Congratulations to the girls basketball team on their first game!
Congratulations to our 6th grade girls basketball team! They played their first basketball game on Wednesday evening and did an amazing job! While they did not win, they played hard, worked together, and cheered each other on as a team. Great job, girls! A special thank you to Ms. Ferrante and Mr. Quinanola for coaching and to all the parents and family members who came to cheer them on!
Thank you from Ms. Brewer
I want to take a moment to thank all of my students (and parents) for making my birthday last week so special! This was my first birthday in a classroom and everyone really made me feel loved and appreciated. I had a wonderful weekend with my family and enjoyed relaxing on my birthday. Thank you, again!
-Ms. Brewer
-Ms. Brewer
Breakfast and Bookclub
I am thrilled to see that or Breakfast and Book Club is growing in participation with each book. This last Tuesday we had more than 15 students show up for pancakes and a book discussion! For our next meeting I will probably break the students up into smaller groups so that it is easier for everyone to share their thoughts. I do love hearing them talk about the books while they enjoy breakfast.
Our next Breakfast and Book Club will be Tuesday, December 13 at 7:20 a.m. The book selected for this month is The Westing Game by Ellen Ruskin. This Newberry Medal novel is a mystery and reads very much like playing a game of Clue. 31 students have signed up to read this book! I was glad that I was able to round up enough copies to share with all of the students that want to participate.
With this many students reading the book, I think I am going to have to track down a DVD of the movie based on the novel to show the class!
Our next Breakfast and Book Club will be Tuesday, December 13 at 7:20 a.m. The book selected for this month is The Westing Game by Ellen Ruskin. This Newberry Medal novel is a mystery and reads very much like playing a game of Clue. 31 students have signed up to read this book! I was glad that I was able to round up enough copies to share with all of the students that want to participate.
With this many students reading the book, I think I am going to have to track down a DVD of the movie based on the novel to show the class!
Classroom updates
MATH AND SCIENCE
This week we finished our design projects for classroom! It was awesome to see these projects come alive! I look forward to seeing students work on our next project with the same drive, collaboration, and flexibility! When we return from break we will be finishing chapter 2 in our textbook, as well as starting a NEW project!
This week we finished our design projects for classroom! It was awesome to see these projects come alive! I look forward to seeing students work on our next project with the same drive, collaboration, and flexibility! When we return from break we will be finishing chapter 2 in our textbook, as well as starting a NEW project!
Humanities
Last week we held our Town Hall Meeting and voting for "Class President". All of the students did an exceptional job playing their role either as a candidate, manager, pollster, or state electors. The election was followed up with a Socratic Seminar on Thursday, Nov. 9. All of the students astounded me with their questions and thoughtful insight. Our discussion focused mainly on the role of the electoral college, our Founding Fathers, and democracy.
Last week we held our Town Hall Meeting and voting for "Class President". All of the students did an exceptional job playing their role either as a candidate, manager, pollster, or state electors. The election was followed up with a Socratic Seminar on Thursday, Nov. 9. All of the students astounded me with their questions and thoughtful insight. Our discussion focused mainly on the role of the electoral college, our Founding Fathers, and democracy.
This week we wrapped up our last Literature Circle meeting revolving around book discussions. When we return from break, the students will begin building scenes from their novels. These scenes will then be laid out on a map that their robot will film. This project involves set design, coding the robot's movements, film editing, and final publication of a short film complete with voice overs, text, and music. Stay tuned!
Students all published a personal narrative this week about Science Camp. We have covered many writing crafts including narrow focus, sensory detail, alliteration, emotions, thoughts, building suspense and more. I am looking forward to spending more time reading their work this next week.
Students all published a personal narrative this week about Science Camp. We have covered many writing crafts including narrow focus, sensory detail, alliteration, emotions, thoughts, building suspense and more. I am looking forward to spending more time reading their work this next week.
A few of the personal narratives to enjoy...
The View
By M.G.
The day hike was not the least bit easy. My body was aching and I felt like I had been hiking forever. My legs hurt and I just wanted to be at the top, I felt like I was going to collapse. I was as tired and I felt like I was a crayon melting away in the sun. All I wanted to do was lay in my bed and fall fast asleep, but I could not stop I had to keep going. So as slow as a snail I continued trudging up the hill through a thick layer of dust.
