Reenie McMains – Sierra Expeditionary Learning School https://truckeecharterschool.org Exploring | Learning | Serving Mon, 22 May 2017 05:02:29 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.1 https://truckeecharterschool.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/cropped-sels-web-icon-32x32.png Reenie McMains – Sierra Expeditionary Learning School https://truckeecharterschool.org 32 32 McMains Crew News https://truckeecharterschool.org/2017/05/22/mcmains-crew-news-4/ Mon, 22 May 2017 05:00:55 +0000 https://truckeecharterschool.org/?p=54700 Expedition Express: Worlds of Wonders
We are studying Ancient Civilizations: Egypt, Greece, China, and India. Case studies explore each civilizations’ achievements in arts and architecture, social and political structures, and science and technology.

Our Essential Question: What are the lasting contributions of the ancient civilizations and how do they impact our lives?

Questions to Ask Your Child:
Show me a math magic trick from your CPM text and then explain to me how it works! How did you compare and contrast the Han and Shang Dynasties of ancient China? Invite me to your Thrively website so I can see your strengths, interests and passions!

Crew News
Fieldwork: California Wonder Tour was AMAZING! First crew to walk TO the bridge, UNDER the bridge, and walk across in the springtime! We are reading The Lightning Thief and writing our own narratives using the format of a hero’s journey. Our math focus is writing algebraic expressions using inverse operations and the distributive property. We’ll end the year in statics and probability by starting a hands-on, real world project to use that knowledge in fun service to our school!

On May 19th we saw a performance of Chinese Drumming by the GuGu Drum Group. You can watch this internationally famous group here:
http://kmpartists.com/gugu-drum-group/

SELS News
Passages will take place Wednesday and Thursday, June, 21 and 22 from 12:30-2:00.
Middle school service day: May 26. We will be planting trees at Waddle Ranch for the Truckee Tahoe Airport.
Culminating fieldwork: June 1 & 2, overnight at Pyramid Lake.
Ancient World Summit is our final product – see you on Celebration of Learning Night, June 15th, from 5:00-6:00.
Last day of school, Friday June 23, is a minimum day.

Highlights
Parent Volunteers – Thanks to all the parent volunteers who made the California Wonder Tour possible!

]]> McMains Crew News https://truckeecharterschool.org/2017/04/06/mcmains-crew-news-3/ Thu, 06 Apr 2017 17:46:39 +0000 https://truckeecharterschool.org/?p=54600 Expedition Express: Worlds of Wonders
A study of Ancient Civilizations: Egypt, Greece, China, and India. Case studies explore each civilizations’ achievements in arts and architecture, social and political structures, and science and technology.

Our Essential Question: What are the lasting contributions of the ancient civilizations and how do they impact our lives?

Questions to Ask Your Child: How did geography affect where the Chinese Dynasties developed? What can you tell me about the Silk Road? How is my life different today because of Chinese inventions and advances? Teach me how to combine “like terms” to simplify algebraic expressions. How do algebra tiles work?

Crew News
Investigative journalists did some deep digging to learn about rats in honor of our new class pet, Nova. Nova’s presence has been inspirational in both writing and our Who Am I expedition. We used the soil samples we collected from Lassen to make soil paint. We used it to replicate ancient cave paintings like the Ajanta Caves from ancient India.

Finally, fieldwork is on the calendar! April 26-28 we hit the road for our mini-California Wonder Tour! More on that next month…

SELS News
• Spring Break April 10-15

Parent Volunteer Highlights
Thanks to Niki Riley for our March Coffee Shop treats and Forrest Rader for April!

]]> McMains Crew News https://truckeecharterschool.org/2017/03/07/mcmains-crew-news-2/ Tue, 07 Mar 2017 18:47:23 +0000 https://truckeecharterschool.org/?p=54539 Expedition Express: Worlds of Wonders
A study of the Ancient Civilizations Egypt, Greece, China, and India. Case studies explore each civilizations’ achievements in arts and architecture, social and political structures, and science and technology.

Our Essential Question: What are the lasting contributions of the ancient civilizations and how do they impact our lives?

Questions to Ask Your Child:
How did geography affect where the Egyptians settled?
What can you tell me about the Pharaohs of ancient Egypt and how they ruled?
What was a typical day in the life of an Egyptian?
If you lied in ancient Egyptian society, which social class would you have wanted to belong to? How is my life different today because of the Egyptians?
Teach me how to multiply fractions and mixed numbers.
What was this week’s Hot Topic and how did your thinking change around it?

Crew News
We are sharpening our narrative skills with a daily visual creative writing prompt followed by “Author’s Chair” readings of our work. CoffeeShop book discussion day this month is for chatting about our personal choice books. The math focus is spiraling up into more portion relationships – multiplying parts of parts in the form of fractions and decimals. Fridays start with our “Hot Topic” discussion of crew-selected topics. Ask your child to see the online Padlet with crew responses after the conversations.

