Second Grade Visits Mr. Pedro's Wood Shop

As part of their science unit about the properties of wood, today second grade students at SEA visited Mr. Pedro's workshop to learn about what changes tools could physically make to wood by cutting and sanding.  Mr. Pedro demonstrated a table saw, jig saw, belt sander and router to the very excited students!

While studying the wood unit, students have worked with five different wood samples to observe their properties.  They began with free exploration, hunted for matching samples, dropped water on the samples, and floated them in basins. They tested the wood to find out how many paper clips it took to sink it, and organized their results by making a bar graph.  Students used sandpaper to change the shape of wood. They compared sawdust and shavings and how they interact with water. They simulated the manufacture of two kinds of wood they observed, particleboard and plywood.

The Science Program at SEA is called FOSS (Full Option Science System), a research-based science curriculum for grades K—8 developed at the University of California at Berkeley.  This school wide, hands-on program where teachers and students interact together leads, to a deeper understanding of science and the natural world.  Students develop basic science concepts through inquiry and investigation.  Development of the FOSS program was, and continues to be, guided by advances in the understanding of how youngsters think and learn.



Ms. Wolfcale Congratulates 49 Award-Winning SEA Poets!

During the months of November and December several classes worked to create poetry that would be presented to Creative Communications A Celebration of Today’s Writers for their Fall Poetry Contest.  This contest allows each student an opportunity to be selected to be published in their Fall Poetry Anthology publication entitled, A Celebration of Poets Fall 2010. 

It is with great pride to announce that 49 students from SEA were selected to be published.  Additionally, our school received a “Writing Achievement Award.”  This award reserved to honor schools the top 10% of schools who have entries accepted for publication.  SEA will receive a special recognition in the anthology publication.   Furthermore, this special recognition has made SEA eligible to apply for one of fifty-two $250.00 Language Arts Grants. 

As the writing teacher, I am beyond thrilled with this great news.  Please join me in congratulating the following students for their accomplishment:

Zach H 4^th, Christine R 2^nd, Blake C 2^nd, Sedona K 4^th, Cade A 2^nd, Trent B 3^rd, Cole B 2^nd, Cameron C 2^nd, Jared C 5^th, Cris C 4^th, Jonathan C 4^th, Nydia C 2^nd, Grace D 4^th, Jackson D 5^th, Nicole F 5^th, Samantha F 2^nd, Olivia F 3^rd, Daniel F 2^nd, Julia G 4^th, Ava H 4^th, Luke H 4^th, Michael H 4^th, Madison J 3^rd, Grace K 2^nd, Jacob K 2^nd, Andrew K 4^th, Sara L 3^rd, Samantha L 3^rd, Hannah L 5^th, Jacob L 2^nd, Owen M 2^nd, Maya M 2^nd, Brett M 2^nd, Gabby N 4^th, Nicky N 2^nd, Olivia N 3^rd, Brendon P 2^nd, Jackie P 2^nd, Skyler P 2^nd, Sean R 4^th, Christopher S 2^nd, Kelly S Kindergarten, Sara S 3^rd, Kylee S Kindergarten, Lauren U 4^th, Alec V 5^th, Alissa V 4^th, Jefferson W 4^th, Kai W Kindergarten.

Look for further announcements in April or May regarding our poetry winners that participate in the Spring 2011 Contest. 





The Power To Stop Bullying

Today all SEA students will view a live, anti-bullying presentation called "The Power of One." The Power of One is a series of skits presented by actors who use boxes, colors, and masks to vividly portray what bullying is, what can be done about it, and how every child has the power of one, the power to report bullying when they see it.

The message is:

Report bullying when you see it

Don't be a Bystander

Bystanders are as guilty as bullies

You can make a difference

For more information on this proactive approach to preventing bullying, visit the Soren Bennick Productions website here.

The Importance of Handwriting

The Wall Street Journal had an article posted on October 5, 2010 about the importance of handwriting for children and adults and how it boosts the brain. Sweetwater Episcopal Academy values that importance and Pre-K through fourth grade students practice handwriting skills using the Handwriting Without Tears curriculum for printing and cursive (beginning in 3rd grade) writing instruction.

To read the article, click here.

Second Grade Visits Mr. Pedro's Workshop

As part of the second grade science unit about the properties of wood, the students visited Mr. Pedro's workshop to learn about what tools change wood physically through cutting. Mr. Pedro demonstrated a table saw and a router to the very excited students. Mrs. Montijo and Ms. Caguin were also able to take a turn cutting the wood as their students clapped and cheered them on!By far, the students were most impressed with the router because Mr. Pedro was able to cut the word "cat" into the wood with it.

Next the students will stain wood blocks as one form of change and will then change the blocks on Monday by hitting nails into the wood.