Post date: Mar 22, 2014 3:18:44 AM
Hello All.
Today was a great staff learning day, and I'm hoping that you kids had a good day as well. After our meetings ended at three, I was able to clean up my classroom quite a bit and even get some of the detritus cleared off of my desk. It was also nice to get home before sunset and survey the overgrown garden that will demand a bit of tending quite soon.
Recap of the Week:
Monday is an irrelevant blur in my mind (a bit overshadowed by the journeys of the rest of the week) -- something about board games, reading, and reviewing the answers for the Japan test.
Walkabout:
After arriving home Thursday night and succumbing to a nap, the quiet was actually a bit unsettling! Without the din and commotion of constant activity, I just wasn't quite sure what to do. No kids to chat with, plans to coordinate, itinerary to check, heads to count, meals to set in motion, or maps to peruse. Wow, what will I do with my time now? Seriously, the trip went off perfectly. When it didn't go according to plan the wing-its turned out better than anything I could have planned out anyway. All this was due to the 25 FANTASTIC kids who came on the adventure and the 5 perfect parents that helped me keep things moving, efficient, and (most of all) a fun and valuable time. I hope that the stories that came match my perceptions! I really am attached to you(r) kids. Again and again I am amazed, heartened, and impressed by the accomplishments, attitude, and energy of this growing group and am so honored that you let me share my passion for travel and this area with you all.
I'm hoping to collect as many pictures as possible into a Dropbox folder called "Walkabout, March 2014". If you (kids and chaperones) have any pictures that you are willing to share, please upload them -- email me if you have technical problems. Remember, the plans and info for this trip will always be on the Walkabout page of my site, and so I encourage all to repeat this route and/or go explore more.
Coming Up:
In just two weeks, the kids have to be finished with their project for the science expo! I've heard from quite a few kids about their progress, and am eager to see all of the bridges, towers, catapults, or tri-boards on display on the new school stage in just 14 days. These projects are being done at home, and if you're not seeing any progress yet, please browse this page with your kid and help them get/keep moving.
In class, after we finish playing and refining board games in science this week, we will move on to our third major set of units/topics which will be human anatomy and physiology. The kids are usually quite interested in that stuff and I hope to balance the required memorization with some interesting experiences and in-depth explorations. In English we will venture into some more specific expository writing as well as the construction of some infographics (more on that later).
Calendar Check:
Yosemite Gear Swap -- Monday 3/24 to Wednesday 3/26
Hike in Rancho San Antonio Park -- Sunday 3/30
Yosemite Bag Check -- Monday 3/31 in homerooms
Science Fair -- Friday 4/4/14
Yosemite Week -- Monday 4/7/14 to Friday 4/11/14
Diversity Conference -- April 11
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
Sincerely and with great affection,
Chris