"We prepare students to engage in the world that is and to help bring about a world that ought to be."
Phonics in Motion
In the final weeks of school, the Skyfield came alive with the excitement of the inaugural FUNdations OWLympics—an imaginative initiative designed by Marcus and Jenny to seamlessly blend phonics mastery with active engagement. First graders rotated through six thoughtfully crafted events that reinforced key Fundations concepts through movement and play.
The session began with a Parade of Nations, as six color teams—Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, and Purple—ascended the stairs to the Skyfield in a festive procession. Echo, the Fundations owl mascot, extended a warm welcome during the opening ceremony, setting the tone for a morning of camaraderie and learning.
Each of the six events highlighted a different aspect of phonics and word structure:
- Base Word Relay: Students raced to identify and build base words and suffixes, combining swift footwork with word work.
- Scoop and Spell: Participants used plastic scoops to gather letter tiles and spell Fundations words, reinforcing letter-sound relationships in a dynamic, hands-on way.
- Blends, Vowel Teams, & Digraphs Dash: At the sound of a blend or digraph, students dashed to the correct zone, strengthening auditory discrimination and movement coordination.
- Word Mark-Up Moves: Multisyllabic words were marked up through specific movements—scooping, labeling, and tapping—bringing phonics to life in a kinetic format.
Syllable Hop: Children jumped the number of syllables in each word called out, turning word analysis into an energetic adventure. - ‘Magic E’ Freeze Dance: Music prompted students to either freeze or move based on whether a word contained the ‘magic e,’ linking phonics patterns with rhythm and timing.
Throughout the event, teams rotated every seven minutes, ensuring that every student had the opportunity to engage with each challenge and strengthen their skills in a variety of contexts.
The FUNdations OWLympics proved to be more than just games; they stood as a testament to the power of imaginative teaching and the belief that learning is most effective when it’s joyful and active. As first graders from across the grade dashed, hopped, and danced their way through the morning, they not only demonstrated their growing mastery of phonics but also celebrated the spirit of teamwork and discovery that defines their journey as young learners.
The FUNdations OWLympics proved to be more than just games; they stood as a testament to the power of imaginative teaching and the belief that learning is most effective when it’s joyful and active. As first graders from across the grade dashed, hopped, and danced their way through the morning, they not only demonstrated their growing mastery of phonics but also celebrated the spirit of teamwork and discovery that defines their journey as young learners.
Friends Seminary actively promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism in all its programs and operations, including admissions, financial aid, hiring, and all facets of the educational experience. To form a community which strives to reflect the world’s diversity, we do not discriminate on the basis of race or color, religion, nationality, ethnicity, economic background, physical ability, sex, gender identity or expression, or sexual orientation. Friends Seminary is an equal opportunity employer.
Friends Seminary — the oldest continuously operated, coeducational school in NYC — serves college-bound day students in Kindergarten-Grade 12.
