Year: 2021

Ms. Alexis’ students on the 7th grade Raptors team at Oak Hammock K-8, created a poem about the fall season. The students were to write their poems and work with their shoulder partner to analyze the impact of rhymes and other repetitions of sounds (e.g., alliteration) on a specific verse or stanza of a poem. This was not an easy task (though they thought it would be initially). It was, however, very fun to do. Students had a great time creating their poetry and the top poems were selected to create a ‘Poetry Corner’ for the 7th-grade hallway bulletin board.

Kindergarteners at CAST enjoyed a picnic with their teddy bears while they read bear read- alouds, counted bears, and wrote about bears! Students also completed a design challenge where they had to make a chair for a baby bear. Spending the day with our furry friends made our learning so much more fun!

Students raised money last week for PBIS incentives. Students placed their donations in the jar(s) of the teacher/staff member(s) that they wanted to see get a pie in the face. The winners of this contest were: Mrs. Walukiewicz Mrs. Gomez Deputy Duren Ms. Steward Ms. Fisher Mrs. Rivera The pie-ing took place in the cafeteria on Thursday, September 9. Three students from each class had the opportunity to purchase a ticket to attend. Tickets cost 30 Falcon Bucks. In addition, one student from each grade level got to pie a teacher/staff member. All other students watched via TEAMS.

First graders in Ms. Smith’s class learned about cause-and-effect relationships during a recent Stop & STEAM day at CAST. The students experimented with making volcanoes! Everyone loved the reactions when the elements were combined!

CAST Middle School Yearbook students played a game called “Blind Artist” in a recent Graphic Arts class. Blind Artist is a partner game that builds relationships in class, while students learn crucial elements like the importance of communication, patience, and trusting others. The “Director” verbally guided the artists by only saying lines, directions, and shapes. The artists, who must have their eyes shut tight, drew the picture according to the director’s instruction.

The 7th-grade Raptors students in Mr. Richard’s Science class at Oak Hammock K-8, utilized a marshmallow science lab to explore Big Idea 1: The Practice of Science. Students were challenged to create a structure to support their marshmallow. They learned science is not only based on observation and inferences but requires creativity and the ability to question and explain one’s methods and processes. The lesson incorporated SEL skills, critical thinking, and engineering skills, as students competed in each class, to create and claim the bragging rights to the tallest structure to support the marshmallow on top.

Students at SLWK8 School in Mr. Volz’s class get to know each other while using all of their senses through a cooperative learning activity during the first week of school! SUPER ENGAGING, SHARKS!

First graders at CAST constructed two-dimensional shapes out of pretzels and marshmallows. Students identified whether the pretzel or marshmallow was the side or vertices and then identified how many sides and vertices each shape had! What a yummy math review!  

Kindergarteners at CAST are learning the correct way to use their math manipulatives. They read stories about the do’s and don’ts of manipulatives such as teddy bear counters, snap cubes, and dice! They practice how to use them, so they are successful when it is time for math!

CAST middle school Dance students participated in a quarterly fitness test to measure their flexibility, strength, and stamina. This practice helps them with Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind so they are ready for their upcoming performances!