Cotopaxi Early Learning Center starts their day with the help of the Wellness Team’s “Wellness Sticks”! Each day children are selected to “draw” a stick out of the cup. Each stick has some type of movement activity written on it and the whole class participates. It gets our bodies ready to learn for the day!
Recognizing the text structure an author has used to communicate information is an effective way for readers to increase and deepen their understanding of nonfiction text. Last week, Mrs. Schoech's middle school readers learned how to identify the five different methods authors use to structure their writing. Afterwards, they participated in a "Gallery Walk" where they were asked to read ten different nonfiction articles and look for the key words, phrases, and patterns the authors used in order to discern the article's structure. Working in small groups enabled them to share their thinking, consider different perspectives, and problem solve to embed this higher level thinking skill.
SAT tests are coming up! Interested in some FREE test prep? Khan Academy offers Official SAT practice! It's free, high-quality and personalized. Head to www.satpractice.org for more info!
Seniors...less than 3 months until graduation! A few important items to keep in mind: 1. Spring is coming and you may be tempted to slack off. Keep pushing, stay focused and finish the year STRONG! 2. Service Hours- due to Mrs. Christensen by MAY 20th! This is a graduation requirement. No hours = no diploma! 3. If collegebound- keep in close contact with the admissions office and Financial Aid office. Make sure they have all the necessary documents from you and that you aren't missing crucial timelines. 4. SCHOLARSHIPS- click this link for Mrs. C's current Scholarship List! https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nKndLjtDYNpOWc7fbkSGGY0apipJOvCOdlnqZ0xf-gs/edit?usp=sharing
This week first graders had a class debate on which is the better pet, cats or dogs? Students stated their opinions and then gave reasons to support them. Which do you think is the better pet, cats or dogs?
High school and middle school science students researched, designed, and built aluminum foil boats to see how many pennies they would hold before sinking. We studied different types of forces and the importance of research and design in building new things.
High school art students spent several class periods working on stipple drawings. Stippling uses tiny dots in place of lines and shading. The more dots in an area, the darker the value created.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2021 - REMOTE LEARNING FOR ALL COTOPAXI STUDENTS!
The Eighth Grade Shop class had a blast putting this chair stand together! This will help organize and transport our pirate cushion seats!
The fourth grade class is trying to make equivalent fractions and also
convert fractions to decimals. Then, they need to be able to find out how decimals are related to percent. Since 1/2 =.5, doesn't that also =50%, yes!! Still practicing!!
The Cotopaxi Early Learning Center (Preschool) students have been exploring science by looking at their shadows. We read the story “Punxsutawney Phil” then explored our own shadows out on the playground. Each day as we walk from the buses to the preschool, the kids notice their shadows and say “they look tall like giraffes “.
Immunization Laws for filing a NONMEDICAL EXEMPTION are changing for the 2021-2022 school year. There will be two ways to file a nonmedical exemption.
1. File the certificate of nonmedical exemption WITH a signature from an immunizing provider, OR
2. File the certificate or nonmedical exemption received upon the completion of the online education module that can be found at the link listed below.
Parents of students in grades K-12 claiming a nonmedical exemption must file one annually.
Please see the link for further information and downloadable forms.
https://cdphe.colorado.gov/vaccine-exemptions
For the past few weeks, the sophomore and freshmen English classes have been combing through history in order to dive into their new novel studies. The sophomores have researched information about the Russian Revolution to prepare for their novel Animal Farm by George Orwell. Furthermore, the freshmen have rigorously explored the background of World War II and the Holocaust so they are ready to read Elie Wiesel's memoir Night. Both classes will be reading and discussing various topics and themes tied to these novels for the remainder of the month. The best part of teaching these novels is seeing the students' critical thinking processes. They make connections and find relevance in reading these two pieces.
In Kindergarten today, we pulled out the playdough! We used the playdough in Math to shape our numbers. This is a fun and creative way we can reinforce the students learning!
February is the month of love and kindness! Whether it be Valentine's Day or National Random Acts of Kindness Day (Feb. 17), we are reminded to show some love, to care for others, and to spread some joy! Check out these links for some fun and easy things to do to help bring happiness to others!
https://www.mykidstime.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Random-Acts-of-Kindness-for-Families-Checklist-Mykidstime.pdf
https://www.mykidstime.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/encouraging-messages-list.png
Composition students have started analyzing famous Blues and Pop songs, and will soon start analyzing Jazz and Classical compositions!
Mrs. Gasseling's first-grade class has been working on learning easy math facts and double math facts. Such as 1+3, 3+7, 2+2, and 5+5. They have been playing a game rolling the dice to learn how to add quickly.
Our World History class has been researching Genghis Khan and the Mongol Empire. The group of students shown here has been given a research task on Genghis Khan.
For Valentine's Day, third graders wrote a letter to a loved one or a friend telling them how much they mean to them. When they were done writing and editing their piece, they cut out hearts and wrote their final copies on the heart. We then laminated them so that their loved ones can keep them for a long time.
Mrs. Schoech's Language Arts classes have been working on mastering the Parts of Speech. Last week, during the adverbs unit, they played a game called "Adverb Antics." Pairs of students randomly picked an action and an adverb. They were then challenged to act them out while the rest of the class tried to guess what they were doing. The kinesthetic movement, coupled with their understanding verbs and adverbs, helped to solidify their understanding of the concept.
