Final Words

Hello All,

I'm sorry to say, but this will be the final blog entry from the graduating class of 2010. Just a brief wrap up to the year- and what an amazing year it has been. We read poems, wrote plays, went to the international space station, ate weird neon green pisatacio pudding, decrypted codes, math problems and blood splatter analysis, decided whether a pig autopsy was ethical, came to consensus on term 1 theme (deep sea life), supported each other on a high ropes course, spent a week in Mexico (most of us did), created a perfect world, a multi media presentation about a science question, used string to determine a blood splatter, wrote emails, learning contracts and essays galore, solved puzzles, learned new words, created individual learning plans multiple times, prepared for learning team meetings, gave presentations about race in Social Studies, memorized 167 countries, had deep conversations about the origin of race, wrote reflection, after refelction, after self assement, learned about forensics, made amazing art projects, wrote thank you notes, asked questions and bonded together as an entire grade- all in 9 months. And now, with only 9 days left, we still have an entire movie to make. WOW. I think this last year has been a great final huzzah for everyone. It's going to be a difficult transition into high school for all, but SGS visits will always be waiting. So here's to a great three years as a class, and to a promising, outstanding future ahead.

"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a GIFT. That's why we call it the present" -Eleanor Roosevelt

News About Production (and other stuff too)

Hello All,

Although the school year is coming to a close, there are still several exciting events to come. Production is moving right along, as vignette groups and plots are becoming more solidified. We are starting to make rough cuts- quick versions of scenes before actually shooting them. We've all quickly discovered that unless the shooting pace picks up, we aren't going to have 60 scenes. 8 shooting days, 6 scenes per day. You do the math. :) Also- big shout out to all the parents who have volunteered to drive! After all the scene are shot, we'll move into the editing stage, and the movie will eventually be finished!

In addition to production, we've been wrapping up other projects: theme, social studies and math. We've got presentations about race coming up, and we only have about 2 or 3 weeks left of term three theme.

POW #16

Sharing Candy

Tommy has a 1.69 ounce bag of M&M's. The bag contains 56 M&M's. He decides to share his candy by giving Lucy two-thirds of three-fourths of his M&M's. Lucy decides to share her M&M's with Melissa by giving Melissa two-thirds of three-fourths of her M&M's. If half of Melissa's M&M's are red, how many red M&M's does she have?

Mission windows closing, production doors opening

Hello All,

A lot has been going in the 8th grade at SGS. From post-mission reflections to wrapping up theme, building catapults and starting production, we've been pretty busy. Mission went well for everyone involved, and although it was extremely fun, I think everyone is excited to be through with the stress. We're starting third term theme (individual projects) today, starting with learning contracts, new weekly check-ins and solid plans. On Wednesday mornings, we've been busily building catapults. Drawing plans, filling out order forms and constructing our catapults in small groups has been both challenging and rewarding. All girls learned how use a saw to cut wood and drill planks together. In addition, we are jumping right into Production work! We learned about different types of shots, and how to write a screen play. We turned stories into scripts and shot them last week. Production consensus also started last week, much to the dismay of all girls. Hopefully however, because of theme consensus, choosing an idea for production should me much easier, in fact it only took us 3 sessions to come up with a theme: MURDER :). We are now (slowly) beginning to discuss plot, characters and sub topics for the production. This a a brief look into our busy schedule and new events in typical 8th grade life! More to come!

Pictured: Olivia, Caitlin, Aiyana, Ilana, Nala, Tess, Lilly, Megan, Janee, Livvy, Haleigh and Katie,

Amazing News!!!

Hey everybody! I just received a most amazing email from the "Letters About Literature" folks (the national contest that our girls entered way back in fall)...in it they informed me that SIX of our current 8th graders have made it to the 3rd level of the competition, which is, quite frankly, unheard of!!

Here's the email verbatim:

"I'm happy to inform you that the following student(s) from your school advanced to round 3 judging on Level 2 of the Washington LAL writing competition.

Elena Gleed Seattle Girls' School Sally McLaughlin 8
Zoe Hall Seattle Girls' School Sally McLaughlin 8
Megan McCall Seattle Girls' School Sally McLaughlin 8
Aiyana Mehta Seattle Girls' School Sally McLaughlin 8
Natali Shumlak Seattle Girls' School Sally McLaughlin 8
Grace Billingslea Seattle Girls' School Sally McLaughlin 8

Students who advance to round 3 are not necessarily state semi-finalists. The Washington state judges will determine that. However, please know that on level 1, Washington state received 1,107 letters and of these just 82 advanced to round 3. To reach round 3 is an achievement in and of itself.

State judging will be complete on or before March 22 and you can expect to hear soon after from your state center for the book with the state results.

Meanwhile, please visit our website (www.lettersaboutliterature.org) for contest updates and other LAL program news.

Cathy Gourley, LAL National Project Director"

In years past one, maybe two girls managed this feat. To have six students place is beyond my wildest imaginings! Congratulations to all of us!

I'll let you know how it all turns out!

Sally