The sixth grade has been learning about earthquakes. In doing so, they were tasked with building a four story building that could withstand an earthquake.
The students were allowed to use different earthquake technologies which can reduce the shaking to a building. These included x-braces, cross braces, mass-dampers and extended building shapes.
Each student created their own design, and we tested them to see which building would allow for the least amount of shaking.
Today, the 8th graders toured the Moraga Community Garden in preparation for their Family Group lesson next Tuesday. They learned about composting irrigation, pollination and harvesting of crops.
This year’s Family Group activities will have a focus on food in our society. This is the first of our lessons, so we saw it fitting to start where food begins – in the garden.
This week the 8th grade created hot air balloons that would help test the ideas of buoyancy and Archimedes Principle, along with Charles Law in Chemistry. Using paper, glue, tape and paperclips (to act as a ballast), they engineered balloons that they thought would create the largest lift when filled with heated air.
The Saklan Middle School Choir performed the National Anthem at a commemorative service on the 16th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Organized by the Moraga Chamber of Commerce and Moraga Orinda Professional Fire Fighters Association.
Here are some highlights from the EF Tours Leadership Summit in Milan, Italy: The Future of Food. Our students heard from truly inspiring speakers as they navigated the problems in the food system. They paired up with other students from around the US and the world, to problem solve and make prototypes of solutions, and learned new perspectives from others around the world. It was an amazing experience.
In Algebra I, 8th graders reviewed correlation, scatter plots and trend lines by solving a fun problem about roller coaster safety. They measured their heights and compared to their reach. They also compared it to the smallest student at Saklan. They noticed a strong correlation between a person’s height and reach no matter how tall they were.
Come to flag next Friday to learn more, and see our data and graph.
Thank you Owlets for helping us solve this problem!
Hopscotch
One week left to sign-up for the 2nd Annual Back to School Hopscotch Tournament. So far there are 40 competitors! The competition is for students 1st– 8th grades and faculty. Bouts will commence September 11 during recess and lunch, and will continue as a single elimination tournament in the weeks following until there is a champion. Get your markers ready and start hopping!
Keeping cool in the shade
The weather still feels like summer! The dog days of August are upon us; luckily The Saklan School has plenty of shade to stay cool. During these few HOT weeks, we will be exploring the rest, relaxation, and recovery phase of physical education. So far this year, the students have had some fun with our new parachute. Water bottles encouraged!
The sign-up for the Second Annual Back to School Hop-Scotch Tournament has begun. The competition is for students 1st- 8th grades and faculty. Bouts will commence September 11th during recess and lunch and will continue as a single elimination tournament in the weeks following until there is a champion. So get your markers ready and start hopping!
The 8th graders culminating physics project was to design and create a roller coaster for a marble, that utilized the four forces we learned about in class, had enough momentum to fulfill a loop, and had a slow down stop. Each group used their creativity, math skills, and the scientific method to design, redesign, start over, and eventually create their coasters.
We are extremely impressed with their designs and efforts in this project. They are a great class and we are glad to see they are ready for high school!
Maestra Morales and Ms. Natalie are working on cross curricular material with the 5th Grade Spanish class to bridge expression through art and relevant material covered in Spanish class this year.
The mural preparation lasted weeks where the students explored symbolism, design and historical themes. The Mural project covers the history of Los Zapatistas, Standing Rock and the United Farm Workers Movement in California. The project is set to be completed by June 5th. Please come by and see it in the library soon!
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