Have a great summer!

Since we’re already into the 2nd week of summer vacation (did week 1 fly by or what?!), I thought it’d be a good time to wish everyone a great summer! I’m not sure how much traffic our class site will get over the summer, but I just want to say once again that it’s been a pleasure being your teacher this past year and I will miss you all over the summer!

Here’s the cover of our class yearbook. If you lost your copy, just send me an e-mail and I’ll send a copy to you via e-mail so you can print it out again! Cheers!

2008-2009_Room14_Yearbook

Sequoia Stomp

Today, hundreds of Sequoia students took to the streets (well, the school perimeter to be exact) to raise money for our school! Thanks to everyone who participated!

This Is Just to Say

In this week’s edition of our Poetry Slam, Group 4 (Tranay, Bridgette, Clarisse, Izabella, Antwan, Jasmine and Matanda) took home the prize for best group recitation of “This Is Just to Say” by William Carlos Williams. Take a listen!

Those Fabulous 49ers!

Hey everyone! Last week we went to the Oakland Museum to pan for gold!  Here are a couple pictures from the trip.

Columbia State Park

We recently took a field trip to Gold Rush country – Columbia State Park to be exact. Here are some pictures from the trip!

When there were fires, citizens would stand in a line and pass the buckets down the line from a water trough down to the spot of the fire.

They used buckets like these to put out fires back in the mid-1800s. Good luck!

An inside peek at a classroom during the mid-1800s.

 

Peralta Hacienda Historical Park

We recently took a field trip to Peralta Hacienda Historical Park and got a taste of what life was like for Californios living on Rancho San Antonio. Here’s a shot of us before heading in. Click on the Pictures link to see more!

*UPDATE* Click on the Podcast link to hear student interviews about the field trip!

More Electricity!

Our latest run-in with electricity experiments was trying our hand at building electromagnets. A huge success!

 

Electricity!

We’ve been learning a lot and doing a lot of experiments on electricity – building our own circuits, lighting up light bulbs, making motors run, and even building electromagnets! Check out more pictures by clicking the pictures tab!

Basket Weaving

We recently finished Island of the Blue Dolphins, and just like Karana had to use natural resources for her everyday needs, we decided to try our hand at basket weaving.

 

Antwan showing off the beginnings of his basket

 

And Kierra with hers!

Head Royce Buddies

Recently, 9th graders from Head Royce School (located just up the street from Sequoia) paid a visit to our classroom. We’ll be working on a project with our new buddies, and though we’ll only meet for 3 times during the year, it should be exciting! We’re all looking forward to the next time they pay a visit in March! In the meantime, here are some pictures from their 1st visit.