Welcome to Washington
Mrs. Pruitt’s 2nd Grade Class Experiment
Students often have misconceptions of when dinosaurs roamed the earth. There are so many cartoons and books with humans and dinosaurs interacting. Washington’s 2nd graders took a walk through time today to get an understanding of just how long ago dinosaurs were here. Now, of course, our timeline wasn’t done to scale, but we were able to walk far enough around the school for kids to get a feel for the gap in time between when dinosaurs went extinct and when the first humans were around. At the end of class, students wrote in their interactive journals about what they learned. Here is an example of one student’s thoughts/rendition of what he learned.
Cinco de Mayo Celebration
Washington 2nd and 3rd graders have been studying NUCLEATION!
After watching how diet soda reacted to the hard-shelled candy, Mentos, they were eager to learn how other candies might react. They came up with their own follow-up experiment! We made a wall-chart for measuring the height of our ‘geysers’ and then set to work testing the candies students selected. Students then followed the SCIENTIFIC PROCESS of stating their objective, making predictions, writing out the steps to the experiment (so it can be reproduced by others), and made their final conclusions when it was all said and done!....Students also evaluated the effectiveness of their experiment. They problem-solved ways to make it run more smoothly and how to create more powerful explosions!
Washington 2nd and 3rd graders NUCLEATION Experiment from R Garcia on Vimeo.
WES Gate Class Oratorical Interpretation of the 1961 JFK Inaugural Speech - April 2013 from R Garcia on Vimeo.
Mrs. Evans Weekly Message (Streaming Audio)
Week of March 18th, 2013.
A few words on Goal Setting
Leadership Meeting Discussion at WES (Streaming Audio)
WES Student Spirit Sweatshirts: On Sale Now in the office!
DIALOG COMMITTEE
Powerpoint Presentation (click to download)
NEWS ARTICLES
Spartan Daily News Article (click to view or cut and paste link below)
http://spartandaily.com/89199/fuerza-escolar-delivers-lunch-time-mentoring-for-elementary-students
TEACHERS OF THE WEEK, PAST WEEKS ARCHIVE PAGE (click to view)
RECENTLY UPDATED ITEMS:
Las Mariposa’s trip to the Rotary Luncheon on 2/27/2013
Las Mariposas is comprised of a group of girl in the 4th and 5th grade. Our club focus is on leadership and community service. On Wednesday, February 27th the five Las Maripoas leaders; Jocelyn Mendez Orozco, Debanhy Cesareo Landeros, Mariana Arellanes, Kasey Morales, and Andrea Saldana were invited by Club Sponsor and Rotarian Volunteer, Jane Light to attend the Rotary Club of San Jose’s weekly luncheon. At the lunch the girls were able to listen to an extraordinary and inspirational life story of Carrie Davis.
Mrs. Pruitt’s 2nd Grade ELD Class Volcano and Rocks Soil Project
Mrs. Pruitt’s 2nd grade ELD students have been studying different types of rocks! Students explored the formation of igneous rock by simulating a volcanic eruption. Students used the scientific method to conduct their experiment and they will extend their learning by evaluating the process, comparing and contrasting their volcanoes to real ones, and learning how to develop detailed instructions for others to follow. They have also enjoyed reading a realistic fiction story based on the real life birth of a volcano in Paricutin, Mexico! “Rock” on, second graders!!
Mrs. Pruitt’s 2nd Grade ELD Class Volcano Project from R Garcia on Vimeo.
WES Jr. Giants After School Baseball Program
Jr. Giants has started again this Spring for 2013! 1st - 3rd grade levels meet Tuesday afternoon from 12:45-2:45. 4th & 5th grade levels meet on Thursday afternoon from 2:30-3:45! Show your support of this program that delivers an introduction of fundamental Baseball practices, Sportsmanship, Integrity, Confidence, Teamwork and Leadership. This is part of the Washington Way!
GIRLS ON THE RUN Shoe Giveaway March 6th, 2013
Thanks to Teacher Stacy Morey, who has recruited 16 students for the program Girls on The Run. It is a fabulous opportunity for children to learn the joys of long distance running, as well as to add another club to their long resume of enrichment programs.
WES Tall Tale Stories #1 - January 2013
WES Tall Tale Stories - January 2013 from Ruben Ruby Garcia on Vimeo.
WES Tall Tale Stories #2 - January 2013
WES Tall Tale Stories #2 - January 2013 from Ruben Ruby Garcia on Vimeo.
WES Tall Tale Stories #3 - January 2013
WES Tall Tale Stories #3 - January 2013 from Ruben Ruby Garcia on Vimeo.
