Wow, the accreditation is done and Cornerstone has done well! There is always room for improvement and that is my personal life slogan. Striving for excellence is a life long exercise that produces a sense of self worth and, when genuinely examined, demonstrates the need of friends and colleagues that assist in the process. As Reuben Welch (my college chaplain) puts it "We really do need each other"! Striving for excellence is also most successful when others are striving along beside you. This accreditation process is the perfect example of teamwork and diligence to be the best we can be, and continue to grow toward greater achievement. I am proud to be a small part of the wonderful staff we have here at Cornerstone!
I have a dream (sound familiar?) and need assistance from parents and friends of parents as well as innovative, leading edge businesses around town. It involves linking resources such as innovative thinkers, designers, builders, scientists, engineers, doctors, nurses, plumbers, carpenters and, anyone else who would like to share with kids, how innovative thinking brings success in our world. The ideal, to expand the thinking capacity of our students, develop the understanding of essential teamwork, culminating in a final day that will rock the world!
Are you interested? Would you like to be a part of an incredible opportunity that will become the basis for expanding the horizons of young hearts and minds? Do you know of a business that would be willing to come along side and help me develop a powerful development tool that will reap great rewards and possibly produce outstanding employees in the near future? Well then, drop me a note, or call Cyndi at the desk and leave a contact number.
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The sixth grade is finishing up our weather unit and I am excited to say that our school has just purchased a wireless digital weather station! I would like to thank a wonderful family for donating $200 that I used to offset some of the expense to make a dream a reality. It is an investment that will benefit not only the 6th grade, but also the entire school!
After weather, we will begin our study of the lithosphere (basically a fancy word for the solid part of the earth), beginning in the beginning with creation. Be prepared for some questions about your understanding of this interesting topic as I will be presenting the diverse thinking on this subject and challenging students to reach their own understanding.
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The seventh grade is finishing up the plant unit and will have their final test on Wednesday. The students have dissected seeds, fruit and flowers and have a good understanding of the lifecycle of a plant and tree. It is amazing to see just how similar plants and animals are when it comes to reproduction and the process of life!
We will continue exploring life as we work our way through the kingdom animalia from the simplest to the most complex organisms. I am hoping to purchase some sample organisms, but they are costly. We will see what the Lord provides as the year progresses.
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The eighth grade has left the realm of chemistry and are now moving on to energy. I really enjoy this section as it is both concrete and abstract and will stretch them to think in new ways. I also like the links to math through algebra that will be surfacing on a regular basis. There will be a project coming up as we move from the basics of energy onto the mechanics of our world. More information will follow. I promise, it won't be a major parent project and shouldn't even cost much.
