Learning Lab News Volume 12

Mr. J’s Learning Lab News Vol. 12- November 7, 2013

OUR WEBSITE IS REVISED & ALL NEW!  Check it out @ www.MSASLearningLabs.com

This week, we started our brand new theme of GAMES including “Ender’s Game” and “The Hunger Games.”  We were introduced to our new songs “Warrior (From ‘Ender’s Game’)” by DJ SoundHunter and “TEAM” by Lorde, and all students began making their STEAM Game Notebooks as well! To help fill out your next STEAM Report (Due Tuesday, Nov.12) here is a recap of all we have done this week:

Monday- We practiced our new songs (Listed above) that have symmetrical (Math) and battle forms.  We began to engineer our STEAM Game notebook by cutting, folding, and gluing pieces into the notebooks to create interactive pages.

Tuesday- We had a “reaping” bowl to assign each student into a district.  Their districts represent various elements & science/technological areas.  We played our first training game for points.  In the game students had to use skill to drop a dice into a numbered game board then add or multiply their points based on their grade levels.

Wednesday- We continued to practice our songs for a grade.  We continued our engineering of the STEAM notebooks by adding a District ID badge which each student personalized with their own artistic logo/symbol and information, then glued them into our notebooks.

Thursday- We held our second training game for points.  Modeling after the “Battle School” in Ender’s Game, the students had to use mathematical formations to progress through an opponent’s “gate”

Friday- Early release day, Learning Labs are not open on those days.

Attached to the newsletter is our current month’s Learning Lab schedule.  It should help students spark their memory/writing on a STEAM report if they get stuck. 

All of Mr. J’s first trimester art & music grades are finished and you may view them on gogeckos.com.  I am so excited to announce that 56 students have earned a space in Mr.J’s 100% club by earning both an 100% in music/dance AND arts (See attached list)!  This is a HUGE accomplishment & it means they turned in EVERY project and EVERY S.T.E.A.M. report on time!  I am so glad to see so many of our geckos soaring!

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!  SET AN ALERT ON YOUR PHONE!

Important Upcoming Learning Lab dates:

November 8- Early release at 11:45-to-Noon

November 11- Veteran’s Day- No School! Thank an active soldier or Veteran!   

November 13-18: Chalk fest in Downtown Sarasota (SRQ) FREE ART SHOW!

November 15-18: Siesta Key Sand Art show & competition ANOTHER FREE ART SHOW!!

November 20: Florida Aquarium Field Trip

November 21: Hunger Games day: Quarter Quell at school (In afternoon) & Movie Night at Oakmont 8 (Hunger Games Double feature at 5:00, Catching Fire at 8:00)

November 22: Our third Masterpiece Showcase (12:15 @ Gecko Stage MSAS)

DONATIONS of MATERIALS:

Remember to LABEL your donations with your family name(s) so Mr. J knows who to thank, and students that donate will be Mr.J’s LAB assistants!

Current Materials still needed:

Pencil sharpeners  & Small bottles of glue (1.25 oz. works best)

MOBY MAX CONTESTS HAVE BEGUN!

Please bring in any monetary donations to Mrs. Brand to help our MobyMax contest out!  If everyone donated just $3.00, we would have over $350.00 in Prize Money! Thanks to all the families who have brought in a donation or gave your spare change in the car line =)

The first MONTHLY contest will end on Tuesday night, November 19th, and the prizes will be awarded to the top 3 in each class during the Masterpiece Showcase on Friday, November 22nd.

Each student should have a unique username and password to login and track their progress.  If you need help knowing how to login, or need a copy of your student’s information, please email Mr. J at ArtsLearningLab@gmail.com                                                                  www.MobyMax.com

 

ATTACHED TO THIS NEWSLETTER:

MobyMax current standings, List of Mr.J’s First Trimester 100% club, November Learning Labs schedule (to help you fill out STEAM reports), and BLANK STEAM Report (Due Tuesday November 12)

CURRENT TOP MOBY MAX STANDINGS!  (As of Thursday, November 7 at 8:00 a.m.)

Keep working on your lessons to see if you can get your name on the list before the end of the contest!

