Each third grader chose a topic that they felt strongly about and gave reasons why it was important to them. Then they provided examples to support their arguments and made recommendations.
#SaklanDistanceLearning
Month: May 2020
Virtual Book Fair
It’s (virtual) book fair time! Need to escape your life without leaving your house? Tired of reading the same book to your children night after night after night? Then head on over to https://www.rakestrawbooks.com/
Rakestraw Books is an independent bookstore in Danville, CA and they are hosting Saklan’s (virtual) book fair. They have literally thousands of titles, suitable for children and adults of all ages. Check out the video below with Susan’s recommendations for the different age groups. (00:00 min. – for PreK, K and LS; 12:00 min. – for LS and MS; 24:00 min. – for MS, HS and Adults)
IMPORTANT: To order, simply fill your shopping cart with as many books as you want, then put the word “Saklan” in the coupon code box and click “apply to order.” This is the only way for Saklan to get credit for your order.
You filled your cart? You put Saklan in the coupon code box? Okay, now click “checkout.” At checkout, you will have two shipping options: Standard Shipping (this amount will change depending on how much you order) and a 99 cent pickup option.
IMPORTANT: The 99 cent pickup option only appears if your order is over $25. If your order is under $25 and you wish to use the 99 cent pickup option, please put PICKUP in the comments section. Your total will be manually adjusted once it is received by the bookstore.
Once a week, or once every other week depending on how many orders we get, all “pickup” orders will be picked up from Rakestraw and taken to Saklan. You will get an email telling you your order is ready for pickup and you are then free to come by Saklan at your leisure and pick up your new goodies.
Please share the virtual book fair with friends and family members! Saklan will receive 10% credit for all orders placed between now and the end of the school year so the more people who order the more Saklan will benefit. Just remember, you must write SAKLAN in the coupon code box for Saklan to benefit.
Questions or comments? Feel free to contact Tara (aka Kaylah’s Mom) at jade4037@gmail.com. Thank you!
#SaklanBookFair
Le Tour de Quarantine
Hats off (or helmets should we say) to Mac and his family for taking the live storytime to a new level. Mac, Melanie and Ben read The Cycling Wangdoos by Kelly Puller in their Le Tour de Quarantine. If you want a good laugh, take a few minutes to enjoy their live reading.
If you would like to do a live reading, please contact David at doconnell@saklan.org. Live readings are done through Zoom every Tuesday and Thursday at 7:00 pm.
#SaklanCreative
Protective Paper Towel Masks
Grades 6th-8th made somewhat of a fashion statement making a simple protective face mask using a paper towel, two rubber bands, a stapler, and some markers. They were asked to use one word or phrase to describe how they have felt through this experience of shelter in place. They could also respond with one word or phrase of what they are learning in this moment in time. Students drew other parts to the mask like speech bubbles and an expressive mouth while making the mask colorful.
In the process of making, students talked about why they chose that word or phrase. We talked about what they do to change negative thoughts into positive, and how art and other things can help with those bored, anxious, or stressed out times. They were asked to then take a picture of themselves wearing the mask. As they say, a lot is said within looking someone in the eyes. Looking closer, you can see a lot of emotion in the students’ eyes in relationship to their chosen word or phrase.
#SaklanCreative
Thank You, NOAA TAS!
Special thank you to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Teacher at Sea Program which sent Miss O. some lab supplies for her students to be able to take part in labs while doing distance learning. The 6th grade students will be able to do a climate change lab and alternative energy lab from their kindness and support of their alumni teachers. Thank you, NOAA Teacher at Sea, our students (and Miss O) thank you! Students will pick up these lab supplies at the next “swap and drop!”
#SaklanAcademics
Earth Day Projects
This was the second graders Earth Day project where they had to create something out of recycled materials.
#SaklanCreative
Owlets Became Scientists!
April was a Scientrific Month! The month’s theme was Science and Springtime. The Owlets had an amazing time becoming scientists and learning about making observations, predictions, watching chemical reactions, why certain things don’t mix, and so much more.
The Owlets did a celery experiment where they filled cups halfway with water, added food coloring, added celery sticks, then made predictions of what they thought was going to happen, and how many days it is going to take This experiment taught them about capillary action. This is the process of how plants take water from the ground up through their roots and bring it up the stem, to the leaves, and to the petals. By doing this experiment, they got to see first hand how this happened because with them adding food coloring to the cups of water, they got to see how the capillaries carried the water up and to the top. The celery changed color to whatever the water was colored.
Another science experiment they did was wax resist cards. This is when you draw with a white color crayon, paint over with watercolor, and then you can see what you drew because the wax resists the water color paint.
The Owlets did so many more fun science experiments like why oil and water don’t mix, sink or float, and lemon volcanoes.
The Owlets also made Earth Day promises: made spring flowers and crowns, and did a chalk challenge where they thanked all the essential workers and people around their neighborhood. It was a fun-filled month!
#SaklanHandsOn
FRIDAY BLOG 
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