SELS News
Tahoe Safe Alliance presentations covered middle school topics with a very engaged crew.

Check our full school calendar for events & happenings: https://truckeecharterschool.org/calendar/

Highlights
Parent Volunteer – Thanks to Melissa for secretly arranging our Adventure Day! Crew members went dogsledding with Wilderness Adventure tours in Squaw Valley and ice-skating at the resort!

]]> McMains Crew News https://truckeecharterschool.org/2017/02/08/mcmains-crew-news/ Wed, 08 Feb 2017 22:39:42 +0000 https://truckeecharterschool.org/?p=54511 Expedition Express: Worlds of Wonders
Description: A study of the Ancient Civilizations Egypt, Greece, China, and India. Case studies explore each civilizations’ achievements in arts and architecture, social and political structures, and science and technology.

Our Essential Question: What are the lasting contributions of the ancient civilizations and how do they impact our lives?

Questions to Ask Your Child:
How did geography affect where the Egyptians settled?
What can you tell me about the Pharaohs of ancient Egypt and how they ruled?
What was a typical day in the life of an Egyptian?
If you lied in ancient Egyptian society, which social class would you have wanted to belong to?
How is my life different today because of the Egyptians?
Teach me how to multiply fractions and mixed numbers.
What was this week’s Hot Topic and how did your thinking change around it?

Crew News
We are sharpening our narrative skills with a daily visual creative writing prompt followed by “Author’s Chair” readings of our work. CoffeeShop book discussion day this month is for chatting about our personal choice books. The math focus is spiraling up into more portion relationships – multiplying parts of parts in the form of fractions and decimals. Fridays start with our “Hot Topic” discussion of crew-selected topics. Ask your child to see the online Padlet with crew responses after the conversations.

SELS News
• Progress reports are complete for the semester and will be coming home in February.
• Tahoe Safe Alliance presentations covered middle school topics with a very engaged crew.
• Ski Skate Week February 20-24

Highlights
Thanks to Melissa for secretly arranging our upcoming Adventure Day! Crew will be dogsledding with Wilderness Adventure tours in Squaw Valley and ice-skating at the Resort at Squaw Creek!

]]> Back from Fieldwork on the Coast https://truckeecharterschool.org/2014/10/27/back-from-fieldwork-on-the-coast/ Mon, 27 Oct 2014 04:40:12 +0000 http://www.truckeecharterschool.org/back-from-fieldwork-on-the-coast/
The week ahead:
Math: We resume an exploration of area in our CPM textbook.
Expedition: We'll dig deeper into the water cycle and the effects of tectonic plate motion on the Earth's surface.
Literacy: Protected reading in Book Club on Monday and Tea & Treat discussion Wednesday / Writers Workshop Tuesday and Thursday with grammar Caught Ya's and informative writing.
Fix-it Friday will happen Friday morning before Community Meeting to accommodate the BearWalk - this is for crew who need to re-test on expedition learning targets.

Other Happenings:
SELS Summit Day on Tuesday - permission slips needed! We will ride the bus to the trailhead for Castle Peak that begins behind the I80 rest area. Parent drivers will bring us back to school.
McMains Crew will run this Friday's Community Meeting.Friday is the SELS BearWalk - students are reminded to wear school-appropriate costumes and comfortable walking shoes. Crew, remember to get those friends and family pledges for your laps - every cent you raise goes to your crewroom!
SELS will host a parent Math Night on November 6th - come experience the College Preparatory Math / Common Core math program to really understand the rich learning your child is experiencing. Discover the benefits of collaborative study teams and how this structure deepens your child's fundamental conceptualization of mathematical ideas.

]]> Crew had an amazing learning adventure on the beaches, dunes, and redwood forests! The geology of the coast gave us the opportunity to observe the effects of plate tectonics near the Mendocino Triple Junction and a perfect vantage point to discuss the cycling of water around our planet. We set up some water experiments…and then, ironically, it rained all over them! We’ll set up new ones on campus this week…

The week ahead:
Math: We resume an exploration of area in our CPM textbook.
Expedition: We’ll dig deeper into the water cycle and the effects of tectonic plate motion on the Earth’s surface.
Literacy: Protected reading in Book Club on Monday and Tea & Treat discussion Wednesday / Writers Workshop Tuesday and Thursday with grammar Caught Ya’s and informative writing.
Fix-it Friday will happen Friday morning before Community Meeting to accommodate the BearWalk – this is for crew who need to re-test on expedition learning targets.

Other Happenings:
SELS Summit Day on Tuesday – permission slips needed! We will ride the bus to the trailhead for Castle Peak that begins behind the I80 rest area. Parent drivers will bring us back to school.
McMains Crew will run this Friday’s Community Meeting.Friday is the SELS BearWalk – students are reminded to wear school-appropriate costumes and comfortable walking shoes. Crew, remember to get those friends and family pledges for your laps – every cent you raise goes to your crewroom!
SELS will host a parent Math Night on November 6th – come experience the College Preparatory Math / Common Core math program to really understand the rich learning your child is experiencing. Discover the benefits of collaborative study teams and how this structure deepens your child’s fundamental conceptualization of mathematical ideas.

