Happy to  return to school after the WIND so rudely interrupted! I had planned to give a quiz on Friday, but with a day less instruction, we are not where we need to be - so the quiz for Friday has been blown to the Friday following break.  

In English - we are beginning our adventure with Shakespeare's Mid Summer Night's Dream

In History - we finally have BOOKS! I am in the process of counting and checking invoices before we can begin to put them to use - but after break we should be able to start our pilot of the materials.  

Meanwhile - we are nearly to the point of the Revolution and our study of the Constitution.  

Students should also have their 2nd q. choice book selected and should be reading over the breaks and working on their "dialectical journals" ---- these are due one week before the end of 2nd quarter.  

I hope you all enjoy the break of Thanksgiving! Mrs. W

Procrastination prevention

Please remind your student that their Literature Circle book and packet need to fully completed by Monday! 3 days off is a long time to forget...a little nudging might help avoid last minute panic! Thank you for your help at home! kw

Happy Fall!

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

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.

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.   

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. 

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.

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. 

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.

No bells and cow bells

OK....if you ring a bell and your student says, "Moooooo...." - I swear I had nothing to do with it! (PS - thank you for sharing such funny and witty kids with me this year - I am thoroughly enjoying them all!). In English: Shakespeare is under way. I have previously taught this unit at the end of the year - but it made sense to me to teach about the time period in England to help students understand the motivation for the Colonists to set sail for America. Most of our work on the play is in class. Very interactive - and very entertaining. So far we have dabbled in insults (more to come) and tried on a bit of improve. So far, so good --- your students are great at buying in - and I believe this will be a lot of fun! In Social Studies: We are continuing with the Pilgrims and the Puritans and how they interacted with the native people of America. Ask to see your student's worksheet or notes. There is a lot to think about and discuss! They have a quiz coming up next week that will cover the characters in Midsummer Night's Dream and the bio/time period info. They will also have a small quiz over the video series for Social Studies. Happy Weekend! kw

The last year of middle school begins

Hope to see many of you at open house tonight - if not, I'm happy to send a packet home with your student if you are interested. This week - we turned in our first essay and our first history assignment. We are beginning our study of early Americans. The PBS American Experience is our primary source as well as a borrowed book from PHS. Please ask to see your student's packet -- you may find the questions interesting for discussion. Students also have an ongoing quarterly choice book assignment. Look for them to be working on a dialectical journal throughout the year.

The END is near....the end of the year that is! Such a great group of kids! Thank you so much for sharing them with me this year --- I look forward to hearing of their successes at the high school level. Last bits of business - Civics Books have been collected (for 4 days!) If your student has not returned their book by tomorrow - they will go on the fine list in the main office. If you see any other "borrowed" classroom or library books - please have them return those as well. In ENGLISH - We are delving into Midsummer Night's Dream --- challenging and fun! There is very little outside work for this play since students should be focused on getting adequate sleep during our testing season (we still have MAPS and the EOCs for math). They will have a quiz over the characters, a verse from the play and a biography packet. They have the materials to study for this exam which will be Wednesday next week. Their final choice book dialectical journal is due on Monday (5/19) - most students are already finished - please push yours if they haven't quite completed this project. In history - we are still working on Frontier House --- we will finish up with a quick look at industrialization in Washington and then finish up with Japanese American Interment and a final quick look at Washington in the present day. Whew! We will be BUSY right up to the last day of school!

Hello! Sorry for the long break between postings. I have been quite sick - down with a fever for nearly 2 weeks --- and while I'm back at school, things are still a bit slow. English - we are reading 2 different books in class - Shakespeare's Secret and Total Tragedy of a Girl Named Hamlet. Both books are modern young adult novels designed for reading pleasure and to help us ease in to our study of Shakespeare and Midsummer Night's Dream. Students have a question sheet and a reading schedule - Books and all the questions should be completed by Tuesday of next week (4/23). There will be a book project assigned upon the completion of the book. History - We completed our study of the Native American experience in the Pacific Northwest. And culminated with a quiz on Tuesday and the movie Smoke Signals (which we will finish tomorrow) Next up is the pioneer experience and the beginnings of cities in Washington - as well as environmental impact and social stuggles of a growing population. Choice books for 4th quarter may be the other book offered in class....a poetry anthology....a another book of their choosing.

