January 11, 2006
 

Dear Parents, Teachers and Students:
 
I hope everyone had a restful and enjoyable winter break. During the month
of January we are working on a mock trial where two college-aged students
are accused of setting a wild fire. Students have various parts as in an
unscripted play. Some students are witnesses; others are defense and
prosecuting attorneys. We will have the trial the last week in January. It
should be exciting.
 
This past week several lawyers have volunteered to come in and discuss
courtroom procedures with the entire class and work specifically with the
prosecuting and defense attorneys. We really appreciate the time that they
spent with us and the information and expertise that they offered..
 
Next week Ron Knowles from the U.S. Forestry will visit us. He will bring
his smoke jumping equipment and discuss how a wild fire is fought.

 
At 1:00 PM, Monday, January 28, the second grade students begin class. They
will begin our February unit called Galaxy. Galaxy is actually a math unit
based within a study of outer space. Students will have a secret identity
from a previously determined planet. Governing the galaxy is difficult and
there are rumblings of a civil war. Some students will be loyalists and
others rebels. As we do our math activities we will earn points to be used
in the final civil war. Who knows who will prevail? Will it be the alliance
or the rebels?
 
The last unit of the year will consist of the students making a museum. We
will learn about ancient cultures through their art. Students will be
responsible to learn about their assigned culture and make a presentation
explaining the museumıs artifacts and what those artifacts tell us about the
culture.
 
Some supplies needed for our museum are as follows:

  1. If you have some 1/8 in plywood lying around, we could use 80 12 x12 inch
    squares.
  2. We need dry beans (for mosaics).
  3. If you have access to broken or small squared tiles that you would like
    to get rid of, we could use them for mosaics. We need enough to make several
    12 x 12 inch mosaics.

4.      We will be using Crayola Model Magic for sculptures. I have some, but we
could use some more.
 
Any questions please feel free to call.
742 5930
Barbara Weber Ph.D.