Happy Fall!
Today we are excited to welcome Vicki Leeper from Moscow's Disability Action Center. She is sharing a Smithsonian visual history of disabilities in America. Her presentation is a great addition to our study of the role of government (the American Disabilities Act) and our Literature Circles that center on characters with disabilities. We will also learn about the Special Olympics next week and take a look and the Spread the Word to End the Word campaign. If you are interested, look at: www.r-word.org
Our goal is to finish the books by Thursday October 8th.
In US History we are hoping to have actual books sometime soon! In the meantime, we are working through a packet that looks at the variety of cultures that contribute to the population of Colonial America. We are using the PBS series We Shall Remain. You can find this online if you too are interested.
Reminder....The 1st Quarter Choice Book Dialectic Journal is due October 23rd.
Please check in with your student regarding their progress with their dialectical journal. Happy reading and writing!!!
Kristen Walker
Friday, October 2, 2015
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
The word of the week is, "Prudent"....
We are off and learning (I hope!). The first few weeks are always filled with so much "good for the order" details. Hopefully, we are all on the same page and ready to keep our momentum through the rest of the year!
The next few weeks:
Literature Circles --- theme: disabilities
You should see reading, journaling and "jobs" happening at home. There is class time, but some students will need to continue their work at home. There are group discussions at the end of each section, so keeping current on their reading is very important!
Quarterly Choice Book Journals are due the week prior to the end of each quarter (4th quarter's is due 2 weeks prior) First quarter's due date is: October 23rd (the week prior to conferences)
In US history - we are hoping to have books in our classroom in the next month (pending final approval from Paul Sturm) In the meantime, we are working through a packet that details the different cultural groups that migrated to America (some by choice, some by force). We are also looking at settlement in America through the lens of language with a PBS series called, "Do You Speak American" --- we will soon begin a more in depth look at the early Native American Experience and the first Colonists with use of the series, "We Shall Remain"
We also will spend a bit of time online on the plimoth.org website ---- fun interactive looks at the first settlement.
The next few weeks:
Literature Circles --- theme: disabilities
You should see reading, journaling and "jobs" happening at home. There is class time, but some students will need to continue their work at home. There are group discussions at the end of each section, so keeping current on their reading is very important!
Quarterly Choice Book Journals are due the week prior to the end of each quarter (4th quarter's is due 2 weeks prior) First quarter's due date is: October 23rd (the week prior to conferences)
In US history - we are hoping to have books in our classroom in the next month (pending final approval from Paul Sturm) In the meantime, we are working through a packet that details the different cultural groups that migrated to America (some by choice, some by force). We are also looking at settlement in America through the lens of language with a PBS series called, "Do You Speak American" --- we will soon begin a more in depth look at the early Native American Experience and the first Colonists with use of the series, "We Shall Remain"
We also will spend a bit of time online on the plimoth.org website ---- fun interactive looks at the first settlement.
Thursday, January 8, 2015
So many things to think about!
It's a gray Thursday kind of day and I think the students and myself are feeling a bit foggy as well. Tough to shake the holiday sleep routines and get back to the business of doing school. That being said, school must go on, so here is an update for the next couple of weeks as we head towards the end of the semester on January 23rd.
In English -
- The 2nd quarter choice book journal is due on the 15th. It would normally be due on the Friday before the end of the quarter, but I will be gone to a conference on the 16th - so the kids were warned of the one day early turn in date.
- We will start Animal Farm on Monday 1/11 - you should see a bit of reading of the book at home.
In Civics -
- Along with our reading of Animal Farm in English - we will be working with a chart called, The Cycle of Power. Students will be testing on this chart and information regarding different types of governments. (This is in preparation for looking at the Constitution)
- We are continuing our study of the Revolutionary War and looking at the concepts of freedom and the rights of individuals. We are watching the PBS video that examines the roles of African Americans during this time period.
*** Today we also read 2 articles in the Spokesman Review on the tragic terrorist attack in France. Students are understandably concerned and have lots of questions. We discussed the idea of Freedom of Speech and whether or not they thought that right was completely open or if there should be some limitations. Please consider having further discussion on individual rights at home. (the topic of dress codes and hats was particularly intriguing for most of the kids.
In English -
- The 2nd quarter choice book journal is due on the 15th. It would normally be due on the Friday before the end of the quarter, but I will be gone to a conference on the 16th - so the kids were warned of the one day early turn in date.
- We will start Animal Farm on Monday 1/11 - you should see a bit of reading of the book at home.
In Civics -
- Along with our reading of Animal Farm in English - we will be working with a chart called, The Cycle of Power. Students will be testing on this chart and information regarding different types of governments. (This is in preparation for looking at the Constitution)
- We are continuing our study of the Revolutionary War and looking at the concepts of freedom and the rights of individuals. We are watching the PBS video that examines the roles of African Americans during this time period.
