Post date: Apr 27, 2013 2:31:41 AM
Good Evening. Since there were only really two periods of science this week, this will probably be a short newsletter.
First off, thank you to the dozen parents who responded to the reply-request at the end of last week's Coupla Things. Although my writing is often for the sake of reflection, posterity, and personal accountability, I am really glad to hear that some parents read the stuff and feel better informed because of it.
This Week in Science:
On Monday all the 8th graders took the STAR test in the area of science, and I was really pleased to hear comments and from the students regarding how easy it seemed, and that they felt well prepared. Our fast-paced and fairly wide/comprehensive curriculum is a divergence from the DCS philosophy, yet I have a sense that the kids are well-prepared for whatever physical science classes come their way in high school.
The chapters on the electromagnetic spectrum, light, color, and vision marked the end of the textbook and the last of the "usual" tests was today (scores posted).
During this week more posters also trickled in as did science expo write-ups. I'll work on scoring all of those things this weekend.
Science Coming Up:
Science isn't done yet -- there are two more units (astronomy and HGD), each of which will hopefully be worthy of the students' time and attention. Starting next week, we will start a second round of student-lead science demonstrations, and I'm eager to see what the kids come up with this time to outdo their great performances on the last round (December-January; many moons ago).
Parent Potluck and Curriculum Review: The kids have many end-of-year activities and celebrations, and yet the parents of 8th graders (myself included) don't have many chances to gather together and look back on the year, enjoy each other's company, and discuss the journeys ahead. To that end, I would like to propose that we get together for a few hours one evening in the next few weeks to do those things. I'd like to include a short session during which I elicit suggestions for improvement the science curriculum, but for the most part, I think that it would be fun to just spend time together and honor the work and love and magic that is DCS. If you are interested in such an event, please reply and let me know if you are available on Tuesday, May 14 from 6:30 to 7:30.
Water Fountain:
The most exciting part of the week (for me at least) was breaking ground on the water-fountain project that some 8th graders and I are undertaking. After lunch today about a dozen volunteers converged in the alley and began digging the trench and pit for the drainage field. The digging crew worked hard and wasn't afraid to get dirty (or muddy), and I'm very eager to make this vision into a reality before school ends.
Check Your Calendar:
April 30 & May 1: STAR math
May 3: DCS Rocks -- fundraiser for Geology Expedition selective
May 6: Asian Art Museum
May 10: GPS class goes camping and to the beach
May 11: Tree planting
May 14: DeAnza Planetarium
May ?, ?, & ?: Gettysburg battle simulation (I can't remember which days)
May 20, 21, 22, 23: Cal Coast WalkAbout
May 27: Memorial Day
June 10: Graduation
June 11: Last day of school