Post date: Sep 16, 2016 11:30:6 PM
Hello Room 25 Families,
First and foremost, I want to thank all of you parents who have come to teach/show something to the class over the past (and coming) few weeks. The class and I are so very fortunate to be able to observe your passions, learn from your expertise, and get exposure to so many new things. There have been times when I've looked around the classroom and observed complete engagement/interest from all (!) of the kids, and it just thrills me. There is no way that this month of all-homeroom time would be as educational and interesting without the contributions you're making!
So, It has been one day short of a month since school started. Even in that short time, I feel connected to this group of kids. I'm excited about the places that our time together will take us and the routes we will likely use to get there (literally and metaphorically). Yes, there have been some bumpy parts as the kids and I negotiate expectations of each other and 8th grade, but the cohesion far outweighs the discord and I see some excellent progress for all of us. I feel that a tight team atmosphere and lots of high-level learning are waiting in the wings. Thanks, parents and kids, for your positive response to the concern that I wrote about last week -- changes are evident!
Looking Back and Ahead:
Science: The theme for last week was measurement. The kids learned the logic and advantages of the metric system as well as how to use/read the scales a triple-beam balance, graduated cylinder, and thermometer, paying attention to units and increments. The concept of significant digits (a.k.a. the "ish" factor) seems to make sense to most. Tomorrow I will introduce them to the even more mathy practice of dimensional analysis and by the end of the week we will also embark on the first steps of their Fall science experiments.
English:
Photo Essay: This is the second writing assignment for the kids, and much easier than the first, actually. They tell an autobiographical story and enhance it with photos.
Let me take a tangent here to explain something about due date for multiple-day assignments like this one. Instead of giving a due date for the final product, which many kids often translate to a "put it off until the night before" date, I set due dates for the components that make up the project rather than just the final product only. The goal is to emphasize that writing is a multi-step process rather than a final-copy product. I did this same thing with the My Name essay but got mediocre results, so this time around the class and I looked at a calendar, dissected the project, and came up with due dates for deliverables together.
Social Studies:
Last week was all about the expeditions that Europeans made to the Americas and their effects on indigenous peoples and their cultures. Because they see the good and bad sides of such exploration, I think that the kids have a deeper understanding of this part of history. This coming week we will learn about the reasons for emigration from Europe, colonialism, and the opportunities/hardships encountered in new lands. We'll actually be skipping quite a bit along the timeline in order to progress into the push towards independence from Britain. By the way, parents, thank you for engaging with your kids during the current events conversations. I've read the kids' papers carefully and it is evident that many good discussions occurred!
Other Things:
Powerschool uses a different server address now, so tomorrow I'll send home letters from the office that explain how students and parents can access assignment scores online. Whether or not your family invests in assignment scores and overall grades is, of course, up to you; I just want to do my part to make the information available to you and the kids. IF you do access grades, perhaps the following things can keep conflict to a minimum.
1. Search for assignments that are a "0", indicating that the kid didn't do it (or didn't turn it in) and I am keeping them accountable.
2. Kids and parents, agree on a "hands-off" percentage (or criteria) threshold for each subject; as long as kids keep grades above that, they maintain autonomy.
3. Browse the "assignment redo" and "test recovery" pages under the "procedures" page of my site.
4. Try not to over-check or over-emphasize grades (both parents and kids). General trends are worth addressing but try not to micro-manage.
Walkabout: Chaperone meeting is Tuesday evening. The kids have gotten into docent groups and are learning all there is to know (almost) about the environments, history, attractions, and beauty of the coast from Santa Cruz to Marin. It is important that each individual in those groups be able to teach about the topic.
Homework Load Check-in: I'm hearing from the kids that most are ok with the pace and processes involved in the curriculum. That is good to hear. Parents, please let me know how the nightly assignment sheet check-ins are going with you and your kid.
Calendar:
-September 20 (Tuesday): Picture Day
-September 20 (Tuesday): Walkabout Chaperone meeting
-September 21 (Wednesday): Student council elections
-September 23 (Friday): Teacher Learning Day (no school for kids)
-September 24 (Saturday): Pool party
-September 26 (Monday): Selective & Parent Workshifts start
-October 1 (Saturday): Movie & potluck at Taran's cul-de-sac
-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 1-4: Rm 29 in SF (changed intensive rotation)
-November 11 (Friday): Veteran's Day (no school)
-November 15 (Tuesday): Innovation Challenge
November 17 & 18: Room 25 to Angel Island
November 21-25: Thanksgiving Break
December 3: Star Party
December 16: Early dismissal & Christmas break starts