WOH For Tuesday, May 10, 2016
Robotics: Teaching Courage and Perseverance by Sara Kunkel, middle school teacher
“It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.” –Albert Einstein
Why is Robotics so important for our students (besides being tons of fun)? Robotics is the future of technology and engineering. Robotics teaches students to work with a team to overcome an obstacle. Robotics also teaches perseverance to keep trying over and over again even when your robot doesn’t do what you want it to do. This year, we started a new Robotics elective at Hope using the LEGO EV3 Robotics kits. Through the generous help of The Hope Foundation, we were able to purchase four kits and added a fifth kit later in the school year.
There are two main components to Robotics: Construction and Programming. Assigned a challenge to complete, students design and construct a robot that will accomplish the given task. Then, using the LEGO Mindstorms software, students program the robot to do actions like moving, sensing and making noises. Students have learned to program the robot’s motors to move, to sense another object and drive towards it, to perform a task when it senses a specific color and to even fight other robots inside of a SumoBot ring. This was the first year that LEST (Lutheran Elementary School Tournament) held a SumoBot Robotics competition. Our Robotics team competed in a final qualifier round to have a second robot in the competition, and we won that round! It was so exciting for all of us and a great learning experience.
Currently, Robotics students are working in collaboration with a school in Napa, CA to compete against each other through video conferencing. We both have the task to build a robot that can propel a practice golf ball as far and as accurately as possible. Students brainstormed with their teams and designed and built a robot with specific supplies. Following weekly trial and error learning processes, the robots are almost ready to compete against the Napa team. Many of the robots can propel a ball as far as 40 feet.
One of the main benefits I have seen in our students through Robotics is the development of courage and perseverance in the midst of challenges. Students have learned how to work through their frustration when their idea doesn’t go as planned the first, second or third time. They just keep trying. And after persevering and trying new ideas several times, they create something amazing!
Calendar of Events – Click Here
Today & Wed. 5/10 & 5/11: Book Exchange for all Grades
Wed. 5/11: 8:40 AM Chapel led by Grade 5
Fri. 5/13: Pajama Day!
May 16 – 20: Scholastic Book Fair
Wed. 5/18: Grandparents Day! / 8:40 AM Chapel led by Pastor Peter / 11:30 AM Dismiss
Fri. 5/20: Free Dress Day
Sat. 5/21: 5:30 PM Movie Night Hosted by PTH
Sun. 5/22: 3:00 PM Spring Concert Rehearsal
PIP Opportunities – Click Here
Looking for volunteers for Tuesday, May 17 to cashier at the Book Fair
Principal for the Day – Friday Declared Pajama Day!
Our first recipient of Principal for the Day is Pearl of 1st grade. She will be our principal this Friday and has declared this day “Pajama Day”. She will also be treating our kindergarten through grade 8th students with a visit from the Kona Ice Truck! Thank you Pearl.
Spring Scholastic Book Fair – May 16 – 20
Looking for great summer reading books for you and your kids? Want to earn funds for our school? Then plan on attending our Scholastic Book Fair where you can purchase books for kids, grandkids, and yourself! The fair will be located on the 1st & 2nd floor and open after school from 3:00 – 4:00 PM with the exception of Wed., May 18th where we will be open for Grandparents and preschool families from 9:30 to 10:30 am then 11:15 am to 1:00 pm. Look for the teacher Wish List pockets, posted in the hall, to make special donations to promote literacy and build classroom libraries.
Grandparents / Special Person Day – May 18
We are excited to have grandparents or that special person attend a day of celebration. We will start off at 8:40 AM with a welcome by our Principal, Mrs. Okabayashi and Pastor Peter in the Sanctuary followed by our Chapel service. On the agenda: brunch with your grandchild, musical performances, and our book fair.
Family Movie Night at Hope featuring Inside Out – May 21
Join us for a fun evening for the whole family Saturday, May 21 at 5:30pm in the Fellowship Hall. This is a free event for Hope Families, and concessions will be available. We are able to offer this event free thanks to a generous sponsor, Burke Shire Hathaway and donations from our wonderful Hope families!
Volunteers are needed to help make this event a success – and PIP hours apply.
Sounds of Spring Concert – Wed. May 25
Please join Hope School and Seattle Lutheran High School students for our annual Sounds of Spring Concert. We will hear from Hope’s Glee Club, Chapel Band, Beginning Band and Handbell Choir, as well as the Seattle Lutheran Band. The concert will take place in Hope’s Sanctuary Wednesday night, May 25, at 7:00 PM.
Eagle Classic Golf Tournament – June 4
We are one month away from the Eagle Classic June 4, 2016! Now is the time to register yourself or your team of 4 for a fun morning of golf with your buddies. There is new pricing for a team – $420! Hole sponsorships are available as well as prizes for the many course competitions going on throughout the day. Register to play or sponsor online here. Don’t delay, registration deadline is May 25th. Need PIP hours? Sally can use your help!
Lost and Found Items
Our lost and found bin, located in the school lobby, is overflowing once again. Please take time as you drop off or pick up to check for any of your children’s missing items. Anything left by Friday, May 20th will be donated. Thank you!