Christmas Count Down Tree

This is a favorite activity for children of all ages.
Simply cut out the tree, decorate it with your favorite markers, glitter or crayons.
Glue the tree to a piece of construction paper for a sturdy background.
Make a paper chain of green and red links, and attach it to the bottom of the tree.
Each night cut away a link and you will know how many more days until Christmas.

This is for a class of 25 students with one additional adult helper.TWO HOUR LESSON

PLAN:05 minutes - introductions and getting to know each other a little:

10 minutes - Explain the history of origami. "Complete Origami, An A to Z of Facts and Folds" by Erik Kenneway can help prepare you, as well as a little web research. Make sure you explain your interest as well.

10 minutes - Show the different types of paper you can use included foil, patterned, makeshift and specialty paper. Talk about size of paper and how it creates different difficulty levels and effects the look of the completed models. You would be surprised at how fascinated they are be this. Most of them think of one type of paper and one approximate size.:

5 minutes - Show the different books and instruction resources they can find to learn how to fold, and how the instructions themselves are labeled.

10 minutes Show and tell time. I present models I have folded and some that I have made art out of. I have them guess what the simple ones are supposed to be. Simple models sometimes only suggest what the model is and it can be fun to listen to the various interpretations. They also like the realism of the more complex models.Notice that we are 40 to 45 minutes in and they haven't touched a piece of paper. It doesn't matter. If anything they are geared up to start folding and they have a little background to work from.As my general rule, I come with four models in mind, broken down as follows.:

15 minutes A simple one that does not require accompanying folding instruction hand outs. It still needs to be cool enough that it is worth folding. Recommended 1: A simple box or candy dish. Bring bite sized, wrapped candy to "test" the success of the models completion by throwing a few pieces in each. Make sure it is VERY simple to fold. I do a variation on the fortune teller (cootie catcher) that just about 3/4 of the kids already know how to make.:

20 Minutes Two progressively harder ones, that while still simple, introduce more difficult folding techniques and a simple base.Recommended 2:

A paper balloon or a tumbling toy. My favorite to do is the tumbling toy and I sometimes will do the third model as the paper balloon depending on the age.Here is a link to the video instructions on how to do a tumbling toy.:

25 minutesRecommended 3: The paper balloon or the crane.:10 minutes I then make enough of a classic model such as a crane or an inflatable frog to hand out to everyone as a gift. All told about 2 hours of fun and while the kids still have plenty of energy you are likely to be just about spent.I also like to leave enough paper behind that they have some to practice other models with.-----------------

Don't want to Forget

There are 2 great websites for teachers that are a must visit. The first is http://www.thinkfinity.org hosted by Verizon foundation. There are thousands of lesson plans and ideas for teachers, parents, and students. Be sure to explore it carefully.

The second site is Discovery Education. This site has video support to all curriculum areas and much much more.
Enjoy!!

The Perfect School

Perfect School
In a recent study, less than one tenth of one percent (15) of the public schools in Washington State were rated "Perfect" by an educational research foundation. Cedar Wood is one of those fifteen "Perfect" schools. This comparison was based on WASL scores over the past five years.
During that time Cedar Wood students consistently performed at exceptional levels in all areas measured. Such strong results are only possible when all elements are working together—excellent instruction; challenging curriculum aligned with the state standards; highly motivated students; immediate identification and remediation of students needing assistance; and a stable, encouraging and supportive parent community.

Cedar Wood continues to serve as a model for other schools in our state and to adjust to the changing needs in our student body. We are proud to be labeled a “Perfect” school and strive to earn that title through every interaction every day.
http://www.king5.com/education/stories/NW_050609EDB-schoolreport-card-TP.2645aee8.html

Congratulations past and present Cedar Wood Staff.

WA school report card shows room for improvement
01:11 PM PDT on Wednesday, May 6, 2009
KING5.com Staff

SEATTLE – An annual report card of 1,130 public elementary schools in Washington state has found room for improvement.
In the study published Tuesday by the Evergreen Freedom Foundation, only 15 schools – less than one-tenth of one percent – were given a perfect rating. Four received a rating of zero.
Statewide, the average rating on a scale from zero to ten is six. Twenty Washington elementary schools hit the average mark.
Of all state-wide elementary tests in 2008, students failed more than one-third of the time.
The study also found low-income students are struggling. Of the 282 schools serving the highest proportion of low-income families, 19 had a rating of average or higher. In just 24 schools, children of low-income families did better than those from higher income families on the statewide fifth grade reading test.
The authors say results of the report card are based on five years of Washington Assessment of Student Learning scores. It uses a statistical model developed by Canada’s Fraser Institute.
The report comes as school districts face teacher layoffs due to the $9 billion state budget deficit.
Schools that received perfect ratings:
Cedar Wood, Bothell
Challenge, Mountlake Terrace
Island Park, Mercer Island
Libby Center, Spokane
Lowell, Seattle
Medina, Medina
Elizabeth Blackwell, Sammamish
Lakeridge, Mercer Island
East Ridge, Woodinville
Wellington, Woodinville
Louisa May Alcott, Redmond
Wilson, Spokane
West Mercer, Mercer Island
Horrace Mann, Redmond
Cam, Battle Ground

Schools that received a zero rating:
Lummi, Bellingham
Muckleshoot, Auburn
Virgie Robinson, Pasco
Wa He Lut, Olympia

Up To Date

Our adventures in Alaska started in May of 2009. To read about whale, bear, wolf and many more encounters go to http://capestjames.blogspot.com/

Untie The Lines and Set Sail!!

Untie The Lines and Set Sail!!

We are about to begin our second sailing adventure. We set sail April 10 th for Alaska. Who knows what adventures lie ahead. I hope to teach along the way and of course learn.

A World in Motion!

This program is one of the best kept secrets. Teachers this is a must for your classroom learning. Receive a free kit and start teaching now.

http://www.sae.org/exdomains/awim/

The A World in Motion® curriculum joins together teachers, students, and industry volunteers in an exploration of physical science while addressing essential mathematics and scientific concepts and skills. Industry volunteers play an essential role in motivating the next generation to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math by bringing their everyday experiences into an AWIM classroom.

Each of the AWIM activities is designed around current math, science, and technology standards. SAE International provides the AWIM curriculum and materials at no cost to classroom teachers who complete a Statement of Partnership.

The program consists of hands-on physical science curricula designed for a variety of grade levels.
Elementary (3-6) Skimmer JetToy Electricity & Electronics