Post date: Mar 25, 2012 12:52:27 AM
It is a drizzly day up here in the hills and our Internet has been down for almost a week now. We all slept in this morning and now I can sit by the fire with a cup of tea and try to remember last week – quite a blur at this point (and without the ability to check the daily schedule). I remember something about InfoGraphics and Chapter Synopses in English, and element t-shirts and electronics topics in science. Lets see what I can recall in a bit more detail:
English: The first part of the week was mostly invested in the “Synopsis of a SupplementalSteinbeck Chapter”. I explained the project on Monday and gave them time to come up with a few ideas, then they discussed their ideas with book clubs on Tuesday. This coming Tuesday, the kids should have a draft ready to show me, and share with their groups, and then the final product is due on Friday. The kids aren’t writing the chapter itself, just a synopsis and sample paragraph.
The other big project that the kids worked on this week was the info-graphic which was (or should have been) turned in Friday. I think that most of the kids really “got it” and have done good work. They are posted online, so I can’t take a look from here at home… drats. Ask your student, perhaps, to show you theirs!
Science: As our unit on electricity wound to a close, I tried to set up situations through which the kids could pursue their own interests about the topic as well as teach themselves and each other. They formed special interest groups in order explore more about things like lightning, organic electricity, power generation, and others. I’m not sure what will come of this, but it was good to give them the opportunity. In addition to that, they also got into groups in order to learn and teach about semiconductors, components, integrated circuits, and various signal and storage media.
On Thursday, Mrs. Stuart hosted another successful element T-shirt fashion show, and it was nice to see some of the kids in my homeroom class participate.
Coming Up:
School-wide Science Expo: This Friday the kids long (long) term science projects will get the exposure that they surely deserve. Display boards are coming together slowly, but I have high hopes that the investigations that the kids have been working on for so long will come to fruition at the end of the upcoming week.
Parent conference spots have been almost all filled by those of you, in both classes, who used the link in last week’s emails to reserve a spot. I’m looking forward to seeing the student-created agendas and spending time with you again.
Spring Overnight Trips: The DC trip and CalCoast trip are both taking shape and will be very exciting. Kids have submitted forms and roommate requests and I’m sure that Mrs. L&S will put together great groups. For “my” CalCoast trip, I’m in need of a female chaperone. If you are concerned that you’ll miss being around 8th graders during their week in DC, please consider joining us for a few days enjoying the places closer to home – Half Moon Bay, San Francisco, and Marin Headlands.
Time to sneak close to the neighbor's house and mooch their wi-fi long enough to send this!
Chris