Not Soon after I caught sight of the end, the highest point only like 40 feet in front of me. I ran towards it with all my might. I ran up the hill and threw off my backpack, and ran towards the edge to see the view. There I saw it, it was breathtaking, we were so high up. I saw so many trees, I even saw another group of kids coming up the hill, It was amazing. I took so many pictures, some of the dark greens trees off in the distance and some of the layers of fog settled on the tree tops below us.
After I had taken just about a million pictures I headed over to join my friends, Emily and Kyla,who were eating their lunch under a nearby tree. I quickly joined them, excited to sit down. Then we all ate our sandwiches, well kind of just me. Unlike my friends I do not like violence or fights, but still Kyla and Emily ended up having a sandwich fight which neither of them won, Kyla’s sandwich ended up in the tree and Emily’s went down the cliff, But that is a story for a different time. Right now I need to worry about the way down.
The way down was much more fun. We even got to play a game. In the game we were coyotes out in the forest trying to find food. Every once in awhile we would come across a card, on the card were two options, here as a group we would get to make a hard decision. After the game I took so many pictures, almost as many as I did at the top, everything was so cool. Unlike the way up, the way down just sped before my eyes and before long we were back at camp. Even though the way up was not the best, it was worth it. The day hike ended up being so much fun. All thanks to the view.
By M.G.
The day hike was not the least bit easy. My body was aching and I felt like I had been hiking forever. My legs hurt and I just wanted to be at the top, I felt like I was going to collapse. I was as tired and I felt like I was a crayon melting away in the sun. All I wanted to do was lay in my bed and fall fast asleep, but I could not stop I had to keep going. So as slow as a snail I continued trudging up the hill through a thick layer of dust.
Not Soon after I caught sight of the end, the highest point only like 40 feet in front of me. I ran towards it with all my might. I ran up the hill and threw off my backpack, and ran towards the edge to see the view. There I saw it, it was breathtaking, we were so high up. I saw so many trees, I even saw another group of kids coming up the hill, It was amazing. I took so many pictures, some of the dark greens trees off in the distance and some of the layers of fog settled on the tree tops below us.
After I had taken just about a million pictures I headed over to join my friends, Emily and Kyla,who were eating their lunch under a nearby tree. I quickly joined them, excited to sit down. Then we all ate our sandwiches, well kind of just me. Unlike my friends I do not like violence or fights, but still Kyla and Emily ended up having a sandwich fight which neither of them won, Kyla’s sandwich ended up in the tree and Emily’s went down the cliff, But that is a story for a different time. Right now I need to worry about the way down.
The way down was much more fun. We even got to play a game. In the game we were coyotes out in the forest trying to find food. Every once in awhile we would come across a card, on the card were two options, here as a group we would get to make a hard decision. After the game I took so many pictures, almost as many as I did at the top, everything was so cool. Unlike the way up, the way down just sped before my eyes and before long we were back at camp. Even though the way up was not the best, it was worth it. The day hike ended up being so much fun. All thanks to the view.
Focus Fire
By J.S.
We walked to the range not to far from the ledge where we would eat later, traveling through a bit of the forest and coming to an outpost with seven bows lined up with three arrows in each quiver, ready for the awaiting three groups of seven. I had done archery before, not for long but for just enough that I had great understanding of what to do when I wasn’t sure it would hit the target head-on. After about two turns I had waited for everyone else to finish so I could get the focus and silence needed when only so long was left to shoot. I had figured out for a while that when put in a tight situation, most of the time, my best comes out. “The last shot.” I thought as I stepped up to the edge of the wooden ledge, leading to the gravel range, out to three targets awaiting my decision. Gut wrenching feelings had swollen and invited a very unpleasant feeling into my arms and legs. My stature was beginning to teeter, steadily increasing my nervousness. I solely focused on the target, Pinpoint accuracy was needed to make this worth it.
The anxiety building up slowly gnawed away at my arms and stomach, wearing away at my resistance. I strive to refine my aim, up a little, pull back a tad, straighten my arms, steady my arrow, center my balance. Finally when I was sure that everything was just right, I let go and the insecure silence carries on as the arrow wobbles through the air straining to gain its aerodynamic shape back before it could encounter the surface that would determine my skill as an ordinary archer.
