Pull-outs/Cardio Club/Ed Tech/Band/Genius
Hour
We are very fortunate in our District to have opportunities for
students to learn outside the classroom. Thank you to the Cardiff
SEA for your support.
PE – Shawn Back
Coach Back focuses on fitness, health and a safe school
environment. He has introduced strategies for students to use
when they experience conflicts with peers. Students should be
prepared on PE day with shoes and clothing that will allow them
to participate fully. Sunscreen and hats are recommended as
students are often outdoors.
Cardio Club
Students requested that Cardio Club return to Ada Harris. MAC
students will participate on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at
the start of the school day. Students should arrive at school
wearing shoes and clothing that will allow them to participate
fully. Sunscreen and hats are recommended, as students will be
outdoors. Parent volunteers are welcome and appreciated.
Science – Nick Cataldo
Mr. Cataldo is a highly experienced teacher whose focus on the
Scientific Method and data recording helps students more fully
understand the concepts learned in the classroom.
Performing Arts – Lynn Bridges
Mrs. Bridges uses songs, skits, and a variety of scenarios to engage
students in a creative fun way. She works with classroom teachers
so that her activities support classroom instruction.
Library – Annie Rump
Ms. Annie has reorganized the library to make it easier to find
books. The space is inviting and student-friendly. This year, Ms.
Annie has emphasized that books do not need to be renewed on a
weekly basis. This makes it easier for students who like to keep a
book at home until they are finished with it. If a book is out for an
excessive period of time, or if another student is waiting for a
book, Ms. Annie will let students know. We ask that students keep
a silent reading book in the classroom at all times. Reading is a
wonderful activity for early finishers of work.
Ed Tech – Mark Grisafe
Mr. G works with teachers in either the classroom or computer lab
with a variety of technology activities. This year our initial focus is
on design and the design process. Our plan is to use the concepts
in all areas of learning and instruction. Students will begin
programming using simple coding languages. We will use apps
specifically aimed at engaging elementary students in the process
of design.
We introduced the idea of the Design Process with an art lesson
and we plan to connect all of our creating to this process
(including writing)
“Hopscotch” is on student iPads.
http://www.gethopscotch.com/parents-and-educators
“Scratch” is a “flash based” application created at MIT. We will
use this in the computer lab as it cannot be used on iPads. Each
student will create a unique account to use at school.
Student/educational accounts are not public. Students may use
their school created accounts at home, but will not be allowed to
use accounts created at home while at school because those are
public. http://scratch.mit.edu
“Genius Hour”
We will spend some time each week to allow students to explore
the process of creative design and learning. We will provide time
for students to explore creating prototypes and revised iterations
of their creations.
We began “Genius Hour” with Legos and asked students to
imagine, think, plan, then create. Our goal is for students to see
that creating is a process and that first tries are often modified
and final products frequently turn out different than the original
plan. (The Legos were borrowed and will be returned this week.
We’d love a large amount of Legos for the classroom, if anyone
would like to donate some.)
Our ‘Genius Hour’ will be on Tuesday afternoons from 2:00-2:45
(not quite an hour.) Parent volunteers are welcome to join us.
RoboticsSeveral of our students have requested that we use robots with
our programming and design focus. We would love to! However,
robots can be rather expensive. The BeeBot robot that Mr. G used
to introduce programming was borrowed and cannot ‘live’ in our
classroom.
We would love to have Lego Mindstorm Robotics, however they
are rather expensive.
http://www.lego.com/enus/mindstorms/?domainredir=mindstorms.lego.com
There is a less expensive ($130) programmable robot, Romo, that
seems to have some potential for classroom use and is a little
more complex than BeeBot.
https://www.ted.com/talks/keller_rinaudo_a_mini_robot_powered_by_your_ph
one?language=en
If you come across any grant possibilities or possible funding sources, please
let me know and I will be happy to write a proposal.
Band – Cat Gold
Ms. Gold is the band director for Ada Harris and also works with
instruction in the San Dieguito School District at local middle
schools.
More than half of our class has signed up for band. MAC students
play a variety of instruments and there are different instructional
times for each. It will be a student responsibility to remember
when to go to band.
Some students will miss classroom time for band instruction.
Students who have instruction at lunch on Tuesdays will return to
class 20 minutes after the bell. We expect that they will enter the
room quietly and listen carefully to catch up. They should ask to
meet with one of us during work time to find out what they
missed.
Students who have band instruction on Tuesday afternoons will
miss ‘Genius Hour,’ but they will be working with Ms. Gold on
music skills. Music has been shown to have a positive impact on
learning.