Self-discipline

On Thursday afternoon, Saklan’s 1st – 8th graders met with their family groups to discuss this month’s SEL topic: self-discipline.

The groups began by discussing what self-discipline means: recognizing or identifying that you need to help yourself to achieve a goal, task, assignment, etc. and being able to get yourself back on track.

Then the students watched this video of a lovable monster using tools to help stay on task! After the video they discussed the strategies the monster used: counting to 4, singing, imagining a cookie was a grandmother. The students then brainstormed additional strategies that could help them stay on task.

Each family group then used their list of strategies to act out self-disciplined ways to handle the following scenarios:

  • Someone cuts you in line.
  • You are having a hard time raising your hand, and keep calling out.
  • You are sad because you forgot your lunch.
  • You and your friend cannot stop giggling!
  • You are nervous/stressed over a test.
  • You are mad because someone grabbed the ball you were playing with and is now using it without asking.

The family groups ended their time together by creating posters showcasing suggestions to help others practice self-discipline in specific circumstances. Check out their posters below!

#SaklanSEL

Seeking Wine Donations

We are excitedly preparing a Wine Ring Toss for this year’s Auction Fiesta on March 11th, and we would love your help! Please consider donating a favorite bottle or two (valued at $20 or more) to this year’s wine collection.

Please drop your wine donations off at the auction table in the mornings, or bring them to the Saklan Office.

Thank you for your support!

From Antarctica to 1st Grade

The 1st grade class listened with rapt attention as Ms. O, Saklan’s Science Teacher, gave a special presentation on the penguins she saw during her recent visit to Antarctica. The first grade class has been learning about puffins and penguins this winter, and Ms. O’s presentation was definitely the highlight of their unit! She shared some fascinating photos and stories of her expedition to the white continent.

During her presentation, the first graders learned about some curious penguin behaviors, like how Adelie penguins build their nests with stones, which they sometimes steal from each other; or, how penguins prefer to travel on well trodden ‘penguin highways’ when walking to and from their colonies (it uses up less energy than waddling through the thick snow).

Together with lots of beautiful photos and close up videos of penguins and other animals of Antarctica, Ms. O’s talk deepened the first graders’ understanding of Antarctica and penguins.

A big thank you to Ms. O for sharing her time and wisdom with the first graders! 

Keeping Kids Safe on Social Media

The Saklan PA will be hosting a Parent Coffee event with a guest speaker after CLAS on Friday, January 27th.  Please join us to hear from Dave Mathers, one of the regions expert law enforcement officers working to keep kids safe online. He has tips on parent control apps, ideas and strategies to consider, and insights into the bigger picture of kids and social media. Come ready with your questions and enjoy some coffee and snacks during the talk.

#SaklanParentEd

Letter of the Week

Last week, the Owlets read Goldilocks and the Three Bears by Jim Aylesworth while practicing the letter Gg. The Owlets played a game where they sorted pictures from the story by size, helping them practice early math skills. The class also read Go Dog Go by P.D. Eastman and The Night Gardener by Terri and Eric Fan. The Owlets love trying to spot their letter of the week with their eyes, and listening for words that begin with the letter!

This week the Owlets have been practicing the letter Hh. They read A House for Hermit Crab by Eric Carle, about a hermit crab with a plain white shell who found other sea creatures to help improve his home. Then the Owlets got to collage on a hermit crab shell shape, making each one unique! 

Apple Watches of Long Ago

Last month, the fifth graders were out on the turf holding paper plates. Was it picnic time? Not exactly! It turns out it wasn’t plates they were holding, but rather the “Apple Watches” of long ago!  As part of their Solar unit, the students made sundials, modeled a 24-hour day passing in a minute using a flashlight and their sundials, and then took the sundials outside to see if they would actually work.  They didn’t, until the clouds passed, and then, they did!

Did you know … that our 24-hour day is based on our ancient ancestors having 4-fingers and one thumb? Ask a 5th grader to explain how the ancient Egyptians developed what has remained a 24-hour clock for thousands of years, and how their plate-watches work.

#SaklanHandsOn

Weather Watchers

The Owlets are weather watchers! Here at Saklan,we have been lucky to see so many different weather events over the last week: rain, thunder, lightning, hail, wind, and even some flooding!

With a renewed interest in weather, the Owlets were excited to learn some new science words like observation and evaporation while learning the basics of the water cycle.

They enjoyed a hands-on experiment with shaving cream and watercolor paint to recreate a cloud filling with rain until it got so heavy, it rained down into the cup below. The Owlets also learned that water can be a solid, liquid, or a gas. The class made watercolor ice cubes and painted with them, while observing them melt back into a liquid.

#SaklanHandsOn #SaklanScience

The Lion King KIDS Video

Before the Winter Break, we were treated to a wonderful performance of The Lion King KIDS by the 3rd, 4th and 5th graders. If you weren’t able to join us for the show, or have been excitedly waiting to watch it again, check out the video of the performance below.

Thank you to our 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students for the courage, creativity and dedication they exhibited throughout The Lion King KIDS production cycle.

#SaklanCreative #SaklanCourageous

Hoot Owl Scientists

The Hoot Owls have been learning about science and what it means to be a scientist. The class has talked about parts of the scientific method including making hypotheses, doing experiments, collecting data and comparing data, as well as using their senses to learn about the world around them.

The Hoot Owls explored the concept of liquid and solid by making and playing with oobleck (water and cornstarch). The students were surprised to see the liquid thicken and solidify when force was applied to it.

Next, the class experimented with vinegar and baking soda. They were excited to see the reaction the vinegar made in the baking soda!

Finally, the Hoot Owls counted how many drops of water would fit on a penny, nickel and quarter.

#SaklanHandsOn #SaklanScience

Upcoming Events

There are several exciting activities happening at Saklan in the coming month, including some rescheduled activities. See below for events not to be missed!

CLAS & Parent Coffee

The Kindergarten, 7th and 8th grade student presentations originally panned for today’s CLAS will now happen at the next CLAS on January 27th.

Following CLAS the PA will host Darryl Holcomb, the region’s expert law enforcement officer working to keep kids safe on line, for a discussion on Keeping Kids Safe on Social Media. He will share tips on parent control apps and insights into the bigger picture of kids and social media. Grab a cup of coffee and meet us in the Pavilion to hear from Darryl.

Movie Night

All members of the Saklan community are invited to join the PA on Sunday, February 5th from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. in the Founders Auditorium at the Orinda Community Center for a movie night!

Popcorn and water will be provided for all attendees. Feel free to bring snacks, blankets, chairs, beanbags, pillows, or other items to get cozy (limited folding chair seating will be available). Stay tuned, the movie for the event will be announced soon!

Picture Day Rescheduled

Saklan’s Picture Day will now be on Tuesday, February 21st. The date changed to accommodate the photographer, who is no longer available on the original January date. More information about picture day will be shared at the beginning of February.

Auction Meeting

This year’s auction will look very different from Saklan’s past auctions. This year’s event will really focus on community-building. To learn more about this year’s event and help plan the details, join the Auction Committee on Wednesday, January 18th at 9:00 a.m. for an Auction Meeting on Zoom.