Post date: Apr 09, 2011 5:27:11 AM
Hello Parents and Students,
Good evening and happy Friday. Thirty weekly email newsletters ago I tried to communicate to you the depth of the appreciation I felt being a part of DCS and having the honor of working with the great kids, families, and teachers of the 8th grade. As this year winds down I still feel that same gratitude, but to an even higher degree. This past week provided yet another great boost in energy and enthusiasm.
Conferences:
The 24 conferences were invigorating and productive as parents, students, and I all discussed the accomplishments so far and the adventurous challenges of the coming first year of high school. Clear communication, candor, and common goals were the ingredients of some great sessions and, as always, I appreciate being able to be a part of your student's growth.
English:
I started the week by presenting the students with a controversial issue (Prison Inmates Influencing Troubled Teens). They watched a short promo from an A&E show, read an article from SCOPE magazine, and then discussed and wrote out both sides of the debate and took a stand by stating and supporting their own opinions.
During book-club sessions, the parents offered assistance to the students who had ready a draft of their 5 paragraphs about their autobiography books. For those students who took advantage of the opportunity, it was a very valuable experience.
To wind up the week, I gave the kids some time to identify simile, hyperbole, allusion, and situational irony by using an entertaining story about a kids who created a "Chore-Bot". In the coming weeks we'll be working more on incorporating those literary devices into all of their writing.
Science:
This week the students wrapped up their study of nuclear energy and I'll be sending out their letters (of persuasion, compassion, or inquiry) to people in positions of power in the field of nuclear energy. It has been nice to see the kids get personally invested in the topic.
Another thing that has me excited for the upcoming unit (on electricity) is that the students themselves have spent two days finding specific aspects and outcomes of the topic that interest them. The kids put together some planning documents that will guide the scope, sequence, and application of what they will learn about electricity.
The Waterfall Project:
The mountain is taking shape and we'll have another work day this Sunday -- time to dig the pit, lay the liner, and start putting the streambed rocks into place. My goal is to get the water flowing through the stream by EarthDay. During this coming week of vacation I hope to build a vertical storage box for gardening tools and brooms, and I'd like to ask for donations for the purchase of the materials for that as well as for the purchase of some plants for the waterfall.
Thank you for your constant abundant support, enthusiasm, and friendship.