Crew Update,

I hope everyone has had a chance to catch their breath after the crazy week we had.  I want to thank everyone that helped out on the SELS summit day, the bay area sailing trip, or the bear walk (or in some cases, all three).  I’m sure by this point you have heard many stories about the events from your kids.  The chaperones on the bay area fieldwork (Kelli, Rob, Sarah, Kim, Kimmie, and Scott) did a wonderful job battling traffic and helping out in general.  I have posted the pictures of last weeks events on the crew website and on my picasa account (This link).  I want to especially thank Ashley for helping organize the fieldwork.  There were unforeseen challenges that arose about two weeks before the fieldwork that almost canceled the trip, but with Ashley’s help we were able to find other arrangements that made the fieldwork even better.
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This is the last fieldwork we will be doing until the spring.  I want to thank all of the parents that have helped on fieldwork in any way this fall, including organizing, shopping, cooking, and chaperoning.  This group of parents has been exceptional at helping out whenever our crew needs it.  Thank you!
Now back to the classroom:
Cartographers and Commanders:
We are just finishing learning about the Middle Ages and will soon begin learning about the Renaissance and then the Age of Exploration.
Math:
We are in chapter 3 of our math curriculum and the students will have their individual test on chapter 3 on Thursday of next week.  I have reminded the students that in class is their chance to learn the material from their peers/teacher and practice it with help.  At home they should be testing their individual knowledge without the support of others.  This will give the students the opportunity to discover what they really know and do not know.
Who Am I?:
We are beginning to write an essay about our mentors using the information the students gathered during their interview.  The next step of the mentor project will be to shadow their mentor at their job/volunteering.  I will not be assigning the shadowing until the beginning of December and it will be due at the end of January to allow time to coordinate with their mentor and shadow them.
I think that is all for now.  As always if you have any questions please let me know.
Zach