Coupla Things v? (6/1/13)

Post date: Jun 02, 2013 7:41:7 AM

Dear Parents and Students,

It is late Saturday night and I'm writing to you from the Marin Headlands hostel where my family is having a big reunion. Everyone is in bed finally and so now it is time now to turn to the almost-last almost-weekly newsletter. For better or worse, the last few Fridays have come and gone without my weekly ramblings.

Recap of the Last Few Weeks

The board games worked out very well. Building a viable and involving gave was a big task and most groups rose to the challenge very well. The initial beta-testing peer feedback gave groups many suggestions for improvement, and by the end of the project, most had a playable game that was engaging, educational, and durable. The scores for the project will be a combination of the quality of the game as well as each student's contribution factors (as described on this page).

The week after the board games were done, 31 intrepid explorers, 7 amazing parents, and 1 ambitious teacher spent 4 days and 3 nights cruising around some local treasures of the coast and SF areas. The trip was magical and I am so blessed to be a part of a school that values adventure and experiential learning.

Last week marked the beginning of the short unit on human growth and development. The curriculum is mostly driven by student questions as well as the material presented in the two videos. Based on the class atmosphere and discussions on Friday (except room 25), I am confident that this will be a good experience involving honesty, useful information, and a sense of comfort with an edgy topic.

Check Your Calendar:

June 3: Henry V as presented by UCSC drama department

June 4: Step-up Day & Yearbooks handed out

June 5: Acts of Citizenship

June 6: Talent Show and Last day of Selectives

June 7: Field Day

June 10: Graduation Practice and Graduation

June 11: Last day of school

Almost Over

The more that I sense the students' eagerness to leave the home of DCS and move on (as they should!), the more I feel myself protesting "wait, don't leave yet, I barely know you". I've grown much with this class and am a better person for the lessons that they've taught me. I hope the inverse is true as well.

Sincerely,

Chris