In Art class, all students K – 8th did a variation of this hand project to start off the school year. Students created “mind maps” including interests, passions and dreams. They drew symbols that represent these words and then composed them within a tracing of their hand. Younger students used lines, color, and their name to fill inside their hands.
Each is unique in the ways each student is one of a kind. Our hands as artists not only make each creation, but together we hold the power to change the world. All hand projects were turned into the last Swap & Drop, so Ms. Natalie can create one large work of art that brings everyone’s hands together. This collaborative piece will be on view in the breezeway for students to see on in-person visit days. In the coming weeks, we will have each project and the collaboration piece on our online Art Museum at Artsonia.com under The Saklan School. Stay tuned!
Mr. P and Ms. Natalie combined both 8th grade Advisories for a couple weeks to give the students the opportunity to have some fun while flexing their communications skills and learning personal accountability and self-advocacy.
The central idea in middle school and in the activity booklet (linked below) is student empowerment. As you can see in the diagrams in the booklet, when the student is in the driver’s seat on the communications highway of students, parents, and teachers, well… that’s where the money is!
During this exercise, small student groups brainstormed then acted out scenarios for various common types of communications that happen in middle school. For example, taking responsibility in class or self-advocating in interactions with teachers at school or with parents at home. We then recorded the student roleplays, and we’re now watching and reflecting on them as an 8th grade community while celebrating the kids’ creativity, compassion, and courage in making these videos — first thing in the morning, no less.
Evy, Elena and Isabel
The video presented here is one of a number of very sweet snapshots illustrating respectful, responsible student-to-student communications in social situations. We’re super proud of our 8th graders and their enthusiastic embrace of these essential life skills.
Fifth graders are reading the chapter book Frindle by Andrew Clements. Frindle is the story of a smart, mischievous fifth grader that likes to pull pranks at school. He comes up with a creative prank for one of his teachers by inventing a new word.
Two of the literary concepts students are learning about are character traits and providing text evidence to support the specific trait. In addition, students drew a picture of one of the main characters using what they have learned about the character during their reading. Students presented their completed posters on a Flip Grid video. Way to go fifth graders!
In an effort to do a little something fun with our Friday Flag, we asked families to create their own version of Happy by Pharrell Williams. This video certainly made everyone smile and happy this morning!
Special thanks to Noah M. (8th grade) for putting the video together!
The Seven Hills School is hosting a FREE virtual Parent Lecture Series event next Wednesday, September 16 at 7:00 pm. New York Times bestselling author, Julie Lythcott-Haims, presents “Talking to Your Kids about Race and Racism.”
The event is open to all, but space is limited. Please RSVP.
“You just can’t fathom it.” Truer words were never spoken. Having your children back on campus, even for short visits, has been pure joy. I know, as parents, you understand the value of these visits to your child, but you have no idea how energizing it is to us. They are the lifeblood of the school. They are the reason we show up every morning. They give us purpose.
When we received word from Governor Newsom in July that we would not be able to do in-person learning, it was a severe disappointment. Not just because all the work we had done to have students back on campus felt wasted, but also because we knew that they needed to be here for their emotional health. They needed to be connected to each other and to us. When we received permission from the county to bring kids on campus in small groups for short periods, it felt like a blessing.
Connection is one of our core values at Saklan; it is in our DNA. And it has never been so important as now. These are anxious times for students. Each of you has a story to share about how the pandemic has impacted your child and your family. You are not alone. In a survey done by YouthTruth this summer, 50% of students reported feelings of depression, anxiety, or stress. These Saklan Connect visits – as brief as they are – are vital to the health of our students.
There is an old notion in schools that they are mostly about academics. Even at Saklan, we (or at least I) have framed the importance of connection to students as something that can often be in service to higher academic achievement. A student will never achieve their full academic potential unless they are connected with others and are thriving socially emotionally. And while it is true that connection and emotional stability are a prerequisite to strong academics, I am convinced now that they are an end unto themselves.
When we have your child here for a Saklan Connect visit, it is because this is what they need right now (and maybe what we need too). We know having them “connect” will help them in their academic endeavors, but that is not why they are invited to join us. They are here because it is what we all need – full stop.
Ms. Jessica’s Hoot Owls & Owlets have had a fantastic first week of school! They spent this week exploring our new outdoor learning spaces and getting to know some new friends, as well as reuniting with old ones. They began talking about our neighborhoods and the important people who work in our communities. They looked at and drew maps of our own neighborhoods.
During their conversation about Moraga, one student told a story about a skunk they once saw. Turns out the class had a lot to say about skunks and even more questions to ask! They delved deeper and learned some facts about skunks. They even danced like skunks do when they are about to spray! It was an unexpected but fun way to discover more about some of the nature around us. Our students and teachers have been so thrilled to be back on campus learning from each other!
The Hoot Owls read the book, The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn, about a little raccoon’s transition to school. His mother teaches him the secret of the kissing hand. The Hoot Owls made their own kissing hands to give to their families, so they aren’t missed so much while they are at school.
The Hoot Owls also enjoyed playing in their outdoor classroom and meeting Mr. Crabtree and Maestra Ester.
According to the interweb, the “Cha-Cha Slide” was developed as a fitness routine in the Chicago area in 1996. David Wilson was looking for a new routine for his aerobics class. He went to his uncle Willie Perry Jr., better known as DJ Casper, or Mr. C The Slide Man. The rest is history.
The “Cha-Cha Slide” is part of a collection of line dances known as slides, including “The Electric Slide” and “The Cupid Shuffle.” Last spring when the school went home for quarantine we were presented with a challenge. How do you participate in physical education at a distance? All the students were shown the moves and it became part of the online learning routine. Mr. Crabtree’s hope was for all of us to come together physically in the future and dance. He was delighted to see everyone dancing during the middle school campus visit!
“Thanks for teaching me so much about fabrics. I had fun!” – Willow K.
Over the Summer, Ms. Natalie held an online fabric fun class with 2nd – 8th grade. Students learned about Textile (Fabric) Art and processes from around the world, while making each of theirs an original work of art.
Skyler B. (3rd) is filling her soft sculpture with fiberfill and was inspired by Pablo Picasso’s paintings to create her design using fabric markers on muslin.
Willow K. (3rd) holds up her one of a kind bandana which was naturally dyed with Turmeric, over a shibori resist technique, and block printed using vegetables.
Skyler shows the printing process in which they used vegetables and fabric paint to create their designs. Each student gained a new perspective on the Art of Textiles and the parents enjoyed it too!
FRIDAY BLOG 
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