At The Renaissance International School (TRIS), math is not so much a subject to be studied as it is a field for personal exploration and discovery. Each student embarks on his or her own journey through this magical world, conquering successive challenges as they build not only their understanding of mathematical concepts, but also their creativity, a deep love of learning, and a strong sense of discipline. The following describes one of our middle school student’s math journey so far this school year.

Isaac started the semester by exploring tessellations. He began by trying to determine which regular polygons tessellate and why. In order to answer this question, Isaac found that he needed to be able to tell how many degrees there are in each of the angles of the polygon in question; Isaac was able to derive the formula ((n-2)*180)/n with ease. Isaac then moved on to an exploration of other elements in geometry, using Euclid's Elements as a guide. Isaac was able to quickly start working through the different propositions and became very impressed by Euclid's attention to detail. By the tenth proposition, Isaac felt comfortable enough with the structure to start trying to prove the propositions for himself.

Isaac then decided to return to math, with an eye towards quadratic equations. In order to start down that particular path, Isaac returned to his work on the factoring of polynomials (started last year). With minimal work with didactic materials, Isaac soon became confident in this work and accepted the challenge to take a chapter test from one of our reference textbooks to see how he fared. During this activity, he encountered some problems, such as those involving the difference of two squares that he wasn't sure how to solve. As a result, Isaac started focusing on the difference of two squares. Through a series of guiding questions, Isaac was able to determine that x2-y2=(x+y)(x-y). Although Isaac was able to work through these problems computationally without problem, he found it more challenging to illustrate what these equations actually mean. He finished his explorations of difference of a square by writing out a proof for his findings (including illustrations!).

At the end of the semester, Isaac started focusing on solving quadratic equations. Using his strong understanding of the factoring of polynomials, Isaac was quickly solving those quadratic equations that can be easily factored. Once he demonstrated that he was ready for the next step, Isaac was presented with a challenge: could he figure out how to solve quadratic equations that are not easily factorable? Using a combination of paper, pencil and didactic materials, Isaac got to work. A month later, through trial and error, work with the materials and some timely tips from his teacher, Isaac had finally found a formula that he insisted could be used to find x in ANY quadratic equation….yes, he had derived the quadratic formula!

Middle School students at The Renaissance International School (TRIS) recently got first-hand experience with personal finance and economic exchange as part of their microeconomy program. This program allows students to find different ways to earn money - whether by selling products they have created, (or eventually maybe vegetables from their garden!, or by providing services. This money is then used to help them take care of their own needs and to meet their responsibilities - just like in real life!

The students' latest project for microeconomy was a Parents' Night Out! Families at TRIS were invited to sign up for a night of babysitting (the middle schoolers were under adult supervision) l for their children four years old or older. All in all, the 18 students who came had a wonderful time!

They enjoyed a nutritious dinner prepared by our middle school students, and then a variety of activities.

At one point, one of the older students commented on how much fun it was to entertain the younger ones! At 8:30pm, the younger students were tucked in bed and soothed to sleep while the older ones enjoyed more games.

It was wonderful to observe our students gaining confidence throughout the evening. Although some of them had been a little wary of the event, they are all now eager to plan the next one!

 ###

The Renaissance International School is located in Oakland's Dimond District and is for boys and girls age two through middle school. The middle school program is for students ages 12 to 15 years old. Our middle school students develop responsibility, engage in community service, and are involved in decision making and problem solving. Applications are still being accepted for The Renaissance International School's middle school program. Check out our Tour Calendar or contact us for a tour by appointment.

It’s Spring! Everywhere leaves are making an appearance, as are a multitude of beautiful flowers! It seems appropriate, therefore, for the middle school students at The Renaissance International School (TRIS) to turn their attention to the creation of a garden. This project will serve both them and the community in so many different ways!

Work on a garden helps to bring these young people into intimate contact with nature. It connects them to human history and to modern global issues. It further offers these young people the possibility of contributing something concrete to their school community. Who knows? Maybe someday students at TRIS will get to eat something grown in this garden! Or perhaps families will have the opportunity to purchase something grown there, and the middle school students will discover economic exchange. Oh, the possibilities are endless!

BUT….before they start digging, the students have to understand what they are doing! Anyone can till a garden and toss some seeds on the ground, but if one really wants to be successful, one should really come to understand the different elements that can make or break a garden. It is for this reason that our students have spent time focusing on one of the essential elements in a garden: soil! Who know there was so much science in soil? Our students started their explorations in the classroom, but then quickly headed out.

They were fortunate to be able to go to the Dig it! Exhibit at the California Museum in Sacramento.

With the basics under their belts, they then took samples from around campus and Dimond Park. These samples were then used in different experiments to learn more about the soils that we have under our own feet!

