Twisted Energy

The last two weeks were a mixed bag of fun team building/character building activities and testing, with a large dash of academics scattered throughout.  The testing really twisted-up and made a mess of all our energy; emotions were high, behavior was erratic and the mental juice we use to focus, was practically expended during the 3 hours a day testing sessions.  The TCAP testing is behind us for now, and we all look forward to a more consistent and flexible schedule.

This week four people from our crew will attempt to persuade Mrs. Deborah, Mrs. Andrea and the OLE (outdoor learning environment) committee to allow our crew to build a Ga, Ga Pit, here at REMS, for our Service Learning Project.  The SLP persuasion team, Kimberly, Shane, Sarah and Jeffrey, will meet with the committee Monday morning in the school conference room armed with the team developed PowerPoint, preparedness and determination.  I will not be there to support, they agreed to this responsibility on their own.

Info about the Ga Ga Pit can be found in previous blog post.


Below are a few images from climbing w/ Mr. Doug and team building in the classroom:

 Kimberly preparing to "sloth."

The "sloth."

 Jeffrey, Cole and Sarah each with their own challenge. 

 Shane proceeding with confidence. 

 Lauren walking the Mohawk beam. 

Safety first!  Tiernan crankin' the knot tight.

 Gregory, Paradisio and Kaytee

These are images from a team building activity that required each group to work together to replicate a machine.

 A bicycle

 A blender

 A lawnmower

 The wash machine

Notable Dates

3/19-20-21:  Student Led Conferences:

3/25-4/5:       Spring Break

4/8:               No School for Students -Teacher Workday

4/12:             Tedx Youth: Denver

5/13:             Mesa Middle school visit

5th Grade Voyage

Once again it was a joy to be a part of such a grand adventure.  I know by now you've heard many wonderful stories about 5th Winter Voyage, which was a huge success.  All kids persevered extreme cold, little sleep, new personalities and being away from home. They each displayed a tremendous amount of courage, helpfulness and empathy.  For myself, and I believe I can speak for the chaperons as well, we were, and are, very proud of all the kids.  KSS staff shared a lot of positive comments about the courage, creativity and determination they witnessed in our crew.  

The trip wouldn't have been such a success without the help of our three crew chaperons; Lisa, E. Brian B and Grant C.  Thank you each for your dedication and support.  

Take a look at a few of the photos posted below.  I'll post more later. 

Snowshoeing up above KSS camp 

Avalanche/Snow Class

X-Country Skiing

Avalanche Terrain, Pitch and Snow Crystal formation 

Games, Sledding and more X-Country Skiing

 KSS with it's own Observatory

Learn On

Over the last month our crew has produced some fine work in all areas of study.  Below are a few selected pieces that shed light on some of our focus.  

The white board captures students practicing large project organization.  The chart on the left highlights the final scores for the Tower of Power building project.  A project 5th graders completed while 6th grade and I were on voyage.  The project focused on teaching, practicing and improving students 21st Century Skills: Communication, Collaboration, Critical Thinking and Creativity.   I'm saddened that I wasn't present for the project, but from what has been shared, the activity was a great success.  The notes on the right side of the board are from the Service Learning Project (SLP) Persuasion Team attempting to organize their needs for completing their PowerPoint.  

Expedition

During case study #1: Who Picks our Food, small groups of students created and taught, the crew, a lesson based on expert text about migrant workers.  Some chose tech and presented info via lecture, while others began by checking for understanding, shared info and then assessed learning.   It was pretty cool to hand the teaching over to the kids.   They don't always like to listen to me talk--sharing info they need to know for a specific activity--but they kindly do it.  They question, "Why is it that we can't always do hands-on stuff?"  In a nut-shell I share, "It's just the way it is sometimes."   Before each group decided how they were going to teach they all declared they would not just talk to the class.  In the end they all just had to do a little talk.  Some more than others.

Ellie and Tiernan planning

Aidan, Kimberly, Kaytee and Gregory sharing the responsibilities

GA, GA

A few months ago the crew decided that for our class Service Learning Project (SLP) we are going to build a Ga, Ga Pit for the kids at REMS.  I won't go into what it is now, ask your kids if you'd like to know more.  All information below is student generated.

The following three images:   

1. Sample letter to lumber stores asking for discounted materials.  

2. Estimation of financial need.

3. Draft of fund raising bake sale/cake walk. 

The following is one of 3 designs submitted as potential Ga Ga Pit design.  The class voted 20-4 for Kaytee and Ellie's design, seen below.  This draft is still consider rough, and Kaytee and Ellie continue to work to improve. 

Troubleshooting Ga Ga Pit measurements

Math 

Reflections

After kids have practiced a concept they are asked to express their understanding of mathematical concepts in writing.  Below are two examples from the Bits and Pieces Investigation.

Poetry      

Wranglin' Figurative Language

Below are few free verse and Haiku styled poems.