New Year, New Focus

January-March 2023

After a long Winter Break, Bishop Walker School returned in January ready for deep learning. We warmed up the older scholars’ skills by executing precise searches of the library catalogue online, thereby cementing an understanding of the Dewey Decimal System and exact location of books, genres and authors inside our facility. Younger students refined their abilities to analyze stories by comparing and contrasting familiar tales in literature such as variations of The Three Little Pigs.

Affirmations-Inspired by Black Leaders

We next commenced a reading program that guided scholars to Affirm their Black History by discovering the full stories of artists, activists and visionaries. Our own Brian Harris designed this Black History Month learning activity which we spread out over 3 months because we wanted to take the time appreciate our African American biographies, especially the newly added Coretta Scott King award winners.

Martin Luther King came first as we approached his birthday. Scholars found books at all reading levels covering King’s life, challenges, even drafts of speeches.

Readers of all ages use the earliest leveled books to gain information. And emerging readers enjoy leafing through the more advanced biographies to see photos and captions that cover one man’s historic life. Libraries allow us to explore our interests at any level, in every direction.

Over 50 Biographies

From there we focused on biographies for each age group still using the Affirmations as a guide. We took a category such as artists to group together various historic fine artists. First grade learned of DC artist Alma Thomas through a new biography. We then used marker to create the colorful concentric circles, just to feel her unique style of presenting nature through art. While older grades learned of Jacob Lawrence’s style, they could absorb the journey of The Great Migration.

All Ages Learn from Role Models

Second grade heard the life story of Zora Neal Hurston through a new biography that gives us the image of Hurston as a “Story Catcher” who recorded the oral traditions and dialect of the old South by going to small towns and taking time to hear the older folks’ stories. Although our students won’t be reading her books anytime soon, they could understand how important it is to ask questions and listen to what our elders have to say…and maybe write about it.

We also introduced Matthew Henson, the explorer and Benjamin Banneker, both scientists with local roots who brought us a greater understanding of nature by taking risks and recording their findings. While we expected each scholar to pick one biography each week, they continued to have a free choice for pleasure reading. Pizza and Taco were a big hit this year!

The Big Idea

Civil Rights leaders now have biographies that appeal to our youngest scholars. Kindergartners practiced preaching to the birds after hearing that Charles Lewis spoke of God’s love when he gathered the chickens in the yard for feed time. Second graders used those same birds to recreate the Ruby Bridge’s feeling of walking through an angry mob to integrate an elementary school. One bird approaches the flock and they all leave. She keeps coming to school to learn from the teacher and she prays each day that the students will return. Over time, many do return. That’s how we reinforce the meaning of the books we read by reproducing the storyline and discussing the Big Idea.

Bios at Every Reading Level

The upper primary students were offered many examples of how biographies can be formatted: early readers give a quick overview, picture books can offer a useful index, summary and glossary, and short chapter books such as Who Was Frederick Douglass add cartoon illustrations to beef up the rather sophisticated text.

Our Library offers many versions of Barack Obama’s life, from a basic reader to letters, to speeches to his race for President to Pete Sousa’s photo book to Obama’s own memoir held in our Adult section of biographies. 3rd graders scoured the photos of the Oval Office and noticed how young his children were during his Presidency.

In addition to comparing and contrasting different versions of a life story, older students learned of relationships between Black leaders. Mohammad Ali and Malcolm X developed a friendship. They fought in different arenas for the same causes. Our scholars could see the connections.

Opening Our Doors

Affirmation after Affirmation, week after week, we exposed the whole school to dozens and dozens of biographies, mostly written and illustrated by Black talent. During these winter months, visitors came to BWS and were delighted to share these books with our boys. Parents, teachers, even friends of Bishop Walker himself, joined us. One special guest was Dr. Ana Caskin, the daughter of John and Maria Walker. She read to 1st graders each week before she went to Anacostia High School to attend to a Health Clinic there.

Now that we are feeling more protected from Covid outbreaks, the Library has returned to its position as a multi-purpose room. We can hold 50 people for a Founders Luncheon where those who had the original vision for the school could meet to honor those who propel that vision forward. Mrs. Marquardt asked for particular memories of John T Walker to inform the Timeline she initiated with 5th graders.

