Category: Fourth Grade

Coloma: Stepping Back in Time

Saklan’s fourth graders recently returned from an overnight field experience to Coloma Outdoor Discovery School. Step back in time as we relive their unforgettable journey, where history came alive for our brave 4th graders.

The air was thick with excitement as the 4th graders dusted off their mining boots and stepped into the lively days of 1849. Immersing themselves in the echoes of the California Gold Rush, the young pioneers purchased the ingredients to make cornbread at the local wagon store.  After mixing all the ingredients together, the batter was poured into a cast iron dutch oven, and then placed over the fire to cook. As the aroma of freshly baked cornbread filled the air, the youngin’s learned some sewing, washed clothes on the washboard, and even worked together to build a shelter. 

Living the life of a Coloma miner right on the banks of the river gave them a first hand glimpse of life in 1849. The taste of the warm cornbread brought them closer to the spirit of those who sought fortune in the golden hills. 

What would a trip to Coloma be without the thrill of discovering gold? Armed with pans and determination, the young prospectors eagerly took to the troughs filled with pay dirt from the American River. Laughter and shouts of “Eureka!” filled the air as gold fever gripped the 4th grade prospectors. The rush of finding gold mirrored the elation of those who once sought their fortune in the very same spot.

The journey through time took a poignant turn when the students met with a local Miwok cultural leader. Through the eyes and words of a Miwok story teller, the class gained a deeper understanding of the indigenous perspective. The insights into water’s journey, harmony with nature, and the rich cultural tapestry painted a vivid picture of the diverse stories that unfolded in California long before the Gold Rush.

The second day of their journey included a hike in the hills of Coloma to discover some of the historical sites from the Gold Rush beginnings including Sutter’s Mill where that first famous nugget was discovered.  One of the day’s highlights was when the class gathered ’round the blacksmith’s forge, where sparks flew and iron danced in the hands of a true craftsman. The rhythmic clanging of the hammer on the anvil echoed the hard work and determination of the blacksmiths who once forged tools for the gold-seeking prospectors. The wide-eyed 4th grade adventurers marveled at the magic of turning raw iron into sturdy tools that played a vital role in shaping the destiny of the Gold Rush era.

As they packed their bags and bid farewell to the golden hills, their hearts were heavy with gratitude for the hands-on history lesson they lived in Coloma.

#Saklanfieldexperience

The Suns are Back

Saklan hadn’t played basketball games against another school since before the pandemic, but this month the Suns returned to the court! Recently a team of Saklan 4th – 8th graders played two games against the Contra Costa Jewish Day School Grizzlies. Both games were close and well played. Saklan had a big turn out of courageous students willing to put on jerseys. A big thank you to: Aliya 6th, Braden 7th, Cameron 4th, Hailey 6th, Jameson 8th, Jack 7th, Kiran 8th, Lucien 6th, Mori 8th, Oliver 8th, Riley 5th, Sam 8th, Sean 5th, Sebastien 4th,  and Yiannis 8th.  These students, without any formal practice, took on a middle-school aged varsity level basketball team and won one home game and lost a close away game. Way to go Saklan!

Basketball Club continues on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays at 3:00 p.m. All 4th – 8th graders are invited to join in the fun out on the Sports Court. As we move towards March, Volleyball Club will start alongside Basketball Class on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. Stay tuned for more info about volleyball games planned for April and May. Go Suns!

#SaklanCourageous #SaklanSports

100 Days of Learning

Did you know that on Thursday, February 8th, Saklan students celebrated the 100th day of the school?  

The Hoot Owls celebrated by making 100 hand prints, 100-day crowns, and counting to 100.

Kindergarteners made a special snack of 100 things, did 100 different exercises, counted to 100 in many different ways, made cheerio necklaces with 100 cheerios, wrote numbers to 100 and built different structures with 100 cups!

One of the highlights of the 100th day of school for the Hoot Owls, Kindergartners and 1st graders was the opportunity to gather in the Pre-K room and watch a video of Joanna’s 100 year old grandmother, who answered questions the students had about being 100. Witnessing a healthy centenarian left the students in awe and provided them with a unique perspective on the passage of time. Check out the video here!

The 4th graders celebrated during their Ohana Circle Time by estimating 100 in various ways, writing their names in cursive 100 times, and tackling an Order of Operations challenge to create equations of 100. 

The students had a wonderful day celebrating 100 days of learning!

Respectful Students

Saklan’s social-emotional learning emphasis for January is to be respectful. Throughout the month, all Saklan students will be learning what it means to be respectful and practicing strategies for showing respect both at school and at home.

On Friday, January 26th, the first – eighth graders will meet with their family groups and take part in cross-grade level discussions and activities to gain an even greater understanding of respect. We value these opportunities to help our students understand and integrate new SEL concepts each month. Thank you to our 8th graders for leading these opportunities for the 1st – 7th graders, and to our SEL coordinators Vickie Obenchain and Lisa Rokas for organizing such a unique program for our students.

#SaklanSEL

Showing Respect

How can we show respect for the people whose ancestral land Saklan is on?

This is the driving question that the third graders are currently working to answer in their PBL unit. They have been learning about the Saklan people (part of the Bay Miwok nation) who have lived on this land for thousands of years longer than anyone else.

The third and fourth graders were recently visited by the founders of Cafe Ohlone, Vincent Medina (of Chechenyo Ohlones) and Louis Trevino (of Rumsen Ohlones). Vincent and Louis shared with the students all about their culture and traditions, and how their work is centered around keeping their culture alive. They requested that the students refer to indigenous peoples in the present tense, not the past, because they are still here and their culture is still celebrated by their people.

