Year End 2019-20: 4th - 8th Grade Album
4th Grade
I want to thank all the families and students for taking on new responsibilities with grace and diligence! Even from afar, our community truly came together! Have a wonderful summer and stay healthy.
- Dru Smith-Crain
Surely this has been the most interesting semester for all of us! Since spring break we have leaped beyond our former capacities and have all learned to Zoom, make videos, social distance, implement distance learning, cook better food, make sourdough bread, and plant fantastic gardens! Who knows how these new skills will translate when we resume "normal" school in the fall, but I have a hunch things will look and feel very different for us and mostly in good ways.
Metal working is part of the "woodworking" curriculum in 4th grade.
Coach Cadigan in period costume.
Dru Smith-Crain and a student working with heated iron.
4th grade Adalyn Brock and 2nd grade Hollis Brock homeschooling.jpg
5th Grade
My newest hobby during quarantine? Dog grooming --- went all out and got a table and clippers. Needless to say, my dog Teddy can't wait for Desert Star Community School to begin again. He thinks I'm a much better teacher! I look forward to seeing everyone up closer next year.
- Kristine Mattson
The 5th grade did 8 Units of Khan Academy, a book packet for Shiloh, and worked on a state report. The state report is probably the most interesting project because they had to write a travel journal as if they took an imaginary trip to their state. Then they filmed their oral reports and uploaded it to our class drive. Each student approached the oral report in a different way (Green Screen, Power Point, iphone), which made them fun to watch.
The 5th Grade Class Play The Birds performed the day before spring break
At the Pumpkin Patch Fall 2019
5th Grade State Reports
6th Grade
Hello dear families! Thank you for all your support, patience, care and love during these last three difficult months. I’ve come to appreciate and cherish you all so much, as I’ve witnessed your amazing strength, fortitude and, most importantly, humor shine through all the darkness.
- Danette McAfee
The 6th grade at Desert Star have not skipped a beat during this challenging time. Not only did they participate in and complete their Main Lesson Unit on geometric drawings, but they also took this opportunity to learn much needed computer skills. We had a STEAM class every day! In addition, the 6th grade focused on punctuation and grammar as well as a huge math review from ratios to pre-algebra. They are ready for the 7th grade at Desert Star!
7th Grade
My tomato plants can never replace the joy I feel when I walk into a Desert Star classroom with my class. I cannot wait to return.
- Ellyn Hilliard
Geometric drawing in 7th grade builds on work that the students have done in 5th and 6th grade. Fifth grade work is freehand, and sixth grade introduces instruments into the equation such as compasses, rulers and protractors. In 7th grade we look at equations and how the magic of geometry is illustrated in the Pythagorean theorem or the golden mean. Perfect measurements unfold as we see the circle inscribed in the triangle or the five-pointed pentagram reveal itself by building upon circles the triangles. The more we construct additional points in our drawings in exactness and precision, the more we see the wonder and mystery behind numbers and forms.
Formulas for the use of Pi emerge and the angles in our drawings begin to take on names like obtuse or acute. Measurement and visual architecture use these rules of mathematics in both the Perspective drawing course as well as Geometric drawing block. It is our objective to see math as more than numerals. Mathematics is the language of the spheres, the code of the universe.
Kelsey Carpenter
Hana Sweeney
Caden Weaver
Kelsey Carpenter
8th Grade
I would like to say CONGRATULATIONS and thank you to our graduating 8th grade Class of 2020!
- Joseph Giulietti
The 8th graders and I have gathered for zoom classes everyday for the last 2 months. They transitioned smoothly to our online learning format and have earned their diplomas! I have been very fortunate to work with such a dynamic, thoughtful, creative, and fun class these past 4 years. We at Desert Star are very proud of these wonderful young people. I wish them and all of us a great summer and a happy life!
The 8th Grade Graduating Class of 2020:
Front - Dawnika Redman, Cheyanne Matisko, Jade Costa-Karluk, Leyla Brundage, Karlee Swiger, Brody Jewett, Finley Gill, Gavin Gidell
2nd row- Soyoka Yabuuchi, AnnaMarie Knox, Olivia Phillips, Rae Renaud, Sebastian Fox, Jayda Burdick, Arabella Licher, Juliette Peterson, Joseph Giulietti
3rd row- Alexander Halstead, Lucy Phillips, Menelik Tafari, Kaleb Smith, MaKaylah Arroyo, Wyatt Swiger, Xander Pedersen
At the beginning of the year, 8th grade students became "buddies" with 1st graders for the year and joined in activities and learning throughout the year. Click on photos for enlarged view.
