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The Thursday Know
April 3, 2015
FOCUS ON LEARNING: 4 PILLARS TO JOURNEY'S MATH PROGRAM
Achieving excellence in mathematics is an important academic priority at Journey School and our efforts rest upon renewed commitment to 4 proven pillars:
  1. Mental Math: Students encounter daily "mental math" exercises that spark enthusiasm, promote automaticity, and teach important academic vocabulary.
  2. Practice Periods: Students attend frequent practice periods that are aligned to both Waldorf and Common Core standards. To maximize focus, these classes take place mid-morning, following recess.
  3. Deeper Learning: Students dive deeper into lessons during math Main Lesson blocks. These month-long units of study revolve around interdisciplinary themes and last two hours per day.
  4. Support: Students are benefiting from more opportunities to receive specific and timely math interventions or enrichment, including expanded Title I services and homework clubs.
Grade 1 Math
Math in Grade 1

BUSINESS MATH & FINANCIAL LITERACY: A PERENNIAL FAVORITE
To illustrate a favorite Math Block in action, check out what the 6th graders just experienced:

Into Activities Grade 6 Math
  • First, students encountered unsung heroes who work hard to allow the economy to function and explored ideas like economic interdependence, division of labor, and self-sufficiency. They learned about the history of money, bartering, and the distribution of goods and services. They also discovered the functions of a bank, including concepts like savings, credit, and interest--even calculating interest on "loans" to see how banks actually make money.
Through Activities
  • Next, each student created a business that required a realistic business plan, operating costs and expenses, profit and loss statements, and displays that chart business trends on bar or line graphs. Students then held an exciting class business fair that featured student-made artifacts, crafts, and more.
6th Grade Business Math

End Activities
  • To ensure content mastery, students were tested in multiple ways and required to show that they could calculate median, mean, and mode; convert decimals, percents, and fractions; find the percent of a number and solve problems involving interest, principal, and varying time; calculate discount prices; and learn how to work with checking account deductions and deposits. Such relevant skills will continue to be practiced and developed throughout the year.

6th Grade Business Math  

JOURNEY 7TH & 8TH GRADERS SHINE IN TRACK & FIELD
Students in the 7th and 8th grades recently participated in the Southern California Waldorf Schools' Track and Field Meet competing against hundreds of Waldorf students from all over the region.
 
Middle School Track Event 2015
Middle School Track Event High Jump
After many weeks of honing their skills, building endurance and speed, and learning new techniques to run faster, jump higher, and throw farther, students tested their wills in various events such as the 100 Meter Sprint, the One Mile Race, the Javelin and Discus Throws, the High Jump, the Long Jump, and the Shot-put.
Relay Race
Middle School Track Race 2015
Congratulations and thank you, Journey Students, for representing Journey School with pride.
Middle School Track Meet Long Jump

CLASS PLAYS BRING CURRICULAR LESSONS TO LIFE
The annual class play is an important spring tradition at Journey School and is also a key element of Waldorf-inspired education. This week, third graders acted, sang and played their recorders in presentations of "Great Big House in New Orleans" as part of their lesson block on building. Read more about class plays here.

 
 

SHARPEN YOUR SAW: THIS WEEK'S BEST RESOURCES
If you like to stay current on key educational trends, don't miss two outstanding resources:
  • This first is a concise article written in defense of a comprehensive liberal arts education, authored by Washington Post columnist, Fareed Zakaria.
  • The second is a brilliantly researched book by best selling author Amanda Ripley called The Smartest Kids in the World. Ripley explores effective schooling practices from the world's educational superpowers and contrasts them with America's. Much of the book is told from the perspective of US exchange students.
A NIGHT TO REMEMBER
The need for imagination,
a sense of truth,
and a feeling of responsibility
- these are the three forces
which are the very nerve of education.
- Rudolph Steiner


Auction Organizers
Thank you to everyone who supported this year's Auction Gala! Journey grandparents, aunts and uncles, local business sponsors, community partners, and parents of alumni joined together with our current families and teachers to support Orange County's only public Waldorf-inspired school! Your generous support helps bring Journey's unique education to over 400 students, tuition-free.
Oak & the Acorn at the Auction Gala
A special thanks to event sponsors, Modern Woodman of America Fraternal Financial and Express Pipe & Supply; Journey School Parent Cabinet; and all the parents and teachers who made this event possible. Mark your calendars for next year's Gala which will be held on March 12, 2016--you won't want to miss it!
ENROLLMENT DEADLINE ON 3/17
Online enrollment for current and incoming students must be completed by Fri., April 17 in order to secure your child's seat for next year. Support will be available in the Development Office on 3/15 and 3/16 from 8:45 to noon for anyone needing assistance or use of a computer to complete the process. The voluntary Close the Gap form may be completed online or returned to the front office.
SLOW TECH PARENTING TALK ON 4/21
On Tuesday, April 21 from 6-7:30pm, Patti Connolly and Diana Graber will present a final session on SlowTechParenting: How to Know What's Going On Online and How Keep Your Kids Safe! This essential parenting class will be all about how to keep up with the newest developments online and how to keep your kids cyber safe and secure. This class is not to be missed! RSVP here.

More April Parent University Events:
Wed 4/15 at 9am - Confidant, Capable and Calm: In this Head, Heart and Hands course we will explore simple, healthy habits that any parent can practice for setting clear boundaries, limits and accountability. 

Wed 4/22 at 9am - Basic Knitting with Sylvia Sandefur  

Sat 4/25 - "Last Saturday" Workshop at The Oak and the Acorn

  

RSVP is required for all Parent University workshops.  

JOURNEY TO HOST MEDIEVAL GAMES
Each year, sixth graders from regional Waldorf schools gather to complete their study of the Medieval period with a Medieval-style feast and tournament! The annual Medieval Games are a much anticipated event in the Waldorf world, and this year, Journey School will host the Games on Wed., April 22.
Javelin at Medieval Games
Participants are split up into "shires," allowing students from different schools to meet and interact. Tournament-style challenges offered at the Games include Archery, Javelin, Tug-o-war, and much more! 
Medieval Games Archery
Photos courtesy of Pradhan Studios
Journey's 7th and 8th graders will be assisting with the Games while students in the lower grades will enjoy various off-campus excursions. Class schedules will be published soon.
SPRING BRINGS MAY FAIRE & MORE
Monarch Caterpillar
A Monarch caterpillar munches on milkweed in the Green Heart Garden
Journey's annual May Faire to be held on Wed., April 29 marks the beginning of spring and the wonders that come with it. Journey families: Look for May Faire details in your room parent emails.
INVISIBLE FUNDRAISING
Benefit Mobile Check
Every month users of Benefit Mobile are entered into a lottery to win $500 for themselves and $500 for their Cause. And February's winner was a Journey family... so Journey won $500!!

Just download the Benefit Mobile app to your smart phone and use it to buy electronic gift cards to major retailers like Starbucks, Whole Foods, the GAP and more. Journey will receive a percentage with each purchase and you could be the next $500 winner!
SPRING BREAK NEXT WEEK
We look forward to seeing the students return to school on Mon., April 14 and ask that you please not extend your Spring Break beyond this time. Enjoy the break!
Weekly Rhythms  

Carpool Mondays

 

Garden Volunteer Wednesdays (8:30am-10am)

 

Jamba Juice Wednesdays

 

Recycle Thursdays

(drop off in a.m. at yellow curb) 

 

Tanaka Farms CSA Delivery Thursdays

 Sign-up here

Handwork Helpers
Sign-up here  
Quick Links
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