Day 2, July 15th, 2008

Greeting Parents and family members,

Well, we all survived our first day! The kids are getting used to each other, the staff and the campus--- They have quite a lot of orientation information to integrate as well as all the content they are learning at the dig site, in chemistry lab, photography and research class. Please congratulate them on their efforts and for enduring the emotional hardships of being away from you and the other comforts of home.

Here are some exerpts from our faculty and staff from Day 2:

Hey guys. Overall I think we had GREAT improvement today! The morning I feel was quite rough but as the day went on it got better. I just would like to give a shout out to Dani in GN&D. Although UPS (chocolate team) had trouble with being good listeners I think she did an awesome job with the class and teaching them!!! Thanks Dani!

I also just wanted to add, although its under recreation. I think if the teams have come up with a team name everyone should do their best to start using them. So to help in the effort, Chocolate's team name is UPS (United People for the Seneca) and the cedar's team name is Red Jackets. If tangerine and green have come up with teams names please let us know so we can refer to our students by their team names.

So Today's G&ND class went really well, I think the kids are excited to start expanding their graphic documentation for the dig. What we did today was to explore the reason for keeping graphic and numeric documentation; whether for this investigation, for historical records, or for the museum display.
We discussed the purpose of our photos or the subject. Each class came up with similar suggestions which include artifacts and position, process of excavation, location and landscape, and interviewees. This is important for filing management and keeping order to each team's photos. Then we discussed the HOW or composition. We want to "fill the frame" through either landscapes, portraits, or macro photography. Also, when capturing each picture we had to discuss lighting issues when outside, when to use the flash, and possible shadows when interviewing inside.
We had the most fun during each class when we were able to get the cameras out and explore. We HIGHLY STRESSED the appropriate care that these cameras should be given, so other counselors please help to see that the children do so.


Photography, Chief Kirk:

I would like to also give a shout to the three teams who suffered technological problems in Milne 109 yesterday - not only did the camera batteries run out, but laptop batteries also. The three teams reacted professionally, I thought, particularly cedar.

Research and Rhetoric, R&R, Chief Hoffman:

I was really impressed with all the kids in R&R today. Despite having a rough time with the scavenger hunt last night, they really did well recapping on the historical facts.

Chemical Archaeology, Chief Helm:

Lab today basically introduced the kids to lab safety and lab technique. They seemed really interested and worked extremely carefully, followed instructions, were respectful to Cheif Helms and the other technicians, and completed all assigned tasks. It was really a pleasure working with each group today. :)



We did have a couple incidents of glassware getting broken. I think to avoid this we really have to encourage kids to be aware of the equipment around them and make sure they aren't horsing around. Some students would spin in their chairs, roll them around, and adjust them up and down. It was not a major issue but if anyone sees this in the future please ask them to stop.

Everyone needs to be wearing goggles at all times! This is definitely something to correct if you see someone not wearing them.

All for now...

Ciao,

Susan