Post date: Feb 01, 2014 4:58:51 AM
Good Evening Parents (and Kids).
I'd like to schedule a class meeting for Monday, February 10th from 7:30 to 8:30, right after the Yosemite meeting. I hope you all can make it.
Recap of the Week:
Science
We started unit 6 on invertebrates this week and it's going to be a great journey. With squirmy, smushy, crusty, and extremely amazing creatures to learn about, I think that the next few weeks will be quite interesting. So far we've learned about the simplest of animals -- sponges and cnidarians (anemones, coral, sea jellies, etc) and I'm already impressed by the interest level the kids are showing. Next up, mollusks and echinoderms!
English
Three things to recap from this week. First, if all progressed according to the plan, each kid's autobiographical excerpt should have been edited on Monday and turned in on Tuesday. (I won't go into too much of a rant here, but as of tonight I have only received 10). On Wednesday, the kids did the usual vocabulary exercise, getting their great words from song lyrics. In grammar world, I had the kids write down the rules for capitalization that they knew, used a variety of online resources (sample) to expand their knowledge, and then gave them a six-sided "Caps Packet" that they were to complete over the course of three days (and hopefully turned in today).
Social Studies
The China projects have moved from the research & documentation phase to the artifact and teaching phase. As of yesterday, the kids have started to cluster into pairs or small groups and teach each other what they learned about their one chosen aspect of China. If you happen to be at school one day next week, come take a look at the big grid on the front wall -- it is how we're documenting how the 625 presentations are going (25x25)! Also, during Social Studies time, I showed the kids the basics of how to make custom Google maps, and had them make on of our SF-Marin Walkabout Route (mine)
Calendar:
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)
Class Parent Meeting -- Monday, 2/10/14 (7:30 to 8:30)
Middle (Valentines) School Dance -- Friday, 2/14/14
Winter Break -- Monday, Feb 17 to Friday Feb 21
Laps for Learning -- Friday, March 14, 2014
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
Jumba Fundraiser -- April 25
Th-th-thats all folks. Unless, of course, you want to, perhaps, you-know, aw garsh, reply or somethin'. :)
Chris
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