Parents used the space for meetings. Seniors got special training on organizational skills on Saturdays. And gifts of books were distributed to all grades, with special thanks to St. John’s Lafayette Church.

Black History Is American History

Fifth Grade commenced a project of reading historical fiction covering African American life, writing summaries and placing these picture books along a continuum that shows how Black History is American History. Starting in 1619, Mrs. Ochmanek offered a Starburst reading incentive program to jump-start a deep dive into this history. Students were involved in constructing the 20-foot timeline so that 4 centuries of history could be visualized for the whole school to see. Look to the next BiblioBlog to see the final product.

Do You Know About Our Namesake?

We also chose to take a deep dive of research regarding an individual dear to our hearts but whose life particulars are relatively unknown to our own scholars and teachers: John Thomas Walker. A small group of 5th graders reviewed the written memories collected at the Founders lunch. Mrs. Walker and Mrs. Hannibal were consulted. They looked up Bishop Walker online and reviewed his one biography, Man for the 21st Century. An 8-foot long timeline was created, covering the years 1925 to 1989. His was a rich impactful life: The Great Migration north, The Civil Rights Movement, African Independence movements and acceptance of Gay and Women Priests in the Episcopal Church. Presidents and World Leaders consulted Bishop Walker. And grown adults recall times, as children in St. Joseph’s Chapel, that Bishop Walker’s warm voice seemed to bring forth the Spirit of God.

Finally, 3 student/artists created 12 illustrations for the timeline that are whimsical, touching and devout. The entire class helped construct the complicated visual presentations with tape, cardboard, string and thumb tacks staples and colored paper. Thanks to these 5th graders, now the whole community can learn how our school history intersects African American History, which is American History.

***Come by and hunt for Golden Fact Nuggets as you fill out our John T Walker Timeline Treasure Hunt.

Give Thanks

November–December, 2022

In a snap, the season of holidays popped up in late fall. At this time of festivities and visitors, we in the BWS library chose to focus our gratitude for the nature outside our windows and the people who lived on the school grounds long before we arrived. Appreciation!

Who Lives in Oxon Run?

The youngest among us can be researchers. Kindergartners are studying all 5 senses. Along with 1st and 2nd grades, they were encouraged to use their ears and eyes just like birds do to know exactly where they are and where they are going. We introduced many types of birds through our nonfiction collection. Some they could read and some they could learn from the captioned pictures. Stories about owls and cardinals held a special fascination.

After sharing a photo of a deer that I saw just 20 yards from the school building, the scholars had many questions about how that deer or squirrel or sparrow could live there all year. Curiosity about who lives with us in the woods prompted more interest in care for their environment. Each little book strengthened their connection to nature. We connected that to our Harvest celebrations such as Thanksgiving. Native Americans used animals in their folklore and religion stories to explain how the world began and how certain animals had spiritual powers. The scholars particularly liked the story of the boy who turns himself into a Raven who then steals the sun to bring light to the world.

After hearing and reading many Native American tales, Third Graders decorated our forest wall with detailed birds giving Tweets of Gratitude for nature, including appreciation for the chicken who gave us great fried chicken.

Who Lived near Oxon Run Long Ago?

The Upper Primary grades were challenged to imagine living in the woods outside our windows. Then we introduced the history of the indigenous people of North America who lived on this continent for more than 20,000 years. In the Library, we spent the month of November studying all we could about the lifestyles and legends of various tribal nations.

Then we zeroed in on the Powhatan natives along the Potomac and the Nacotchtank who had their main village where the Anacostia River meets the Potomac. Our scholars discovered that Oxon Run was a major hunting ground-right outside our windows. Our

nonfiction collection provided the history and folklore tales. A highlight was learning about how every part of the deer was used. The skin and sinew wrapped around a log created a drum. A Cherokee folktale described the origin of day and night, the stars and the sun. We followed up with books on the Solar System

During the election season, the 5th grade learned how women fought for the right to vote by looking at the Suffrage Movement. They also got the real story of how Thanksgiving became a holiday and exactly what happened on that first Thanksgiving from the book The Boy Who Fell Off the Mayflower. We ended the month by reading a speech by Chief Seattle imploring Congress to care for Mother Earth, especially the Northwestern land he was giving over to the Federal Government.

