I wasn't at school today, so here is how I imagine that it went.
In Social Studies, kids read an article from Scholastic together about the Syrian refugees. We are reading a novel aloud called Home of the Brave which features a refugee from Sudan as the main character. We will see if we can draw any comparisons.
Later in Language Arts, everyone opened my email and read it carefully and followed all of my directions which was to finish their best next typed draft of their Teen Activism Essay. This continues into homework if not done.
Then, if students feel done, they are moving onto the check list for National History Day. The first due date is this Friday for finding sources and creating and sharing the source page with Ms. Lamb.
Homework:
LA: Finish Essay Teen Activism - if complete, work on source page or any other research for National History Day Project. (Work at least 15 minutes)
READ your novel for 20-30 minutes
I don't know if there was extra math, but I know the skill sheet is due Friday
See you tomorrow students.
Wednesday, January 27, 2016
Tuesday, January 26, 2016
Tuesday
LA Homework: Continue to work on draft of teen activism essay 15 minutes at least
Read for 20-30 minutes SERIOUSLY I MEAN READ that was just for some people who don't believe me
Math: Skill sheet due Friday this week
We are coming along with our teen activism essays. The expected date of perfection on this draft is next Wednesday. We are however, simultaneously starting our personal research for National History Day.
Rough due dates are
Sources page with links due Friday
Many many notes from very much reading due next Friday (notes check)
Website started by the following Friday
Whole project due March 7
We will work on this daily in class
Read for 20-30 minutes SERIOUSLY I MEAN READ that was just for some people who don't believe me
Math: Skill sheet due Friday this week
We are coming along with our teen activism essays. The expected date of perfection on this draft is next Wednesday. We are however, simultaneously starting our personal research for National History Day.
Rough due dates are
Sources page with links due Friday
Many many notes from very much reading due next Friday (notes check)
Website started by the following Friday
Whole project due March 7
We will work on this daily in class
Monday, January 25, 2016
Monday 1-25-16
A little late, but here it is...
Homework:
LA: Work on your flash draft of informational essay on teen activism. Here is my model. Start with brief outline, then write. Ms.Lamb's Model
Work for 15 minutes.
Then READ FOR 20-30 minutes
Math: Page 40 19-22 then try something...I forgot which number, it was supposed to be fun according to Mr. Meadows
Today we worked to get our flash draft out. We made a claim or overarching idea about teen activism and tried to come up with three illustrations of that point.
We will work more on this tomorrow.
We had library today and learned about the fabulous primary sources in Vermont Life Magazine and National Geographic. National History Day requires a primary source,
See you tomorrow.
Homework:
LA: Work on your flash draft of informational essay on teen activism. Here is my model. Start with brief outline, then write. Ms.Lamb's Model
Work for 15 minutes.
Then READ FOR 20-30 minutes
Math: Page 40 19-22 then try something...I forgot which number, it was supposed to be fun according to Mr. Meadows
Today we worked to get our flash draft out. We made a claim or overarching idea about teen activism and tried to come up with three illustrations of that point.
We will work more on this tomorrow.
We had library today and learned about the fabulous primary sources in Vermont Life Magazine and National Geographic. National History Day requires a primary source,
See you tomorrow.
Thursday, January 21, 2016
Thursday
We started with a game of sproutball in the gym. Thank you Mrs. Pless for getting this organized.
At our team meeting we discussed the importance of grown mindset and positivity. This will help us get happily and productively through our work.
In writing workshop, the focus was coming up with a focus. We talked about several different ways to focus our informational essay on teen activism. Students free wrote and then went to read some, jot some (notes), write some. Tomorrow we will try to flash draft a whole essay in class!
In social studies we worked on finding sources for our National History Day Project. Here are the initial steps (not in order necessarily)
1. ON YWP Post your topic, how it fits the theme of Exploration, Encounter, Exchange in History and make a claim.
2. Find a book source
3. Find web sources
4. Create a source page (like the text set we have for teen activism - more on this later)
5. Start website on Weebly (change your practice site to your NHD site)
6. Read widely
6. Take notes quickly
7. Free write
Tonight's homework:
Math - 2 sheets multiply fractions word problems work for 20 minutes
LA work for 20 more minutes on your NHD project - any of the above steps
Read for 20-30 minutes
At our team meeting we discussed the importance of grown mindset and positivity. This will help us get happily and productively through our work.
In writing workshop, the focus was coming up with a focus. We talked about several different ways to focus our informational essay on teen activism. Students free wrote and then went to read some, jot some (notes), write some. Tomorrow we will try to flash draft a whole essay in class!
