Coupla Things v27 (3/24/13)
Post date: Mar 25, 2013 7:15:0 AM
In three years I haven't skipped writing a weekend update, and I won't start now. Does it still count as "weekend" if I send it after midnight on Sunday night? Probably not, but better late than never (I hope).
Week In Review: Great week last week, starting with some demonstrations of electromagnets using simply wires, current, and iron filings. The kids viewed a progression of demonstrations that build upon each other and culminated in a great understanding of how electromagnets and motors are made, used, and varied. The kids then built their own solenoids, electromagnets, and motors, and manipulated many variables in order to really understand how/why they work. One assignment that I gave asked the kids to diagram and describe how each works, and as a read through and scored them this weekend I was very impressed by their understanding as well as their ability to express themselves well using all the right terminology.
In addition to putting things together, we also spent some time taking things apart. Using the plethora of great gadgets from Thomas' garage as well as the myriad devices that the kids brought in, we had quite a little demolition day on Wednesday. The goal was to understand the mechanical as well as electronic components of remotes, phones, cameras, computers, alarm clocks, or any other obsolete gadget lying around the house. I have never seen so many of the kids more engaged and curious -- nice to know that a bit of destruction can have such an educational outcome. In conjunction with that dissection process, the kids also ran through an "each one teach one" process that hopefully made the reading and understanding of chapter 19 a bit easier. Since I was with the GPS class in SF on Friday, I don't know how the test went, but I'm sure that the kids will give me feedback tomorrow (Monday).
Coming Up: For the next 4 weeks (5 if you count vacation), we'll be studying the properties of waves as well as the nature & application of sound and light. These topics provide some great opportunities for more demonstrations and hands-on activities -- parents, let me know if you have one to offer (thanks, in advance to Thomas, Michael, and Andy). Just so you know, there are chapter tests for each of the coming Fridays (except the vacation week), and the kids should be ol' pros at this weekly quiz routine by now (except some -- very few -- who still don't actually read/understand the chapter and take notes).
Conferences: During the week of April 1, DCS will be on half-day schedule in order to provide time for the Spring Conferences. The conferences happen in homerooms and students will be showing parents the work from all of their subject areas as well as reviewing goals set in the Fall, and working with you to troubleshoot any foreseeable roadblocks to their assimilation into the learning environment of high school. Mrs. Sindelar and Mrs. Leftwich have already posted their sign-up sheets, and I'm a bit late... here is the conference sign-up for room 25. Although these conferences are optional, I'm looking forward to seeing many of you during the week as your kids have much to share and be proud of. And, we're not done for the year yet; far from it. Please browse the calendar list below to make sure that nothing hits you by surprise!
Check Your Calendar:
March 25-29: Sprit Week (theme days)
April 1-5: Spring Conferences
April 5: End of third quarter... please check students' grades
April 8-12: Spring Break
April 18 and 19: Schoolwide science exposition
April 22-23: STAR ELA, History, & Science Tests
April 25: "Being Ernest" at Mt. View Center for Performing Arts
April 30 & May 1: STAR math
May 6: Asian Art Museum
May 14: DeAnza Planetarium
May 20, 21, 22, 23: Cal Coast WalkAbout
May 27: Memorial Day
June 10: Graduation
June 11: Last day of school
--
Chris Heumann
cell: 408 482-2394