CTP-4 Testing, May 1-4
Middle school students will take the ERB’s, CTP-4 standardized tests from Tuesday, May 1st-Friday, May 4th. Although students have practiced with some online tests, the best preparation for these tests is plenty of rest the nights preceding the tests, and proper nutrition. Exercise and fresh air will also help your child’s performance. If you have any questions regarding these tests and the schedule, please contact Tom Marshall (734-9862, tom.marshall@journeysschool.org)
Spring Journey to Salt Lake City, Utah
Monday, May 21 - Thursday, May 24
To extend this semester’s investigations into “World Cultures: The Modern Era,” sixth and seventh grade students will journey to Salt Lake City, the largest modern metropolis in our area. This journey will take place during the week of May 21st to May 25th. Students should bring their packed bags and one field lunch to school on Monday, where we will meet at 8:15 am in the lower parking lot. We will return to Journeys School on Thursday afternoon in time for the 2:30 pm activities shuttle and regular 3:30 pm pick-up at the bus circle. Friday will be an academic journey-related school day with normal hours. A more detailed letter and packing list will be emailed to families next week.
Capstone Rite-of-Passage Journey
Monday, May 21 - Thursday, May 24
The 8th grade students are busily preparing for the rite-of-passage journey in the Gros Ventre Mountains from May 21-24. (Please note the dates have changed from those given at the beginning of the school year.) Like the six classes of 8th grade students before them, they are both excited and anxious. With the guidance of Tom, Margot, and Kevin Taylor, a primitive skills expert, students will be well prepared for the journey. Ask your child what they did and learned today (Friday) with Kevin. A letter outlining the journey, including a packing list, was emailed to parents two weeks ago. Please contact either Tom or Margot if you need an additional copy of the letter or have other questions (tom.marshall@journeysschool.org or margot.angstrom@journeysschool.org).
Earth Day Stewardship Photo Album
In honor of Earth Day, students from fifth through twelfth grade engaged in a variety of service projects. Please click here to see a small sampling of pictures from the service projects that included:
• Planting native grass, shrub, and wildflower seeds in impacted areas to promote wildlife habitat, enhance beauty, and reduce spread of invasive species at Journeys School and the Conservation Research Center
• Planting willows along impacted areas of Cache Creek to promote habitat and reduce bank erosion
• Mulching trails at the Conservation Research Center to reduce spread of weeds and prevent creation of unnecessary trails while promoting visitor enjoyment
• Removing barbed wire fence from the burn area at the Jackson Campus to prevent wildlife entanglement
• Removing litter from Karns Meadow to maintain the health and scenic beauty of the park
Thank you to all the students, faculty, and community partners that made this an enormously successful afternoon!
On Your Child’s Mind
What is your child studying in science, social studies, and 8th grade Capstone classes? Read on and find out!
Science: Last week, middle school scientists have been conducting hands-on investigations to unravel the Three Great Truths of Circuitry (Kirchhoff’s laws). This week students were introduced to how a computer works by guest presenter and electrical engineer Mimi Slaughter. This set the tone for dissecting electronic devices, large and small, to open up the black box of our modern electronics and look for electrical components in action. Ask your child how he or she would use resistors to control voltage if he or she were to build an electronic device.
Social Studies: Students are currently neck deep (no pun intended) in the inner-workings of the French Revolution. At this point in history, the Bastille has been stormed and the streets of Paris (and the middle school) are alive with Enlightenment era thought and revolutionary fervor. This week we turn to colorful characters such as Robespierre and Marat as the National Assembly turns on itself, igniting the Reign of Terror. Students are not only learning a great deal about this dynamic period of history but the foundations it laid for future movements of democracy and “small r” republicanism.
Capstone Project: The Braided Essay
Students are working with Margot on the braided essay component of the project. The Braided Essay contains three narratives, historical, personal, and symbolic braids, woven together. The purpose of the Braided Essay is to provide the students with a rigorous, seminar-style class and introduce them to a complicated written form that investigates their past in order to inform their present and future lives.
Because of this format and the intent of the class, you may have noticed that the regular scaffolding normally seen for writing an essay or story in language arts classes does not exist with the Braided Essay. You will not see guided notes and pre-writing sheets, nor will your child. They have been provided this scaffolding throughout middle school and now to prepare them for high school, they must take responsibility to follow the writing process to the best of their abilities. Many will struggle with deadlines and with the abstract nature of this project, and that is okay. As young adults they have to find answers for themselves, make complicated connections, think deeply, make choices, and be able to navigate the unknown. Writing this essay is an introduction to that and what they will be confronted with in high school and in years to come.
Thank You, Mimi Slaughter
Mimi contributed her vast expertise and personal experience with electrical engineering to support students' understanding of how their computers work. Thank you for providing such a rich learning opportunity for our middle school scientists and budding engineers!
Thank You for the Electronics Donations
From palm pilots to printers, thank you to the many families that dusted off their old and broken electronics for students to dissect. This engaging and informative learning experience would not have been possible without your generosity. Thank you!
Important Dates
Monday, April 30: No School - Faculty Professional Development
Tuesday, May 1-Friday, May 4: Grades 6-8 ERB exams
Friday, May 4: Journeys School Talent Show, Jackson Campus, 5:00-7:00 pm
Monday, May 21-Thursday, May 24: Grades 6-7 Journey to Salt Lake City
Monday, May 21-Thursday, May 24: 8th Grade Rite of Passage Journey
Wednesday, June 6: Graduation and End of Year Celebration
Friday, June 8: Student Achievement Celebration
Tuesday, June 12: Last Day of School