Most badges earned (top 3 in each class):

Kalaman: Angel-5, Caleb-3, Lorraine-3

Babauta: Lily C.-15, Caleb F.-13, Bella B.-8

Griffin: Fiona- 43, Carissa-41, Mikkie -33

Earl: Ryan A- 22,  Sheena-16, Keyona- 15

Peace: Carlos- 30, Alyssa-27, Shane- 22

Taylor:  Austin M.- 16, Tyler S.- 11, Kevin- 10

Mitchell: Drake-66, Sam-53, Cade- 24

Most standards learned (Top 5 in whole school):

1. Alli- 136

2. Alyssa- 126

3. Drake- 90

4. Fiona- 73

5. Cade- 54

Top Classes (Most standards learned by class):

1. Griffin-  597 standards in all!

2. Mitchell- 561 standards in all!

Mr. J’s first trimester 100% club

The following 56 students earned both 100% in Arts and Music/dance for first trimester by participating completely in all dances/preformances, turning in all projects on time, and completing every S.T.E.A.M. report correctly & on time.  GREAT JOB SOARING… This was the most students Mr. J ever had at 100%... It is a BIG Accomplishment!  These students will come to a special party in December and at the end of the year (If earned each trimester).

Kalaman- Jax, Achilles, Avianna

Babauta- Mason, Elizabeth, Maranda, Lily C., Mia, Kenny, Kylee

Mitchell- Aryana, Kayla C., Alex, Cayenna, CeCi, TK, Sam, Lucca, Eric, Rodney, Angelina, Evelyn K., Drake

Taylor- Cameron, Gianni, Skyler, Kris B.

Peace- Abby O., ValleeRae, Abby K., Joey, Shane, Alli, Alyssa, Zacory

Griffin- Carissa, Fiona, Hannah, KK, Fabian, Ryan2, Ethan, Taylor, Lilly B., Mikkie, Taleah

Earl- Sarah, Susie, Keyona, Emily, Courtnee, Kayla B., Eric D., Lina, Tyhler, Sheena

November’s Learning Labs

Month theme: Games (including
The Hunger Games, Ender’s Game)

Week One

4 Arts: First rehearsals of
“Team” & “Warrior”, Begin making STEAM Game Notebooks (students must have
bound composition notebook)

5 Sci:  MIND GAME-Math
Drop, Begin Team “training” games (competitions)

6 Arts: Rehearsals of “Team”
& “Warrior”, continue making STEAM Game notebooks

7 Sci: Learning Labs
newsletter/STEAM Report given out (Due Tuesday), Ender’s Game “Battle School”
lessons & Team game

8  Early release- LABS not
open

Week Two

11 No school, veteran’s day

12 Sci: STEAM Report due,
 ORAL SURVIVAL GAME(S)- What Would You Do?

13 Arts: Rehearsals of “Team”
& “Warrior”, continue making STEAM Game notebooks

14 Sci: Learning Labs
newsletter/STEAM Report given out (Due Tuesday), MIND GAMES: Card Games (Ron
Eaglin)- Fractazmic, Pryamath

15 Arts: Rehearsals  of
“Team” & “Warrior”, continue making STEAM Game notebooks, This weekend in
Sarasota: Siesta Key Sand Art festival & Downtown Chalk Art fest (Free Art
shows!!!)

Week Three

18 Arts: Rehearsals of “Team”
& “Warrior”, finish GAMES section in STEAM notebooks

19 Sci: STEAM Report due, MIND
GAME/STRATEGY GAME (Michael Serra) Polar coordinates game, ciphers

20 Florida Aquarium Field Trip
(We know a new STEAM program is there, but Is the Quarter Quell arena there
too?)

21 Sci/Arts (Outside):
 Handout Learning Labs newsletter (but NO STEAM Report given out this
week!), Stage rehearsals for Masterpiece Showcase, Interactive Hunger Games
Quarter Quell, 5th Graders off  to see play at MSA, Hunger Games opening
night at Oakmont 8 * (Double Feature @ 5, Catching Fire at 8)

22 Masterpiece Showcase- Whole
school preforms “Team” by Lorde & “Warrior (From ‘Ender’s Game’)” by DJ
SoundHunter

25-29 Thanksgiving/Fall Break;
See you in December for “Frozen”

Lyrics for our November songs "TEAM" by Lorde & "WARRIOR (Freom 'Ender's Game')" by DJ SoundHunter

“TEAM” by LORDE

Wait ’til you’re announced
We’ve not yet lost all our graces
The hounds will stay in chains
Look upon your greatness
That you’ll send
The call I’ll send

Call all the ladies out
They’re in there finally
A hundreds jewels on throats
A hundred jewels between teeth
Now bring my boys in
Their skin in craters like the moon
The moon we love like a brother, while he glows through the room
Dancin’ around the lies we told
Dancin’ around big eyes as well
Even the comatose they don’t dance and tell

We live in cities you’ll never see on screen
Not very pretty, but we sure know how to run free
Living in ruins of the palace within my dreams
And you know, we’re on each other’s team

I’m kind of over being told to throw my hands up in the air, so there
So all the cups got broke shards beneath our feet but it wasn’t my fault
And everyone’s competing for a love they won’t recieve
Cause what this palace wants is release

