Post date: Mar 03, 2012 7:16:17 AM
Good Evening Parents!
Life is good! This first week back after vacation felt great for me, and hopefully for the kids as well. I have a feeling that some crucial kids made a quiet but concerted effort to do their part to raise their efforts and outlooks -- and mine as a result! There are only about 60 schooldays left and I think that we're going to have great times together.
Recap of the week:
English: On Monday, the students received 7 graded assignments back, including the comments and scores for their dystopian book projects. I also set specific expectations for their book club contributions. After that, their brains got a bit of a kick-start as they solved over 100 Rebus puzzles. During the SteinBook discussions on Tuesday things went well and it sounded to me like the kids did a good job sustaining discussions and coming to understand and appreciate (for most) the style and subject matter of John Steinbeck's most popular books. I've asked each group to create their own collaborative online spreadsheet into which they will each enter and analyze many of the great words that they encounter as they read their book.
On Wordy Wednesday, we did vocabulary animations again, this time using a site called xtranormal which is similar to GoAnimate but offers much more detail and control. My hope is that the kids are motivated by these tools, but also that they use the many features of the tools to develop and display an accurate working knowledge of the vocabulary words they choose to use in their scripts. Here is a link to a spreadsheet that has all of their vocabulary animations and comics, and if you want to see just one or two samples, some of the first wonderfully silly ones to be turned in were this one by Rachel & Frances and this one by Frankie & Nakiyan -- keep a healthy sense of humor.
Today the students did the weekly grammar lesson on colons and semicolons by viewing some informative and entertaining youtube videos and practicing on each other; there is a worksheet for that to do over the weekend.
Science: I'd like to thank the kids who are doing their quick science demos these days. Each has chosen an effective and entertaining way to demonstrate various scientific principles. For those who haven't done theirs yet, the bar is set high and we're eager to see what you have in store for us in the weeks to come. There are also the long term science projects underway, for which the kids should be in the data display and analysis phase. Each project has an online "control sheet" that goes with it and if you (parents) have not seen that yet, please ask your student to include you as a viewer. (Here is a link to the folder that contains them).
In book-world, the kids took the chapter 15 test on Tuesday as well as a publisher's worksheet on the first section of chapter 17 (electricity), and in "the lab", the kids spent a day exploring the Ph levels of various household fluids, using red cabbage juice as an indicator.
As we begin the unit on electricity, I asked the kids to list the things that they wanted to know, how they might learn them, and what they could do with that knowledge. The goal is, of course, to get them to influence the curriculum more and keep "application" in mind as they learn new things.
Upcoming Events:
1. This coming Tuesday we'll be headed to iFly SF Bay to tour, experience, and understand their vertical wind tunnel. I've "flown" about a half-dozen times and it is a thrilling and educational experience! As of today, we're still missing about 9 complete permission forms which includes a form with many places for initials as well as a copy of a parent driver's licence. The kids know that they can't fly without those forms so I do hope that they make sure to get the paperwork done. On Tuesday, students need to be in class by 7:45 AM; should wear closed toe shoes that will stay on; and bring snack, water, and lunch. We expect to return by 3:00 PM depending traffic.
2. Another trip that is in the works is an optional Saturday trip to Salinas to tour the Steinbeck museum, take a hike somewhere in Salinas Valley, and (if my connections come through), tour a farm and agricultural processing facility. There are 16 students (8 per class) who are enthusiastic about this trip and willing to give up a Saturday to attend.
3. Last year's DC trip was a fantastic experience and I was fortunate to attend. This year is my turn to stay local and be the teacher for those 20 students not attending the trip. I'm considering putting together a 3 day trip to various places along the local coast (Montara, SF, Marin) for some local history, exhibits, hikes, and tours. I'll meet with the group and gauge interest and/or explore other options. Mrs. Stuart had a good time with "her" group last year and I'm looking forward to this one as well.
4. The student-planned SJ field trip looks like it will be a go! The transportation group has planned the route via bus and Light Rail, the food group has determined the places we'll eat, and one of the activity group has chosen a movie as their activity. The learning is in the doing for this one, and it will be nice to see the remaining groups solidify their plans as well.
5. When I was hired as an English teacher at DCS two summers ago, I quickly checked in with my daughters and their friends about what kind of book would engage the kids right from the start and yet not be over-popular yet. The resounding response was "The Hunger Games", which, as it turned out, none of my class (or others) had read. I bought a class set and we used it as our first class-wide literature experience. Now, almost 2 years later, the movie is coming out, and the class (of 2011) has organized a get together to see it on opening night. I'd like to extend the invitation to anyone in the current classes as well. Friday, March 23rd, AMC 14 Saratoga, at 5:00. It is probably a good idea to get tickets far in advance if you plan on attending that show. Any parents want to join in as well?
Have a good weekend and jot a quick reply if you have a moment.
Chris