Post date: Feb 16, 2014 8:4:43 AM
Dear Room 25 Parents and Kids.
Time hurries on! The hundredth day of school passed us by this week. I want to use this week to solidify plans for the upcoming trips, follow through on some school construction projects, and to read all of the great biography book projects.
Recap of the Week:
Science: The week was spent learning about those wonderful creatures that crunch -- arthropods (and some mollusks and echinoderms too). After vacation we'll take on the other side of the animal kingdom with some lessons, videos, readings, and projects about vertebrates.
English: The biography book assignments were the big deliverables of the week, but I also had the kids do a descriptive writing assignment (links on this doc) as well as the usual vocabulary task, using Mariam Webster's "Name That Thing" quiz.
Social Studies: Since our next unit is on Japan, we browsed the books and Google maps to begin to get some ideas about the range of topics to study about Japan's history, current issues, and international role. The kids also created test questions for the quiz on China that they took on Friday, and did a lesson made by Victor Awasthi on Thursday when he subbed the class. Lastly, I had the kids engage in a quick debate about a cheating vs opportunism, since an issue that arose on Thursday set the stage perfectly for discussion and introspection about those issues.
Coming Up:
Trips: The Cal Coast Walkabout Part 2 plans have been finalized and the kids are learning a lot (in their docent groups) about San Francisco. Parents, since I'll be submitting a reimbursement request to Debby Perry for about $1600 in lodging payments that I've made, it would be great if you could bring in the additional $50 (for the added SF & overnight portion) and put in class folder by her door in the office.
Yosemite info night seemed to go well, and the forms are coming in! Anne, Raquel, and Ritu are leading this one and I'm going to be adding some more bits to the Yosemite page of my site as needed. I think that it is a good idea to take a look at the packing list and start collecting stuff from friends, neighbors, sales, etc (good waterproof boots and some wool clothing will be important to the hiker's comfort and ability to fully participate).
For anyone interested, I'll be organizing some Yosemite prep hikes during the next few weeks. (Los Gatos to Lexington and Rancho San Antonio) Details, and trip-specific emails to follow.
Books: Since the biography books done, it is time to choose some new ones. To support and coincide with our upcoming science unit, we'll be using "animal books" as the theme for the next set of book club books. Please, if you have a chance over vacation, find a book (fiction preferred) that has animal(s) as a central theme or character.
School Improvement Projects: The 7th graders in my "School Improvement" mini course have done a lot of digging and gravel travel in order to build the path through the garden. I still need to get about 50 more flagstones, but we're almost done! The PE shed construction is slow-going, but we'll be doing framing during the first week back. Today, finally, we soldered in the water pipes for the drinking fountain in middle school alley and so the next step is to lay the foundation. Anyone want to mix & pour 30 bags of concrete on Wednesday afternoon? If so, please email me!
Calendar Check:
Winter Break -- Monday, Feb 17 to Friday Feb 21
Concrete Pour -- Wednesday, Feb 19, 1 to 4 PM
Spring Portraits -- March 11 & 12
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
Spring Auction -- May 3
Room 19 Walkabout -- May 13, 14, 15
Memorial Day -- May 26
Step-Up Day -- June 2
Talent Show -- June 11
Field Day & BBQ -- June 13
Last Day of School -- June 18