It's blue day today - the last day of our first spirit week - which means we have a spirit assembly as well :)
This week in English we discussed the presentation by Dr. Delahoyd --- most students really enjoyed his thoughts on the conspiracy theory and some even plan to view the movie, Anonymous when it comes out in theatres. (I believe it will be PG-13) --- We started our first novel (Shakespeare's Secret) and we are working with abreviated Literature Circle packets in small groups. We only have 32 books, so the reading is done in class. If students need more time (or if they are absent) they may check a book out overnight but it is VERY important they return it to my room before school starts the next day!
In WSH we are completing a quick read and the questions at the end of ch. 3 - this material is a review of information already taught in 4th grade. We will spend more time on the chapters that address the changes in Native culture that evolved after the arrival of "white" settlers.
Questions are due in class today!
Book Reviews will also be returned today and Monday - many students need to work on minimizing their summary of their stories and focus more on providing their opinion/analysis --- we'll continue to work on this skill throughout the year :)
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Hopefully you have arrived her because your student brought home a slip with the blog info. Please sign the slip and have your student return it to me on Thursday 9/29.
This week has been a bit "wonky" --- Magazine Drive....Q6 Field Trip...finishing MAPS Math....make up MAPS...and working on our WA st. maps --- not exactly a regular schedule but we are trying to get a few things done!
English: We turned in our first choice book reviews today --- next week we will start Shakespeare's Secret in class and enjoy a visit from Dr. Michael Delahoyd. He will be talking with us about Shakespeare conspriracy theories :)
WSH: WA state map building is well underway --- all the work is done in class so you won't be seeing any of this at home ---- you should however see your student studying for the upcoming PNW map test on Tues. 10/4 --- this covers WA, OR, and ID and will be worth a whopping 50+ points! They need to study!!!
This week has been a bit "wonky" --- Magazine Drive....Q6 Field Trip...finishing MAPS Math....make up MAPS...and working on our WA st. maps --- not exactly a regular schedule but we are trying to get a few things done!
English: We turned in our first choice book reviews today --- next week we will start Shakespeare's Secret in class and enjoy a visit from Dr. Michael Delahoyd. He will be talking with us about Shakespeare conspriracy theories :)
WSH: WA state map building is well underway --- all the work is done in class so you won't be seeing any of this at home ---- you should however see your student studying for the upcoming PNW map test on Tues. 10/4 --- this covers WA, OR, and ID and will be worth a whopping 50+ points! They need to study!!!
Thursday, September 22, 2011
OK - if you've found this blog....GOOD FOR YOU!!! :) This past week in class we checked off ch. 2 WSH questions and took a quiz - most students did quite well. We are beginning our group map project this week - and will continue into, and finish up next week. Students will have a 3 state map to complete - this material will be convered on a 50 point test 9/30 --- the state of Washington - in more detail - will be constructed with clay, or candy, or other materials in class. Students have the instructions for this project if you are interested in the details.
In English - choice books that they have been reading for weeks now (many students have finished multiple books - but some are still on #1) need to be completed so that a book review may be written by next Tues. 9/27. We are using a handout from OWL (online writing lab) Purdue --- these reviews should be info packed - but short and sweet (no more than a page). We are creating a notebook of reviews for student use in class. Next up ---- Shakespeare's Secret - a novel :)
In English - choice books that they have been reading for weeks now (many students have finished multiple books - but some are still on #1) need to be completed so that a book review may be written by next Tues. 9/27. We are using a handout from OWL (online writing lab) Purdue --- these reviews should be info packed - but short and sweet (no more than a page). We are creating a notebook of reviews for student use in class. Next up ---- Shakespeare's Secret - a novel :)
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
If you're reading this you have obviously found this blog on your own. I am still working with the district tech folks to get my link added to the staff page. Hopefully that will happen sometime soon!
In the meantime - we had our first quiz in Washington State History last week. Most students did quite well. If your student earned a score that you or they are not pleased with, I would encourage them to study - or change how they study. Many middle schoolers are just beginning to aquire "study" skills. Doing the assignment at this level is simply not enough. Adding flashcards, having someone quiz them etc...is often more effective. We moved on to chapter 2 yesterday - questions are due on Thursday - quiz to follow next Tuesday 9/20.
In English - we are turning in the final draft of their Music & Me essay today. We will conduct a "read-around" and then a few of the kids want to share a sample of their music and their essays for fun and extra credit.
MAPS testing begins this Friday for Reading....Math will be next Friday.
Be on the look out for requests for simple supplies for a group Map project for WSH. This project will start next week.
Finally....your student should be reading a choice book at home!!! Encourage at least 15 - 30 minutes of reading each night.
P.S. ask for a demonstration of the Earth shaping forces of the PNW :)
In the meantime - we had our first quiz in Washington State History last week. Most students did quite well. If your student earned a score that you or they are not pleased with, I would encourage them to study - or change how they study. Many middle schoolers are just beginning to aquire "study" skills. Doing the assignment at this level is simply not enough. Adding flashcards, having someone quiz them etc...is often more effective. We moved on to chapter 2 yesterday - questions are due on Thursday - quiz to follow next Tuesday 9/20.
In English - we are turning in the final draft of their Music & Me essay today. We will conduct a "read-around" and then a few of the kids want to share a sample of their music and their essays for fun and extra credit.
