Ms. Tracey's Weekly Update #24
3-4 AISA, February 9, 2024
Dear Families,
In spite of the rain and cold, we still had a fun week making homemade marmalade, playing a new game in PE, learning more about Mars, working on our inventions and aliens and so much more! I wish you all a warm and dry weekend!
*SPECIAL REQUEST*
We will begin constructing our Mars prototypes next week and are in need of some supplies. If anyone has something they can donate, it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
- cardboard (any size)
- plastic wrap
- small wheels (the size you would find on a scooter or skateboard) or something similar that could be used as wheels
*Special Announcement 1 ~ iReady Mid-Year Assessments
The diagnostic window for iReady Assessments is now open from: 01/10/24 - 02/18/24
**Special Announcement 2 ~ Friendship Day
Friendship Day will take place on Wednesday, February 14, 2024 from 1:00pm - 3:00pm in the classroom.
~ We are asking students to bring in their favorite cookies from a special family recipe, your favorite bakery, etc. Please be advised of a couple of allergies: kiwi and eggs.
~ Students also agreed to bring either a small gift or a card for each student. Homemade gifts and cards are great and store bought is wonderful, too.
~ And to round out our Friendship Day, we decided we'd also like to play some games.
Here is a list of all of the students in our class: Abby, Ava, Beatrice, Eli, Fasola, Grey, Jasmine, Lola, Matilda, Mehki, Mya and Randev.
***Special Announcement 3 ~ Curriculum Orders
Reminder: any curriculum you plan to order for your scholar, for the remainder of the 2023-2024 school year, must be turned in no later than Friday, February 9th.
The final date for turning in reimbursement requests will be Friday, April 26th, unless they are billed weekly in which case it will be Friday, May 17th.
If you have questions about your scholar's remaining instructional fund balance, or about anything pertaining to this announcement, please contact Mrs. Hernandez: blancahernandez@aveson.org
****Special Announcement 4 ~ JPL Connections
As you know, we are currently learning about space and in particular, Mars, which made me think of JPL and how that would make for a great place to have a meetup. Unfortunately, every time I've tried to secure a tour through their website, the time slots filled up too quickly. So, if any families have a connection to JPL and might be able to get us in for a tour in February or March, please let me know. Thank you so much!
*****Special Announcement 5 ~ Passion Project Countdown (8 weeks to go)
Spring Passion Projects will be presented in class on April 9 and 10, 2024. These projects will be presented in a more formal format than the Fall projects. We will have each student present to the entire class (and families if they would like to attend). After the presentation, the audience can share comments, questions and/or feedback. For more information about Passion Projects, please click on the link.
~ Work Sample Submission Information ~
Learning Period 5 ~ Jan. 29 - Feb. 15
ACCEPTABLE DATES:
January: 29, 30, 31
February: 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15
Changes to LP2-LP8 Work Samples
We have made a few changes in an effort to make the system run more smoothly.
1. How will parents "Turn in" assignments moving forward?
- Only 1 PDF/Image can be uploaded per a work sample assignment
- If it is a multi-page document, combine all pages into 1 single PDF, then "Turn In"
- If the work sample is a Photo and a description, then you need to do one of the following:
b. Put the Photo on a document and type in the description, then save the document as a PDF
and "Turn In"
*PDF Converter is an option for this
2. The final due date for LP5 Work Samples is Thursday, February 15, 2024 (please turn in work samples prior to your progress meeting). This will help ensure all work samples are collected, complete, accurate and properly archived by the advisors before the end of the Learning Period.
**All future work samples will be due one week prior to the Progress Meetings for that Learning Period.
On-Campus Projects
On Tuesday, we discussed the next Sustainable Development Goal, which was about "Life Below Water." This goal is about protecting our oceans and other water sources from pollution and trash. We want to help keep our water safe for those that live in the water and for all of us who need the water to survive.
Next, we continued with our "Journey to Mars" project by watching the first half of a History Channel video called, "The Universe: Human Life on Mars is Coming Soon." We learned about the progress scientists are making towards establishing a colony on Mars. It's still a ways off, but maybe not as far away as we think.
Then, we spent some time talking about what category of space travel/exploration each group chose to focus on for their invention. We also talked about their invention and the basics of what it will do and how it will work.
Finally, we completed our "Invention" worksheets that explain our idea for the prototype we will be building soon.
On Wednesday, we talked about the Sustainable Development Goal, "Life on Land." This goal focuses on keeping our lands clean and pollution free. Both of the goals for this week tied into our Mars project because in order to colonize Mars one day, we need to figure out how to develop an environment that is safe for humans and includes fertile land and clean water.
