Post date: Apr 30, 2017 8:45:20 PM
What a beautiful weekend! I hope that Friday's dance was fun and that everyone has had a chance to be outdoors yesterday and today! Summer is coming quickly and it will be nice to have those weeks of vacation, but I know that I'll also miss this class and the many good times we had and things we've learned.
1. Book Groups: The structure of the non fiction book club meetings seemed to go well last month. Each kid read a book of their choosing and during the Wednesday meetings they taught others in their theme-groups some things that they had learned in that week's reading. For the next (and last) weeks of book club meetings the kids have formed groups and chosen books all on their own using this document. I'm very impressed by some of the books chose!
2. Demonstrations: This past week the daily science demonstrations started but without the great enthusiasm, preparation, and presentation style that I had expected. Parents, I'm going to need your help on this one because things aren't looking too good so far. Please ask your kid about their demo, help them prepare and practice as needed, make sure that they can understand and explain the science involved, and try to remind them to bring their stuff on their presentation day (on a paper calendar at the front of the room). Here again is the page.
3. Electricity & Magnetism: Speaking of science, tomorrow is the first day of the unit on electricity and magnetism. As usual, the kids will read a bit each night, and then during class I'll try to explain or demonstrate the content and give a short quiz to see how well they're getting it. Thomas Zscherpel and I have gathered lots of gadgets and materials for the kids to play with (batteries, lights, wires, resistors, switches, etc) so I'm excited for the next few weeks. After electricity comes waves, sound, and light, and that should finish up a whole year's worth of physics topics.
4. Conferences: Thanks to all of you who have taken a conference spot, and if you haven't (and would like to) there are still a few time-slots left on the chart. I've added a few new discussion options to the conference agenda item "cards", but the discussions can take any form that you and your kid want.
5. Graduation Ceremony: The ceremony at Westgate Church has always been very well organized, nicely decorated, and extremely beautiful and meaningful. This is due to the talents and cooperation of the kids and the amazing efforts of the graduation committee parents. We are very fortunate to have Debbie Lew working hard for our class so that it becomes the special night that it should be. If you are so inclined, please express some appreciation to her and perhaps offer any assistance.
Special thanks to Alena for making the very cool tool time door poster for this week!
Events Calendar:
May 1 to 5: Conferences
May 4: Trip to Santa Clara County Hall of Justice (image)
May 6: Spring Fundraiser
May 8 to 11: Part of rm 25 to San Francisco
May 12: 8th grade to Evita in SJ
May 19: Field trip to the Maker Fair
May 26: Staff development day (no school)
May 29: Memorial Day (no school)
May 31 to June 2: 8th grade rafting trip
June 2: Last middle school dance
June 9: Field Day
June 13: Maker Day at DCS
June 16: Last day of school