In social studies we worked on finding sources for our National History Day Project. Here are the initial steps (not in order necessarily)
1. ON YWP Post your topic, how it fits the theme of Exploration, Encounter, Exchange in History and make a claim.
2. Find a book source
3. Find web sources
4. Create a source page (like the text set we have for teen activism - more on this later)
5. Start website on Weebly (change your practice site to your NHD site)
6. Read widely
6. Take notes quickly
7. Free write
Tonight's homework:
Math - 2 sheets multiply fractions word problems work for 20 minutes
LA work for 20 more minutes on your NHD project - any of the above steps
Read for 20-30 minutes
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
Wednesday 1-20-16
Greetings,
Some days it feels like we jam through a lot of things. This was one of those days...thus the three part homework assignment.
Homework for LA:
Continue to read and take notes on ALL of the articles in the text set. Try to come with an idea for a focus for your essay on teen activism like activists all came from a difficult place or teens make great front people for a movement.
Finish your 8 great sentences if you have them (not Ms. Nicole's group)
Finish posting your topic, connection to theme and claim for National History Day project on YWP. Here is my example:
Claim Swing dance developed in America through African and Jazz influences and changed us.
(Remember to post on YWP with tag of NHD topic)
Math: Page (37?) I think? now I totally can't remember - this is why we write it in our planners. Call someone if you forgot the pages and numbers. Sorry. Or email Mr. Meadows.
Some days it feels like we jam through a lot of things. This was one of those days...thus the three part homework assignment.
Homework for LA:
Continue to read and take notes on ALL of the articles in the text set. Try to come with an idea for a focus for your essay on teen activism like activists all came from a difficult place or teens make great front people for a movement.
Finish your 8 great sentences if you have them (not Ms. Nicole's group)
Finish posting your topic, connection to theme and claim for National History Day project on YWP. Here is my example:
Swing Dance - is my topic
It fits the Theme - Exploration, Encounter, and Exchange in History because it is a dance that developed out of Africa and Jazz roots. It is a truly American dance and affected the way people socialized in public and danced together in a socially acceptable way. The area I will focus on is encounter and exchange.
Claim Swing dance developed in America through African and Jazz influences and changed us.
(Remember to post on YWP with tag of NHD topic)
Math: Page (37?) I think? now I totally can't remember - this is why we write it in our planners. Call someone if you forgot the pages and numbers. Sorry. Or email Mr. Meadows.
Tuesday, January 19, 2016
Tuesday 1-19-16
Homework
In journal:
How does your National History Day topic relate to Exploration, Encounter and Exchange in history? Also, what do you already know about this topic?
Write one page or 100 or more words typed.
Read for 20-30 minutes
No math tonight
We had a busy and fast day. We started in the library with our monthly reading/writing retreat. Kids can write or read what they wish for an extended period of time. Many many kids are invested in some great novels. A few solid writers continue to write even when they cannot use the computer!
In social studies, Ms. Barrett, our technology integrationist, came to teach us to use Weebly, a website making tool we will use to present our National History Day projects.
Tomorrow we get back to our teen activism writing and organizing our NHD projects.
Monday, January 18, 2016
Monday - special notice about webiste creation
Tomorrow in social studies we will have a guest workshop presenter, Ms. Barrett our technology integration specialists. She will teach us how to make a website for our informational study project for writing and National History Day.
Tomorrow we will practice with a personal site that we will then delete (as we are only allowed one site per student under my teacher account) and then start our National History Day sites next week. For safety sake and not publishing personal data, we will use pseudonyms or pen names.
This week we continue to hone our topic and make a claim related to Exploration, Encounter and Exchange in history. We start researching next week.
Student website are under my name and will not be published to the world wide web. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns about this.
Tomorrow we will practice with a personal site that we will then delete (as we are only allowed one site per student under my teacher account) and then start our National History Day sites next week. For safety sake and not publishing personal data, we will use pseudonyms or pen names.
This week we continue to hone our topic and make a claim related to Exploration, Encounter and Exchange in history. We start researching next week.
Student website are under my name and will not be published to the world wide web. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns about this.
Thursday, January 14, 2016
Thursday
We started with All Team Meeting and discussed our Ottawa trip at length. Ms. Lamb showed some pictures from two years ago.
It is important that all of us or almost all of us attend the trip. This makes it affordable and able to be used as part of our Canada studies unit. If for some reason, a student cannot attend the trip, we need to hear from a parent as soon as possible. Thanks for your help with this.
The trip is exciting and a wonderful learning experience. I have been twice and can tell you it is safe, easy and character building. I don't know anyone who went that didn't love it. One year we even missed a rain day off from school and we still didn't mind.
We continue our brief study of teen activists to get us ready for our independent research. Students are reading articles from a text set provided by me. Students are to try to read all of the articles on their chosen person and take notes. Tomorrow we begin writing in class.