It had hit it, a good shot right in the middle, but this didn’t determine what I felt afterwards. Everyone continued to congratulate me over and over but they all could’ve gotten at least one, if they had taken their time! Everyone didn’t seem awfully nostalgic though. It felt like they didn’t care. It felt like they had wanted to either be with friends or end up in a different section. But advice that I tried to tell everyone, take your time straighten your stance, stiffen your arms and according to the drop of the arrow calculate your aim to as close as you can get it and you WILL hit the board, if not the bulls-eye.
By J.S.
We walked to the range not to far from the ledge where we would eat later, traveling through a bit of the forest and coming to an outpost with seven bows lined up with three arrows in each quiver, ready for the awaiting three groups of seven. I had done archery before, not for long but for just enough that I had great understanding of what to do when I wasn’t sure it would hit the target head-on. After about two turns I had waited for everyone else to finish so I could get the focus and silence needed when only so long was left to shoot. I had figured out for a while that when put in a tight situation, most of the time, my best comes out. “The last shot.” I thought as I stepped up to the edge of the wooden ledge, leading to the gravel range, out to three targets awaiting my decision. Gut wrenching feelings had swollen and invited a very unpleasant feeling into my arms and legs. My stature was beginning to teeter, steadily increasing my nervousness. I solely focused on the target, Pinpoint accuracy was needed to make this worth it.
The anxiety building up slowly gnawed away at my arms and stomach, wearing away at my resistance. I strive to refine my aim, up a little, pull back a tad, straighten my arms, steady my arrow, center my balance. Finally when I was sure that everything was just right, I let go and the insecure silence carries on as the arrow wobbles through the air straining to gain its aerodynamic shape back before it could encounter the surface that would determine my skill as an ordinary archer.
It had hit it, a good shot right in the middle, but this didn’t determine what I felt afterwards. Everyone continued to congratulate me over and over but they all could’ve gotten at least one, if they had taken their time! Everyone didn’t seem awfully nostalgic though. It felt like they didn’t care. It felt like they had wanted to either be with friends or end up in a different section. But advice that I tried to tell everyone, take your time straighten your stance, stiffen your arms and according to the drop of the arrow calculate your aim to as close as you can get it and you WILL hit the board, if not the bulls-eye.
The Long Walk Up
By M.S.
Thump! Thomp! Thimp! CRUNCH! Our feet smacked the long dirt path against the forest floor as we trudged up the mountain side. We had just began our long journey to the top, no turning back now. Naomi, Leah, Sofia and I walked side by side enjoying the wonderful view of the enormous Redwood trees looming over us. Small glimpses of sun peeked through the trees overhead. “Soooooo, what type of sandwich did you guys pack?” Leah said shattering the silence.
“Turkey, lettuce, and cheese. How about you?” She looks back at me piecing together what I said.
“Same, except with mayo.” We began to break the awkward silence and chit chatter breaks loose from our small group. We walk and walk, our bags slowly beginning to weigh us down.
“Ok, were gonna stop here. As you can see we have a HUGE Redwood tree that has fallen down and got carved out. If you’d like you can walk through and make a wish.” Rainbow Wolf announces to us and the rest of our field group.
We crawl through, my mind's thoughts wondering how many people have come through here before us? My adventurous side of me begins to come out as we crawl out. We walk on and I think to myself: What will it be like up there? Excitement runs through me as I imagine a soft cool breeze dusting my skin, and a bouquet of mountains around me. We keep going until I hear those words I’ve been waiting for this whole time!
“Right up there is our destination!” We run up and a small sense of accomplishment runs through me. We were here! And the view was amazing!!! Now we had to worry about going back down…
By M.S.
Thump! Thomp! Thimp! CRUNCH! Our feet smacked the long dirt path against the forest floor as we trudged up the mountain side. We had just began our long journey to the top, no turning back now. Naomi, Leah, Sofia and I walked side by side enjoying the wonderful view of the enormous Redwood trees looming over us. Small glimpses of sun peeked through the trees overhead. “Soooooo, what type of sandwich did you guys pack?” Leah said shattering the silence.
“Turkey, lettuce, and cheese. How about you?” She looks back at me piecing together what I said.
“Same, except with mayo.” We began to break the awkward silence and chit chatter breaks loose from our small group. We walk and walk, our bags slowly beginning to weigh us down.
“Ok, were gonna stop here. As you can see we have a HUGE Redwood tree that has fallen down and got carved out. If you’d like you can walk through and make a wish.” Rainbow Wolf announces to us and the rest of our field group.
