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Summer SAVY, Session 4 Day 2, “Intro to Neurobiology” (5th-6th)
Jul. 8, 2025—We began finishing up our groups’ presentations on multiple sclerosis (a condition resulting from neurons losing their protective coating) in a computer lab. Then, we headed to our classroom for the presentations! The four student groups led a review of action potential (neuronal communication) and presented very useful information on the definition, causes, treatment, and...
Summer SAVY, Session 4 Day 2, “Tremendous Transformations in Writing” (3rd-4th)
Jul. 8, 2025—Today we worked our brains, moved our bodies, and wrote a lot! (Your kid might need a hand massage this evening!) Our class is made up of such kind, creative, thoughtful, energetic children. In just two days, we have built a strong community of friends who are supportive of one another and respectful to their...
Summer SAVY, Session 4 Day 2, “The Science of Senses” (3rd-4th)
Jul. 8, 2025—Well, today was SOUND DAY. Do you know what that means? Lots of NOISE! But good noise. Our intro today was “Guess That Sound”, which was a simple, fun way of engaging with the students at the start of the day. The students then acted out their favorite sounds, and the class had to...
Summer SAVY, Session 4 Day 2, “Coding and Robotics” (3rd-4th)
Jul. 8, 2025—The focus of today’s morning meeting was the history of computer programming. I read Grace Hopper, Queen of Computer Code by Laurie Wallmark. We also watched a video about Grace Hopper and her impact on computers and programming. For our “unplugged” coding activity today, the students created rules for a new card game using conditions....
Summer SAVY, Session 4 Day 2, “Creature Connections: Animals, Humans, and the Natural World” (1st-2nd)
Jul. 8, 2025—Dear SAVY Families, Happy Tuesday and Day Two of SAVY Summer 2025 Session Four: Creature Connections! The zoologist in your family explored habitats, ecosystems, and the impact of small and large changes to habitats and ecosystems. I am looking forward to sharing our day with you! To start our day, we watched a...
Summer SAVY, Session 4 Day 2, “Creative Contraptions: A Study of Inventions” (1st-2nd)
Jul. 8, 2025—We had a delightful second day of Creative Contraptions! We started our day focusing on creative problem-solving and the problem-solving process as a way to scaffold invention strategies. We began by brainstorming possible solutions to a common problem: Noise in the cafeteria. We explored the problem, then worked in small groups to brainstorm solutions. Each...
Summer SAVY, Session 4 Day 1, “Wonders of Electrochemistry” (7th-8th)
Jul. 7, 2025—SAVY Families, What a fantastic first day in Wonders of Electrochemistry! It was a joy to welcome such curious and engaged young scientists into our classroom. Today, we sparked our journey by exploring the foundational ideas behind chemistry and how electrons play a role in chemical reactions, especially in the exciting world of electrochemistry. ...
Summer SAVY, Session 4 Day 1, “Social Determinants of Health: How Communities and Policies Impact Well-Being” (7th-8th)
Jul. 7, 2025—Today, in our course, Social Determinants of Health: How Communities and Policies Impact Wellbeing, students began building a foundational understanding of what public health is and how it shapes our everyday lives, often in ways we don’t even notice. We kicked off the day with a collaborative activity: students shared what they already know about...
Summer SAVY, Session 4 Day 1, “Math & Music” (7th-8th)
Jul. 7, 2025—Today, we met for the first time and talked a bit about how math and music connect and what exactly we’d be learning and talking about this week. Although students arrived a bit sleepy, they very quickly warmed up with the help of some pop tunes! We then reviewed class rules and drafted class norms...
Summer SAVY, Session 4 Day 1, “Truth v Perception” (5th-6th)
Jul. 7, 2025—Hello SAVY families! Well, this course is sure to be full of fascinating personalities and ideas! It is already clear that many of our students have complex and interesting perspectives, and I can’t wait to see what we discover about each other as we investigate our similarities and differences and learn to express ourselves and...