What we did this week

Science Presentations

We were excited to have many of you join us for your child’s presentations on their marine organisms this week. While our original plan before DL was to transform our classrooms into underwater wonderlands, we are proud of the flexibility and resourcefulness displayed by Cerrito in turning their project into an online exhibit instead. As we’re sure you observed intimately at home, the 4th and 5th graders have been working diligently on the many different aspects of these projects over the last few weeks. They drew scientific sketches of their organism, created clear and aesthetically pleasing food webs, and constructed 3D models out of plastic bottles, paper mache, paper towel rolls, fabric, cardboard, and more. Additionally, they researched and wrote about their organism’s adaptations, habitat, threats and the conservation efforts made to support their organisms. Cerrito put together slideshows and rehearsed their delivery, which undoubtedly showed in their succinct and thoughtful presentations. Congratulations to each student for their amazing work!!

Email rollout

Students got TBS emails this week and have been learning good email habits. Early in the week we talked about how emails are another extension of our school space and the expectations around them are an extension of our tech agreements. Students have been practicing sending emails with good etiquette (relevant subject line, greeting and sign off) and organizing their inbox to keep track of important emails and minimize distraction. Students know that emailing should be school-relevant and social uses of email (or email capabilities like chat) should be kept to personal emails. 

Example email from Jaeda.

Supporting your student with distance learning

Screens and minimizing distractions

As we continue with distance learning, we are further refining the ways we can support students with dealing with the many distractions the naturally come with have constant access to the internet. For example, we have noticed that many students seem occasionally distracted in our Zoom meetings. We understand that there is a lot on their minds (and a lot of potentially more interesting competition), but our time together will be most constructive and full of learning if they are as present as possible. One thing you can do as their guardians to assist your student is helping them silence social/chat notifications on the devices that they are using and putting phones away during work time. 

Daily Schedule

If you are noticing that your student is having difficulty managing their daily or weekly workload on their own, or are having trouble finding time for balance away from screens (being outside, playing, reading for pleasure, etc.) we recommend helping them create a daily schedule. We have noticed that some students are using schedules really effectively, but it is a skill that many are still developing. One way to do this is to check in with them after we have our morning lesson about what they need to complete that day and help them with planning out when they may be able to complete it. We recommend they start with assignments they think they may need more help with so that they can get help with them in study hall from 11-12, or can schedule an appointment in office hours for help between 1-1:30.