Post date: Sep 11, 2010 6:35:43 AM
Hello there room 25 parents (and kids via cc),
Another (partial) week has gone by and with it some good productions, events, and stories. The three main things that I want to describe in this end-of-week newsletter are the beginnings of the students' science experiments, the creation of 'dead word' tombstones, and the cooperative group challenge activities.
Science Experiments: As a way to gain experience with the scientific method, the use of various measurement tools, and the details of good experimental design, the students will be choosing, designing, performing, analyzing, and publishing the results of a basic "household" science experiment. Simply put, they are to think a topic of personal interest, ask a question about that topic in the form of "what is the effect of X on Y, and how can it be measured?", and then (next week) design the experiment itself along with data-collection methods. Although I was away from school on Tuesday, the students used Science World magazines to help them come up with ideas four possible ideas and enter them onto an online form. As the spreadsheet shows, the results are varied, impressive, and (for the most part) quite do-able. I'll post my comments for each student over the weekend and then ask them to create their procedures, materials lists, and methods of data collection. Since we've been working on metric measurement and the use of various tools this week, the students should be able to take measurements quite well. Additionally, next week the students' will post their experiments on their websites... I'm eager to see these projects unfold and hope that the students are excited.
The "Dead Words" Tombstone project took almost half the week's English time, and I think that the students benefited from the activity. They chose over-used words, gave definitions, provided alternatives, and committed themselves to using those alternatives in future writing and speaking activities. The students kids got right to work finding words, researching their alternatives, and then creating the tombstones using colored papers, art supplies, and their great creative abilities. The products are good and posted on the front wall of room 25. They will serve as a resource for the students from now on as they do a variety of writing assignments -- with a more varied and eclectic vocabulary repertoire.
The other accomplishment in English class is the reading, analysis, and discussion of "The Bridge to Terabithia" book. It is a relatively easy read and provides material for excellent analysis of relationships, imagination, and the complexity of middle school and family life. We've also been watching parts of the movie and will soon view the interviews with the author in the DVD's bonus materials. By the way, we are still 4 books short of a class set, so if you have a copy at home, please send it in!
One last thing that I'd like to describe is the cooperative group challenges that table-groups performed last week and then reflected upon this week. The activity required that the students work together to solve puzzles. Their individual reflection of their own role(s) during the activities have been very insightful and honest. These kids are so good at knowing themselves and embracing the essence of an activity such as this. As the year progresses, the students will be doing much more collaborative work and learning to get better and better at it -- a skill that is extremely valuable!
Next week should have some exciting events including the trip to participate in the ropes course, the performing of experiments (mostly at home), and the completion of our current class-wide reading book. One upcoming challenge that is before me, is the creation of a structure whereby parents' talents, timings, and preferences are best utilized and honored as you come to volunteer to assist in the classroom starting in October. The potential is huge and the benefits will be powerful, yet the details elude me a bit. If any of you have insights to offer, please let me know... I'd really like to do this well.
Have a wonderful weekend and, as always, feel free to send me your thoughts, feedback, concerns, and/or ideas. That goes for students as well. I"m looking forward to seeing you on Tuesday evening (Open House).
Sincerely,
Chris Heumann