9.18.14 Crew News

Announcements:

Bootcamp 

Our crew set some awesome crew goals:

*If everyone brings in 15 canned goods over the next three weeks, 

we can donate over 400 items to the task force!

*If everyone raises at least $75,

we can raise $2,000.

We talked about some strategies of accomplishing this goal by breaking it into small pieces, such as trying to bring 5 cans a week and earn $25. This will make it more manageable and realistic. Also, we talked about how it's hard to ask families to donate 15 items. We brainstormed that (after checking with you), students could ask neighbors and people in the community. 

As of today, we have almost 100!

Our official 'Pupil/Student Count Day' is Wednesday, September 24th

.  Please make sure all students are in attendance on this day! Our 'Count Window' is September 17th to October 1st.  It is VERY important you are not absent 4 or more days during this window.  Schools receive their state funding based on attendance during this enrollment window.

Calendar Updates: 

Sept 19: Guest teacher Ms. Lucky begins
Sept 24: Official Count Day (Please make sure your child is not absent on this day)
Sept 26: No School; Professional Development Day
Oct 3: Students are IN school (different than other schools in the district)
Oct 6-17: Fall Break
Oct 20: No School; Teacher Work Day (different than other schools in the district)

Exploring and deepening understanding about the 4Cs and 21st Century Skills: This week, I am really proud of the work that student have done in learning about the 4Cs and 21st century skills. For the 4Cs, students read kid-friendly rubrics to find key words and phrases that summarize the main idea of each. Student recorded these on stickie-notes. Next, we listed their words and phrases on the board. Then through partner conversations and whole-group discussions, we eliminated words and phrases that were similar to condense it down. Last, student volunteers created posters to display our learning using the words that the crew decided on. 21st Century Skills were our next mission to learn more about. I gave students the description of each skill with definitions of challenging vocabulary.Then small groups took one skill to become an expert on and explain their learning to the class. The 21st Century Skills are... Problem Solving  Systems Thinking  Civic Responsibility  Health and Wellness  Global Awareness  Resilency Financial Literacy Some students explained their learning by summarizing the main point and giving examples, while others shared with skits and posters.  Many students were able to make connections of how we have discussed topics that fit with the 21st Century Skills, and for the one we have not talked about, it was a great exposure activity to lay the groundwork for future conversations. I am VERY PROUD of this learning, and it certainly demonstrated all 4Cs. Caution: Scientists at Work Here are scientists conducting experiments to learn about the four states of matter.  Liquid  Gas  Plasma  Solid How do questions help us grow as learners? Students are encouraged to ask "thick" questions to help deepen learning. Writers published a personal description paragraph on our CREW WORK wall. When you visit, check it out!  HINTS AT HOME for Fall Break:  Math: Traveling? Staying home? Students have learned several math games that they can play using a deck of cards. Ask about "Less than You," "Name that Number," "Roll to 100," and "Addition Top-It." If you are near a computer, students can.... Khan- They are WELCOME to do as much Khan Academy as they would like. I can see their progress, and it helps me know where they are at with skills. Students love Khan, and so do I! Interactive Games suggested by Everyday Math (we have done Unit 1-2) EverydayMath "Do Anytime Activities" Writing: Look around. Wonder. Play. Explore. Make memories. Imagine. Notice. Collect lots of ideas of things to write about when we return. Write them down, so you don't forget! Reading: Read lots of great books!  Here is a picture of the Dolomites (the Italian Alps) where I will be spending next week, before exploring Italy. Thanks for all your support and well wishes!