Announcements:
For those new to belaying, you will need to attend the entire training, starting at 10:00am (usually lasts about 90 minutes).
If you know the physical skills necessary to belay safely, you can come at 12:00pm to learn the enhancements added to increase the emotional safety of climbers. (If you took the belay training in the fall, you do not need to attend unless you would like a refresher or extra practice time.)
Crew Sharing at the Beat: Our crew would like to share what they have learned about Australia and what it is like to communicate with kids from another country. We will be sharing at the upcoming Beat (all-school meeting) on Wednesday 2/11. The Beat starts at 9am and usually runs about 30-45 minutes. Feel free to join us! Parents are always welcome to come to the Beat on Wednesdays at 9am.
Valentine's Day Party: We will be having a Vday Party on 2/12. Please have students decorate a shoe-box, bag, or a container that can be brought to school on this day. There will be no time during school to decorate it.
In previous years, I have found that these celebrations are more meaningful when Valentines are thoughtful. I encourage home-made Valentines, and but store-bought Valentines can be personalized and work too. Please have students make enough Valentines for all of our crew (25). Here is a list of names: Adin S., Aiden P., Alyssa, Carter, Charlie R., Charlie V., Cheyenne, Cutter, Dan-Anh, Ethan, Guy, Henry, JJ, Kaden, Kami, Kelby, Logan, Mira, Natalie, Nathan, Rachel, Rylan, Tessa, Tristan, and Vitorio.
VOYAGE in TWO WEEKS: I can't believe how quickly our winter voyage to Keystone is coming up! I highly encourage you to have your kids try on all the voyage winter clothes now. They grow so quickly, and I don't want you to have to be scrambling at the last moment. :) Our voyage is February 23-25. Day of rest is February 26th. You can find the link to the gear list here.
Construct and Deconstruct:
I'm looking for old items that can be donated to the class for a construct and deconstruct center. I'd like to have different items that can be taken apart and put back together (for this reason, don't plan on getting these items back). I'm going to head to Lowes or Home Depot and grab some tools so the kids can unscrew, pry, and investigate how things work. I'd love to have anything around the size of a toaster or smaller. Email me about larger items. :) Thanks in advance for sending in any old items.Also if you have any tools that you would like to donate, that would be great!
Spring Climbing: Our crew will be climbing the week of March 16th. The more belayers we have, the more climbing students get to do! Hope to see you there!
Belay Training for Spring Climbing will take place every Wednesday through February 25th.
Sign Up online; click 'Find a SignUp' and enter Mr. Doug's email; doug.baker@dcsdk12.org.For those new to belaying, you will need to attend the entire training, starting at 10:00am (usually lasts about 90 minutes).
If you know the physical skills necessary to belay safely, you can come at 12:00pm to learn the enhancements added to increase the emotional safety of climbers. (If you took the belay training in the fall, you do not need to attend unless you would like a refresher or extra practice time.)
Calendar Updates:
Feb 11: Our Crew sharing at The Beat
Feb 12: Valentine's Day Celebration
Feb 13: No School; Teacher Professional Development
Feb 16: No School; President's Day
Feb 23-25: Winter Voyage to Keystone
Feb 26: No school for 3rd grade (Day of Rest)
Feb 12: Valentine's Day Celebration
Feb 13: No School; Teacher Professional Development
Feb 16: No School; President's Day
Feb 23-25: Winter Voyage to Keystone
Feb 26: No school for 3rd grade (Day of Rest)
Australia Day
A highlight of our week was celebrating Australia Day. This holiday is similar to the America's 4th of July. Our resident Australian expert facilitated an authentic cultural experience, complete with food, song, games, art, history, geography, and literature.
We find out some facts about Australia. For example, it is pronounced "Stalia" with "au" silent. We learn about the geography, natural disasters, history, and an overview of how the holiday Australia Day is celebrated.
Students record interesting facts.
Decorations included.
They got to try fairy bread, chocolate crackles, and vegemite. The vegemite was salty!
They were good sports about trying new things!
One of our stations had Aussie children's literature, nursery rhymes, and books about Australian animals. It was fun to notice words that were uncommon to us.
The aborigines used boomerangs to hunt. They are also known for their dot art. Students created their own dot art on boomerangs at this station.
Where is Australia?
Finding Australia on maps and looking at different artifacts.
They learned a game called "Pass the Parcel" while listening to Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport.
Looking at Aussie "moolah."
 
What an amazing cultural experience! Students worked together to write about what they have learned and to take the opportunity to research topics of interest. Here is their work:
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