Tonight's homework:
LA: Continue reading widely on your teen activist and take notes in your journal. Work for at least 20 minutes
Read novel 20-30 minutes
Math: Page 21-22 #33 and #35 do first then do as much as you can 33-44. Quiz tomorrow on adding and subtracting fractions
$40 deposit for Ottawa due tomorrow.
It is important that all of us or almost all of us attend the trip. This makes it affordable and able to be used as part of our Canada studies unit. If for some reason, a student cannot attend the trip, we need to hear from a parent as soon as possible. Thanks for your help with this.
The trip is exciting and a wonderful learning experience. I have been twice and can tell you it is safe, easy and character building. I don't know anyone who went that didn't love it. One year we even missed a rain day off from school and we still didn't mind.
We continue our brief study of teen activists to get us ready for our independent research. Students are reading articles from a text set provided by me. Students are to try to read all of the articles on their chosen person and take notes. Tomorrow we begin writing in class.
Tonight's homework:
LA: Continue reading widely on your teen activist and take notes in your journal. Work for at least 20 minutes
Read novel 20-30 minutes
Math: Page 21-22 #33 and #35 do first then do as much as you can 33-44. Quiz tomorrow on adding and subtracting fractions
$40 deposit for Ottawa due tomorrow.
Wednesday, January 13, 2016
Wednesday
Tonight:
Math Page 16 A-B (I think)
LA: Read more on your chosen teen activist from these articles
Read and take notes in journal (you don't need to write tonight)
NOTE: If you are involved in the concert this evening - you may put off this work until tomorrow
Read your novel
Today was very very busy. After our late start at 10:00 we slam teach in 40 minute blocks all day. In LA we really got into our current choice novels and writing about them. We will be writing about our novels at least one time each week.
In social studies we moved forward with our teen activism informational writing unit.
Tomorrow in ATM we will be discussing the Ottawa trip at length. More on this tomorrow.
Math Page 16 A-B (I think)
LA: Read more on your chosen teen activist from these articles
Read and take notes in journal (you don't need to write tonight)
NOTE: If you are involved in the concert this evening - you may put off this work until tomorrow
Read your novel
Today was very very busy. After our late start at 10:00 we slam teach in 40 minute blocks all day. In LA we really got into our current choice novels and writing about them. We will be writing about our novels at least one time each week.
In social studies we moved forward with our teen activism informational writing unit.
Tomorrow in ATM we will be discussing the Ottawa trip at length. More on this tomorrow.
Tuesday, January 12, 2016
Tuesday
I'm not at school today, so I'm posting blind.
In LA, it was my dream that kids were reading about one teen activist from these sites
Teen activist text set
After taking notes, write a one page informational piece as a google doc or in your journal. Work for 20 more minutes tonight reading and or writing.
Read for 20-30 minutes.
I don't know what the math is...sorry.
I'm asking Mr. Meadows to post the letter we sent home about the trip, so hopefully that will show up here soon.
See you tomorrow.
In LA, it was my dream that kids were reading about one teen activist from these sites
Teen activist text set
After taking notes, write a one page informational piece as a google doc or in your journal. Work for 20 more minutes tonight reading and or writing.
Read for 20-30 minutes.
I don't know what the math is...sorry.
I'm asking Mr. Meadows to post the letter we sent home about the trip, so hopefully that will show up here soon.
See you tomorrow.
Monday, January 11, 2016
Monday 1-11-16
Today we started a new unit for informational writing. We are studying teen activists together. Students have chosen their own topics for National History Day which they will apply the skills from class to to create their own website presentations for. These presentations will be due the week after February break and be final assessments for informational writing. We will also have final sit and write assessments which will be reflected on the report cards.
We will also do a sit and write literary essay close to the end of the marking period, but we are putting aside formal essay writing in reading. We continue to read novels, write about them informally and listen and write about read aloud book (currently Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate.)
Tonight's homework:
Finish one page in journal on Malala - if typing expect 150 words or more. You are writing an informational piece based on your notes.
Read novel 20-30 minutes
Math p. 15 A-E 27-29, 52-53, 67-70, 75-76.
We will also do a sit and write literary essay close to the end of the marking period, but we are putting aside formal essay writing in reading. We continue to read novels, write about them informally and listen and write about read aloud book (currently Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate.)
Tonight's homework:
Finish one page in journal on Malala - if typing expect 150 words or more. You are writing an informational piece based on your notes.
Read novel 20-30 minutes
Math p. 15 A-E 27-29, 52-53, 67-70, 75-76.
Sunday, January 10, 2016
Sunday 1-10-16
I meant to post this Friday, but it's Sunday night at 11 pm. So much for my great plans.