A Time for Visitors and Celebrations

Our BWS Library continues to be the hub of the school, whether we are lifting the spirit of the community, blending the ages for a good story or welcoming one of the very best children’s book authors in the country.

Bishop Marianne consecrated a new handmade alter for BWS. A carved statue representing the world being held up reflects the song “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands”. We sang and raised up this addition to the Worship space in the center of the building. Illustrated books with Spirituals filled the display space.

December opened with a bang: As Mr. Molina was reading from Crossover, the author Kwame Alexander jumped out of the conference room to surprise the 3-5 grades. He read verse, prose and played games with an adoring audience. Pure Joy!

Kings Community time now includes Book Buddies-a time when older boys read stories to their younger BWS brothers. We’re happy to see the Library books finding cozy corner all over the Campus.

Christmas themes filled the month. First we compared and contrasted various renditions of The Gingerbread Man. Although the refrain of Run, Run As fast as You Can… remained constant, the settings ranged from New York City to the Wild West to a Fire Station. This challenge helped all ages concentrate on the fine details of the story.

We did the same with Santa stories. Finally, we got to the Real Christmas Story and examined many different ways of showing the Holy Land and the people in it. Sometimes it looked like Jesus was born in England! And our scholars noticed. In the end, they learned to look for the Star.

During these months, we realized our bounty. Book donations keep coming. We have a special Wish List on Amazon: BWSLibraryWishList@Amazon.com.

The Nature around us gives us hope. And the scholars at BWS keep us all young and curious. We feel so blessed.

Where is The K.I.N.G.S’ Treasure?

Can you spy with your little eye what this Lego layout defines?

Why, it’s the Bishop Walker School…and where are those gems?

In the Library!!!

Over the summer months the Library Volunteers polished up the Treasure, with new labels and new titles. We transferred the Collection to a new online library system: Follett Destiny. Each book has been reviewed for its relevance and quality. The KINGS’ Treasure is the library containing the best books we can find for the particular interests of Bishop Walker School scholars. Our goal is developing a life-long love of reading…a jewel in the crown of their education.

How can I find that Gem among the 10,000 volumes?

Grades 3, 4, and 5 spent the first months of school leaning how to unlock the Treasure. We distinguished fiction from nonfiction, discovered different areas for Fiction such as Picture books, Series, Early Readers and Novels. Older students looked for various genres among the fiction. Games to hunt for fact-based books using the Dewey Decimal system led to great finds, such as this Rock and Mineral book about fantastic emeralds and rubies located at the 552 spot on the shelf of Natural Sciences. Lounging and reading with a friend are totally fine at BWS.

Another way to unlock the Treasure is to go online and search for your self. Both our Library volunteers and the BWS Faculty were trained in how to search and reserve books. Faculty, Staff and students have specific access but all are welcome to browse this new site: bwslibrary.follettdestiny.com

In addition to learning how to officially check out a book in the library, 2nd graders reviewed the difference between fiction and nonfiction. They explored Early Readers and found just the right fit. Then Mrs. Hannibal felt they were ready for a longer read-aloud book: “Akimbo and the Elephants” by Alexander McCall Smith.

This is the story of a young boy between eight and ten years old who lives on an animal preserve in Africa where his father is a ranger. Akimbo learns that ivory poachers are killing elephants. He is determined to stop them. A dangerous adventure ensues as Akimbo tries to save the elephants. We cannot talk about the preservation of African animals without looking at information about the animals Akimbo might encounter on the preserve. Students have been encouraged to add a factual book about African animals to their check out selections. Second graders heard stories from others countries through folktales and myth. They checked out many of the new Early Readers which will bump up their ability while making them laugh out loud. Some titles include: Narwhal and Jelly, King and Kayla Mysteries, Moby Shinobi and a new Elephant and Piggie series.

Kindergarten and First graders

Kindergarten and First graders found their way back to the Green, Green Grass for a great story to open up their imagination as well as their curiosity. Scholars learn how to read the pictures as well as the words. We have books at various reading levels and fact books in the Early Reader (E) mobile bookshelves. National Geographic provides the best range of natural science for early elementary. An entire wall is covered with the latest and greatest Picture books (P), with special emphasis on acquiring the works of African American authors and illustrators.