We live in cities you’ll never see on screen
Not very pretty, but we sure know how to run free
Living in ruins of the palace within my dreams
And you know, we’re on each other’s team

I’m kind of over getting told to throw my hands up in the air
So there
I’m kinda older than I was when rebelled without a care
So there

We live in cities you’ll never see on screen
Not very pretty, but we sure know how to run free
And you know, we’re on each other’s team
We’re on each other’s team
And you know, we’re on each other’s team
We’re on each other’s team
And you know, and you know, and you know

 

 

 

“Warrior (From “Ender’s Game”)” by DJ SoundHunter

You can say that I’m not perfect

If you tell me to my face

You can say that I should forfeit

But I’m finishing this race

There’s a line drawn in the sand

I know I’m a champion

It’s impossible for me to fall again

(Chorus)

Don’t build me up

To let me back down

I’m over that now

I’m standing my ground

X2

I’m a warrior

X4

You can say that it’s not working

You don’t like the way it stings

You can say that it’s not worth it

Better stay right in your place

(Chorus)

 

Learning Lab News Vol 11

Mr. J’s Learning Lab News Volume 11- October 31, 2013

DON’T FORGET!! As stated last week…  You must bring your blank Composition notebook to Mr. J with the title “STEAM Notebook” and your name written on the front cover by Friday, November 1st!

They are around $1.00 at Target, Walmart, or any office store. There will be no STEAM Report page due this week!  Starting next Monday, Mr. J will be having the students make intricate notebooks to complete all their work in the Learning Labs.  So, instead of writing a STEAM report this week, you need to go out and get a blank Bound Composition Notebook.

Today was our amazing Costume Parade and our Second Masterpiece Showcase! All the classes did a great job preforming SPOOKtacular songs, and the whole school was spectacular showcasing “Stache” by ZEDD and “Pompeii” by Bastille

Thanks to FST: Florida Studio Theatre for coming to our school on Wednesday!  It was AWESOME and the kids will be making plays to enter into a Playwriting contest. 

Next week, we will have a brand new theme of GAMES including “Ender’s Game” and “The Hunger Games.”  We will be introduced to our new songs, and all students will begin making their STEAM Notebooks as well!

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!  SET AN ALERT ON YOUR PHONE!

Important Upcoming Learning Lab dates:

Friday, November 1- Your blank Composition notebook is due to Mr. J, Early release at Noon

Monday, November 4- We start our new November theme: Non-traditional GAMES! Including “Ender’s Game” & “The Hunger Games”

November 13-18: Chalk fest in Downtown Sarasota (SRQ) FREE ART SHOW!

November 15-18: Siesta Key Sand Art show & competition ANOTHER FREE ART SHOW!!

November 22: Our third Masterpiece Showcase (12:15 @ Gecko Stage MSAS)

DONATIONS of MATERIALS:

Remember to LABEL your donations with your family name(s) so Mr. J knows who to thank, and students that donate will be Mr.J’s LAB assistants!

Current Materials needed:

Pencil sharpeners  & Small bottles of glue (1.25 oz. works best)

 

MOBY MAX CONTESTS HAVE BEGUN!

Please bring in any monetary donations to Mrs. Brand to help our MobyMax contest out!  If everyone donated just $3.00, we would have over $350.00 in Prize Money!

The first MONTHLY contest will end on Tuesday night, November 19th, and the prizes will be awarded to the top 3 in each class during the Masterpiece Showcase on Friday, November 22nd.

Each student should have a unique username and password to login and track their progress.  If you need help knowing how to login, or need a copy of your student’s information, please email Mr. J at ArtsLearningLab@gmail.com                                                                  www.MobyMax.com

CURRENT TOP MOBY MAX STANDINGS!  (As of Wednesday, October 30 at 8:00 a.m.)

Keep working on your lessons to see if you can get your name on the list before the end of the contest!

Most badges earned (top 3 in each class):

Kalaman: Angel-4, Caleb-3, Lorraine-3

Babauta: Lily C.-15, Caleb F.-11, Bella B.-8

Griffin: Fiona- 41, Carissa-35, Mikkie & Ryan Cap. (TIE)-30

Earl: Sheena-12, Ryan A- 11, Tyhler & Eric D. (TIE)- 10

Peace: Carlos- 29, Alyssa-26, Kara-16

Taylor:  Austin M.- 14, Tyler S.- 11, Gianni & Anya’lee. (tie)-9

Mitchell: Drake-57, Sam-46, Cade- 20

Most standards learned (Top 5 in whole school):