*** Today we also read 2 articles in the Spokesman Review on the tragic terrorist attack in France. Students are understandably concerned and have lots of questions. We discussed the idea of Freedom of Speech and whether or not they thought that right was completely open or if there should be some limitations. Please consider having further discussion on individual rights at home. (the topic of dress codes and hats was particularly intriguing for most of the kids.
Monday, December 8, 2014
Read, REad, REAd, READ!!!!
Hope this finds you enjoying a bit of our "balmyish" weather!
In English: You should see your student reading their Literature Circle Book and working on their packet --- they received extended time due to my absences last week - and quite a few students are not current with their packet assignments. Please ask to see the work they are doing for the book. They should all be through their first 2 journals and jobs --- their 3 journal/job is due on Thursday of this week.
In History: They have a quiz on Friday covering the "Road to Revolution" --- they should have packet notes and by tomorrow a timeline to study.
Please encourage your student to continue working through their 2nd q. choice book and journal as well --- this will be due one week before the end of 2nd q in January.
In English: You should see your student reading their Literature Circle Book and working on their packet --- they received extended time due to my absences last week - and quite a few students are not current with their packet assignments. Please ask to see the work they are doing for the book. They should all be through their first 2 journals and jobs --- their 3 journal/job is due on Thursday of this week.
In History: They have a quiz on Friday covering the "Road to Revolution" --- they should have packet notes and by tomorrow a timeline to study.
Please encourage your student to continue working through their 2nd q. choice book and journal as well --- this will be due one week before the end of 2nd q in January.
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Hope you're staying warm --- I know kids here at LMS have needed plenty of reminders that weather in the teens is dangerous not just uncomfortable. Please encourage your student to stash a hat and some gloves in the backpack in the event we needed to go outside for an unplanned drill.
In class this week:
While most classes had time in class - not all students completed Chapter 2 section 1 Civics - the reading checks and the key terms (p30) are due tomorrow - Thursday 11/13.
Chapter 2 section 2 will likely be completed in class.
Continue to encourage work on their 2nd quarter choice book.
In class this week:
While most classes had time in class - not all students completed Chapter 2 section 1 Civics - the reading checks and the key terms (p30) are due tomorrow - Thursday 11/13.
Chapter 2 section 2 will likely be completed in class.
Continue to encourage work on their 2nd quarter choice book.
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
Once upon a Tuesday dreary, while I pondered weak and weary, many a quaint and curious assignments for my class......
:) Clearly you can see that we have had a heavy dose of Edgar Allen Poe in class this past week. It's a lot of fun to introduce such a dark author during the week of Halloween!
This week - we wrapped up Poe with an assignment involving notes from the www.poemuseum.org website and a word cloud in the shape of a Raven.
Today we continued with our study of religious tolerance as a corner stone of American democracy with a look at the Salem Witch Trials.
Additionally, in honor of Voting Day - we looked at the legacy of Susan B. Anthony and read a short story on her life.
Your student should bring home a Civics book today --- these books are to stay at home until the end of the year.
Students need to complete Chapter 1 section 2 reading checks and the 2 questions on religious tolerance by the first 20 minutes of class tomorrow.
Chapter 2 section 1 and possibly section 2 reading checks will be due on Friday.
:) Clearly you can see that we have had a heavy dose of Edgar Allen Poe in class this past week. It's a lot of fun to introduce such a dark author during the week of Halloween!
This week - we wrapped up Poe with an assignment involving notes from the www.poemuseum.org website and a word cloud in the shape of a Raven.
Today we continued with our study of religious tolerance as a corner stone of American democracy with a look at the Salem Witch Trials.
Additionally, in honor of Voting Day - we looked at the legacy of Susan B. Anthony and read a short story on her life.
Your student should bring home a Civics book today --- these books are to stay at home until the end of the year.
Students need to complete Chapter 1 section 2 reading checks and the 2 questions on religious tolerance by the first 20 minutes of class tomorrow.
Chapter 2 section 1 and possibly section 2 reading checks will be due on Friday.
Friday, October 10, 2014
Walking and Talking
Happy Friday! We enjoyed a gorgeous day for walking as we participated in an Eagle Scout Project that focused on increasing awareness about Juvenile Diabetes. Additionally, we savored the fresh air and sunshine a bit more with small group readings from Midsummer Night's Dream.
On another note - THE 1ST QUARTER CHOICE BOOK DIALECTICAL JOURNAL is due on Friday the 17th of October. Yep, that's this coming Friday. Students need 40 questions, comments, opinions recorded for their chosen book.
Shakespeare small group performances will take place next week (Thursday/Friday) - your student may want to bring a small prop from home --- these are welcomed, but not necessary as we will be creating props in class.
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