Willow Horne - Middle School Teacher

December 4, 2009

Dear Middle School families,

This morning we had the last of our gratitude assemblies, led by Anny Owen. We also sang our first holiday song, a rousing version of “Jingle Bells”, accompanied by bells! Assemblies are an opportunity for the entire Bolinas campus to sing together, and be both audience and participant, and it has been a great way to build community. If you have the opportunity to stop by and check it out, please do!

Students finished their autumnal poem recitations today, and did a choral reading in front of the class. The poems recited were “Autumn Fires” by Robert Louis Stevenson, and “Gathering Leaves” and “Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening” by Robert Frost. The practice of memorization allows students to work closely with the sound of poetry, and to instill the structure of a well-crafted poem in their memory. We look forward to many more recitations, both of poetry and of other great works.

In history, sixth and seventh graders have embarked upon a TEI rotation wherein they are working in small groups on non-fiction about Africa. Students are practicing taking notes, using the textbook, and understanding what they are reading in a way that allows them to explain concepts in their own words. Test-taking is also emphasized. We are hoping to return to the De Young museum to view the African Art exhibit towards completion of another Art Writing project, and visit an African restaurant as well. The eighth grade has been watching selections from the mini-series “John Adams” to give some context to their study of early American politics, and will start reading about the Constitution and the Bill of Rights next week.

All students have their first book and magazine cards due next Friday. I currently have two on my desk, which is fabulous! Please be sure that your student continues to read over the Winter Break.

In math, we have started the morning Computation workshops. Students are diligently working through practice problems to hone their skills at adding and subtracting decimals. We will work through the various sub-skills, and if your student needs to attend the workshop, you will receive a note home. In Math One, students are close to 100% memorization of the “60-Second Sweep”, which will earn them a small celebration. When you are out and about in your lives, consider asking your student to estimate the tip, or calculate the trip miles. A little bit of math every day adds up! (Ha!)

May peace be with you,

Willow & Don