After expressing their dreams and hopes which enabled them to write the rules of the classroom, the students continued to work on the organization of the beginning of the year.

All classes organized delegate elections with very strict protocol on voting procedures: candidates, ballots, voting booth, and announcement of results.

This important event in the life of the class makes it possible to work on civic education but also on language and certain cultural aspects discussed with the children.

Below, some photos of the CE1A and CPA classes.

In 4th Grade the students are learning about the rich history and culture that makes up the city that they reside in; San Diego. They experienced their first virtual field trip to learn more about the tribal nations of San Diego from the director and curator of the Barona Cultural Center & Museum located in Lakeside. The students learned about the culture, history, adaptations of local nations such as the Kumeyaay before colonization and after.

-Cathleen Anderson

In order for class work to run smoothly, it is customary to establish the classroom rules for the school year. Some teachers use to present these rules to the students. 

At SDFAS, it is the students themselves who develop these rules under the guidance of the teacher. This is an important aspect of the “Responsive Classroom” program. Students begin with a very simple activity: “Hopes and Dreams”, which they hope for for the coming school year. They work on their writing, review or discover vocabulary and then shape their “Hopes and Dreams”.

The whole is displayed in the classroom and gives rise to another reflection: how to achieve these hopes and dreams? From then on, the whole class reflects on the organization necessary to promote the goals they have set for themselves. This is how the students, little by little, formulate the rules of the class.

All of this work remains posted throughout the year for reminders and the reasons that led to the development of a rule. This is how we promote intrinsic respect for the rules.

Our new campus welcomes students by allowing regulatory distancing between students during class. The California Department of Public Health also recommends that we organize outdoor activities when possible.

The teachers therefore do not hesitate to work in groups and allow the students to take advantage of our outdoor spaces. Likewise, other spaces have been set up on the ground to accommodate a class.

This flexibility allows all students to continue to enjoy school while respecting the constraints associated with this special situation.

Since the beginning of the school year, SDFAS has safely welcomed students on campus, but also stayed connected with students that are distance learning from home. In order to establish and maintain a social and emotional connection for all students, each school day begins and ends with a short and engaging meeting. The students appreciate and look forward to the opportunity to greet each other, share something they care about, participate in a fun activity, and also hear a positive and motivational message for that day.

The Prix Albertine Jeunesse, a reader’s choice award, invites children between 3 and 14 years of age to choose their favorite book from a selection of works of Francophone youth literature. The prize seeks to reinforce the practice and love of reading among children. You are in for a treat as the author reads the students’ favorite at the end of the video!

To review what they learned this year in 5th grade with Ms. Marie-Pier students created board games at homne. The game cards were review questions from 5th grade math and language. You are very creative! Well done!

Studying motion objects was a great way to learn about the transfer of energy. In both French and English the students learned about the transfer of energy from potential to kinetic to heat and then learned how to stop an object using friction. Bravo!

Now that the students know how to read they can further their comprehension skills. We can use the story from class to improve observation skills.

Une petite vidéo des 4th grade (CM1) qui dansent sur du Charleston.
Après une étude approfondie de la musique jazz et des plus grands noms comme Louis Armstrong et Ella Fitzgerald, ils interprètent une danse des années 1920.

After studying Jazz music and discovering Jazz artists like Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald, the students learned to dance this dance from the 1920’s.