Post date: Sep 03, 2016 3:20:14 AM
Dear Room 25 Parents and Kids,
This week we settled in, established some of the routines and got down to the academics. I have growing admiration for the kids in our class and high ambitions for our year. I've gotten to know the kids more and have seen the quality of their efforts and reaffirmed the creative power that is DCS. These kids are good hearted people, each with a distinct set of attributes, and yet I don't feel that we are a tight group yet. We have twenty six strong individuals and some tight clusters of friends, but the "for the good of the group" level is still fairly low. Today the kids and I had a hour-long discussion about some roadblocks to productivity and class cohesion and I am remaining optimistic that we'll be able to make this year into the phenomenal experience that it should be.
Recap of the Week:
Here are a few things that you and your kid can talk about:
1. Increasing Sentence Complexity: A simple worksheet that helps kids add description and voice to even the simplest sentences. Samples.
2. Travel Plan: Transitioned from US geography to local geography -- and seeding possibilities for kids growing independence.
3. Each-one-teach-one about Native Americans and their adaptations to the the land in which they lived. Students' notes/questions
4. Dances With Wolves: We're watching about half of this movie to get a Hollywood-enhanced positive view of Native Americans & plains geography.
5. Curiosity Slides: started this year-long process, made the first slide and spreadsheet, and embedded them onto the "About Us" page.
6. Name essay is almost done and all the components will be turned in on Tuesday (pre-write, outline, 2 edited drafts, final copy)
Field Trips: The first two trips are both amazing experiences. The first is the team building and ropes course adventure at Mount Hermon, near Scott's Valley on October 3rd. I think that we have drivers!
The Cal Coast Walkabout is a 3-day trip (October 10, 11, 12; $150) that explores some great trails and places along the coast between Santa Cruz and Marin. For many kids in previous years (and certainly for me) this trip has been an incredible highlight of the year -- check out the itinerary and maps. That trip needs 6 parents, (3 dads and 3 moms is best for room configurations) that can take 4+ kids each in their car. If you are interested in coming on that trip, please read through the webpage carefully, especially the part of the FAQ page relevant to chaperones, then let me know if you are the right person for the job.
Current Events: There is so much going on in the world that our kids should be aware of and understand. Much is complex and concerning, but we shouldn't shy away from complexity nor turn a blind eye to the troubles and needs of others. The daily current events process that I require of the kids is an attempt to have them find an issue or event that piques their interest, learn about it, and facilitate a 10 minute discussion with their peers. This page on my site has details and resources, but parents, I'm hoping that you will help by discussing things with your kid and help them to live up to the intention of the process.
Feedback, Assessment, and Grades: So now I have some questions for you: How is the daily work load so far and what is your (and your student's) opinion regarding grades? Let me elaborate... The days go by fairly quickly and I give the kids a lot to do -- just take a look at the assignments list -- about ten different projects/assignments gone by already, including one fairly significant essay writing endeavor. I've been giving them daily assignments that should take about 40 minutes each evening, but I want to be sure that the work is of reasonable complexity and visible value. So my question is really about the meaningfulness of the work, ease of independent completion, and the time-demand it is placing on the kids, you parents, and the family dynamics -- any input about those things will be valuable to me. My second question is this: now that I have collected assignments, what should I do with them? For the "small" short-turn around assignments that are of a fill-in-the-blank style, once I've corrected them (circled one that could have better answers), what should I do next? Giving them a score and entering them into the online grade-book is the process that I've always used in my teaching career, but I'd like to know your perspective on this current hot topic. For the larger assignments, especially writing, the written comments and suggestions for (and expectation of) improvement are most valuable and I will certainly be providing that, but should a score of some kind be included in that set of feedback as well?
Thanks, Parents. I didn't mention it in last week's newsletter, but I really appreciate all the supplies and offers for help that came in during the opening weeks of school. The workday and parent meeting gave me a great feeling about our class community. I will love, support, challenge, and work hard for your kids throughout the year, and I'll depend heavily on your feedback, support, and talents as well. I intend to capitalize upon and focus the kids energy and emerging abilities in order to help them learn a lot and enjoy it as well. There are encouraging sign that we'll be able to make this an excellent year and I appreciate your efforts!
Lets Review:
1. Class cohesion is growing and we're doing a good amount of work already.
2. The Cal Coast Walkabout is set for the week after Thanksgiving. Fantastic experiences, I hope!
3. Help your kid to be well prepared to lead their current-events discussions.
4. I'm hoping to get your feedback about workload and grades
-September 5: (Monday) No School (Labor Day)
-September 10 (Saturday): Rm 23 Flea Market
-September 12 (Monday) Parent 101 (7 to 9)
-September 20 (Tuesday): Picture Day
-September 23 (Friday): Teacher Learning Day (no school for kids)
-September 26 (Monday): Selective & Parent Workshifts start
-October 3 (Monday): Room 25 to Ropes Course
-October 10, 11, 12: Room 25 Cal-Coast Walkabout
October 14: Middle School Dance
-October 21 (Friday): Teacher Learning Day (no school for kids)
-October 24-28: Fall conferences
-October 29 (Saturday): Fall Festival
-November 11 (Friday): Veteran's Day (no school)
November 17 & 18: Room 25 to Angel Island
November 21-25: Thanksgiving Break
December 3: Star Party
December 16: Early dismissal & Christmas break starts