"We're Not in Kansas Anymore!"....Oh Wait....WE ARE!!!!!

We are off and running in Overland Park, Kansas for the National Speech and Debate Tournament! Students began rounds at 8:00 this morning and we're moving forward into rounds two and three. So far the scholars are excited about what they have done and anxious to get moving onward. We will be in rounds until 8:00 this evening, and then back again from 8:00 to 8:00 tomorrow...We will check in then....

Kids have had a hilarious time so far, they are enjoying the experience!

waiting to check in

Back from the pool

THE MAN VAN

The

Pinstripes Host Party

museum of natural science

cinetopia

The MAN VAN

Night Before Prep Meeting

Prep meeting

Eating Crickets

early morning prep

getting ready for day one

the super small holding cafe

I chose Joe's shirt...can you tell??? :)

Graduation Needs!

Hello Parents and Scholars!
We are getting ready for graduation and were able to fund the cookie trays, but we will need volunteers to send in bottles of sprite and cans of frozen limeade so the kindergarten parents can make our punch for the celebration. We also need punch bowls, or decanter containers to put the drinks in for that evening. If you have something we can use, please email me so we can count. Also, we have decided on cookies instead of cake since there are well over 175 people attending the graduation. If you would like to donate more cookies, feel free!

Scholars will be competing in the roller coaster building competition on Thursday of this week. Their research papers are due on Friday as well as their last spelling and vocab test. The spelling bee is Friday afternoon. Field day is Wednesday the 28th. .....we are on the home stretch!

Oil Spills, Blind Trust, and Newtonian Physics!

The scholars have been actively involved in learning and manipulating science. The task this week was to work with a team to constructively come up with a way to clean up an oil spill. Scholars were manned with a mini-spill, spoons, paper towels, cotton balls, and plastic cups. They were to try and use those supplies to keep their ship (Popsicle stick) afloat while cleaning up the spill. There were some very creative attempts, but only when we introduced the surfactant (Dawn dish liquid) were they actually able to clean up much of the oil. Great job scholars!

We also spent time persevering with one another this week as we had to depend upon each other to get a snake of people out onto the ball field, find a ball, and return it to the ball bin. Everyone in the line was blindfolded except that "driver" who was at the back. There was no talking, only motions that were sent up the line to determine where the scholars needed to go. It was hysterical to watch and most scholars learned some great lessons on cooperation and perseverance.

Getting prepared for Lagoon tomorrow, a group of scholars is constructing a roller coaster to their liking. They will then compare it to what they study about coasters tomorrow and come back on Monday and change up their design. The rest of the class was divided into two groups and given all of the shapes they created for the last math unit. Their job was to construct a historical landmark from ancient Greece and Rome. To their benefit each group had a student who had just returned from a tour of Italy and could help visualize the final product.

Great work scholars!

A Few Minor Changes and a SPELLING BEE!

Hello Parents!

Congratulations to Isaiah, Noah, and Kolby for winning our class spelling bee. They will be getting packets today to study from for the schoolwide bee which will be held on the 23rd!
Come on out and cheer on our best spellers!!!!

We are moving a couple of tests around this month to better accommodate our schedules. We have completed units and want to get the tests out of the way so we can focus on our last 14 days in the classroom.

Math Test unit 12 will be Wednesday the 14th
Science Test on Oceans will be Thursday the 15th
History Test for Unit 9 will be Monday the 19th
Spelling Bee - 23rd at 1:00

Thank you!
Graduation is right around the corner!

May Calendar!

It's hard to believe we are just about done with the school year. Scholars were excited writing in the dates off of the May calendar today.
Happy May Day Everyone!

2 - Math test 12/ Assembly
7 - SAGE Science test 8:20

9 - GRADUATION FUNDS DUE/Possible Dress Down Day/Family Legislation Due/Physics Project Due
12 - SAGE Math test 8:20
14 - Family Legislation Oral Report (whether or not the bill was passed)
14 - Math Test 12
15 - Last day to hand in Lagoon Funds
15 - Oceans Test
16 - LAGOON!!!!!! Physics Competition
19 - History Unit 9
20 - Math test 13

23 - Research Paper Due
28 - History Test Unit 10
29 - Final Book Report Project

Running into the Home Stretch

Scholars are aware that we are only 5 weeks away from finishing the school year! As we move forward let's continue to move strong and collect all the knowledge that we can along the way!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION -  THERE WILL BE A GRADUATION MEETING IN MRS. GOERS' ROOM RIGHT AFTER SCHOOL ON THE 29TH OF APRIL. WE NEED MOMS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN HELPING OUT WITH THE CEREMONY TO ATTEND. SCHOLARS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO ATTEND GRADUATION, IT IS ONLY FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO BE THERE, AND THERE WILL BE FEES INVOLVED. IF PARENTS DO NOT VOLUNTEER WE WILL NOT HAVE A CEREMONY. GRADUATION IS SLATED FOR JUNE 2ND AT 6:30 P.M. AT ALPINE CHURCH IN RIVERDALE.

Over the past couple weeks we have finished up a unit on Immigration in History class. Mrs. Ramos was kind enough to bring in and share an immigration trunk, complete with stickers from a family member of hers. She had a beautiful shawl as a piece that her relative brought with her when she was 17 years old and coming to the US. It was an incredibly interesting story. Thank you Mrs. Ramos!

 We finished up a unit on Immunology after performing a couple of interesting experiments. Our Tomato Soup experiment turned out to be pretty gross looking by the time we were finished, but it proved a point about how bacteria works to grow in the perfect environment.

We also had a Speech and Debate Tournament this month and our scholars performed marvelously.

Congratulations to both Faith and Gabby for placing in the tournament this month! Faith will be representing GFA at the National Tournament in Kansas in June.

Congratulations also to Isaiah Marshall and Satchel Sproul who were honored at our assembly for Integrity. These two fine boys deserve their awards!

 Lastly, if your scholar is wanting to participate in the Lagoon Trip on May 16th, please be certain that your scholar is either raising his or her funds or that you send in the ticket money before the 10th of May!
Thank you!

April Calendar

Here is what we have for this month!

9 - Math test 11
9 - Meeting for National Speech and Debate Tournament 5:00 p.m. Room 123
10 - Noetic Math Competition
12 - Speech and Debate Tournament GFA
14 - SAGE writing test 8:30 a.m. HEALTHY BREAKFAST PLEASE!
16 - History Test - Immigration
21 - Science Test - Immunology
23 - Latin Test
29 - Written Book Report Due
30 - Math test 12

ONWARD!

When in Rome, do as the Romans!

Just a quick peek of Julius Caesar's spot of cremation in the Forum in Rome....each section was corded off so we couldn't "relive" like we wanted to, but we did get some great shots....see below:

Heading into the Forum

Caesar's SPOT!

Square where he was murdered

Standing next to the site of his cremation

The spot of cremation, people throw coins and leave flowers even to this day....strange way to generate luck, considering Caesar was not very lucky that day!

No Bones About It!

Bone Dissection took place on Wednesday as scholars discovered how difficult it is to remove connective tissue from bones and muscles. The periosteum of the bone was peeled off in sections as scholars handled the velvety smooth bone beneath. The bovine femurs were excellent examples of both red and yellow marrow, as well as the epiphyseal plates, and diaphysis, an epiphysis. Scholars were able to handle and mold the marrow in a more solid state due to freezing the femurs. They were able to locate blood vessels and the medullary cavity.