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Spotlight on Learning - Part I
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April 2013
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Alumni Night will not happen this Wednesday (April 17th). With Spring Break, field trips, class plays, Medieval Games, Pentathlon, and 8th grade projects -- our spring schedule is very full.
We chose to postpone the special Alumni Night for a time where we can give it the full attention it deserves!
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UPDATE YOUR APRIL CALENDAR
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GREEN RIBBON AWARD ANNOUNCEMENT (April 22nd):
We've already received the honor of being one of four schools nominated in the State of California for the national Green Ribbon School Award. On Monday, April 22nd, we will find out if we've been designated an official Green Ribbon School!
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100% Attendance in the Coming Months
The coming weeks and months are a very important time for the students of Journey School. Please be sure your child is not absent unless there is a serious illness or emergency. Teachers have planned meaningful lessons, and there is now the additional preparation for class plays, festivals, and STAR Testing which commences in May. It is crucial that all children are in attendance all day, every day so they learn well and contribute fully to the class community which counts on them.
100% attendance for your child in April and May is the goal.
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Saturday, April 20th from 10am-3pm
Come and celebrate Earth Day and help enhance our beautiful Kindergarten Yard. We will be working on our new water feature, planting, cleaning and share a potluck with all!
We ask that each family bring a dish to share, mess kits and a succulent plant to add to our growing garden!
We also hope to add to our growing butterfly gardens!
Questions: Miss Hellene ~ Morning Glory Kindergarten ~
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FIELD TRIPS ARE RITES OF PASSAGE
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- Journey School teachers design lessons that engage students' minds, bodies, and feelings. Whatever the grade might be you can see students: recite rhythmic verses to improve speech articulation; make beautiful music on a variety of instruments; engage in mental math exercises to increase automaticity; summarize stories in their own textbook; create art from their own imagination; garden, build, and explore the practical arts; and, research and solve problems through collaboration, experimentation, and project-based learning.
- As children grow older, students begin to participate in overnight field trips. These field trips are actually rites of passages that allow the children to deepen their experience of the curriculum in an outdoor learning environment. These trips also challenge and fortify character; as students face their fears, work together in community, and participate in experiential learning.
- Some of the locations visited include:
- 3rd Grade: A local camping trip to study organic farming, community supported agriculture, and animals. (April 19th and May 29th-31st)
- 4th Grade: A local camping trip to Gold Rush Country or Native Lands to study California history. (April 18th to 19th)
- 5th Grade: A camping trip to Catalina to study botany, ecology, and stewardship. (April 17th to 19th)
- 6th Grade: A camping and hiking trip to Bishop to study mineralogy and geology while pushing way beyond perceived physical barriers. (May 29th-31st)
- 7th Grade: A tall ship sailing trip to Catalina to study Oceanography and Eco-Leadership. (June 3rd to 5th)
- 8th Grade: A week-long Eel River trip geared toward strengthening the eighth grade student's mind, body, and spirit in preparation for high school. (May 27th to June 1st)
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On Wednesday, May 1st, we will celebrate the return of spring with our annual May Faire celebration.
The school gardens are blooming as if to usher in one of the school's happiest and biggest community events of the year. The festivities include live music, dancing and the crowning of the May Day King and Queen--chosen by a hen named Polly who decides which lucky boy and girl gets this honor.
Over 200 children, from grades first through eighth, dressed in white and adorned with floral wreaths perform dances around the May Pole presenting traditional and culturally historic dances they have learned about through their studies, while weaving together ribbons in spring colors.
The family-oriented event includes a hearty potluck lunch and the timeless craft of floral wreath making. Young and old alike will be adorned with colorful crowns made from fresh flowers.
Photo credit: OCHappyMemories.com
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