The eighth graders have been learning about the periodic table. From researching what all the symbols mean, to understanding what the atomic number and atomic mass tell us about each element, the students are quite knowledgable about the massive amount of information the periodic table has to offer.
As part of their periodic table study, each eighth graders picked one element they wanted to research and learn more about. The students then designed t-shirt to showcase their element of choice and the information they learned. The eighth graders then modeled their element t-shirts for their classmates. Click below to see our eighth graders showcasing their periodic table research, art and modeling talents!
In Math class, the 6th graders learned about the Yuki base-8 counting system. As part of the unit, Mr. Zippin asked the students to invent a new counting system that is greater than base-10. The sixth graders were reminded to research historical counting systems for ideas and given the option to make up imaginary civilizations. Here are some examples of what they came up with- great work, 6th graders!
On Tuesday, there was no school for middle school students as their teachers prepared for in-person learning, so nine of the eighth graders and some of their parents volunteered for an organization called Pledge to Humanity. Pledge to Humanity works to “inspire youth to become compassionate change makers,” by pairing young volunteers with organizations that improve the quality of life for others in need through both local and global initiatives.
Pledge to Humanity partnered the eighth graders with Kids Against Hunger. The student and parent volunteers met at the Kids Against Hunger warehouse in Pleasanton, where they spent 90 minutes making nutritionally dense meals for families all around the globe. The staff at Kids Against Hunger taught the volunteers how to make the meals, their nutritional content and their impact to the families that receive them.
A big thank you to Saklan parent, Heather Chaput, for organizing this wonderful volunteer opportunity. The students enjoyed the opportunity to act compassionately by helping to feed hungry families around the world.
On Sunday, October 25th, the Student Council had an important team-building meeting to set a positive tone for the school year. During the meeting, the students had an opportunity to get to know one another better through reflection, sharing, and having fun together. In order to work well together, each member of the Student Council needs to feel safe and comfortable with the other members of the group.
To begin the team building, Mrs. Rokas, the Lower School Teacher Representative, led the group through a silly, dancing, name game. Each person had to make up a two-beat dance move along with their name. Then, they had to remember and copy the other students’ dance moves. The game made everyone laugh and loosen up so that they didn’t feel so anxious. Next, Kim Parks, the Middle School Teacher Representative, led the group through a few activities to reflect on what leadership means and share what assets they each bring to the team. Afterward, they reflected and shared one leadership characteristic they each wanted to improve on this year.
After the team building activities, the students enjoyed boxed lunches from Panera and spent time socializing. Then, the group split into small groups and worked on planning fun and safe events and activities for the Saklan community to enjoy, both live and virtual. Finally, the Student Council decorated the front of the school to provide a little Halloween cheer for younger students to enjoy. Overall, it was a wonderful afternoon that was not only productive, but fun!
Eighth graders in Mr. Zippin’s Geometry Class recently used DESMOS online graphing software to graph their names. The project was part of a unit about relations and functions and was used to illustrate how changes in variables result in transformations of functions. The students practiced using the equations of lines, curves, and circles as well as domain and range to write the letters in their names. Check out two of the name graphs below.
The sixth graders have been learning about tectonic plates, their movement and the immense power the plates have when they move; causing earthquakes and tsunamis. In doing so, each student researched a historic earthquake and examined the influence the occurrence had on different areas of the world. The students then produced news reports to showcase the facts they learned about the earthquake they studied. Their research, acting and directing skills are quite amazing. Below are a few of the news reports for you to check out!
Covid-19 has changed our world in many significant ways since March, including impacting our learning environment on every level imaginable. However, a wonderful change to Student Council has come about and we hope it will revive our community and provide meaning and leadership experience for others.