Kindergartners get a group of books each week to share in their classroom by authors such as Eric Carle, Leo Lionni, Don Freeman. Their teacher asked for books to supplement her curriculum such as books about the 5 senses like If You Give a Moose a Muffin and Pumpkin Soup and Eye to Eye. Halloween allowed us to introduce the fantasy of monsters and dragons and Super Hero early readers. From there, we moved to understanding the changing seasons by learning about trees and plants that provide the harvest of food we need. How Many Seeds Are in a Pumpkin and The Blackest Berry and The Little Tree are some titles.

Both K and 1st grade moved to a study of animals in our backyard. We combined fun stories with fact books such as A House for Moose, A Walk in the Woods and Squirrels Leap Squirrels Sleep. Scholars checked out nonfiction books at the earliest reading levels along with the fan-favorites like Pete the Cat. What John Marco Saw opened our eyes to what is happening outside our BWS windows. After reading Peter Rabbit in big book form, we let the scholars check out small books about bunnies, frogs, ducks and hedgehogs. Ms. Potter was the first to make small books for small hands.

By October, First graders started checking out one book of their choice each week. Understanding that borrowing a book means returning a book is part of what young children learn at the BWS library.

3rd and 4th Grades

4th graders took the challenge to find various nonfiction books in the different color-coded sections of the library. These stickers on the spines correspond to the Dewey Decimal system which is the organizing principle of every library in this country. Due to our Covid separation, these scholars have spent less time in our physical library. Now’s the time to unlock the code so they can answer their own questions with fact books. Popular areas of interest were: Space 500’s for facts and 600’s for technology, Minecraft and Marvel characters 700’s, and a ranges of 900’s biographies from Neymar the soccer player to John Coltrane. Yet for pure pleasure, the Graphic novels hold their spell on 10 year old readers. They follow Amulet, Plant vs Zombies, New Kid and Dogman.

3rd grade spent the early part of the year getting to know the authors’ last names of their favorite books. You have to know that all fiction is organized alphabetically by the author’s last name. We also introduced them to new and exciting Series books that suit their expanding reading levels. Without a thoughtful introduction to the layout a library, the students tend to go to the same favorites. After weeks of exploration we saw the range of choice grow into the breadth of our full shelves. Popular new discoveries included: Press Start, Little Shaq, Kondo and Kazumi, along with an increasing length of series Ellray Jakes, The Bad Guys and Dragon Masters.

These two grades took the theme of gems in our Library Treasure to the Kindergartners and 1st graders. They wrote reviews for display on our large Treasure box and then read to a Book Buddy during a Community Hour on Friday. Reading old childhood favorites such as Where the Wild Things Are, Green Eggs and Ham, Llama, Llama Red Pajama or Chicka Chicka Boom Boom gave the older readers confidence and the younger students joy in sharing a good story!

Finally, a long-term goal for these students is to find time and space to read a book quietly in the library. We have beanbags, padded benches and velvet gamers chairs scattered throughout the space. Now that we have the classes for 45 minutes we now have time to settle down and snuggle up to a good book. Even with a buddy nearby, the voices are calm as they chat about the books at hand.

5th Grade

The 5th grade has been focusing on connections between history and current events as our country continues to struggle with issues of personal freedom and civil rights. In celebration of BWS’s new library catalog (bwslibrary.follettdestiny.com) and the access it now affords to our students and staff, September was devoted to reading about libraries and talking about the threats they face today with book banning and defunding. We learned that in the past our public libraries have not always been open to all. Stories from the lives of author Richard Wright and astronaut Ron McNair illustrated how these African Americans valued libraries and overcame challenges to their ability to borrow books and read. We also read about the Little Free Libraries movement and how it spread from one man’s idea to a global phenomenon offering free books to all. Even THEARC has a Little Free Library! Check it out near the bus stop on Mississippi Avenue.

Voting was the topic to explore in October. We read about African Americans getting the right to vote in 1870 pursuant to the 15th Amendment to the Constitution as well as continued voter intimidation and suppression in the segregated South during the civil rights era. The boys were amazed to learn that women of any color did not get the right to vote until 1920. Each week’s read-aloud provoked discussion about why voting is so important, why it has been historically denied to certain groups, and what kinds of voter suppression are occurring in our country right now. Don’t be surprised if your 5th grader asks you about your intention to vote on November 8th!