Potomac Stories

The eighth grade Advanced Spanish class put their docent skills into practice viewing Spanish art in both the West and East wings of the National Gallery. The students have been studying how to discuss art by using Visual Thinking Strategies from Harvard's Project Zero. Student pairs led us to see Dalí, Picasso, Rivera, Gris, and Miro. Each pair led us through a thinking routine that led to spontaneous conversation in Spanish. To round out the trip, the class had lunch at Tìa Pepa next door to the famous Spanish Taberna del Alabardero. Students dined on Spanish favorites like gazpacho, jamon ibérico, and empanadas.

On Tuesday, IS students in eighth grade Spanish classes took a break from the classroom to visit Spangler and try out their Latin dance moves in the Fleming Multipurpose Room. Joined by a professional Latin dance instructor, students learned more about salsa and bachata and the basic steps of the two dances. After the lesson, the group enjoyed Latin American savory snacks and sweet treats outside the dance studio. It was clear that after a bit of practice, everyone felt the rhythm and enjoyed this cultural experience!   

On Monday afternoon, eighth grade student leaders and members of the IS’s affinity and alliance groups spoke at an IS assembly. Matthew Bodi, Winn Chamberlain, Sarah Cheney, Esther Choi, Ismail Karim, Alya Khan, Alex Runde, and Jenna Zee recalled memorable moments, described what their groups mean to them, and shared what their groups are looking forward to this winter and spring. In addition, the IS community learned about upcoming related events: an opt-in pizza lunch for IS students who identify as mixed-race, a new affinity group for boys interested in joining a new affinity group, and Upper School affinity groups that will join the IS groups for cross-divisional gatherings.

This week, a dedicated group of IS problem solvers took on the challenges of the Mathematical Association of America’s AMC 8 math contest, a 25-question, 40-minute, multiple-choice examination designed to promote the development of problem-solving skills. Topics included, but were not limited to, counting and probability, estimation, proportional reasoning, elementary geometry, including the Pythagorean Theorem, spatial visualization, everyday applications, and reading and interpreting graphs and tables. While this is a national competition, Potomac emphasizes participating for the joy of embracing non-routine tasks and the opportunity to challenge oneself as a problem solver. Congratulations to the participants! 

Grade 7 science students completed their taxonomy unit by identifying 10 fish species (samples obtained at the DC Maine Street fish market). Flounder, rockfish, and blue catfish were easy to identify, while croakers and mackerel were more challenging. Check out photos from some of the classes.

Prior to the break, IS French students welcomed the winter season, singing “Vive le Vent” (“Jingle Bells”) and spreading holiday cheer as they caroled through the halls and into the Flag Circle building, where they offered lunchtime entertainment! Then, they enjoyed a special French luncheon – a feast of crêpes, quiches, bûches de Noël, and other traditional fare – prepared by parents and teachers. Bonne Année et Merci à tous!