How To “Survive” SBAC Testing Tips and Advice By Hudson and Bennett

[Image: Scholastic.com]

SBAC Testing is coming up and supposedly you are nervous. If you are not, you don’t need to read this. The whole point of this is how to “survive” SBAC Testing and do well on it. Here’s the most important two things:

• Take care of yourself by having a good sleep and a good breakfast. For example, you might want to get nine or more hours of sleep. So if you wake up at 7:00 AM you want to go to bed before 10:00 PM. 
• Do some stretches to get your body going and your mind starting to wake up the morning of the test.

In class about a week ago we were learning about the brain. I read an article about the best studying strategies for the brain. I will list some of them here:

Study Strategies/Steps for Any Test:

1. Make sure you have all materials so you don’t need to get up to get your notebook or something during the test.*
2. Write down your worries, questions, or concerns about the test before the test so you can focus on them and try to fix/answer them while you're studying instead of while taking the test.*
3. Take a few deep breaths before starting and even during the test.*
4. Review your first problem, talk out loud very quietly or whisper as you write down your problem. You can probably whisper your problem during the test but not loudly.
5. While studying, after a couple of reviewed questions take a 10-15 minute break. NO TV OR ELECTRONICS.
6. Review a little information again when you're about to go to bed.
7. Get a good night sleep for the whole week so your brain will rest before the test. This helpful so you and your brain won’t stress out.*
8. As well eat a healthy breakfast like eggs and fruit and no junk food.
9. Also keep yourself hydrated during and before the test so you won’t get major headaches and it won’t stress you out. (Also, try not to spill the water because that would be really bad.)*

*= You can probably do these during the actual SBAC test.

Good luck and do your best at all times and don’t stress out! :)

Sources: Brain Topics: Brain Compatible Study Strategies by Lori Desautels

Poet to Poet by Kate T

                     

As you probably know April is National Poetry Month and 6th grade is doing an activity this month; it is called Poet to Poet. Earlier this week the 6th grade class watched professional poets recite one of their favorite poems. Now the 6th grade classes are writing a letter to the poets, and we will also begin writing some poetry of our own inspired by the poems we have heard. I am choosing to write a letter and poem inspired by Edward Hirsch, he wrote the poem cotton candy. Other students I interviewed also are enjoying poetry month. “ I really enjoy the activity that we are doing in class. I especially like that we can have a chance to communicate with the poet.” says one student. Another student says that “ I think that this is a cool activity to do in poetry month. This activity helps us get better and understand poetry like never before. Writing to poets about their poems will really help us get deeper into poetry.” Along with loving the poetry month, students are writing letters and poems to all different types of poets including Edward Hirsch, and Juan Herrera, etc. I think it is great that we are able to have this opportunity, I know many other schools might not have been able to participate in this event, but I am glad that our school is participating.

Some of our student letters ready to mailed.

Track and Field by Caleb B

 The LEA Knights track team recently competed in a track and field meet in Inderkum High School, Friday April 24, 2015. In this track meet we competed against Capital Christian and it was to determine who would make it into the trials, semi-finals, and finals. The Knights won many races but lost a couple. Coach Presley (Track and Field coach) will announce the top 3 racers in each event and who will compete in the upcoming track meets. Another opponent we faced was the weather; it was very windy making it hard to see when we ran. It also rained at the end of the track meet but no complaints though, we need rain! We also lost many fast runners to leg injuries including Summer and Sierra. Many parents came to help out and cheer on fellow LEA racers. The upcoming events will be in Cordova High including the Trials and Finals. If you want to help out or cheer on the Track team contact Coach Shane for further information.

Go Knights!

Rock the Drop By: Jonathan & JohnPatrick

Caption: JohnPatrick found these two of Percy Jackson series books (Titan’s Curse and The Battle of the Labyrinth)!

Rock the Drop is an event by our library where students can find free books hidden around the school! The rules were every person can get no more than 2 books for free! If you find an extra book you can give it to a friend or return it to the library. The Library is giving away their books and we can find the books that where at anywhere in and outside of classes. The places could be on the Expression table and some were on cafeteria tables. I found my book near the boys bathroom.

Many sixth graders that we have heard have found at least two-one or two books. People such as Axel, Trevor, Jayden G, JohnPatrick. Jonathan, and I believe that more books will be found around campus for the next couple of days and new people will be going home with books they have never heard of. When we found books that we saw on the table, we knew they could be at anywhere. If you found a book you could keep it, you could give it to a friend, or you could return the book/books to the library.

This event will also help people be able to log more books and score another book for their class. There were lot of genres out there to be found including fantasy, fiction, non fiction, etc. The books were marked with high school books and middle school books so you know if you're allowed to keep it or leave for higher aged people that is not for you. Remember for next year: Keep looking for books and you may be able to find one!

Facts and Comments About Spring Break by Christian

At Natomas Charter School, students and staff are enjoying Spring Break for two weeks. Spring Break is about having fun during the school year and not worrying about homework for two weeks. It is also the time of Easter which is a very important holiday to the Christian and Catholic religions. 

I made a survey to find out how students would be spending their time off. At spring break, 18 out of 36 or 50% of the people who responded to the survey are not going anywhere and 18 out of 36 or 50% of the people are going somewhere. I know that means for the people staying home it is probably going to be spent playing video games and watching TV. So, I am going to focus on the people going somewhere. 

Kyle S. says, “I am going to Las Vegas for an International Karate Tournament called Ozawa Cup. After that, we are staying to have fun for a few days.” Many students are traveling such as Lauren who is going on a road trip to Washington and Becky who is going to check out colleges with her family for her older brother. Others are going to southern California, like Jaden, Liaba, and Justin who are going to San Diego. Eyesha's also hoping to go to Disneyland. Kate and Manelle are also going to see places around California like Hearst Castle and Universal Studios.