Next, we moved on to our project, "Journey to Mars," and completed the second half of the History Channel video called, "The Universe: Human Life on Mars is Coming Soon." In this section they talked about who would go to Mars, how long the mission might be, whether or not we should terraform Mars, and whether we should set up a test mission to the moon first, then go to Mars or just go straight to Mars. After the video, we took a poll to see if anyone would be interested in being one of the first people to Mars. We also discussed whether we should go to the moon first and set up a test colony there or go straight to Mars. The majority felt that going to the moon first would make more sense.
Then we moved our attention to the Engineering Design Process. For a brief review, we watched the video, "The Engineering Design Process: Crash Course Kids." The design process has certain steps engineers take when inventing something. We talked about the steps: identify the problem, brainstorm, design, build/test & evaluate/redesign/build, and share solution. These are the steps students will use as they create their prototypes.
This discussion lead us into our Centers where students met with their team and reviewed the Invention worksheet they completed on Tuesday. Using the information from that sheet, they completed the first page of their Engineering Design sheet, which included identifying the problem and constraints, listing materials they will need and how these materials will be used to build their prototype, and sketching a design of their invention.
Next week, students will begin construction of their prototypes.
Optional Learning Log Entries for On-Campus Days
Tuesday, February 6, 2024
- Writing entry based on the standard W.10: I can write for short time frames or over a longer period of time depending on my purpose, audience and topic.
"Free writing in journal for 15 minutes about a topic of my choosing."
- Projects entry based on the standard 21st Century Skills 21.C.3 - Collaboration: I can collaborate effectively and respectfully with diverse teams.
"I worked with my team to plan out a prototype of an improvement for an invention that already exists or for a brand new invention."
Wednesday, February 7, 2024
- Writing entry based on the standard W.10: I can write for short time frames or over a longer period of time depending on my purpose, audience and topic.
"Free writing in journal for 15 minutes about a topic of my choosing."
- Projects entry based on the standard 21st Century Skills 21C.1 - Creativity: I can display originality, innovation and inventiveness in my work.
"I worked on my alien creature being sure to include adaptations it would need in order to survive on Mars."
- PE entry based on California Physical Education Content Standards, Standard 1: Students demonstrate the motor skills and movement patterns needed to perform a variety of physical activities.
"I participated in a PE game involving choosing a cone, running, tossing a ball and hoping to not be turned into a zombie. "
Weekly Zoom
On Zoom...
On Mondays, we start with core practice, then move into our weekend whip where each student shares 5 words to describe their weekend (or break). Next, we take a short brain break with a 5 minute exercise video. And finally, we follow up with a lesson. The topic for this month is the celebration of Black History Month.
On Fridays, we share our highs and lows from the week. Then we follow along with a short exercise video. And finally, we move into our lesson. The topic for this month is the celebration of Black History Month.
Zoom Advisory:
- Mondays & Fridays, 9:00-10:00
- Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/3403837634?pwd=cy9SRElacHY4b2hoN3p6SStYRkYrUT09, Meeting ID: 340 383 7634, Passcode: Bondsmith
Enrichment
We enjoyed making homemade marmalade in Culinary Arts this week with Ms. Sari. The fruit came from the garden and the students made the tasty treat from start to finish. Here is the recipe in case you want to try it at home.
Sports with Coach Donovan
Please ensure your student is wearing sports shoes and clothing and brings plenty of water!
Next Week's Schedule
Week of February 12-16, 2024
- Monday: Advisory Zoom from 9:00am - 10:00am
- Tuesday: On campus in Room H2 from 8:20 - 3:10
- Wednesday: On campus in Room H2 from 8:20 - 3:10 ~ Friendship Day
- Thursday: No Meetup
- Friday: No School ~ Teacher Professional Development Day
Dates to Know
February
- Mon. Feb. 12 - Progress Meetings for LP5 ~ Matilda, Randev, Abby and Mya
- Wed. Feb. 14 - Friendship Day
- Thur. Feb. 15 - Progress Meetings for LP5 ~ Beatrice, Jasmine, Grey, Fasola, Eli and Lola
- Thur. Feb. 15 - End of LP5
- Fri. Feb. 16 - No School ~ Advisor Professional Development Day
- Mon. Feb. 19 - No School ~ President's Day
Candid Photos
Curriculum Resources
- Instructional Funds Newsletter updated by BlancaHernandez@aveson.org in August!
- Curriculum Order Request - go to the AISA Community Site and at the top, click on "Instructional Funds". Then click on "Curriculum."
- New vendor approval request form.
- AISA Approved Vendor List
- Vendor Reimbursement Request - go to the AISA Community Site and at the top, click on "Instructional Funds". Then click on "Vendor."
- AISA I Can Statements TK-5 (grade-level learning standards)
Contact Info
The best way to contact me is by email. My office hours are Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:00pm. I will respond within 48 hours, although often it will be much sooner.
*If you need to contact me during on-campus school hours, please call the front office at (626)797-1440.
Sincerely,
Ms. Tracey