Closing Crew and Money for MOSS and PCEI

--At the end of each day after we have debriefed and reflected, packed up and cleaned up, we quickly meet to sing and chant good-bye. We all gather to the tune of Auld Ang Syn--with the words,"We' re here because we're here...." It's the cue and then when we are all there we do a closing chant. We started the day in Morning Meeting and end it just as united for together we are learning and growing academically and socially.
 Today's chant with motions goes--Kow a bunga, I  love being among' ya, We soar together more, because we are 1 score!  Get them to show you how it goes.:)


Also, if you notice an orange string tied around the pointer finger of your child, it's because your 5th or 6th grader is to make sure you get money in for MOSS and PCEI. These two science experiences work perfectly with the curriculum and standards and are just amazing experiences.

More info will be coming home soon if you are interested in chaperoning for all or part of the week. We are also planning a Scrapbook -a- Thon to help raise funds for bussing.

Unknotting--Riston's Morning Meeting Activity--the kids had
break into two groups for better success.

Donating Money to Paloma Institute

Today the 5/6 Crew gave the check for $346.83 that was earned when they sold scarves at the Winter Market in January.
Dr. Dandurand, the Institute's Director, graciously accepted the money and also received a scarf in Haiti's Flag colors. She gave us a picture drawn by one of her Haitian hosts.
She took the time to show  slides from her last visit there. The kids learned much more about the geography( the word Haiti means mountains beyond mountains) and living conditions. They realized that men hoeing a field earned $2 a day plus a meal... very hard living conditions. The root vegetable cassava is the staple crop and seeds for cabbage must be flown in. They know now that cholera is in all provinces of the country and 12 have died on La Gonave just because they can't afford bleach. In the dry season, most walk two miles to get 5 pounds of water.
The population has grown since the earthquake from 130,000 to 200,000 on this island that is 8 miles wide by 25 miles long It looks "like a big camp with all the footpaths", she said.
Dr. Dandurand, Dr. Boughton, and Ryan Law will go again to Haiti on March 11 for 2 weeks and she said she would  visit us after she returns.
The kids were asked to work the Haiti Breakfast on March 6 since they did such a great job last year! They will be able to sell scarves at the breakfast. They were excited to be able to continue to help.

Water Quality begins as Portico still goes and P4 ends

 The 5/6 finished up their Persuasive letters on Friday. Some did take them home to finish. All made it through the writing process and final edit with me. The letters exhibit good growth around the topic of both  Case Study#1 and #2 (Position and Prosperity, Principles and Posterity). Each student has been able to consider and can now answer the three Guiding Questions: How do maps document historical changes, What do citizens want from their government, and What living conditions or ideas motivate people to revolution? The perspective of the American Revolutionary past to the newest events in Egypt have been proved interesting.

Monday--Edible Aquifer as we immerse into Water Quality. This will be the first of three visits that are part of this expedition.

 Case Study for Math Investigations: Portico, How People Flow. We have 'redlined' all the work and on Tuesday will begin to measure and cut the cardboard to begin the building of each part. The kids have really learned so much from Ms. Schillberg. Her expertise has been so wonderful as she explains all aspects of architectural work. We are using the writing process to align this information so the kids can see that so much real world work requires the same steps they do-- collaboration, revision and listening. Lots and lots of listening.;)

The Winter Market Donation Total!!

 Yesterday Jared and Forest counted the money, while Emma counted scarves, and everyone else was knitting during the Haiti Project time of about 25 minutes.

The kids collect $364.38 and  sold 23 scarves!!!!


 We had a discussion about the amount collected and why people gave. They realized that kids DOING something for others, being of service is really important.


Courageous Women of Haiti and Palamo Institute will recieve half each or $182.19. The 5/6 will contact these organizations in the hopes of getting them to come to school so we can formally present the checks.


The Gallery Walk ideas have been collected and a formal discussion about "What's Next" will occur on Friday.