Our last week together was a flurry of learning, celebrations, excursions, dancing, and, of course, good byes.

We started the week with some math work using geoboards to explore the idea of equivalent fractions and how not all equivalent fractions necessarily need to be congruent or look alike. Challenged to split the geoboard in half, Temescalians used rubber bands to create different permutations that fulfilled this constraint. Some created congruent halves while others started experimenting to create more unexpected halves.

Bringing our Walkathon full circle, we helped put the cards that Sweet Briar made into the hygiene kits we made for those in homelessness. Thank you again for your support in this endeavor! It feels good for us to be able to do something about an issue that may at times seem so big.

There are so many cursive letters and we got through all of the lower case letters and most of the upper case letters. Grownups may need to guide Temescalians as they continue learning the rest of the upper case letters independently so that they will be ready for when they start journaling in cursive in fourth grade!

We had a Celebration of Learning and End of the Year potluck this week. To prepare, Temescalians practiced reading their published local animal research books to one another and wrote compliments or appreciations for one another on post its.

Snapshots from the Temescalians sharing with grownups during the Celebration of Learning.

We spent some time cleaning out our cubbies and classroom, and signing the beautiful yearbooks that a few parents put together!

We started a 3D printed top challenge where Temescalians used Tinkercad to design a top by grouping two shapes together. The only constraint beyond using two shapes was that its maximum height was 50mm and its maximum width was 50mm. The aim was to design a top that would spin for the longest. We looked at a few tops and made predictions about which ones would spin for the longest. Then we tested them and used the average to determine how long it spun for. Many predicted that the wide white top would spin for the longest, whereas some thought otherwise. After find the average for each top, we talked about what made the white one the most successful. Temescalians noticed that it had a point at the bottom to spin on whereas the round green ones did not and the stem would quickly spin towards the table and stop its momentum. They also noticed that the width of the white top seemed to help it “stay steady” and “balanced” while it was spinning.

We then looked at the designs that Temescalians made on Tinkercad. Many different shapes were used, but a rounded cone and a pointed cone seemed to be the most popular shapes used for the body of the top and a cylinder seemed to be popular for the stem/handle of the top.

We were able to print a few out and we talked about how 3D printing works and how it is basically melted plastic that is formed over a grid of itself. Two of the tops that we were able to print came out looking very different from the design because it needed a structure when it was printed. This “casing” is removable and the top is revealed inside.

A Temescalian testing his 3D printed top. (Use password: TemescalCreek! )

We were having trouble printing all of the tops but Jose will continue to print these tops over the course of the summer. Keep an eye out for an email that will let you know when your Temescalian’s top is ready.

We got to see the dress rehearsal for Cerrito Creek’s play.

We celebrated a Temescalian’s summer birthday!

We always end our year with an assembly and dance party! This year, we said good-bye to Mike (4th/5th grade teacher in Cerrito Creek), Kendra (4th/5th grade teacher in Strawberry Creek), and Chris (front desk guru).

Let the dancing begin!

As an end of the year treat, we had a quick excursion to Foster’s Freeze and enjoyed some soft serve in the sun!

Here are a few more glimpses of our last week together!

I wanted to thank you all so much for the support and love that you’ve showered on Jackie and I this year. I especially want to thank you for the very generous gift that you prepared for this baby girl. She is so lucky to be a part of this warm community! I can’t wait to bring her in next year!

Some last reminders:
– There are some items in our mailbox in the office. If you forgot something from the June Jar or classroom, things are labeled with your name on them.

– Keep an eye out for communication from Jose about your 3D printed top, when it’s ready!
– Have a fantastic summer! And remember to visit! Once a Temescalian, always a Temescalian!