February 2024:
STREAM
Sixth graders are studying genetics by creating dragon lineage on Tinkecad and also building pincers with the new LEGO Prime kits that were donated this year. In addition, we used the same robots at the STREAM Night event yesterday!
Physical Education
At the beginning of the New Year, we always focus on fitness. Some students may notice adults setting resolutions to begin exercising. It's also great timing to build students' endurance for Dolphin Dash that took place on Thursday, February 15th!
My goal during this time was to introduce exercising to students as a fun way to do something good for themselves and enjoy being healthy. All grades did fitness relays and some version of an exercise circuit which really gets their heart rates up and their muscles working. It is gratifying to see the students work so hard and enjoy what is one of the students' favorite P.E. activities of the year!
After our fitness activities, we transitioned into jump rope, which continued to build students' cardiovascular endurance while focusing on jumping, turning, and timing skills. By the time Dolphin Dash arrived, students were excited about exercising and ready to embrace the challenge of running all those laps. At this year's Dolphin Dash, top running classes in each grade earned the opportunity to choose their activities in P.E. with me!
Once Dolphin Dash was completed, we slowed it down a bit and learned about different ways to keep our bodies moving. We also make a point to enjoy using as much of the other specialty equipment we have on hand, like various paddles, platform stilts, team walking skis, and scooter boards. We are so fortunate at Solana Highlands to have the most amazing equipment provided to us by the Solana Beach Schools Foundation. (Thank you, SBSF!)
There's so much fun and learning to be had in P.E. Discovery Lab at Solana Highlands, and I'm grateful to be a part of it! - Coach Kono
Media Center*
• Research connection to ancient Egyptian history: students translated their name from English to hieroglyphics and made papyrus bookmarks!
"The ancient Egyptians created hieroglyphs shortly before 3100 B.C.E., and used the script for almost 4000 years. Hieroglyphs were written on papyrus, carved in stone on walls, and used to decorate many objects of cultic and daily life use. There are over 700 different hieroglyphs, some of which represent sounds or syllables; others that serve as determinatives to clarify the meaning of a word." https://www.penn.museum/cgi/hieroglyphsreal.php
• Ten students competed in History Day at SD County Office of Education and four students qualified for State Competition in Sacramento, CA History Day this April.
• Several 5th & 6th graders filled out applications to volunteer at our BookFair. They worked the cash register, assisted younger peers with wish lists and trinket sales.
Discovery Labs are made possible by YOU! To make your donation to the Solana Beach Schools Foundation, visit our home page and click the Donate button.
*Not supported by your donations to the Solana Beach Schools Foundation.
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