Post date: May 31, 2015 4:45:15 AM
Happy Sunday Everyone.
If this email looks too long for the time you have, please jump to the rafting section below.
We are down to the final weeks, but not done yet. I'll be having the kids do schoolwork up through the middle of the last week; there will be plenty of chill-n-chat time but the academics go on until the beautiful end. Most of the kids are quite ready for high school (or summer vacation at least), but I have a few final skills/tasks that I want them to do before they check out completely.
Recap of the Week:
Social studies topic of the week was the post war reconstruction process, politics, and problems. I had clusters of kids read a relatively tough sections of the textbook and discuss it with each other and then their table groups; the process and duration was challenging to many. As I learn about the complexity of US history and try to convey it to the kids, I/we realize that we are still struggling as a nation to live up to the ideals and possibilities of what we can be. Two kids asked last week "what is the importance of learning history?" and I didn't have a good answer at the time, but as I've reflected upon the question I have come to realize that we (as individuals, cultures, and countries) are amidst constant motion and change, so knowing where we've been is a good way to know which way to steer. During the years after the Civil War we, as a nation (well two halves of a nation, actually) had to grapple with the economic, social, and moral issues of reunification, compromise, culture, economics, racism, and even imperialism of sorts. To me, understanding and honoring a history involves the realization that we create history as well -- one which the next generation will view with pride, disappointment or apathy.
In science the kids learned a lot about optics, lasers, and the electromagnetic spectrum. Thomas brought in some lasers, lenses, and mirrors to demonstrate various behaviors of light beams. The kids had read a bit about the optics, watched a video, and discussed a bit with me, but it is always most powerful when they get to see things happen right in front of them and/or play with the variables. On Thursday night the kids had to view some websites on the electromagnetic spectrum and answer some questions that I posted for each. With the exception of the half dozen who didn't do that "track" assignment, it was good to see how many were able to do it thoroughly.
The compare and contrast essays were turned in Friday and I have yet to read any but I am hoping that due to the organizational chart that I had them create before they wrote the actual essay, and the double-draft editing process that they had to do, I think that these writing pieces will be great. This page on my site contains a spreadsheet that should show their topic, some details, and a link to each kid's pre-writing and actual essay document. In addition to that essay, the kids did their last entry into their vocabulary books by combining word roots into their own made-up words.
Coming Up:
The rafting trip! Here are some information items that you should know:
1. Transportation: We will be taking two busses there and back, leaving on Wednesday at 2 and returning on Friday at 8.
2. Food: Send your kid to school on Wednesday with a big lunch and lots of snacks. Meals are provided but there are many hours of down-time and no snack bar or store nearby. We'll cooking our own dinner on Wednesday and breakfast on Thursday, and the rafting company provides the other meals.
3. Medication (message from Mrs. Leftwich): If your child takes prescription medication, please make sure that they turn in a zip-lock bag with the following items for the trip: name of child in BIG letters on the bag, the medication inside, the medical release form, a clear list of the dosage and frequency - NOT just what is on the form. It's difficult to read off the form - especially when the amounts are scribbled out. (Mrs. Leftwich and Mrs. Garcia are in charge of making sure that your child gets their medication. Please give it to one of them.)
4. Packing: There are links to the packing list and details on the rafting page of my site. The most important things are water-shoes and a water bottle. Did I mention snacks already? Yup.
5. Tents: the kids in our class have all arranged for a spot in a tent. Tent owners, please bring your tent to school on Tuesday; you and your guests will be setting them up right after recess and then repacking them up small again.
6. Groups: everyone got to be with the team that they created but not all kids are happy with the other team that they were put with. Mrs. Leftwich and I considered many factors when matching you up and we held firm with a "no changes" policy. We challenge you to make the best of your situation and make friends/connections that might be a bit outside of your comfort/familiarity zone.
The last essay is already underway but a hard one to describe. I want the kids to be able to write meaningfully and intelligently about things that, at least on the surface, seem mundane and not worthy of much elaboration. Essentially, they should be able to b.s. a bit when necessary as they approach their high school writing career. I read them a sample of such writing sample and have asked them to come up with some topic ideas before Monday.
Last science chapter will be read, noted, questioned, and quizzed before the end of school. As hard as it may have been, the kids should be proud they they were able to read a solid 8th grade textbook, (almost) cover to cover, and usually exhibit their knowledge (or at least recall) via traditional publisher's multiple choice tests. Fortunately, their science experiences usually went beyond textbook-only instruction, but when it didn't, they were still able to learn something about a huge range of topics in the realm of physical sciences.
Last vocabulary activity was turned in on Friday, and when Wordy Wednesday hits this coming week, the kids will enter all of their words for second semester onto a cumulative spreadsheet. I really hope that they keep their vocabulary collections and use them as a resource while in high school and maybe beyond.
The Industrial Revolution is the topic for social studies this coming week. We started watching an over-dramatic but quite informative History Channel video about some of the ruthless, innovative, tycoons that dominated that time period. I'm not sure what hands-on activities I can wrap into this topic, but hopefully something will hit me!
Health week as we call it will be very interesting this year. I know that the kids in rooms 25 and 19 from last year had some good lessons and discussions on reproductive anatomy and puberty. The 8th grade curriculum involves some boundry-pushing explorations of gender identity, social issues, and sexually-transmitted diseases. Depending upon student interest and maturity, there are other topics open to us as well -- TBA. :)
Book & Chromebook collection will start next week. The kids have a specific science textbook to return to me (they should know their numbers) and the office will be asking us to collect and check Chromebooks.
Enjoy the rest of today!
Chris
Calendar:
Tuesday, June 3: Tent set-up
June 3 to 5: Rafting the South Fork American River
Wednesday, June 10: Talent Show
Wednesday, June 10: Maker Day
Thursday, June 11: Last day of selectives
Thursday, June 11: Geometry class to Great America
Friday, June 12: Field Day
Monday, June 15: Beach Day
Wednesday, June 17: Graduation practice and graduation
Thursday, June 18: Last day of school
Friday, June 19: Staff work day