    

]]> Goal-Setting Conference Week https://truckeecharterschool.org/2014/10/13/goal-setting-conference-week/ Mon, 13 Oct 2014 19:52:21 +0000 http://www.truckeecharterschool.org/goal-setting-conference-week/ Minimum days all week - please come prepared to your conference, with goals written.

Math – students are working to attain 85% accuracy on 5th grade /6th grade skills practice this week. No new lessons in the CPM program until after fieldwork.

Literacy – book clubs began reading their chosen books and are preparing Response to Literature papers to drive their part of discussion day on Wednesday.

Science Expedition – crew will have an assessment on the Lassen fieldwork Learning Targets and last week's Q-notes about plate tectonics.
They began filling out a study guide today to prepare for the test - it is downloadable here!

science_expedition_study_guide.docxFile Size: 76 kbFile Type: docxDownload File ]]>

Minimum days all week – please come prepared to your conference, with goals written.

Math – students are working to attain 85% accuracy on 5th grade /6th grade skills practice this week. No new lessons in the CPM program until after fieldwork.

Literacy – book clubs began reading their chosen books and are preparing Response to Literature papers to drive their part of discussion day on Wednesday.

Science Expedition – crew will have an assessment on the Lassen fieldwork Learning Targets and last week’s Q-notes about plate tectonics.
They began filling out a study guide today to prepare for the test – it is downloadable here!

science_expedition_study_guide.docxFile Size: 76 kbFile Type: docxDownload File     

]]> Grizzly Adventure Camp https://truckeecharterschool.org/2014/09/15/grizzly-adventure-camp/ Mon, 15 Sep 2014 03:03:06 +0000 http://www.truckeecharterschool.org/grizzly-adventure-camp/ What a wonderful kick-off to our Who Am I expedition! We were graced by 14 lovely deer during one morning meeting on the beach by the lake, and entertained by 4 river otters on another. Tiny brown bats, delicious food prepared by our loving parents, funny skits, night hikes and plenty of personal and all-crew challenges. Thank you, Walton’s Grizzly Lodge!     

]]> And we’re off! https://truckeecharterschool.org/2014/09/01/and-were-off/ Mon, 01 Sep 2014 18:36:34 +0000 http://www.truckeecharterschool.org/and-were-off/ I will post regular crew updates on this blog:

Expedition - Character 6th grade is all about choice and responsibility. Crew began by taking responsibility for choosing their own best-fit math study team, individual "ThinkSpace", and cubby.
Dojo is a hit - and thank you parents who have logged in and are following along. Remember, this is just a snapshot of times during a day I may notice your child practicing habits of work in positive or negative ways.
College Prep Math - Crew took a pre-assessment on all the concepts we will explore this year. It will come home Tuesday. Chapter 1 is designed to learn and practice Study Team Roles and the processes we will follow this year while introducing concepts we will study late this year.
Expedition - Science -Kick-off is the Lassen Volcanic Road trip on September 30!
Literacy - Using their items from the summer reading assignment, crew began creating an idea board for themselves as if they were the next character in Seedfolks. We will develop that idea into our first narrative writing.
We will explore VERSO as a way to read, write, and respond to other's ideas.
Look For and Reminders: This week math pretetss, parent info on math, and Grizzly Adventure Camp permission slips ( due September 9th).
]]> Two days into the new year and already crew is coming together. In the first few weeks we will focus strongly on aspects of our character expedition, Who Am I? and the development of study team roles and the new math program. We will not begin our science expedition until after our character kick-off at Grizzly Adventure Camp.
I will post regular crew updates on this blog:

Expedition – Character 6th grade is all about choice and responsibility. Crew began by taking responsibility for choosing their own best-fit math study team, individual “ThinkSpace”, and cubby.
Dojo is a hit – and thank you parents who have logged in and are following along. Remember, this is just a snapshot of times during a day I may notice your child practicing habits of work in positive or negative ways.
College Prep Math – Crew took a pre-assessment on all the concepts we will explore this year. It will come home Tuesday. Chapter 1 is designed to learn and practice Study Team Roles and the processes we will follow this year while introducing concepts we will study late this year.
Expedition – Science -Kick-off is the Lassen Volcanic Road trip on September 30!
Literacy – Using their items from the summer reading assignment, crew began creating an idea board for themselves as if they were the next character in Seedfolks. We will develop that idea into our first narrative writing.
We will explore VERSO as a way to read, write, and respond to other’s ideas.
Look For and Reminders: This week math pretetss, parent info on math, and Grizzly Adventure Camp permission slips ( due September 9th).

Via::

    

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