WEDNESDAYS OF WONDER

In education, authentic learning is an instructional approach that allows students to explore, discuss, and meaningfully construct concepts and relationships in contexts that involve real-world problems and projects that are relevant to the learner.   

Authentic Learning is part of the District’s Jeffco Generations Vision. Jeffco Virtual Academy middle school students are learning about Generations Skills. Students leave their virtual learning and come to campus one time a week. Teachers lead a Jeffco Generations brainstorming lesson generating activities they could do to meet the Jeffco Generations.  In order to accomplish some of the activities, one campus day a month is specifically dedicated to authentic tasks. 

3/11 Denver Museum of Nature & Science: The Science Behind Pixar

We will visit the Denver Museum of Nature and Science to have the opportunity to view and interact with The Science of Pixar, a traveling exhibit that explains the science, math, and technology that goes into the production of Pixar films. We will learn how Pixar uses STEM to create their films as well as how this has pushed animated film to evolve. Students will also have time to free explore the museum! 

This WOW aligns to Jeffco Generations Critical & Creative Thinking: Students learn to evaluate, weigh evidence, and apply reasoned decision making to problems. Students learn to use imagination, innovation, and ingenuity to solve problems

Please arrive to JVA promptly by 9:00 AM…the bus will depart 9:15 AM sharp!

Students need to bring a packed lunch or money for the café!

Permission Form: digital permission form (Please return to Ms. Hershelman.)

The middle school students will participate in a WOW field trip to the State Capital on Wednesday, February 12th.  Students will go on a historical tour of the building and depending on legislative schedules hopefully witness legislative action and committee meetings. The day of learning will align to Jeffco Generations Skills of Civic & Global Engagement. Due to the tight timeline at the Capitol, there will not be time to sit and eat. Students may bring a snack, but please understand they will be walking the entire tour, and will not have their backpacks. Snacks should be able to be carried in a pocket, such as a granola bar. Since we will be visiting a professional setting, please make sure your student wears appropriate clothing. Please leave hats, torn clothing, and shorts at home this Wednesday. 

Date: Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Time: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Where: Arrive at JVA at 8:45 AM, travel to Colorado State Capitol via bus at 9:00 AM

A digital permission form is available by parent request.  Please email Shannon Mitchell, JVA Community Liaison, at Shannon.Mitchell@jeffco.k12.co.us for the form.

Students who do not attend the field trip will remain on Campus to work with staff on their coursework.  Jeffco Generational Skills:

Civic & Global Engagement

Students take active roles in their communities, are prepared to be participatory citizens in our constitutional republic, and are engaged with issues of local, national, and global concern.

1/29 Field Trip to Hanger Lab followed by guest speakers at JVA

Students will be taking a field trip to a local prosthetics/orthotics lab in Lakewood as well as have two subject-related guest speakers in the afternoon!  Hanger Labs will help us better understand how they help clients from start to finish with their prosthetic/orthotic needs. We will tour their lab to see how prosthetics/orthotics are made for clients, as well as talk with clinicians and technicians about how they problem-solve together to provide the best product using new and emerging technologies.

Students will need signed permission slips; we will be taking a bus to the local Lakewood Lab (10 am to noon).  Back at the school after lunch, we will have two special guests present on using prosthetics/orthotics in daily life. This is no cost for this WOW activity.

Hanger Clinic:  http://www.hangerclinic.com/locations/pages/lakewood-CO.aspx

11485 West 8th Avenue, Suite 110

Lakewood , CO 80215

Jeffco Generational Skills: Civic & Global Engagement

Students take active roles in their communities, are prepared to be participatory citizens in our constitutional republic, and are engaged with issues of local, national, and global concern. Agility & Adaptability

Students learn to change in response to dynamic situations, environments, and complex problems. Students adjust to disruptions, ambiguity, and uncertainty in themselves, their organizations, and their communities – and thrive in spite of the obstacles.

Middle school students will be "rocking" kindness and gratitude this month for our WOW Wednesday on November 20. We will be painting Kindness Rocks and explore the idea that "One Message At Just The Right Moment Can Change Someone's Entire Day, Outlook, Life." 

Building on that idea, and in the spirit of Thanksgiving the following week, we will also discuss gratitude and identify ways we can use the practice of gratitude to help us develop and maintain positive outlooks in life.  

Jeffco Generations Skills: Civic and Global Engagement  Self Direction and Personal Responsibility

10/30 Field Trip to Cotton Wood Farms in Boulder County - canceled due to weather

The Jeffco Generations Skill we will deliberately use in the corn maze will be Collaboration and Leading by Influence.  By working in teams or pairs, students learn to work together to navigate the maze and learn the importance of influence to motivate others to get things accomplished. In addition, the farm has animals, pumpkins and other squash, and tractors.    

The second Jeffco Generations Skill we will engage in is Global and Civic Engagement. Colorado agriculture is a local issue as farms provide jobs and food for our communities.  Farms have an impact on life cycles in the community plant and animal populations and farms are impacted by global weather patterns. Students will get a tour of the farm to learn about plants and animals, photosynthesis and soil science and steam engines through the lens of Colorado agriculture.   

Click here for more information on Cottonwood Farms.

9/11 Bowling: Peers Supporting an Inclusive School Climate

Our 1st middle school WOW included bowling, scoring, arcades and getting an inside look at how bowling balls and pins are made. This fun led to a focused lesson on increasing students' connection to school by building relationships via teamwork.

10/2  Warren Tech Tour