FEBRUARY 12, 2016 THE WOODLANDS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Sophomores - Big Bend National Park. 5800 ACADEMY WAY . THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS 77384 . 936-273-2555 . WWW.TWCA.NET Art Adds STEAM To Education It has been said that we are empowered by technology but enriched by fine arts. As evidenced by our recognition as an Apple Distinguished School, The Woodlands Christian Academy is on the leading edge of integrating technology in the classroom. However, as observed by School Principal Steve Zeal, “Many educators, including myself, would argue that STEM is missing a key set of creativity-related components that are equally critical in fostering a future innovative generation. I would suggest adding an ‘A’ for arts to the STEM acronym. Research shows that companies increasingly want workers who can brainstorm, problem-solve, collaborate creatively and contribute new ideas. When we look at America’s exports, while technology is the key aspect of what we do, the creative culture is the sizzle that sells the steak. Where would Apple be without the killer visual design of their products, their attention-grabbing ad campaigns, and the ease of their interface design? Without an ‘A’ there would be no outlet for all of the S, T, E or M.” Beginning with craft projects in the early childhood classes and continuing on with more complex art works in elementary, middle and high school, students at Woodlands Christian are exposed each day to the visual arts. The mission of the art department is to educate each student in the four “C’s” - creativity, critical thinking, collaboration and communication skills, and to inspire students to explore ways in which the fine arts connect with other disciplines. As explained by Susan Peterson, lower school art teacher, “Art skills help younger students develop their fine motor skills and symbol recognition for reading; students are able to express themselves both verbally and non- verbally, and have confidence in speaking about their work.” Creatively, students use their visualization skills to generate different ideas and concepts. This skill easily translates into the thought processes necessary for the formulation of an essay for English class. Designing a mosaic or using tangrams to create artwork develops similar problem solving and critical thinking skills that are needed in solving math problems or learning geometry. Group art projects enable students to become comfortable working collaboratively and learn to establish different viewpoints and to find answers using different avenues. “It is vital in art to teach, to mold, to impart the role that each person has as that of a creator. As our Creator God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our own image.’, we must as His image bearers, bear the joy, the understanding and the responsibility of being creators in our own right. Whether it is finding a new solution to a math problem, writing an essay or making a painting, we must, absolutely must, enter into the creative process. Sitting back and being milk fed is easy. Memorizing facts is easy. But we must go beyond what is easy to the hard thing. To reach beyond what is given, to what we can give to each other and to the world”, Melinda Cohea, upper school Art teacher. Photos courtesy of Melinda Cohea.
Transcript
FEBRUARY 12, 2016
THE WOODLANDSC H R I S T I A NA C A D E M Y
THE WOODLANDSCHRISTIAN ACADEMY
Sophomores - Big Bend National Park.5800 ACADEMY WAY . THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS 77384 . 936-273-2555 . WWW.TWCA.NET
Art Adds STEAM To Education
It has been said that we are empowered by technology but enriched by fine arts. As evidenced by our recognition as an Apple Distinguished School,
The Woodlands Christian Academy is on the leading edge of integrating technology in the classroom. However, as observed by School Principal Steve Zeal, “Many educators, including
myself, would argue that STEM is missing a key set of creativity-related components that are equally critical in fostering a future innovative generation. I would suggest adding an ‘A’ for arts to the STEM acronym. Research shows that companies increasingly want workers who can brainstorm, problem-solve, collaborate creatively and contribute new ideas. When we look at America’s exports, while technology is the key aspect of what we do, the creative culture is the sizzle that sells the steak. Where would Apple be without the killer visual design of their products, their attention-grabbing ad campaigns, and the ease of their interface design? Without an ‘A’ there would be no outlet for all of the S, T, E or M.” Beginning with craft projects in the early childhood classes and continuing on with more complex art works in elementary, middle and high school, students at Woodlands Christian are exposed each day to the visual arts. The mission of the art department is to educate each student in
the four “C’s” - creativity, critical thinking, collaboration and communication skills, and to inspire students to explore ways in which the fine arts connect with other disciplines. As explained by Susan Peterson, lower school art teacher, “Art skills help younger students develop their fine motor skills and symbol recognition for reading; students are able to express themselves both verbally and non-verbally, and have confidence in speaking about
their work.” Creatively, students use their visualization skills to generate different ideas and concepts. This skill easily translates into the thought processes necessary for the formulation of an essay for English class. Designing a mosaic or using tangrams to create artwork develops similar problem solving and critical thinking skills that are needed in solving math problems or learning geometry. Group art projects enable students to become comfortable working collaboratively and learn to establish different viewpoints and to find answers using different avenues. “It is vital in art to teach, to mold, to impart the role that each person has as that of a creator. As our Creator God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our own image.’, we must as His image
bearers, bear the joy, the understanding and the responsibility of being creators in our own right. Whether it is finding a new solution to a math problem, writing an essay or making a painting, we must, absolutely must, enter into the creative process. Sitting back and being milk fed is easy. Memorizing facts is easy. But we must go beyond what is easy to the
hard thing. To reach beyond what is given, to what we can give to each other and to the world”, Melinda Cohea, upper school Art teacher.
