Post date: Dec 11, 2010 5:49:55 AM
This episode (or the first part of it, at least) is coming to you "live" from room 25 during A-block on Friday, just after lunch. Forty-ish kids in the room and its one big happy family. It never ceases to amaze me how cohesive this group is and how well they get along with each other -- both classes. Their bellies a full (waffles were a success), their hearts are big, and their disposition is very positive.
Science: Finished up the "Forces & Fluids" test essays (if needed) on Monday, and then moved, quite abruptly, into the chapter on simple machines. This is a great topic and I think that the kids will see the abundant real-world connections to the levers, pulleys, and wedges that they will investigate. This week we did some note taking, some in-class experiments with levers, and then, today, some big-scale (outdoor) teeter-totter and crow-bar work! Given a 12 foot beam and a concrete block, the kids played enough to get some whole-body understanding of leverage (and certainly gravity).
Coming up, an in-depth investigation into a household device and how it works. By the end of next week we'll take the test and get ready to move on to energy generation, transmission, use, and conservation.
English: In addition to another set of excellent book-club meetings, the kids embarked on two very important projects. First, they began to do some simple, short, stress-free, public speaking sessions. Three kids present per day for three minute sessions on topics of their choice. I've been very happy with those that have done theirs so far and I'm looking forward to the rest. It is apparent that DCS gives kids the confidence and creativity to do some excellent public speaking.
The second big project of the week is the "Collaborative Story" writing project. This one has a double purpose. First, the experience itself is valuable -- groups of 4 kids writing a story together and at the same time, with each person contributing a specific aspect of story writing (plot, dialog, details, mechanics). The second purpose of this project is to provide "evidence" to support my application to Google to get a set of 28 Chrome OS notebooks for classroom use. Keep your fingers crossed -- if they approve my application we'll be able to have yet another high-quality tech tool at our disposal and we can provide some valuable input for Google as well.
Social Studies: Yay, I got to teach history for two days this week. History Channel and a West Wing episode -- great springboards for a not-very-experienced-but-very-
interested substitute for the social science class. Ask the kids about Andrew Jackson's "Big Block of Cheese" day.
I'm back at home now and watching (as well as identifying with) an old Chrismas movie, "Its a Wonderful Life". Tomorrow we'll string some lights on the eaves, clean up a bit, and then peruse Christmas in the Park and ice skating in the evening.
Happy times for all, and give me a reply if you have time.
Chris Heumann
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