Fabulous night! Hope you all enjoyed the show! I'm so proud of the kids! I'm sorry to be home sick today; I will miss out on their post-event euphoria. Ah well, hopefully they will still bubble about it on Friday :) hope you all enjoy a well earned break. Please encourage your student to get going on their 4th quarter choice book.

Spring break is near...

1. Night of the Notables is Wednesday 3/26. Students need to arrive between 5:35 and 5:45. Students report to the multipurpose room. Parents go to the cafeteria. Please arrive in costume and EAT before you come! 2. The 3rd quarter dialectical journal is due on Monday. Students should have had it completed today...but clearly the use of an agenda and long term planning are not popular amongst 8 the graders right now. Please encourage your student to develop a method of organization .... Especially for long term assignments and goals. 3. Please make sure costumes are ready to go....Q & As rehearsed, their statement to reveal their notable memorized, and we should be good to go! Hope to see you all on Wednesday!

Another week on the lab. The N of N Fill in the blank worksheet should be finished and the Questions for the evening event are due by the end if the week. Progress on the essay is also underway. Many students are beginning work on their rough drafts and I expect many more will make major progress on Thursday. We also discussed Thursda's trip to PHS. Please discuss future goals and which classes will best suit your student's needs for their post HS goals. We have a quiz on Friday covering Chapter 3 in WSH. Students should be studying their questions and answers from the chapter. PS. N of N costumes should also be in progress :)

March! March! March!

Let the MARCH towards Spring and Night of the Notables commence! These will be busy weeks leading up to March 26th and our evening event. Much, if not all, of your student's research, writing and Prezi production will take place during our 6 scheduled visits to the computer lab. Please cross your fingers for smooth technology sailing! Each student has selected an approved notable. They are required to read a biography on their person if one is available. If not, we will work to put together a collection of smaller print sources. Research on the notables era is strongly encouraged! Please ask to see their packet for expectations, due dates and the BIG 6 research process. In Washington State History we are moving on to study the tribal history of our region. This is a rich unit with complex intersections of culture. We will do a brief review of ancient history (much of this was covered in 4th grade) and delve more in depth into the impact of White settlement on Native culture.

Welcome to N of N

First...we will cap off our Washington State Map project with a test covering the items the students were required to place on their group map. Students have been encouraged to use spare blank templates that I provided to study. Hopefully they have heeded my advice...but the 5 hours of map construction help a whole lot as well :) Secondly....Night of the Notables is upon us! Students will have library and computer time to finalize their choice of a notable. They will receive a packet on Monday detailing the project in it's entirety. I have 2 days each week scheduled for research, question answering, paper writing and prezi production. Should be a grand adventure! PS. I have suggested students use a biography for their notable as their 3rd quarter choice book. This is just a suggestion :)

This week: History....Map construction. Map template and region chart due Monday. TEST over the entire map on Friday. English...A personal narrative essay is due Friday. The prompt is below: Harper Lee was the voice of her generation. If you were the voice of your generation, what would be your most important message? This needs to be 1 page typed. Normal margins. Size 11 or 12. Proofed and edited. Encourage your student to read their essay out loud so they can hear glitches. Finally, Night of the Notables research time is upon us. We will review the research process on Friday. We are using the district recommended method. You can find this on the district web site. A week from Monday, we will be in the lab and library to select our notables and then we will be off and running with research, prezi production, forms, essays, presentations and finally our Night on 3/26.

Movie and a Map

Trying to make up for lost time....well, not entirely lost, just allocated away from my classroom (2 field trips and a snow day) English - finishing up To Kill a Mockingbird - final questions will be checked off tomorrow and work will continue on their Plot Trees. We will also be watching the movie, followed by an in-class writing activity. We tried out a new discussion format today called the Socratic Seminar --- ask you student about it. I think it went well....but it will take getting used to. They are VERY trained to raise hands and answer questions - they know how to look at me when they respond...this method requires them to have a book group type conversation and my only role is to ask the leading questions. I think it encourages more critical/analytical thinking on their part - and encourages them to look at body language, take turns, listen and include all voices. History - we have our groups set for the Washington State Map project. I choose the groups because I believe they grow a bit more socially/emotionally when they do not always work with the same group of friends. Each student has a packet - they will create templates and then map construction occurs in class starting Thursday or Friday. We will take about 3 days to get through this project. There will be a TEST on the map that is pretty challenging - please encourage them to study at home! 3rd q. choice books should be underway as soon as we finish TKM (in other words, this week) --- same format - ask your student to touch base with me if they need ideas :)