1. Alli- 136

2. Alyssa- 126

3. Fiona & Drake (TIE!)- 70

4. Cade- 48

5. CeCi- 45

Top Classes (Most standards learned by class):

1. Griffin-  517 standards in all!

2. Mitchell- 476 standards in all!

Learning Lab News Vol 10

Mr. J’s Learning Lab News Volume 10- October 24, 2013

HUGE NEWS!!  There will be no STEAM Report page due this week!  In November, Mr. J will be having the students make intricate notebooks to complete all their work in the Learning Labs.  So, instead of writing a STEAM report this week, you need to go out and get a blank Bound Composition Notebook.  You must bring your notebook to Mr. J with the title “STEAM Notebook” and your name written on the front cover by next Friday, November 1^st!  They are around $1.00 at Target, Walmart, or any office store.

This week, we have had several MUSTACHE filled STEAM learning experiences.  Both of our subjects (Leonardo Da Vinci & M.C. Escher) encompass all the areas of STEAM!   Here is a rundown of the awesome lessons:

Monday- No School

Tuesday- We learned about Leonardo Da Vinci and his many inventions, including the Vitruvius man and the Flying machine.  In honor of Vitruvius we did a science experiment using arm span and height for our data charts.

Wednesday- We continued learning about Da Vinci and how he “STEAM”s all the way (He was a scientist, artist, engineer, made new technologies, and used math with all his creations).   We learned about is most famous work, the Mona Lisa.  We created our own sketches of inventions inspired by Da Vinci.  We also practiced our songs for showcase: “Stache” by ZEDD and “Pompeii” by Bastille.

Thursday- We learned about mathematician & scientific artist M.C. Escher.  We made octagonal stars using tessellating paper.

Friday- We will finish with M.C. Escher by learning about tessellations in his art.  We will see examples of his art on the iPads.  We will finish practicing our songs for next week’s showcase.

Next week, we will have a huge & busy week finishing our Mustache theme!  We will be having rehearsals on stage for the big showcase, we will be going to Dankin Dairy farms to make Milk Mustaches, and FST (Florida Studio Theatre) will be coming to school on Wednesday to teach about playwriting! Then we will have our Masterpiece Showcase on Thursday.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!  SET AN ALERT ON YOUR PHONE!

Important Upcoming Learning Lab dates:

Tuesday, October 29- Dankin Dairy field trip! Get your Milk Mustaches ready =)

Wednesday, October 30- FST Florida Studio Theatre at MSAS: Teaching acting, playwriting, and improve skills (Permission slip given out earlier, the experience is now full)

Thursday, October 31st- Second Masterpiece Showcase (12:15 p.m.) and Costume parade (8:30 a.m.)

Friday, November 1- Your blank Composition notebook is due to Mr. J

Monday, November 4- We start our new November theme: Non-traditional GAMES! Including “Ender’s Game” & “The Hunger Games”

November 13-18: Chalk fest in Downtown Sarasota (SRQ) FREE ART SHOW!

November 15-18: Siesta Key Sand Art show & competition ANOTHER FREE ART SHOW!!

November 22: Our third Masterpiece Showcase (12:15 @ Gecko Stage MSAS)

 

DONATIONS of MATERIALS:

Remember to LABEL your donations with your family name(s) so Mr. J knows who to thank, and students that donate will be Mr.J’s LAB assistants!

Current Materials needed:

Pencil sharpeners

Small bottles of glue (1.25 oz. works best)

Scissors

Vaseline

Learning Lab News Vol 9

Mr. J’s Learning Lab News Volume 9- October 16, 2013

This week, the Newsletter is out one day early because Mr. J will be at a Teaching Convention in Orlando on Thursday and Friday.  During your LAB time on those days you will be in the Computer Lab with Mr. Y working on your Moby Max progress & can include some of that in your STEAM report as well!  Even in just the last 3 days, we have had several MUSTACHE filled learning experiences.  Based on parent requests, I will now go over what we did each day this week so you can better fill out your STEAM reports =) This week’s STEAM reports will be due on Tuesday, October 22.  Here is a rundown of the awesome lessons:

Monday- We practiced drums and our showcase songs “Stache” and “Pompeii”, we learned about Vincent Van Gogh, and painted by mimicking his “etching” painting style.

Tuesday- We learned about Walt Disney and his “Imagineers.” We created our own theme park rides using Pneumatics (Air pressure) and magnets.

Wednesday- We learned about Walt Disney’s creations, movies, and television show (Including how he created Mickey Mouse, and the “World of Color”).  We worked sketching our own Mickey Mice.

Thursday and Friday- We will go to the computer lab to work on our Moby Max lessons with Mr. Y while Mr. J is at the teaching convention.