The third graders continued to learn more about the Saklan/Bay Miwok peoples through expert learning research groups and a virtual field experience with guest experts from Coyote Hills Regional Park. Stay tuned for more information on their unit and their culminating end product.

#SaklanPBL

Fun and Learning

An important way that Saklan students practice key math skills is by playing math games. These games are an engaging way to reinforce concepts, build number sense and practice using math vocabulary.

Most math games are played with partners or small groups, and so they also help students practice interpersonal skills like communicating and problem solving.

Games provide an environment in which students can create and try strategies, and can also learn strategies from others.

Students often identify math games as some of their favorite activities completed in the school day and look forward to them as an opportunity to interact with classmates, learning buddies and friends. The games and activities capture their enthusiasm and create environments that make concepts and skills tangible and learning memorable, meaningful and fun!

Why I Teach Ewe Music

Alfred and Kobla Ladzekpo came to the United States in the 1960s to teach Ewe music. The Ladzekpos came from a village in the southern Volta region of Ghana called Anyako, an Ewe village. Ewe is one of over 20 languages spoken in Ghana. Ewe music is divided into styles. Each Style has songs (for singing), drum patterns and dance steps. The singing, drumming and dancing together form the musical style.

Alfred Ladzekpo taught at the California Institute of the Arts (Calarts) for over 40 years, and I was fortunate to study with him from 2002-06. He became my mentor and my friend.

Alfred’s main goal with his students at Calarts was to show them how to be an effective musician in his style of music. Ewe music is an oral tradition. Musicians coming from different backgrounds begin a new process of learning through listening. Alfred reveled in every opportunity he had to lecture his students on the importance of listening. Despite the simplicity of the message, every student who embraced this concept came away from Alfred’s class an improved musician.

As a young musician my fascination with Ewe music was sparked by my admiration of its construction. Ewe music weaves a complex counterpoint through all of its elements that rival the greatest artforms of humanity. I was enamored with the sophistication of the drumming patterns and the ability for musicians to dialogue through a musical language. The lead drummer is able to direct their ensemble into new dance moves, drumming patterns, or songs,
by playing a call on the drum. Everyone has to listen or you might miss the call!

This felt like a secret language and my friends and I were hooked. We took every opportunity to learn from Alfred and eventually we were helping him teach his classes and performing in his professional ensemble at schools and community events. Later in life I found another beautiful side to the artform.

The main function of music in Ewe culture is to promote community. People gather in social groups for musical performances. These groups perform at funerals and weddings and are the backbone of both religious and secular events. This is extremely valuable in our recent culture of social media and social distancing. People are craving interaction and Ewe music is a
world class option for community building.

I teach Ewe music as a celebration of West African brilliance. Through honoring and respecting Ewe culture I have found that we can bring value to our school not only through the acute development of musicianship but through the strengthening of our community.

In community,

Isaac

#SakalanCommunity #SaklanArts

Awesome and Terrifying Moments

Auditions are both awesome and terrifying. As a young actor (and an adult actor too!) I can remember my whole body being tied up in knots and awash in emotions I couldn’t name in the days and weeks leading up to an audition. 

What finally helped me was the technique I learned, not just singing technique, but the practice of continuously putting myself in situations that were both awesome and terrifying.  Never being a kid who experienced a lot of inner peace, this practice of scaring myself and recovering was like lifting weights; it never got easier, I just got stronger.

Every student at Saklan in 3rd grade and older will audition at least once this school year. Together, we do the hard thing, and realize that even if everything doesn’t go exactly the way we wanted, we are still okay, and there are still many good things that can come from it. We talk about flexibility and open mindset, and even how to deal with disappointment in a healthy way. The students who have been through this process help the younger ones, and as they progress through grades, we can clearly see that this practice pays dividends in coping strategies and developing courage.  

This week, as the cast list comes out for our first production of the year, Frozen KIDS, congratulate our 3rd-5th grade students on the audition process as well as their roles, and take time to remember the awesome and terrifying moments in your life that helped shape you. 

Warmly,

Grace

#Saklancourageous

Special New Friends

Last Friday morning there was much excitement on campus as our Preschool – 5th grade students met some special new friends – their learning buddies! Learning buddies are a purposeful way to encourage cross-grade friendships, help students develop a sense of responsibility and practice mentorship, and make learning fun!

During the first meeting, the buddies took time to get to know each other and did some reading together. The older buddies marvelously modeled good reading behaviors by reading with expression and fluency for their younger buddies. Some of the older buddies were also honored to listen to their younger buddies read too.

Once a month the buddies will get together to spend time reading, learning and playing together. The buddy program is not only fun for the students, but helps to build empathy and community on campus.

#SaklanBuddies #SaklanCommunity

Moving Up Day

On Wednesday morning, the Saklan Preschool – fifth grade students participated in Moving Up Day. The students and teachers alike were buzzing with excitement!

This annual tradition allows the students to get a snapshot of what next year will hold. The teachers planned special activities that highlighted their grade level and enjoyed getting to know their rising students a little better. Morning meeting activities, questions, stories, art activities, classroom scavenger hunts, and enthusiasm for next year filled the classrooms! If your child “moved up” on Wednesday, please ask them all about it. They will likely have something enthusiastic to share!

#SaklanConnected