Newsletter

RAFT Member News

Does my school sponsor memberships? We are often asked about group-sponsored membership opportunities. To see if your school or group provides RAFT memberships, please visit: http://www.raftbayarea.org/registered-institutions  

RAFT offers a variety of workshops covering Common Core, Curriculum Support, and Classroom Skills at our San Jose and Redwood City locations.

  9/14 STREAM: Going beyond STEM, we will integrate curriculum to engage students with thoughtfully designed lessons and projects. 9/14 Science for the Non-Scientist: Have you been asked to teach science for the first time but do not have the background? Are you intrigued by science but intimidated by it? 9/28 Crazy 4 Math: Start the new school year with activities and ideas that address Pre-K through 2nd grade math concepts.

Arts in Education

Monthly Theme: Arts in Education! To help you make the most of the products, free Idea Sheets, and other resources that RAFT has to offer, we have launched monthly themes to help enhance your curriculum. In preparation for Arts in Education Week (September 8-14), we're currently featuring:

• Scalloped Circle String Art
• Foil Art
• Faux Stained Glass
• EVA Foam
• Stamp Pads and much more!

See the displays at RAFT for more great ideas to celebrate the arts and stay tuned for fall holiday events. 

RAFT Activity Kit!

Floating Compass 10-Pack

The floating compass is a useful tool for detecting the magnetic fields of magnets and of the Earth.  Make a simple compass with a magnetized needle to demonstrate the properties of magnetic materials and show that magnets have north and south poles.  Using the floating compass provides a visual example of how like poles repel each other.  Curriculum topics for grades 4 – 12 physical and Earth & space science that can be covered using the Floating Compass activity include properties of materials, magnetic fields and poles, and orienteering.  RAFT’s Mini Magnet Wands kit is a great activity to learn from and use as a tool along with the Floating Compass!