We crawl through, my mind's thoughts wondering how many people have come through here before us? My adventurous side of me begins to come out as we crawl out. We walk on and I think to myself: What will it be like up there? Excitement runs through me as I imagine a soft cool breeze dusting my skin, and a bouquet of mountains around me. We keep going until I hear those words I’ve been waiting for this whole time!
“Right up there is our destination!” We run up and a small sense of accomplishment runs through me. We were here! And the view was amazing!!! Now we had to worry about going back down…
The Fantastic Flag Dash
By J.L.
It was the fourth day of science camp and I felt as happy as a balloon at a birthday party. I hoped with all my might that I would be playing (my favorite game ever!) Capture the Flag in what I heard was a dense, thick forest. But first we had to go to the campfire to find out what game we would play. I was tense as a turkey at Thanksgiving. If I didn’t get to do Capture the Flag I didn’t know what I’d do. When they were slowly reading the names to play, I got more nervous all my friends were going! Finally they called my name!
I felt as if a huge weight was lifted of my back. It turned out it was played in a forest. While we walked on the rocky dirt path I took in the beautiful view of the outdoors and heard a crow in the distance. Once we split teams, I felt good about my team. I had all my friends and we had the steep hillside to attack. Right when we started I realized it was not as easy as I thought. The hill side was really slippery, and I tripped down the hill only to get tagged by the other team. I almost got tagged again so I just decided to stay on defense. I was glad I did because our poor pooped penniless defender play. I was playing and tagged a lot of people, but we couldn’t get the flag from them! It felt like an eternity, an eon, a lifetime!
I had to attack. I almost got the flag, but I took too long. We had lost the first game of 2. The next game I decided to play defense.This time we had to go up hill. I was still happy as can be with all my friends. Once I realized that I didn’t play for winning, I played for the fun of it. Once I realized that, I was playing better than ever. It was actually really fun. I was doing pretty good on my own.Then out of the corner of my eye, I saw our teammates cornering one of their defenders guarding their flag. I saw an opening a glorious, gleaming, golden opportunity. I went for it… I ran towards the other teams border and through their defense. I then saw it the flag was sitting there waiting to be taken. I couldn’t get it but luckily my teammate got it for me. Just as he ran across the line the game was over just like that.
By J.L.
It was the fourth day of science camp and I felt as happy as a balloon at a birthday party. I hoped with all my might that I would be playing (my favorite game ever!) Capture the Flag in what I heard was a dense, thick forest. But first we had to go to the campfire to find out what game we would play. I was tense as a turkey at Thanksgiving. If I didn’t get to do Capture the Flag I didn’t know what I’d do. When they were slowly reading the names to play, I got more nervous all my friends were going! Finally they called my name!
I felt as if a huge weight was lifted of my back. It turned out it was played in a forest. While we walked on the rocky dirt path I took in the beautiful view of the outdoors and heard a crow in the distance. Once we split teams, I felt good about my team. I had all my friends and we had the steep hillside to attack. Right when we started I realized it was not as easy as I thought. The hill side was really slippery, and I tripped down the hill only to get tagged by the other team. I almost got tagged again so I just decided to stay on defense. I was glad I did because our poor pooped penniless defender play. I was playing and tagged a lot of people, but we couldn’t get the flag from them! It felt like an eternity, an eon, a lifetime!
I had to attack. I almost got the flag, but I took too long. We had lost the first game of 2. The next game I decided to play defense.This time we had to go up hill. I was still happy as can be with all my friends. Once I realized that I didn’t play for winning, I played for the fun of it. Once I realized that, I was playing better than ever. It was actually really fun. I was doing pretty good on my own.Then out of the corner of my eye, I saw our teammates cornering one of their defenders guarding their flag. I saw an opening a glorious, gleaming, golden opportunity. I went for it… I ran towards the other teams border and through their defense. I then saw it the flag was sitting there waiting to be taken. I couldn’t get it but luckily my teammate got it for me. Just as he ran across the line the game was over just like that.
Shady Shadows
BY C.D
The night started as a whisp of wind picked up everyone’s spirits. Twinkling stars twirled around us, and I realized that they would dim soon. I was in a somewhat crooked line to go on the night hike. In our line there were many people, including my cabin members Emily, Valentina, Jane and Lily. There was also the helper in my cabin, Atlantis. All of the helpers in our field group, including Atlantis, were placed strategically, one in the front, one in the middle, and one in the back. Our Field Teacher, Olive, was ahead of the helper in the front of the line. She told us that we would start up the hill. I knew that we were journeying into the black abyss of trees, and the feeling of fright climbed up my back.
