Category: Middle School

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Last week, the 6th grade took off to Yosemite for a week of hands-on science, team building, connecting with nature, learning about themselves, and becoming more independent. It was one of our best trips ever. Between hiking below Half Dome, climbing through giant sequoias, seeing amazing wildlife and supporting each other when they needed it, we know they won’t forget their Yosemite trip. Here are some of the thoughts from their week away.

“I learned that I really like hiking with my friends outdoors and I really enjoy crawling through caves”- Bjerre

“I learned a lot about myself in Yosemite. For one thing, I thought I hadn’t packed enough, but turns out I over packed! Also, I learned my first assumptions about people are not always right. I thought some people were annoying, but after spending a week with them, I realize they are funny, kind and I like hanging out with them.” – Cassidy

“I learned that people want to get to know me more, I just have to open up more to others. We all actually have a lot in common.”- Ethan

“I felt connected to nature on this trip when Thomas lead me to a tree in one of our activities. It felt different and unique.” – Mac

“I felt connected when I threw a rock and watched it ripple and what that affected and that I was changing the natural flow of things. That made me feel connected to the moment.” – Dillon

#SaklanExperiential

Each school year, 7th grade begins the year with the Create-a-Culture Project. This project offers the seventh grade students a wide array of activities that immerse them in all the elements that make up a culture. The main objective is to increase students’ understanding of what makes culture unique, as well as to help them see and appreciate the similarities and differences that exist among cultures. Students work in cooperative groups of three by designing a fictitious culture and deciding its history. Through that they will learn how cultures develop, change, and grow.

The Create-a-Culture Project is divided into five sections: making decisions, creating the culture, project ideas, culminating activities, and the Culture Fair. They have been working creatively and cooperatively problem solving issues that arise. Ultimately, each student group has compromised and worked collaboratively to bring forth a completely original culture.

We are inviting all seventh grade parents to a culture fair on Tuesday, October 8, 2019 at 10:30am. The fair will allow parents to see and understand each of the six created cultures, as well as enjoy yummy food. We look forward to celebrating and showcasing all of the students’ hard work.

#saklancreative

Three weeks ago, the Middle School kicked off their first “Learning By Doing” Session. These classes are designed to create project and experience based learning that cover a variety of topics. This September, the 6th grade prepared for their upcoming Yosemite Adventure, the 7th and 8th graders participated in Saklan’s African Ensemble, designed a new mural for the Sports Court wall ball area, and took on the challenge of redesigning the gardens and planters at Saklan to be more drought tolerant and sustainable.

Over three weeks, 7 students designed a pollinator garden behind the science lab, and cleaned and re-potted the seven pots in front of the school. In the process, they discovered the difference between annuals and perennials, which types of plants attract bees and butterflies, why succulents are special, and how to plant and care for all of them. As Saklan strives to be part of a more sustainable culture, and educates our students about stewardship of the planet, we must begin with stewardship of the places they visit everyday. In addition to the philosophical benefits of gardening, the physical act of getting your hands dirty and caring for another living thing gives students a sense of real purpose.

Each student finished the class with their own succulent pot that they designed. If you want to see the fruits of their labors, come check out the new planters in front of the school, and check out the bees buzzing in the pollinator garden behind the science room!

#SaklanCares

 

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At the start of each school year, the middle school teachers bravely take the entire group of middle school students to a conference center in the redwoods outside of Occidental. We call the experience an “Advance” as opposed to a retreat, as we are moving forward in our lives. The Advance is unique to Saklan and gives us time to start the year working on building relationships. This 3-day field experience pushes the students outside their comfort zone and it helps create a strong  community.

#SaklanExperiential

In Leadership class, it is important that our eighth grade students learn about the real world. One way that we prepare our students is by bringing a financial expert into Saklan to run an hour and a half workshop. Our expert and current parent, Ana Darby, has volunteered her time for the past two years to help educate our future adults.

Ana has developed a curriculum that is accessible to teens. She teaches them about creating a budget as soon as they have any income. Within that budget structure, she advises that they put 10% of their income into a savings or retirement account, even as young as thirteen years old. Mrs. Darby also discusses the importance of giving back through charitable donations, if that is a possibility. Next, students learn to read and understand a bank statement and how credit works. Finally, the most meaningful activity the students do is to be randomly assigned a particular profession. This year’s choices were doctor, cashier, computer programmer, and veterinarian. Each student was given a set income, a list of expenses, and a budget template. They were required to make choices about how they were going to spend their money and type up a monthly budget. Needless to say, most students were shocked how expensive everything was. Overall, each student seemed to have more of an appreciation of how hard their parents work. #SaklanWellRounded

Personal reflections are one of the most powerful tools we can use to cement our learning. They compel us to quietly consider all aspects of our learning process and challenge us to clarify and personalize our experiences. In so doing, we transfer ephemeral insights to our long-term memory, and this leads to the kind of substantive growth that powers mindful action and positive change.

After nearly two months of exploring the US cultural values represented in our nation’s capital, the 8th graders came up with some profound insights and “Democracy in Action” plans in their final reflections. Here are a few excerpts…

on the WWII, Korean & Vietnam War Memorials:

“I will now make sure everyone gets an equal chance to have their voice heard. I will also stand up for what I believe in, so my voice can be heard.” – Lauren A.-C.

on the National Museum of Women in the Arts:

“I will go to more rallies to help fight for equal rights for women.” – Kyle Y.

on the National Museums of the American Indian, Women in the Arts & African American History & Culture:

“I will use what I have learned to be more respectful and politically correct by seeing past stereotypes and thinking for myself.” – Roan K.

“I will never let myself get caught up in old habits, and I will continue to look through different lenses. I will also listen to all different voices to get a full picture.” – Lily M.

on the Lincoln & Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorials:

“Hope contributes to a functional democracy by allowing people to believe and have faith in the future.” – Maile M.

“I will not allow myself to be oppressed. I will listen to others in my group (unity) and have positivity as it can only help (hope). I will have the courage to stand up for my beliefs and support those who I agree with. I will not allow myself to be weighed down but will become a better human being.” – Isabel D.

on the value of experiential learning in Washington, DC:

“I now know that you cannot judge a place by what you’ve read online.” – Juliet P.

#SaklanExperiental

The Saklan MATHCOUNTS team led by Mr. Zippin competed in the Regional Competition in Pleasanton last weekend.

Created in 1983, The MATHCOUNTS Competition Series is a national program that provides students the opportunity to compete in live, in-person contests against and alongside their peers.

This year’s team of Roan, Aidan, and Harrison have been practicing extremely challenging problems, working together as a team, and solving problems quickly every Monday after school since October to prepare for the competition. It is certainly a commitment of time and perseverance.

Congratulations to this year’s team for an amazing performance, both individually and as a team. They showed the Diablo chapter that Saklan may be small, but we are mighty! #SaklanHandsOn