WES Tall Tales Stories #4 - January 2013
WES Tall Tale Stories #4 - January 2013 from Ruben Ruby Garcia on Vimeo.
Martin Luther King Holiday Event
Washington Elementary School San Jose, Martin Luther King Holiday Event - Reading 2013 from Ruben Ruby Garcia on Vimeo.
Madre A Madre
(Click to view video)
China Club Skype Conference
(part 1)
(part 2)
The Power Rangers’ Club
Thirty first grade through third grade boys have been identified by teachers as needing the extra support that belonging to a Super Hero Club provides. With the encouragement of Ambassadors Evans (principal), Ambassador Bejar (counselor), Ambassador Garcia (volunteer), children learn the Power Rangers’ Pledge, rules for getting along at school, and how to “Lead, Read, and Succeed.” Each week students meet at lunch to receive a leadership mission, one that will improve the quality of our school community, as well as the futures of our Super Heroes!
Philosophy Club
Rotarian Dr. Ali Bassiri and San Jose Rotary volunteer Dr. Gary Silver in action! The Philosophy club is for 2nd and 3rd graders who meet once a month to discuss common philosophical ideas. The 45 minute sessions begin with a read aloud of a popular children’s book that demonstrates the topic to be discussed. Questions are posed and children are enouraged to decide what they think and express it to the group. They are given language frames as a tool to disagree politely with their peers and they must give a reason to back up their way of thinking. This promotes communicating socially with ease and tact as well as reflecting inwardly to explore topics like fairness, beauty, and bravery among others ! The whole Philosophy Club endeavor was inspired by Professor Wartenberg’s book, “Big Ideas for Little Kids: Teaching Philosophy through Children’s Literature.” It has expanded this year to include professors and students from the school of Philosophy at San Jose State. I am including a link to an article on Wartenberg. He actually came out last year (on invitation from Dr. Ali) to discuss the program with all involved! It was awesome!
Creeks Come to Class
Ranger Jane Lawson of the San José Parks Services visited Washington Elementary Wednesday November 7th, and presented the San Jose City programs focused on preventing pollution to our neighborhood creeks. The presentation was very exciting and informative, providing valuable information, demonstrations and models that showed examples of how pollution is a problem in our city, streets, creeks and water resources. Please watch our video to see more below:
Kristi Yamaguchi Reads at WES
Thanks to our friends at Raising a Reader, Kristi Yamaguch paid a visit to meet the happiest readers in SJUSD!
The applause was deafening when the dragon green curtains in the cafeteria were drawn and Miss Kristi appeared on stage. She shared her wishes for children to Dream Big, just like the hero of her children’s books, a pig who skates on ice.
In addition to signing a copy of her book for every kindergartner, Kristi’s foundation—Always Dream—and “Raising a Reader” donated 32 Nooks and class sets of many books.
WES will always be reminded of Kristi Yamaguchi’s generosity, as kindergarten families will soon enjoy a special reading room, with a sign at the door that reads: Kristi’s Dream Room, Where Washington Students’ Dreams Come True.
CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON ABOVE TO PLAY VIDEO. ADDITIONAL VIDEOS BEING UPLOADED, PLEASE CHECK BACK SOON!
Blue Tie Winners
Each month WES teachers recognize students who demonstrate outstanding leadership. During the month of October we awarded Blue Ties to all students with the exceptional ability to collaborate. We know that this leadership trait is important to learn at an early age. We send our students many happy wishes for their ongoing success. Because this is the Washington Way!
Halloween Oct. 2012 Videos (click here to view)
Adelante Club (click here to view)
Clubs & Associations Photos (click to view)
Graduation 2011 Photos (click to view)
Events Photos (click to view)
Target Hispanic Heritage Event
WES Sustainable Report Card 2009-2010
FRIENDS AND PARTNERS OF WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY
Therapy Stores Inc. has been adopting classrooms in many communities through out the Bay Area since 2008. In their words,“The best way to invest in your community is through the education of its children.” Their $3,900 donation to our teachers through Adopt A Classroom will positively impact the Washington community. Therapy Stores Inc. is a true champion for teachers and for making a difference!
San Jose Rotary Club
Saratoga Rotary Club
First Presbyterian Church on Fourth Street
River Church
Santa Clara University Aruppe
San Jose State Mentors
Quick Links
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Are you interested in enrolling your 4-year old in Washington Transitional Kindergarten Program?
Dates & Registration Requirements (click here to download)
Interesado en inscribir a su hijo(a) de 4 años al Programa de Kinder Transicional de la escuela Washington?
Fechas y Requisitos para Inscripción (pulse aquí para bajar archivo)