Crew News: 12/2

Expedition News  
Last week we finished up are recent science expedition case study, “You Got A Problem With Me?”, a study focused on the Mountain Pine Beetle epidemic in Summit County.  We examined the beetle epidemic through two lenses: The first was through the perspective of the scientists and the next lens was through the perspective of a local "stakeholder", such as the private land owner, environmentalist and biomass company operator.  

Students preparing to defend their stakeholder role--for the Town Hall Meeting.

 This all appears to be important information.

 Some time we learn best when we're squeezed into expanding our minds. 

There is a possiblity our crew will be hosting a Community Education Night regarding “The Mountain Pine Beetle Epidemic in Summit County, Colorado”.  Stay tuned for more info. 

 Writer’s and Reader’s Workshop
This past week we began a short story genre study.  During workshops we identifying story/plot elements in two short stories and how dialog is used to establish plot and convey ideas that support main idea. This week kids will continue to apply what they know of story elements to the creation of a puppet show. Working in groups of two, students are responsible for structuring a story using setting, character, introduction/exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.  Each group will record their performance and share their creation with crew for peer review.  We will continue our short story study right up to break, making time to apply understanding to writing a short story, and then if time is available we will return to our puppet shows to identify areas in performance that need more focus; we'll have to make time.


Y.E.S.S.
Officer Lewis did not make it this past Thursday, 11/29.  We'll try again this week.   Below is an email sent out to parents last week explaining Officer Lewis' ed. program. 

Starting this Thursday Officer Lewis, from the Douglas County Police Department will be visiting our classroom.  He will deliver the Youth Education and Safety in Schools (YESS) curriculum.  He will be speaking about bullying this week, cyber safety the following week, and gateway drugs in two weeks. The teachers that have already had a visit from Officer Lewis feel that the topics are age appropriate and potentially good preparation for students moving on to middle school.  However, depending on how much you you have talked about these issues at home, some of the topics might be upsetting to 9 to 12-year-olds. Please speak to your child about what they have been learning during their sessions with Officer Lewis about and see if they have any additional questions or concerns.


Holiday Party 
The date, time and over-all plans for this event have not yet been decided.  What is certain is that we will be having a party and a secret Santa gift exchange.   In all likelihood the gift exchange requirement is that the gift cost nothing--this will not include cookie baking or gift making supplies.