Read more about our middle school students:

Middle School students explore the evolution of plants

Middle School students learn about biodiversity at UC Berkeley

Enrollment is still open for Fall 2015 in our Montessori middle school program in Oakland,. Stu­dents from Oak­land, Berke­ley, San Lean­dro, Alameda, and other San Fran­cisco East Bay cities attend The Renais­sance Inter­na­tional School, located in Oakland’s Dimond Dis­trict.

Upon their return from the China this past November, The Renaissance International School middle school students were inspired to write a play, based on some of the stories they heard on our tour. They started by brainstorming a list of the different possibilities, and then gradually narrowed the choices to those they found particularly interesting. The scenes were then distributed amongst the students, so that each of them would focus on one or two scenes. Add in some solid research and a couple of pinches of creativity, and “Scenes from Chinese History” was born!

Last week, the students selected three of the scenes to present to the elementary students. In a whirlwind of activity, the staging was set and students learned their lines. They worked together to design simple costumes that could easily accommodate the many scene changes. They invited Upper Elementary students to take on certain roles. And they practiced! At the end of the week, the students presented their scenes to the entire elementary. It was greeted with great enthusiasm!

It was wonderful to see the unique style that students brought to their characters; it was fantastic to see them work hard to identify with their character and to understand who they were and what they were going through. For these students, in those moments, history truly came alive!

The following excerpt gives an insight into the creative writing of our student playwrights.

Cixi Script

Narration

Empress Dowager Cixi, or the Dragon Lady, was born on November 29, 1835 in Beijing, China. She was born into a poor family. Her father died when she was a young child. She was the oldest child and felt neglected. When she was fourteen, she was nominated as a candidate concubine. She became a concubine at 18. She was not only honored, but glad for the chance to escape from her old life. Although Emperor Xianfeng had many wives and concubines, Cixi was the only one to bear a son. She was moved from a third level concubine to a first level one after he was born, as only boys were supposed to inherit the throne. When the boy turned one, she became one of the emperor’s wives. Unfortunately, Emperor Xianfeng died in 1861, when he was 30 years old. Since her child was the emperor’s only son, Tongzhi, her child, became the new emperor at age 5. Cixi seized the throne in 1865 when her son was nine. Her son died at age 16, after an apparent recovery from smallpox. It is thought by some people that Cixi drove her son’s wife, Alute, to suicide. Whether this is true or not, Alute died, as did Cixi’s co-regent. In addition to this, after surrendering her power to her nephew, Guangxu, Cixi grew angry at him for trying to modernize China and imprisoned him on an island in a lake in the Forbidden City.

Cixi effectively ruled China for 50 years. She was more concerned with her own interests than the country’s, resisted modernization until after the Boxer Rebellion, spent naval funds on the Summer Palace, and, according to many sources, committed a few political murders. Despite this, many people say that she was a strong ruler, although some say that she did not use her strength to help China.

1861:
Emperor Xianfeng: I know that I am dying, and although Cixi’s son is only five years old, he is the only male heir, and must become the emperor.
Random official: Yes, your highness.
Emperor Xianfeng dies

1865:
Cixi: Tongzhi, my son, I am afraid that you are no longer emperor. I am!
Tongzhi: But--
Cixi: Yes, you may stay in the Forbidden City. Thank you for being so obedient!
Tongzhi: But-
Cixi: Good bye!

1870s:
Tongzhi: Oh no! I am very sick. I might die!
(Tongzhi dies)
Alute: Oh no! My husband is dead! What is the point of life without him?
Cixi: There is none, my dear. I’m so sorry about your loss.
Alute: But there must be! Help me find it!
Cixi: There is none, I already told you. Unless you want to find a new husband...
Alute: No! I don’t want to live!
(Alute swallows opium and dies)
Cixi: I hereby declare Guangxu, my nephew, the new emperor!
Guangxu: Hewo happy! Tank ooooooo! (He is a three year old talking in baby talk)
Random official: But he’s only three years old!
Cixi: Do not defy me!
Official: Yes, your highness.
Another official: (running in) Empress! Your co-regent is dead!
Yet another official: (running in) So is your sister!
Cixi: Excellent! Um... I mean, oh dear.

Read more about our middle school students' trip to China:

Visit to Kaifeng City

Visiting Longmen Grottoes and the Shaolin Temple

Renaissance International Students' China Trip in The Montclarion

Stu­dents from Oak­land, Berke­ley, San Lean­dro, Alameda, and other San Fran­cisco East Bay cities attend The Renais­sance Inter­na­tional School, located in Oakland’s Dimond Dis­trict. The school is for Pre-​K (age 2 years old) through mid­dle school.