Month: September 2022

Washing Away Germs

The Owlets have been practicing new school routines this week. One of the most important things they practice throughout the day is hand washing! First the Owlets shared what they already know about germs, including that:

  • They make us sick.
  • They are small.
  • We wash them off.

The class then watched a short video to learn a little more about what germs are and how they get into our bodies. Finally the Owlets got to do a messy experiment to practice great hand washing!

The teachers put oil and cinnamon on the students’ hands and told them to pretend the small specks of cinnamon were germs.

The students were then asked to wash their hands to try and get rid of the “germs.” The Owlets learned that they couldn’t get all the germs off with only water; they needed to use soap and scrub all over. They also noticed that sometimes when all the germs on their palms were gone, some were still hiding in between their fingers and on the backs of their hands!

This hands-on activity has really helped the Owlets understand the importance of thorough hand washing to keep themselves and their friends healthy!

Task Party!

This week in art class, students in 4th – 8th grade got in touch with their creative sides by participating in something called a “Task Party,” where students draw and complete random tasks.

Fourth graders worked collaboratively in table groups to “turn a stool into a monster.”

Fifth graders worked collaboratively with their table groups to “design and create a themed Met Gala gown for a member of their group.”

Middle school students independently drew tasks from a box and either completed as many as they could, or chose to spend the entire time on one task. Tasks included: making a treasure map, making a robotic arm, making a musical instrument, making a parrot and wearing it on one’s arm, making puppets and putting on a puppet show, making an octopus garden, making everyone name tags, making a walled fortress, and more!

Task parties originate from contemporary artist Oliver Herring and are meant to build community, inspire creativity, critical thinking, and fun through the arts. Tasks can be building and creating art with crafting and recycled materials or can be performance based and encourage students to step out of their comfort zones. 

The best part about a task party is getting to know the students as makers, artists and creative minds in an open, stakes-free environment. Because there is no right or wrong way to perform a task, everyone is participating and engaged, as there is little judgment or fear of making mistakes. 

#SaklanCreative

Fall Enrichment Classes

The fall session of enrichment classes will begin the week of September 12th and run through December 8th. Classes available this session include: Book Making, Ceramics, Homework Club, and ECE Art. The complete schedule of classes offered this fall is below.

Classes are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, and some classes already have a wait list. To enroll your child in a fall enrichment class, please click on the button below.

Register for fall enrichment classes

#SaklanEnrichment

Bubble Gum Hypothesis

In preparation for a full year of fun and exciting science, middle school students have been reviewing and practicing the scientific method. The sixth grade students were given the question: “Which bubble gum creates the biggest bubbles; Double Bubble or Big League Chew?”

Students created their hypothesis, were given the same amount of each gum for consistency, and decided on a bubble gum blower for the experiment to keep the ability consistent. After measuring 5 bubbles and averaging their findings, all groups found Big League Chew to be better at consistently blowing large bubbles. They noted that it was the softer of the two gums as well. This and other flavor preferences played into their guess as to why Big League Chew was better. From this fun experiment, the scientific questions and hypotheses started flowing!

#SaklanScience #SaklanHandsOn

Everyday Ways We Can Help the Environment

How can our kids become superheroes and help save the world?

See the source image

One small choice at a time!

Image result for Environmental Awareness

Let’s foster some superhero behavior in our kids! Join the Saklan Parent Association on Zoom September 27, 2022 from 7-8 pm for a Parent Education session full of tips on how Saklan families can take small, attainable steps to make a difference and improve our environment. Our presenter, fellow Saklan parent, Scott Cashen, is an environmental scientist who will provide information and extend some challenges that we can all accomplish. The students will have a chance to be recognized at school throughout the year as they meet the challenge goals.  Join us to learn about small steps we can all take and support the students’ success! 

#SaklanPA #SaklanCompassionate