Post date: Jan 25, 2014 6:54:27 AM
Hello Room 25 Parents (and whatever kids read my newsletter)!
We are at the half way point through the year. I really do hope that seventh grade is living up to (or opening up) your aspirations. Nothing much really changes at the junction between semesters, except for a clean slate on the gradebook and the opportunity for renewed commitments to learning and embracing the opportunities that the grade and the school provides. My resolutions involve a cleaner room with more interesting stuff on the walls, more labs, and hopefully moving forward with a variety of school-service projects.
Recap:
Science: This was the last week on plants and focused on reproductive parts, processes, and their adaptive strategies. There is so much more to a simple flower than is apparent from the outside. Today (Friday) the kids assembled their packets and should have brought them home for your review and comment or signature. They should be brought back to school on Monday.
English: We have made step-by-step progress on the autobiographical excerpt, and the kids should have the draft completed by now. If not, please have them do that over the weekend so that we can do some effective group editing on Monday. Additionally, the reading of their biography book should be progressing at a strong pace (which they set), and they should be amassing ideas for the two part biography assignment that is due February 7th.
History: Progress on the kids individual research on China has been on the assignments page every day this week. The last two parts of this "question - research - build - teach" project will start next week and I'm eager to see what the kids create and how they teach what they've learned back to their peers (and me).
Upcoming Events:
Yosemite Meeting and Class Meeting: All 7th grade families are asked to attend the Yosemite Trip orientation meeting which will be held in the Anderson Multi-Use Room on Monday 2/10 from 6:30 to 7:30. I've started a page on my site for all-things-Yosemite, but it is almost empty right now. I'm hoping that room 25 parents will stay even longer that evening and participate in a class meeting from 7:45 to 8:30, during which we will discuss curriculum, class issues, and excursions.
Walkabout Part 2: As you hopefully already know, we will be able to do the second part (plus some) of the Walkabout in March (18 to 20). The original donation amount paid on October was $150, of which we used about $56 per kid, leaving $96 for the other two days and the night at Headlands. The addition of the train, SF day, and lodging at Fisherman's Wharf will add another $50 to the overall price of the trip -- if possible, please drop off that donation to the room 25 envelope outside Debby Perry's office. Trip details are here, and if you would like to chaperone or pick us up from Marin at the end of the trip, please email me to let me know.
Science Fair: The school-wide science fair date has been set for April 3rd (k-5) and 4th (6-8). Over the next few months more information will be posted on Science Fair page of the dcsscience website and we are all looking forward to helping the kids learn more about the parts of the scientific method and it application to a wide variety of student interests. The kids in our class have quite a head start since they have already done one round of this during the Fall.
Calendar:
End of 1st Semester -- Friday 1/24/14
Family Dance -- Friday 1/24/14
My Backpack Ate My Homework -- Monday, 2/3/14 (6:30 to 8:30)
Report Cards Sent Home -- Wednesday, 2/5/14
1st Semester Selectives End -- Friday, 2/7/14
Yosemite Meeting -- Monday, 2/10/14 (6:30 to 7:30)
Middle (Valentines) School Dance -- Friday, 2/14/14
Winter Break -- Monday, Feb 17 to Friday Feb 21
Walkabout, Part 2 -- Tuesday 3/18/14 to Thursday 3/20/14
Staff Learning Day -- Friday, 3/21/14
Science Fair -- Friday 4/4/14
Yosemite Week -- Monday 4/7/14 to Friday 4/11/14
Spring Break -- Monday 4/14/14 to Friday 4/18/14