamuri ’23 and Adithi Srinivasan ’25 earned first and second places, respectively, at the Interscholastic Chess Tournament, hosted by Shipley on December 9, 2022.
What happens when you combine passion, professional learning, and appreciation of beauty and excellence? You get a teacher who brings enthusiasm and energy to her classroom and students who learn while doing. Learn more about how Middle School Latin teacher Anne Smith shares her passion for mosaics, Roman history, and the Latin language with her students through multiple modalities.
It’s common to associate colors with emotions, as Kathryn Otoshi does in her book, One. Dr. Harley Givler asked his third grade students to imagine what the book's characters and their emotions would sound like as a musical composition. The third graders performed the composition for their PreK Book Buddies, sharing lessons in emotions, tolerance, and being an upstander, as well as inspiring a love of music.
On Friday, December 2, Shipley hosted the Philadelphia Area Math League for Independent Schools 2022 Playoffs. As a result, the Gators finished fifth out of ten teams in the group category and Bambi Tang ‘23 finished first in the individual category.
You can see Lower School Art Teacher Bonnie Goldstein's new work in "Beyond Boundaries" an exhibit on display at 705 West Printshop + Gallery in Jenkintown. An opening reception is being held on Sunday, December 4 from 2:00 - 5:00 pm.
With over 70 clubs and activities to choose from, Shipley's Upper School students can enjoy a broad range of areas to discover and develop their passions and interests. Student writer Andrew McCarthy ’23 shares details about six of them in this article, originally published in the December 2022 issue of the Beacon, the Upper School student newspaper.
After rigorous auditions, five Shipley musicians have been accepted into auditioned choral and band ensembles including the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association District 11 Chorus, the American Choral Directors Association National Honors Choir, and the Philadelphia Youth Symphonic Band.
Catch Theater Director Phillip Brown as he stars in the Lantern Theater Company’s Philadelphia premiere production of The Royale by Marco Ramirez, onstage through December 11, 2022, at St. Stephen’s Theater.
As we head into the holiday season, it is important to remember to help those who struggle with food insecurity. To address this issue in our local community, The Shipley School organizes a yearly Turkey Drive that takes place in November. Read more about Shipley's annual Turkey Drive in this article, originally published in the November 2022 issue of Shipley's student newspaper, the Beacon.
On October 29, Shipley's Varsity Boys' Soccer Team, ranked 14th in the nation at game time, defeated Germantown Friends by a score of 1-0 to win the Friends Schools League Championship. This was the Gators' second championship in a row.
On October 28, Shipley's Varsity Field Hockey Team defeated Academy of the New Church by a score of 2-0 to win the Friends Schools League Championship. This was the Gators' second championship in a row.
If you walk by Nikki Wiseman’s fourth grade class on Friday afternoons, you’ll find the room abuzz with activity and excitement. It’s time for I-Search—the highlight of the week—when students can follow their interests, explore their curiosities, and own their learning experience. Learn more about how Mrs. Wiseman helps students learn important research skills and develop the independence to direct their own learning.
The Shipley School is a private, coeducational day school for pre-kindergarten through 12th grade students, located in Bryn Mawr, PA. Through our commitment to educational excellence, we develop within each student a love of learning and a desire for compassionate participation in the world.