Middle School Students Discover A Different Culture
Students Get Close Up View Of Planets
This past weekend, students and their parents braved the cold early morning temperatures to view the alignment of Mercury, Venus, Mars, Saturn and Jupiter. The most pronounced characteristic of the planets were the rings of Saturn and the five Galilean moons of Jupiter. The planets were viewed through two 10 inch Dobsonian telescopes purchased for Woodlands Christian with monies from our annual Warrior Fund. Information & photos submitted by Robert Roach.
NOTE: Images at left and right are actual photos taken through the telescopes used during this event.
As part of their study of Ancient China, students in Mrs. Mia Harpel’s sixth grade history classes learned about the tradition of Hung-Bao (red envelopes). To celebrate the Chinese new year, red envelopes are exchanged at family gatherings with an older relative presenting a red envelope to a younger one. The red color of the envelope symbolizes good fortune. While the envelopes exchanged in China usually contain money, those received by the sixth grade students contained notes from their parents and gold wrapped Chinese chocolate coins, a special treat provided by a parent who recently travelled to China.
Information & photo submitted by Mia Harpel.
High School Tech Support In Action! High school tech support team members Katherine Milian and Josh Mueck, with supervision from Mr. Mark Swist, IT Support Specialist, recently replaced the logic board of a MacBook Pro. High school tech support team members are trained to assist teachers and students with tier 1 level support issues such as basic operationing system repairs and installing software updates. Additionally, these students receive Apple technical certification through online training provided by the Apple corporation. Photo & information submitted by Amy Rowe.
ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT NEWS
FEBRUARY 12, 2016
Middle School Warriors Compete In HAPS TournamentCongratulations to the middle school basketball teams for their tremendous performances
in the Houston Area Private School (HAPS) basketball tournament this past weekend.
The vibe in the Daniel Student Life Center was electric on Tuesday evening as the Warriors hosted district rivals St. Thomas Episcopal. Warriors fans decked out in white brought their Warrior spirit to the game for the 4th Annual White Out. Both the boys and the girls varsity teams played with heart and hustle but were unable to overcome St. Thomas. The girls posted a 19-31 loss and the boys came away with a 41-64 loss. With one game remaining in
the regular season, both teams are still in the thick of the race for the district championship.
The Warriors travel to Katy to play the Faith West Eagles on Thursday, February 10. The results of these games will determine the seeding and home court advantage for the the district playoffs. Further playoff details will be announced following the outcome of the games on Thursday.
Go Warrior basketball!
Warrior Basketball Teams Looking Toward Playoffs
Middle school girls green team earns 3rd place in HAPS tournament.
Middle school boys gold team earns 3rd place in HAPS tournament.
Middle school boys green team HAPS Division I champions.
ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT NEWS
FEBRUARY 12, 2016
Warrior Swimmers Headed To State Swim Meet
Following their third place finish in the regional swim meet, the Warrior swim team is now bound for state! The team will compete in the TAPPS 3A state swim meet on Friday, February 12 at the Josh Davis Natatorium in San Antonio. To read a recent article about our swim team by the Courier newspaper, click here.
Go Warrior Swimmers!
After chalking up their first victory of the season with an 18-2 win over Cristo Rey on Tuesday night, the Warrior varsity baseball team continues their season with a full slate of home games. The team hosts Cypress Christian on Thursday, February 11; KIPP Academy on Tuesday, February 16 and Mount Carmel on Tuesday, February 23. All games are scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m.
Go Warrior Baseball!
Warrior Baseball Hosts Early Season Home Games
Warrior Track To Host First Ever Home Meet
At last! After years of anticipation, The Woodlands Christian Academy will host its first home track and field meet at our beautiful new facility! On Thursday, February 11 we will welcome a number of area middle schools beginning at 4:00 p.m. We hope you will come celebrate and cheer on our middle school athletes! The varsity team begins competition on this Saturday, February 13 at Rosehill Christian School.