As we progressed patiently, I could feel the pebbles pounding beneath my hiking shoes. We inched upwards into the redwoods looming over us. One of the helpers, Starfish, was right in front of me, and had a glow in the dark YMCA pouch that she carried on her back. It glowed in the shadows, making a clear and bold path for my lost eyes and mind to follow. The darkness somehow still made me unsteady and unsure of myself.
In the middle of the hike, I was scared I wouldn’t see the light ever again, and I thought that there was no escape. I was scared that there would be no way back to level ground. Then I would see patches of glimmering moonlight in the night, covering rocks and trees, and I felt hopeful that we would be safe. As we reached our stopping point, I heard a *thrash* that scared me, but it was only Olive, sitting on the dirt and leaves. The sweet smell of redwoods made my heart gleam, and I felt secure again.
Olive started an experiment with an orange peel candle, where she burned a bright light in front of us. We covered our right eye, and then she blew out the light. Olive spoke to us in a soft voice and explained that there was a special adaptation we could gain if we were in the dark long enough. We could gain a similar effect like night vision. So far, I thought that this hike felt wonderful, like the darkness was somehow connected to me.
Olive then explained, “I’m going to light this orange peel to make a candle.” When she did, she told us to take each of our hands off of our right eye. We did, and as my hand was coming close to being parted from my pale skin, I could see that everything had jumped into a different style of movement, like the static on a television screen. The effect went away after awhile, making it easier to see, and I felt something lift from me and drift away into the night.
We then started down the hill in our crooked line like before. It felt like we were coming back from a long journey, and I changed my petrified emotions, and somehow transitioned into light and excited feelings. As we reached the bottom of the trail, I thought about how this hike had impacted me, and I realized that in the end, I was not afraid of the shady shadows anymore.
BY C.D
The night started as a whisp of wind picked up everyone’s spirits. Twinkling stars twirled around us, and I realized that they would dim soon. I was in a somewhat crooked line to go on the night hike. In our line there were many people, including my cabin members Emily, Valentina, Jane and Lily. There was also the helper in my cabin, Atlantis. All of the helpers in our field group, including Atlantis, were placed strategically, one in the front, one in the middle, and one in the back. Our Field Teacher, Olive, was ahead of the helper in the front of the line. She told us that we would start up the hill. I knew that we were journeying into the black abyss of trees, and the feeling of fright climbed up my back.
As we progressed patiently, I could feel the pebbles pounding beneath my hiking shoes. We inched upwards into the redwoods looming over us. One of the helpers, Starfish, was right in front of me, and had a glow in the dark YMCA pouch that she carried on her back. It glowed in the shadows, making a clear and bold path for my lost eyes and mind to follow. The darkness somehow still made me unsteady and unsure of myself.
In the middle of the hike, I was scared I wouldn’t see the light ever again, and I thought that there was no escape. I was scared that there would be no way back to level ground. Then I would see patches of glimmering moonlight in the night, covering rocks and trees, and I felt hopeful that we would be safe. As we reached our stopping point, I heard a *thrash* that scared me, but it was only Olive, sitting on the dirt and leaves. The sweet smell of redwoods made my heart gleam, and I felt secure again.
Olive started an experiment with an orange peel candle, where she burned a bright light in front of us. We covered our right eye, and then she blew out the light. Olive spoke to us in a soft voice and explained that there was a special adaptation we could gain if we were in the dark long enough. We could gain a similar effect like night vision. So far, I thought that this hike felt wonderful, like the darkness was somehow connected to me.
Olive then explained, “I’m going to light this orange peel to make a candle.” When she did, she told us to take each of our hands off of our right eye. We did, and as my hand was coming close to being parted from my pale skin, I could see that everything had jumped into a different style of movement, like the static on a television screen. The effect went away after awhile, making it easier to see, and I felt something lift from me and drift away into the night.
We then started down the hill in our crooked line like before. It felt like we were coming back from a long journey, and I changed my petrified emotions, and somehow transitioned into light and excited feelings. As we reached the bottom of the trail, I thought about how this hike had impacted me, and I realized that in the end, I was not afraid of the shady shadows anymore.