October 17, 2023
The MPA Preview on November 5 is a signature PreK-12 event designed to introduce you to the faculty, students, and families who make MPA the exceptional learning community that it is. You’ll hear from a variety of perspectives, be engaged in conversation with academic leaders, experience mini-lessons taught by expert teachers, and leave with a much better understanding of the MPA way.
Explore the mini-lesson sessions at each division level that will be taught at the Preview on November 5, 2023!
Lower School
Marble Roll with fourth grade teacher Scott Wilson and Makerspace coordinator Keith Braafladt
Ready, set, roll! This beloved fourth grade Makerspace activity requires teamwork, creativity, patience, and enthusiasm.
Fall Leaf Stamping with Lower School art teacher Ellen Scharfenberg
After a simple introduction to printmaking techniques for young artists, visitors will work with mixing colors, and then create a few prints of fun fall leaves.
Seesaw Scavenger Hunt with director of academic technology Michael Moran
Experience how Mr. Moran helps teachers integrate the technologies and education-tech tools of the moment into their classrooms. Students in this session will capture photos, resize images, and navigate Seesaw all while looking for items and objects around the classroom, scavenger hunt-style. This activity is best for students K-2.
Dabble In Kindergarten with kindergarten teachers Kristine Petersen and Katie Roche
Explore kindergarten at MPA with our kindergarten teachers! You’ll be able to step inside the classrooms where joyful learning happens every day and experience what makes kindergarten at MPA magical. This activity is best for students in PreK-K.
Middle School
Ancient History Inferences & Hypotheses with social studies teacher Dinah MacPhail
What fascinating creations did people invent thousands of years ago to survive and thrive? In this session, visitors will use their powers of observation and critical thinking to make inferences and hypotheses about important inventions and artifacts from ancient history.
Terrific Table Ball with physical education teachers Tim Sheehan and Jess Powell
Get ready to move, play, and laugh! Table Ball is a game that all age levels can play! Physical education at MPA helps build community and focuses on our mission and values.
Break A Leg: Middle School Theater in Action with theater teacher Heather Mastel
At the foundation of theatre are three “actor tools”–your body, face, and voice. Join in a low-risk intro to Middle School theatre, as we put these tools to work. After a quick stretch, participants will create frozen statues/tableaus and short scenes.
Coding Music with Makey Makey with science teacher Courtney Nagle
Join Ms. Nagle in the Makerspace for this hands-on STEAM session. Visitors will be able to weave artistic vision into code and bring their creations to life through music.
Upper School
Chemical Reactions Challenge with science teacher Hannah Sullivan
This lesson will require skillful observation–are you up for the challenge? You will see and experience how Upper School scientists participate in labs, mixing colorful chemicals and analyzing all of the different reactions that they make.
Acting from the Outside-In with theatre teacher James Lekatz
Sometimes, actors feel and recall emotions, and those emotions come out through voice and body work–acting from the inside-out. Other times, actors use physicality and spatial relationships to create emotions and drama on stage–acting from the outside-in. Through play, improvisation, and guided physical exercises, we will discover how to create a from the outside-in based on our own perspectives.
Image Analysis with humanities teacher Summer McCall
Looking at images in small groups, students will first look at just one section of a piece of historical artwork. Then, as a group, they will analyze, discuss, and make predictions for each of them and based on what is seen.
Día de los Muertos with Spanish teachers Kari Kunze and Marisue Gleason
Our Spanish teachers will be returning from Oaxaca, Mexico, to give a special presentation on Día de los Muertos and how their firsthand experience in Mexico will shape their lesson plans for their students with global, real-world content knowledge.
