Teacher Board Report For December 2015

Kalskag Schools

Sixth grade in ZLES has been focusing on word problems and multiplication/division facts; participating in a book buddies program with the 3rd graders; in science we are studying volcanoes/earthquakes and the composition of the planet; reading Independently each day with books chosen from the school's library collection. Each week in art class we have been creating art using primary colors using inspiration/visualization from classical music playing in the background. Grade 3 - We are thankful for our elder mentors Ida M. Williams & Moses Littlefish. The 3rd graders have been writing using the 6 traits and have been enjoying it. They are also working on multiplication and enjoying that as well. We have been reading The Magic Tree House book series, thanks to our staff for buying us both sets (a total of 49 books!), with our scholastic book order points! We made Thank You cards to give to people, for Thanksgiving. For Veteran's Day we colored pictures and used them on posters/ big cards with all the students' and staffs' signatures we gave to our local Veterans thanking them for their service, as well as posters with the list of Veterans for the post offices. The poster/cards were delivered to the Veterans and they were very happy and thankful to the students for thinking of them and making them a card. Grades 4/5 - Ms. Donahue's class is finishing the novel The Witches, Making progress in math, and students are learning the 50 states and their capitals.

Aniak

AMNES Mrs. Vanderpool's class has been doing an integrated unit on the Oregon Trail. Through close reading activities in both fiction and nonfiction, Reader's Theater, and pioneer simulations the students have been learning about westward expansion. The unit also ties to one of our battle books, Ranger in Time; Rescue on the Oregon Trail. AJSHS Aniak Jr./Sr. High School has been working on many projects this past month. We had our big Veterans Day event at the high school along with the elementary school students and staff. Thanks to the elementary staff for their work with organizing their part of the event. In classes, we have been focusing on reading and writing in all areas. In ELA classes, students have been reading different literature sets that have to do with science and social studies topics that are being studied in those classes. In Science they have been working with genetics and how the whole process works to make us what we are and why we are the way we are born. In social studies classes the students have completed levels and have advanced to the next courses. We are currently teaching Government, U.S. History, Economics, and World History.

Sleetmute

It has been a busy month here in Sleetmute. We kicked off November with a Chinese Restaurant night. This event was organized and planned by Kiley Hayden (1st), Kayla Effemka (2nd), and Honey Andreanoff (5th). The restaurant was a huge success and we sold about 50 plates of Mongolian beef and broccoli and shrimp stir-fry. The students helped with the cooking and did most of the waiting and hosting. In the meantime, students were studying China’s country and culture in class.

All of the 5th-12th graders have been working on their

science fair projects for the Upriver Science Fair. Projects ranged from coin batteries to pencil resistors and disinfectants to paper airplanes. Students have worked hard and now we are just waiting for the weather to cooperate so that we can show off all of their hard work. With all of the fresh snow we have enjoyed several afternoons of skiing and sunshine. We’ve blazed a few trails, but with the constant new snow, seems we are always making a new one. Finally, the students of JESS have been baking away. Community members have ordered their desserts and this week the students are busy baking the pies and other Thanksgiving desserts. Just in time for Thanksgiving on Thursday, all while practicing their fractions and reading recipes. In December we are looking forward to a Holiday Bazaar and Volleyball Tournament, a Christmas program, and of course Christmas break!

Other Upriver News

The upriver schools had their annual science fair. Mr. Bonanno had many great activities for the students to learn about science. He had an outdoor survival theme this year. It went well. Thank you Mr. B for your hard work.

!!Chinese!Food!Night!

!!!!!Skiing!Crew!

2015 Upriver Science Fair Dave Bonanno

The

2015 Upriver Science Fair took place on December 1st and 2nd in Crooked Creek, with the theme of winter safety. Students flew in from Stony River, Sleetmute and Chuathbaluk to participate in the event. The 19 participants engaged in many activities to prepare them for being safe while traveling in the winter. Students made a survival kit, practiced first aid, learned how to build a shelter, as well as how to treat hypothermia and frostbite.

On Thursday night, everyone made s’mores around the campfire after dinner, and then played volleyball and basketball. Judging continued throughout the 2 days, and winners were announced on Tuesday, December 2nd at the awards ceremony.

From left to right: Shaylene Spein, Tatianna Morgan, Chelsea Zaukar, Katerina Waskey, Eric Gusty, Tyrel Gusty, Peter John, Joseph Levi and Wassilie Waskey.

Payton Zaukar from Sleetmute

2015 Science Fair winners:

4-6th Grade Division 1st Place - Shaylene Spein – CHU, "Freezing and Melting of Water” 2nd Place - James Zaukar – CKD, “Lemon & Orange Save Apple” 3rd Place - Peter John – CKD, "Project X – Effect of weight on the flight distance”

7-8th Grade Division 1st Place - Katerina Waskey and Eric Gusty - SRV "Dolly Varden” 2nd Place - Chelsea Zaukar - SLQ “Rocketology” 3rd Place - Joe Levi - CKD “Investigating 3 different Paper Airlines”

9-12th Grade Division 1st Place - Tatianna Morgan - CHU, “Melting Ice Below Freezing” 2nd Place - Madison Mellick and Alfreda Gregory - SLQ “Is it Really Clean?” 3rd Place - Tyrel Gusty - SRV "Coho Salmon Research"

Eric Gusty and Katerina Waskey from Stony River

Tatianna Morgan from Chuathbaluk