Next week, we will be continuing our Mustache theme as we learn about two people who blend art, math, and science: Leonardo DaVinci & M.C. Escher!

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!  SET AN ALERT ON YOUR PHONE!
Important Upcoming Learning Lab dates:

Tuesday, October 22- Mr. J’s new “Embracing our Differences” Art Club begins. The Club is NOW FULL!  (We will have a waiting list for later in the year)

Wednesday, October 30- FST Florida Studio Theatre at MSAS: Teaching acting, playwriting, and improve skills (Permission slip given out earlier)

Thursday, October 31st- Second Masterpiece Showcase (12:15 p.m.) and Costume parade (8:30 a.m.)

DONATIONS of MATERIALS:
Remember to LABEL your donations with your family name(s) so Mr. J knows who to thank, and students that donate will be Mr.J’s LAB assistants that week!
Current Materials needed:
Pencil sharpeners
Acrylic tube paints
Mustache duct tape
Balloons- Latex & Mylar (not inflated)

NOVEMBER Learning Labs Schedule

November’s Learning Labs

Month theme: Games (including Mind, Board, Strategy, Card, Survival, based on: The Hunger Games & Ender’s Game)

Week One

4 Arts: First rehearsals of “Team” & “Warrior”, Begin making STEAM Game Notebooks (students must have bound composition notebook)

5 Sci:  MIND GAME- Song Wiz, Team “training” games (Outside competitions)

6 Arts: Rehearsals of “Team” & “Warrior”, continue making STEAM Game notebooks

7 Sci: Learning Labs newsletter/STEAM Report given out (Due Tuesday), Ender’s Game “Battle School” lessons & Team game

8  Early release- LABS not open

Week Two

11 No school, veteran’s day

12 Sci: STEAM Report due,  ORAL SURVIVAL GAME(S)- What Would You Do?

13 Arts: Rehearsals of “Team” & “Warrior”, continue making STEAM Game notebooks

14 Sci: Learning Labs newsletter/STEAM Report given out (Due Tuesday), MIND GAMES: Card Games (Ron Eaglin)- Fractazmic, Pryamath

15 Arts: Rehearsals  of “Team” & “Warrior”, continue making STEAM Game notebooks, This weekend in Sarasota: Siesta Key Sand Art festival & Downtown Chalk Art fest (Free Art shows!!!)

Week Three

18 Arts: Rehearsals of “Team” & “Warrior”, finish GAMES section in STEAM notebooks

19 Sci: STEAM Report due, MIND GAME/STRATEGY GAME (Michael Serra) Polar coordinates game, ciphers

20 Florida Aquarium Field Trip (We know a new STEAM program is there, but Is the Quarter Quell arena there too?)

21 Sci/Arts (Outside):  Handout Learning Labs newsletter (but NO STEAM Report given out this week!), Stage rehearsals for Masterpiece Showcase, Interactive Hunger Games Quarter Quell, 5th Graders off  to see play at MSA, Hunger Games opening night at Oakmont 8 * (Double Feature @ 5, Catching Fire at 8)

22 Masterpiece Showcase- Whole school preforms “Team” by Lorde & “Warrior (From ‘Ender’s Game’)” by DJ SoundHunter

25-29 Thanksgiving/Fall Break; See you in December for “Frozen”

Learning Labs News Vol 8

Mr.J’s Learning Lab News Volume 8- October 10, 2013

It’s been another STACHE-tastic week in the learning labs!  Even with only 4 school days this week, we continued our new October (Octubre) theme of Famous Artists and Scientists with Mustaches.  We learned about three new artists in the Arts Lab: Frida Kahlo, a female mexican artist with an awesome unibrow and stache who painted surreal self portraits; Gauguin who painted realistic indonesian tribes; and Manet who painted realistic city scenes using use of foreground and background.  In the Science Learning Lab we focused on Albert Einstein and his many scientific theories: Energy (E=mc 2- MassConstant squared), atomic, Relativity (time).  Finally we continued to practice our two new songs for October with select groups learning the tribal drums & making our “ash” props.

Next week, we will be continuing our Mustache theme as we learn about art by Van Gogh (BEARD DAY!) and the arts and sciences of Walt Disney!

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!  SET AN ALERT ON YOUR PHONE!

Important Upcoming Learning Lab dates:

Sunday, October 13- FREE Open House at Ringling College of Art + Design (Begins at 9:00 a.m.) Address: 2700 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34234

Tuesday, October 22- Mr. J’s new “Embracing our Differences” Art Club begins (permission slip attached)

Thursday, October 31st- Second Masterpiece Showcase (12:15 p.m.) and Costume parade (8:30 a.m.)