Anshul is going somewhere fun on his spring break too, “I am going to Mexico on a Carnival cruise. There are sports like (golf, tennis, swimming), water parks, restaurants, rooms, libraries, computer labs, make your own pizza area, and much more. [The boat] will travel from LA to Mexico and in Mexico we will get out for some hours and then go back on the ship and head back.” 

This is Emily’s travel plans for spring break, “My family and I are going to Redwood National Park for my mom's birthday. We were going to stay there for one night.” Shane, Sam, Minerva, Sierra, and Kobi also mentioned spending time with family. Sai said, "I am going to Bakersfield to celebrate my Oldest Uncle's 60th birthday by reanacting their marriage. Plus, I am going to spend a lot of time with them. I have heard that we are going somewhere fun like a theme park."

Now let’s hear from Bethany, ”I am going to go to the FMC Technologies in Davis over spring break on March 31, with the 3D Printer Pioneer Team and Mrs. Bibayoff. We are going to learn more about 3D printers and get to see bigger 3D printers. I am very excited for this trip and really want to learn more technologies.”

As for me, I joined my fellow printer pioneers at FMC Technologies and we saw how the ROVs (Remotely operated vehicles) worked and how they are built. They cost around 3.5 million dollars for one small unit. The arms can carry 900 pounds. The units can also go down to 7000 meters under water. Thank you Mrs. Bibayoff for the trip it was really fun.

VIDEO CLIP LINK: ROV in the testing tank Schilling Robotics @FMC_Tech pic.twitter.com/0OT0ghBUB7

— Mrs. Bibayoff (@LEroomI3) March 31, 2015

Have a great Spring Break everybody! 

Blog on Greek Olympics By: Trevor & Michael

Trevor races in the 50 yard dash.

During the Greek olympics, the three sixth grade core classes competed against each other in a series of events. Each core class was a Greek city-state and Mrs. Bibayoff was Sparta, Mrs. Hanson's was Athens, and Mrs. Meindles was Olympia. Each class had students dressed up to represented the gods and goddesses as well.

Zeus and Hera (Arjan and Lily)

Each class had representatives to compete in the athletic events, and one person could only be in two events besides the relay. First event was the 100 meter dash and the winners were Rory for the girls from Athens and Caleb for boys from Olympia. Next was Long Jump and for boys Elijah B. won, and his team was Athens. Nicole A. won for the girls long jump, and she won for Sparta. Wrestling was won by Sparta for boys and girls from Nicole C. and Ryder F. Just for fun, Nicole C. and Ryder faced off to see who’d win and Nicole won! In shot put for boys, Caleb B. won for Olympia. Discus for girls was won by Senara of Sparta. Our last event was the relay, and the team that won was from Athens for both boys and girls. For the first time in the LE Greek Olympics’ history, there was a three way tie with each city-state winning four gold medals.We all had “ambrosia and nectar” (aka root beer floats) afterward. We had a great time. We hope everyone else had as good of a time as we did!

Science and Innovation Fair by Shreya and Bethany

*From Shreya*

On March 19, Leading Edge had it’s annual Science and Innovation Fair. We had many different and amazing models, trifolds, and incredible ideas. Some projects that the sixth graders presented were the Sky Fly by Senara M., Natasha L., and Varnika K.. They decided to make a car that runs on Magnets to stop greenhouse gasses being infused into the air. Rory M., Sierra G., Caitlin L., and Elijah B.. decided to invent an all weather car. Their car generates different weather conditions such as heat and wind. Another Project had received an award for best 6th grade project. The Humidifier 2030. Kate T., Marisol P., Alexis F., and Lily E. decided to create a machine that will not stop the Greenhouse Gases but revise them to become pure, clean air.

Even with the projects out and in display, Mrs. Bibayoff had her classroom out for display to show parents some of the amazing things we are doing as a class in Science. Some things out on display were the foldscopes, 3D printer, Popcorn Plants, and the Genius time projects. We introduced the foldscopes to the parents and siblings. We showed them how to use the foldscopes and they had to try to find out what they were looking at. After that, we told them the history of Foldscopes and why Stanford gave them to us. At the 3D printer station, some people helped explain how we got the printer and what it does. The people at the popcorn plant station showed our posters and we explained our different designs and which ones were most effective. Last, Becky and Manelle showed off their Makey Makey Genius time projects.

Overall I think everyone did a great job and congratulations to everyone who stood out to the judges and got an award.

*From Bethany*

Everyone is excited to see this year’s science fair inventions! This year’s theme? Future inventions to solve real world problems! Some students’ inventions like the Hover Car, H20 Evaporation Transporter, the ESCR: All Weather Car, the Earthquake-Proof Skyscraper, The Weather Manipulator, Tree 2.0, and the Doc-Bot are all being represented in this year’s science fair. Many students are willing to help the world with many different problems, mostly climate change. These students worked very hard with their projects and are

going to represent each one of these inventions at the science fair. It’s cool to know that so many students want to help the world with their troubles. Many new inventions are being made today. Some inventions include the 3D printer. When I first heard of the 3D printer I was amazed by the many things it could make. Now, we even have one in our classroom! This invention has helped with many things like building a broken bone, or making car parts. I even researched a little bit about it and found out that people were using the 3D printers to rebuild bones for people and even rebuild their skull! This new inventions has been a miracle to some people and really helps people in the world. I hope some of the students’ inventions are made to make life easier for people. I encourage everyone to help the world to make it a better place to live in.

*Great job to all the students who participated in the Science Fair!!! :D :D :D*