MAPS testing begins this Friday for Reading....Math will be next Friday.
Be on the look out for requests for simple supplies for a group Map project for WSH. This project will start next week.
Finally....your student should be reading a choice book at home!!! Encourage at least 15 - 30 minutes of reading each night.
P.S. ask for a demonstration of the Earth shaping forces of the PNW :)
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
A new year!!! 8th grade 2011/2012
Welcome to another year! This blog will provide "blurbs" regarding what we are doing in class each week (or at least most weeks) and significant dates for larger projects and tests. I will use the blog to give you enough information so that you and your student can have conversations regarding what they are learning (or at least being taught) in class. The first couple of weeks of class have been filled with much of the usual "schtuff" that the first weeks require....rules, procedures, text book check out, etc.... We have managed to complete a few things though.
They already turned in a Life Map with 6 paragraphs describing memorable/significant events in their lives.
We have choice books selected and are making progress with reading and journaling.
And finally, we are working our way through the first chapter of the Washington State History text.
So far, so good and thanks for checking in! :)
*** Look for work on a Music and Me essay and a quiz on chapter 1 WSH
They already turned in a Life Map with 6 paragraphs describing memorable/significant events in their lives.
We have choice books selected and are making progress with reading and journaling.
And finally, we are working our way through the first chapter of the Washington State History text.
So far, so good and thanks for checking in! :)
*** Look for work on a Music and Me essay and a quiz on chapter 1 WSH
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Welcome to the week beyond testing :) The class has started a Civics unit on crime - they will be working through this with Jerry Harms and a Juvenile Justice video on the days I am gone for track.
We are also wrapping up our, "This I Believe" essays. One student asked me if I would take a look at his yesterday - he wasn't sure he was doing it "right" - it brought me to tears, so I think he did something correctly! I am wholeheartedly looking forward to hearing more of these personal essays on Thursday (that's when they are due!).
Today, the few students who are left at the school with the track team gone to Bi-State, walked with me down to daily grind where we snack, sip and learn a bit more about Midsummer Night's Dream --- nice change of pace after days of testing!
Good news for most of you - major assignments are largely behind us now - Midsummer Night's Dream will be almost exclusively done in class - so homework from here on out will be at a minimum - with the exception of a small Civics quiz covering ch. 16. Hope this works as well for you as it does for the kids and I!
We are also wrapping up our, "This I Believe" essays. One student asked me if I would take a look at his yesterday - he wasn't sure he was doing it "right" - it brought me to tears, so I think he did something correctly! I am wholeheartedly looking forward to hearing more of these personal essays on Thursday (that's when they are due!).
Today, the few students who are left at the school with the track team gone to Bi-State, walked with me down to daily grind where we snack, sip and learn a bit more about Midsummer Night's Dream --- nice change of pace after days of testing!
Good news for most of you - major assignments are largely behind us now - Midsummer Night's Dream will be almost exclusively done in class - so homework from here on out will be at a minimum - with the exception of a small Civics quiz covering ch. 16. Hope this works as well for you as it does for the kids and I!
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
OK...this weeks' color is gray. In truth I think the color is, "Cold" - because that's what I "see" when I look out the window (but cold isn't really a color now is it?) ----
Sorry it has been awhile since the last post - 5 track meets in 9 days and 17 hours on a school bus had me running (literally and metaphorically speaking) ---
This week we are on track to finish up Animal Farm - the vast majority of students are keeping up with no problem. They should have a very tidy or typed packet with a paragraph for each chapter explaining how the story relates to our Cycle of Power hand out, in addition to a character log.
We have a quiz on the Cycle of Power today (they have had ample time to read/study in class) --- We have spent a lot of time discussing the differences between a dictatorship and a democracy -- looked at Parade Magazine's "Top 10 Dictators" list that they compile every year - and finally my practicum student shared a presentation on her trip to Guatemala -- I think the kids have a new appreciation for the blessings of democracy! ----
Mr. Grow will be in our room briefly today to give a testing pep-talk ---- and we will follow with a refresher tutorial for the MSP either today or tomorrow. ----
Next week we will begin Shakespeare and after a brief look at Apartheid...move on to juvenile's in the justice sytem in Civics. Stay warm....see warm....be warm!!!!
Sorry it has been awhile since the last post - 5 track meets in 9 days and 17 hours on a school bus had me running (literally and metaphorically speaking) ---
This week we are on track to finish up Animal Farm - the vast majority of students are keeping up with no problem. They should have a very tidy or typed packet with a paragraph for each chapter explaining how the story relates to our Cycle of Power hand out, in addition to a character log.
We have a quiz on the Cycle of Power today (they have had ample time to read/study in class) --- We have spent a lot of time discussing the differences between a dictatorship and a democracy -- looked at Parade Magazine's "Top 10 Dictators" list that they compile every year - and finally my practicum student shared a presentation on her trip to Guatemala -- I think the kids have a new appreciation for the blessings of democracy! ----
Mr. Grow will be in our room briefly today to give a testing pep-talk ---- and we will follow with a refresher tutorial for the MSP either today or tomorrow. ----
Next week we will begin Shakespeare and after a brief look at Apartheid...move on to juvenile's in the justice sytem in Civics. Stay warm....see warm....be warm!!!!
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