THIS SUNDAY!  The faculty and staff of Ringling College of Art+Design (where I went to a two day art training at last week!) are hosting a FREE open house to see what the college has to offer for prospective students.  The awesome staff would love to see our students who are interested in a future career in the arts world.  All of the LABS will be open and showing off the latest art techniques.  I hope to see you there starting at 9 a.m. Park at the Visitors lot at the corner of US41 and MLK Drive.  Any students who go will earn 10 extra credit points & a STEAM REPORT PASS good for 1 week off from writing one!

Speaking of STEAM reports… they are still going great!! Remember we will have a special FREE field trip at the end of the year for students who have turned in all of their reports!  Report sheets will be given out each Thursday (Attached to this Newsletter), and will be due every Tuesday.

DONATIONS of MATERIALS:
Remember to LABEL your donations with your family name(s) so Mr. J knows who to thank, and students that donate will be Mr.J’s LAB assistants that week!
Current Materials needed:
Pencil sharpeners
Acrylic tube paints
Mustache duct tape
Popsicle sticks
Balloons- Latex & Mylar (not inflated)
________________________________________________________
Want to try our experiments at home?  Need a copy of any form given out in the Labs?  Then visit our NEW website @
www.MSASLearningLabs.com
And click on the “THEME BLOG” page!

ATTACHED TO THIS NEWSLETTER:
E.O.D Arts Club Permission Slip
Moby Max contest information
STEAM report information
WEEK 8 Blank STEAM report DUE TUESDAY OCTOBER 15

Mr.J’s “Embracing our Differences” Art Club

This fall, Mr. J is starting hosting a special weekly time for interested students to have “Studio time” at school to paint/create their own artwork to enter in this year’s “Embracing our Differences” exhibit in Downtown Bradenton and Sarasota.
Every Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. interested students will work in the Arts Learning Lab to create their own artwork to enter in this exciting art contest!
Spots are limited, and students will be chosen if they have a signed permission slip & completed STEAM reports each week.
Signed forms are due NO LATER than Friday, October 18th, and the “Embracing our Differences” Art Club will begin on Tuesday, October 22 & continue until winter break.

For more EOD information, visit: www.EmbracingOurDifferences.org

Mr. J’s EOD Art Club Permission Slip

I give my permission that my child, _________________________, can attend the “Embracing our Differences” Art Club on Tuesdays at 1:30 p.m. I am aware that they will use this time to create an art piece they will submit to the “embracing Our Differences” art contest.  
Student Name:
Teacher:
Parent signature:
Date: ____/____/2013

MOBY MAX CONTESTS ARE COMING!

This year our school is using the great website, www.MobyMax.com to help our students SOAR!  For every 40 hours they spend on the site they should gain at least 1 year of learning based on their own academic needs.  We feel this site is a great way to SOAR beyond the regular academics being taught in the classroom, and will help each student gain material they may have forgotten or missed.

To help support & motivate our great geckos, Mr. J will be monitoring every child’s progress on the site.  Each month we will have special prizes and rewards for students with: the most active time spent on the website, the most Standards achieved, and the most badges earned!

The first contest will end on Tuesday night, November 19th, and the prizes will be awarded to the top 3 in each class during the Masterpiece Showcase on Friday, November 22nd.

The second contest will end on Friday night, December 13th, and the prizes will be awarded to the top students in the WHOLE SCHOOL during the Masterpiece Showcase on Friday, December 20th.

Each student should have a unique username and password to login and track their progress.  If you need help knowing how to login, or need a copy of your student’s information,  please email Mr. J at ArtsLearningLab@gmail.com

www.MobyMax.com

October's Learning Labs schedule: Use this to help write your weekly STEAM reports!

October Learning Labs

Month theme: Famous Artists and Scientists with Mustaches

Week One (Week 7 of school)

1 Sci: TESLA, Tesla Coil, Electricity, iPad apps, STEAM Report (Week 6) Due

2 A: DALI, Surreal Mustache Art, Rehearsal “STACHE” by ZEDD, “Pompeii” by Bastille

3 Sci: TESLA, Colorado Springs/Edison days, iPad apps

4 A: MUNCH, The “Scream”, Rehearsal “STACHE” by ZEDD, “Pompeii” by Bastille

Week Two (Week 8 of school)

7 A: FRIDA, Mustache self-portraits, Rehearsal “STACHE” by ZEDD, “Pompeii” by Bastille

8 Sci: EINSTEIN, e=mc(2), Relativity STEAM Report (Week 7) Due

9 A: Gauguin & Manet, Realistic/ Renaissance paintings, Rehearsal “STACHE” by ZEDD, “Pompeii” by Bastille

10 Sci: EINSTEIN, Atomic theory, iPad apps

11 No School; Inservice day

Week Three (Week 9 of school)

