Welch Crew News: March 27, 2013

Expedition Express

Anato-ME: Our spring Expedition is in full swing and the kids are really soaking up all the knowlege they have read so far about the SKELETAL SYSTEM and NERVOUS SYSTEM. We are jam packed with amazing resources and experts coming in to our classrooms.

SKELETAL SYSTEM: Students are enjoying using their newly learned vocabulary words to describe parts of their body. Some quotes from the classroom: “When I fell on the playground, I banged my TIBIA really hard.” or “My stomach hurts just below my sternum.”

Mr. Bones is “hanging out” in our classroom thanks to a loaner skeleton from P.J. Anttila and Dana Mudd. We also have an interactive spinal column on loan from P.J. as well.

BRAIN EXPERT: Today we hosted Dr. Thomas Kidd from University of Nevada, Reno for our brain exploration. He brought to our classrooms: mouse brains, sheep brains, and two human brains. Students were given the choice to hold the brains and feel that they are soft and delicate. Good reason to wear a helmet during skiing and biking seasons.

Questions of the Week:

What is the purpose of the skeletal system?
Name at least 5 bones in your body?
How many layers are in a bone?
What does the brain do?
Describe the differences between the left and right side of your brain.

Many additional experts are lined up throughout the month of April. I will keep you posted in future newsletters as to who and what is happening in our classroom.

Crew News

Homework: Please remember to check over your child’s work during the week. I am reading many journal entries in the writing journals that have numerous misspellings and no punctuation. Please help encourage your child to do their best work and giving immediate feedback improves writing and spelling skills.

STAR Test Prep: Following Spring Break, homework packets will consist of STAR test prep materials. It is vital that you check the answers and help your child understand any mistakes. I will not have time in class to individually conference with each child regarding their answers. Your participation is critical. Thank you in advance for your help.

Library: Our next trip to the Nevada County Library is tomorrow. Please send back books for students to return and check out new books for Spring Break. Remember, the more your child reads, the better reader they will become.

Adventure: Thanks to all the drivers that made our spring adventure cross country skiing and hiking experiences wonderful. We were able to spend 3 days skiing at Tahoe Donner Cross Country and 1 day hiking alongs the beautiful Truckee River on the Legacy Trail. Photos of your children participating in these activities will be posted soon.

SELS News

Spring Conferences: Follow this link to sign up for your child’s Spring 2013 conference.

https://docs.google.com/a/truckeecharterschool.org/document/d/1wFB_Ey-JKWOm4emVss8U0k28chiBamydm34-rpeikeo/edit

These conferences will focus on the academic and social goals you and your child set in the fall. I will send home copies of your child’s goals in April. Take time to review these goals, determine if they have been met, and next steps to meet that goal or ideas for a new goal. Conferences are scheduled for 20 minutes each.

SELS 100 Capital Campaign: Have you made your contribution to our SELS 100 Capital Campaign? Remember, the goal is to achieve 100% participation for 100 days. We are working hard to make our campus the best learning environment for our students. You can help by donating online today.

Dates to Remember: