On Monday, October 16, both 1st grade classes went on a field trip in Julian to visit the orchard Calico Ranch. Thanks to the owners David and Amparo Young (also parents at SDFAS), the children learned about apple culture and work. They picked up apples from trees, made apple juice and had the pleasure to taste delicious organic apples and pears. The ranch has no less than 120 different varieties of apples. The children were surprised and impressed to discover some apple trees are almost 70 years old! An ideal field trip integrated in a long term project for the first graders this year around trees and forest.
Claire Selva – Sarah Leboyer – Elisabeth Perdereau
On Thursday, October 12th, the 5th grade and 7th grade classes met for a series of activities. These activities were designed to build connections between the students of both grades in order to prepare 5th graders for the transition to middle school and foster friendship between the students of both classes. As an icebreaker, groups of three and four played “two truths and a lie,” where the other participants had to guess which statements that the others told about themselves were true and which ones were false. After the icebreaker, the students switched groups, and the 5th grade students asked the 7th graders questions about life in middle school. it is the hope that the 5th graders and 7th graders can use this introduction to each other as the starting point for a continued connection when both classes are together in middle school.
Emmanuel Parello, Julien Moncelet
Our first session of sailing went great! The students were so happy even though they had a lot of theory this time (parts of the boat, winds, how to navigate and cooperate on the sabot…). All students passed their mandatory swim test and were able to enjoy sailing.
Binetou Badiane-Maggio, Alice Kong, François Tregouët
After our field trip to Wild Willows farm, we better understand plant and animal adaptations to the desert-beach climate. Wild Willows Farm is situated in Imperial Beach next to the Tijuana River Valley. Second Grade discovered that a river ran through the area when the students collected little seashells.
The students also learned about water preservation, composting and recycling.
We also took time to smell, feel and taste different plants. Everybody wanted to stay longer.
Murielle Brimaldi, Emily Loomis & Caroline Dumas
This year, the 5th graders are going to the Science lab once a week. Anne Laure Denis, Middle School Science teacher is also in charge of the Science program for the 5th graders. They have been working on “Mixing can cause material changes (dissolving, reacting)“.
The fourth graders began their year expressing their emotions and individuality through an “I Am” poem they each composed in class. In each line they shared their feelings as well as their hopes and dreams for a better future. They are deep thinkers and with this focus, will grow to be world ready.
Cathleen Anderson