14 A: BEARD DAY-Van Gogh, “Starry Night”/Swirl art, Rehearsal “STACHE” by ZEDD, “Pompeii” by Bastille

15 Sci: DISNEY, Theme Park creations, Animatronics, STEAM Report (Week 8) Due

16 A: DISNEY, Mickey Mouse, Rehearsal “STACHE” by ZEDD, “Pompeii” by Bastille

17 Sci: DISNEY, Epcot ideas, Futurist, World’s Fairs

18 A: DISNEY, Animated movies, Rehearsal “STACHE” by ZEDD, “Pompeii” by Bastille

Week Four (Week 10 of school)

21 No school, record day

22 Sci: Da Vinci, Inventions- flying machine, STEAM Report (Week 9) Due

23 A: Da Vinci- Artwork- Mona Lisa, Rehearsal “STACHE” by ZEDD, “Pompeii” by Bastille

24 Sci: Escher- Mathematical/Symmetrical, Metamorphic

25 A: Escher- Mathematical art- Tessellations, Rehearsal “STACHE” by ZEDD, “Pompeii” by Bastille

Week Five (Week 11 of school)

28 A: BEARD DAY! Seuss, Finish staging & Props, Stage Rehearsals “STACHE” by ZEDD, “Pompeii” by Bastille

29 Dankin Dairy FIELD TRIP: Cowstaches!  Milk Mustaches!, STEAM Report (Week 10) Due

30 FLORIDA STUDIO THEATRE at MSAS; Playwriting, Acting & Improvisation (Permission slips due Oct. 4)

31 Masterpiece Showcase (12:15 @ the Gecko Stage) Class & Club performances, Whole school performance of “Stache” by Zedd and “Pompeii” by Bastille

Featured Artists: Frida Kahlo, Salvador Dali, Eduard Munch, Gauguin, Manet, (Beards: Van Gogh, Maurice Sendack, Dr. Seuss)

Featured Scientists: Einstein, Tesla

Featured Both (Art/Sci): M.C. Escher, Da Vinci, Disney

October's songs!

October’s Songs

“STACHE” by Zedd (No Lyrics- instrumental )

“Pompeii” by Bastille

I was left to my own devices
Many days fell away with nothing to show

And the walls kept tumbling down
In the city that we love
Great clouds roll over the hills
Bringing darkness from above


But if you close your eyes,
Does it almost feel like
Nothing changed at all?
And if you close your eyes,
Does it almost feel like
You've been here before?
How am I gonna be an optimist about this?
How am I gonna be an optimist about this?

We were caught up and lost in all of our vices
In your pose as the dust settles around us

And the walls kept tumbling down
In the city that we love
Great clouds roll over the hills
Bringing darkness from above

But if you close your eyes,
Does it almost feel like
Nothing changed at all?
And if you close your eyes,
Does it almost feel like
You've been here before?
How am I gonna be an optimist about this?
How am I gonna be an optimist about this?
If you close your eyes

Oh where do we begin?
The rubble or our sins?
Oh where do we begin?
The rubble or our sins?

Learning Lab News Vol 7

Mr.J’s Learning Lab News Volume 7- October 3, 2013

What a STACHE-tastic week we have had in the learning labs!  Thanks to all the families who came out to Family Movie Night on Friday!  The movie was so fun (Barry was the best!), and we loved seeing all of you at the theatre.  Another thank you for those that came out for our first Masterpiece Showcase on Monday.  All the classes did a great job, and I was so proud of the WHOLE SCHOOL performing together!  We also started our new October (Octubre) theme of Famous Artists and Scientists with Mustaches.  We learned about Tesla and his Coil, his use of magnetism, and his Colorado Springs Lab.  We also reviewed what we learned last year about Spanish artist Salvador Dali, his surreal works of art, and his awesome stache!  Also, we learned about Edvard Munch and his famous painting “The Scream”.  Finally we choreographed and learned our two new songs for October (Lyrics are attached).

Next week, we will be continuing our Mustache theme as we learn about scientist Albert Einstein, and artists: Frida, Gauguin & Manet!

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!  SET AN ALERT ON YOUR PHONE!

Important Upcoming Learning Lab dates:

Thursday, October 31st- Second Masterpiece Showcase (12:15 p.m.) and Costume parade (8:30 a.m.)

STEAM REPORTS are still going great!! This year, students will create STEAM reports each week that will count for part of their grade (see the attached Information Sheet & examples.  Remember we will have a special FREE field trip at the end of the year for students whom have turned in all of their reports!  Report sheets will be given out each Thursday (Attached to this Newsletter), and will be due every Tuesday. Students who turn their work in early will receive 10 extra credit points!





