Post date: Aug 27, 2011 5:21:3 AM
Dear HR 25 Parents (and students via cc),
This past week, or half-week, actually, provided a great getting-to-know-each-other time for your kids and myself. The kids seem to be smart, open and receptive; the parents I've met are extremely helpful and generous; and the staff is as enthusiastic and invigorating as ever. I am convinced that we are headed for another great, great year.
Most of the activities of the week focused on becoming comfortable with each other the learning environment. On Wednesday I had the students create word clouds about themselves, interview each other with some funny and fast-paced questions, and then go outside for a group water-balloon throwing-catching activity. They even had homework on that first day. Yesterday (Thursday), I gave the students an overview of the class topics and procedures, then they did a design challenge activity in the morning and an international trading simulation in the afternoon. They also built a spreadsheet showing what books they've read, a slide or two about things they wonder, and a group bio-page that I'll use for a jeopardy game next week. Today they personalized their classroom storage place, set up their composition books, watched a video introducing them to the hidden worlds that science will explore, then played some fun and wet games outside with the other classes. In all of those activities I found the students to be engaged, enthusiastic, and extremely perceptive... they seem to be quite adept at finding the deeper meaning behind the lessons and activities. Excellent.
Next week the content (science and English) will become more defined and routines established, including some daily silent reading time every day after lunch. Also, the students will be starting their own online portfolio (or at least presence) and tools using GoogleApps for Education behind the private mydiscoveryk8 domain, and learning how (and why) to use collaborative documents. We'll be sending you information about that at some point in the week.
Lastly (and most importantly), I want to get your response to the idea of the optional post-ropes course retreat that I mentioned in my newsletter of last week. Basically, I'd like to offer the option for kids and parents to stay overnight at Mount Hermon after the ropes course experience. I'd be willing to plan some activities and arrange for lodging and meals. We could even do a quick trip to the beach on Saturday morning. If that is a possibility for your child (and/or you) it would help me greatly if you could fill out this survey so that I can solidify the planning. Based on what I've heard so far, I'm estimating 16 student participants and 4 parents.
Again, please fill out the survey as soon as you can if your child might (or will) be participating in the overnight.
Have a great weekend and keep in touch.
Chris Heumann