Saklan has traditionally had students interested in joining the Student Council fill out letters of intent, make campaign posters and stickers, take part in an interview, write and perform a speech, and go through a popular election to earn a place as an officer. Typically, this is a worthy process to go through and teaches life skills to our students. However, experience working with adolescent elected officers has taught us some valuable lessons. One of which is that getting elected is important and meaningful; but it doesn’t mean a student will show up every week to meetings and support fellow officers during the planning, setting, and cleaning up events. It is the weekly commitment and follow through that is an essential part of being a successful and dependable Student Council officer. This important part of the job has been magnified in a virtual learning environment. Officers have to respond and communicate primarily through email, show up to regularly scheduled Zoom meetings, and complete individual tasks on time without teachers reminding them in person. Taking all of this into consideration, Saklan decided to include all candidates who showed up and made an effort during the campaigning process on this year’s Student Council.
These students have lots of previous experience in leadership roles and have proven themselves committed young people that care about their school community. As a collective, the students discussed and decided who should take which positions and are proud of the result. It was a collaborative effort that already has this Student Council working well together. They are excited for a unique, but important, school year. The Student Council is committed to making the Saklan community shine bright not only in person as it usual does, but online as well. Thank you for your support!
Meet the 2020-2021 Student Council Officers
Presidents: Evy Anders, Makenna Choi & Levi Kim (8th grade)
Saklan’s sixth graders have been studying early humans and their evolution process in Humanities class. The students have learned about many different hominins (formerly known as hominids), which are modern man’s most closely related relative. This field of study is constantly being updated because archaeologists and anthropologists are discovering new hominin remains all over the world. Some of the most interesting early humans the students studied were: Homo Habilis (Handy Man), Homo Erectus (Upright Man), Home Floresiensis (nicknamed Hobbit Man), Homo Sapien Neanderthalensis (Neanderthal Man), and Homo Sapiens Sapiens (Doubly Wise Man or Modern Man).
Each student learned about several hominins and chose a project to do in order to deepen their knowledge in this topic. Sixth graders were given a choice board and were able to choose from a variety of projects. Katerina, Soni, and Ani chose to make an animated, illustrated timeline. Chase, Katerina, Alex, and Damon made comic strips about early humans online, or in Chase’s case, beautifully hand drawn. Juliet, Sadie, Noah, and Loralyn made A-B-C books, which meant they worked together to find 26 words that described all the things and topics they learned related to early humans, wrote definitions and information about them, and then added an image to each page. Finally, last but not least, Alex and Danny wrote original scripts and filmed a video about interviewing an early human ancestor. The videos are really creative and funny. If you are interested in seeing their beautiful work, it will be featured on a bulletin board in the Humanities classroom next week!
The seventh grade currently has been learning about cell processes. Before jumping into cell division, the students learned the importance of DNA. From discovering the double helix design, the matching base pairs to understanding how DNA gives us all the information we need to build eyeballs, hair, and every organ in our body.
Students extracted DNA from strawberries in their Saklan Connect day and saw some clumped up strands. Realizing our food has DNA was quite interesting as well to our students. We will next be moving on to mitosis, meiosis and heredity. Understanding how our DNA recombines to give us our traits will lead us through all of these topics.
Yesterday, the 1st – 8th grade students met in their first family group lesson to discuss the importance of being accepting.
Students introduced themselves, heard a story called The Crayon Box that Talked, and then discussed the story to understand that sometimes getting to know someone or learning how unique they are can help breakdown misconceptions. While everyone of us is unique here at Saklan, it is our similarities and our differences that make us such a special school. From soccer players to cat lovers, artists and passionate young scientists; the more we listen to others, respect our differences, are kind with our words and think of others, the more accepted everyone will feel.
Students then colored their own crayon with a picture of themselves, and listed something they feel makes them special! These self-drawn crayons are to be returned to Saklan, either by the next connect day or the next swap and drop so they can be inlcuded in the Family Group posters that will be put on display in the breezeway.
***We deeply apologize for any technical issues you suffered that may have caused stress during the Family Group time. Ms. O was not able to get into meeting rooms either as she was trying to help people. Zoom locked her out! 😦 We can only assume others were just as frustrated. If that is the case, please know your student can still draw their crayon and return them to Saklan to be included on the Family Group poster. Their teacher can help them with any instructions they need.
FRIDAY BLOG 
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