DONATIONS of MATERIALS:

Remember to LABEL your donations with your family name(s) so Mr. J knows who to thank, and students that donate will be Mr.J’s LAB assistants that week!

Current Materials needed:

Markers

Acrylic tube paints

Mustache duct tape

Large PVC pipe

Old cd’s

Balloons- Latex & Mylar (not inflated)

Learning Lab News Vol 6

Mr.J’s Learning Lab News Volume 6- September 26, 2013

What a drizzly sixth week we have had in the learning labs!  The rain was hovering all week… it truly was CLOUDY with a Chance of Meatballs =). This week we are finishing with our first month long theme: “The Arts and Sciences of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs!”  Students have finished making their lollipops and tiger claw props for Monday’s Showcase, used potatoes and lemons to learn about energy and conductors, worked with new Cloudy 2 and math sushi apps on the iPads, and are going to learn about zoology at Busch Gardens!

Don’t forget tomorrow (Friday Sept. 27) is MSAS Family Movie Night at Oakmont 8 for the 7:15 showing of “Cloudy 2!”  It should be a fun time seeing the movie with our great MSAS students, families, and staff.

Next week, we will be having our first Masterpiece Showcase of the year on Monday, and then starting our brand new theme for October: Famous artists and scientists with Mustaches!!

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!  SET AN ALERT ON YOUR PHONE!

Important Upcoming Learning Lab dates:

Friday, Sept. 27- After school Family Movie Night- “Cloudy with a Chance of   Meatballs 2” @ Regal Oakmont 8 (7:15 show time)

Monday, Sept. 30- First monthly Masterpiece Showcase @ school, 12:15 p.m. The whole school will be preforming “Sunshine, Lollipops, and Rainbows” from Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, and Katy Perry’s “ROAR.” All classes will also be preforming their own spotlight song, and the winning Dnace Crew (Geckoettes and 1 dude) will show us their moves!

Tuesday, October 1- We start our new theme: Famous artists and scientists with MUSTACHES!! First up: TESLA!

STEAM REPORTS are still going great!! This year, students will create STEAM reports each week that will count for part of their grade (see the attached Information Sheet & examples).  Last week we had the greatest amount of students turn in their wor on time! Great job GECKOS!! We will have a special FREE field trip at the end of the year for students whom have turned in all of their reports!  Report sheets will be given out each Thursday (Attached to this Newsletter), and will be due every Tuesday. Students who turn their work in early will receive 10 extra credit points!



DONATIONS of MATERIALS:

Remember to LABEL your donations with your family name(s) so Mr. J knows who to thank, and students that donate will be Mr.J’s LAB assistants that week!

Current Materials needed:

Markers

Watermelon

Mustache duct tape

Flashlights

Old cd’s

Learning Lab News Vol 5

Mr.J’s Learning Lab News Volume 5- September 19, 2013

What a dazzling fifth week we have had in the learning labs! We have continued with our first month long theme: “The Arts and Sciences of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs!” Students have painted using egg whites, made their own paper ice cream cones out of new SmartFab fabrics, learned about yeast and why it rises, and even experienced Liquid Nitrogen in action with Sub Zero ice cream!

Next week, we will be having an enormous week making props for the Masterpiece Showcase (Lollipops and Tiger Claws), turning potatoes and lemons into electric conductors, learning about non-food animals at Busch Gardens, and ending our September theme with a Family Movie Night!

MARK YOUR CALENDAR! SET AN ALERT ON YOUR PHONE!

Important Upcoming Learning Lab dates:

Friday, Sept. 27- After school Family Movie Night- “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2” @ Regal Oakmont 8 (Exact show time will be given out next week)

Monday, Sept. 30- First monthly Masterpiece Showcase @ school, 12:15 p.m. The whole school will be preforming “Sunshine, Lollipops, and Rainbows” from Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, and Katy Perry’s “ROAR.”

Tuesday, October 1- We start our new theme: Famous artists and scientists with MUSTACHES!!

STEAM REPORTS are still going great!! This year, students will create STEAM reports each week that will count for part of their grade (see the attached Information Sheet & examples). We will have a special FREE field trip at the end of the year for students whom have turned in all of their reports! Report sheets will be given out each Thursday (Attached to this Newsletter), and will be due every Tuesday. Students who turn their work in early will receive 10 extra credit points!

DONATIONS of MATERIALS:

Remember to LABEL your donations with your family name(s) so Mr. J knows who to thank, and students that donate will be Mr.J’s LAB assistants that week!

Current Materials needed:

16 gauge wire

Lemons

Zinc nails

Markers

Watermelon