Anyway, mid-term progress reports went home with students on Friday. These are for information, mostly to let you and students know if there are problem areas. Ms. Lamb and Mr. Meadows do not give any "grades" in individual content areas. Rather, all students receive a score in "Personal Development" which includes:
Standards: student consistently completes work that meets the standard
Organization: student is organized and prepared for class
Work Completion: student completes assignments on time.
Responsibility: student shows responsibility for his/her learning through dependability, productivity and initiative
Respect: student shows respect toward students, staff and the learning environment
We were broad and general and did not give 4's as we have not graded assessments yet.
This is mostly a "head's up" if work is missing or students are lacking organization. There is still time to get things together before end of the trimester which is March 4.
Anyway, mid-term progress reports went home with students on Friday. These are for information, mostly to let you and students know if there are problem areas. Ms. Lamb and Mr. Meadows do not give any "grades" in individual content areas. Rather, all students receive a score in "Personal Development" which includes:
Standards: student consistently completes work that meets the standard
Organization: student is organized and prepared for class
Work Completion: student completes assignments on time.
Responsibility: student shows responsibility for his/her learning through dependability, productivity and initiative
Respect: student shows respect toward students, staff and the learning environment
We were broad and general and did not give 4's as we have not graded assessments yet.
This is mostly a "head's up" if work is missing or students are lacking organization. There is still time to get things together before end of the trimester which is March 4.
Thursday, January 7, 2016
Thursday 1-7-15
Homework:
Finish all: Reading record, RAFT, Literary Essay - last chance
Edutyping 20 minutes this week (should be up to 220 minutes)
Finish second sort and word hunt for word study
Read for 20-30 minutes
Math: Page 19 22-26 and 51
Come tomorrow prepared with a topic you already know a lot about to write a pre-assessment informational piece.
We are starting our NHD (National History Day Projects)
We have chosen a topic and decided how it fits the theme of Exploration, Encounter, Exchange in History (Or we have started to....) This has to have "changed" history. Many of us were able to already locate a book source in our BRMS library. Others are learning to look beyond using Deborah Rawson, Fletcher Free or seeing about getting the class to purchase a book.
Remember, $40 deposits for the trip to Ottawa are due soon.
ALSO,
We are not allowing kids to go outside when the temperatures are below freezing if they are wearing shorts. If students must wear shorts, they need to bring pants for going outside.
We go outside every morning before school and at recess unless the temperatures are below zero degrees Fahrenheit.
Finish all: Reading record, RAFT, Literary Essay - last chance
Edutyping 20 minutes this week (should be up to 220 minutes)
Finish second sort and word hunt for word study
Read for 20-30 minutes
Math: Page 19 22-26 and 51
Come tomorrow prepared with a topic you already know a lot about to write a pre-assessment informational piece.
We are starting our NHD (National History Day Projects)
We have chosen a topic and decided how it fits the theme of Exploration, Encounter, Exchange in History (Or we have started to....) This has to have "changed" history. Many of us were able to already locate a book source in our BRMS library. Others are learning to look beyond using Deborah Rawson, Fletcher Free or seeing about getting the class to purchase a book.
Remember, $40 deposits for the trip to Ottawa are due soon.
ALSO,
We are not allowing kids to go outside when the temperatures are below freezing if they are wearing shorts. If students must wear shorts, they need to bring pants for going outside.
We go outside every morning before school and at recess unless the temperatures are below zero degrees Fahrenheit.
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
Tuesday/Wednesday 1-5&6
Sorry I missed yesterday.
Mr. Meadows was out today so the homework for math is more of the same. I can't 100% remember the pages but it was something like 18 with a bunch of problems. Check your assignment book.
Remember skill sheet is due tomorrow.
In LA we have been working to complete our RAFT for social studies and our literary essay for writing. Both should be done. If not, that is extra homework.
Tonight:
LA - edutyping 20 minutes
Read 20 minutes
Skill sheet due tomorrow
Finish math from yesterday
We finally got back outside for recess today!
$40 deposits for our trip to Ottawa are coming in. Keep them coming!
Mr. Meadows was out today so the homework for math is more of the same. I can't 100% remember the pages but it was something like 18 with a bunch of problems. Check your assignment book.
Remember skill sheet is due tomorrow.
In LA we have been working to complete our RAFT for social studies and our literary essay for writing. Both should be done. If not, that is extra homework.
Tonight:
LA - edutyping 20 minutes
Read 20 minutes
Skill sheet due tomorrow
Finish math from yesterday
We finally got back outside for recess today!
$40 deposits for our trip to Ottawa are coming in. Keep them coming!
Monday, January 4, 2016
Monday January 4, f2016
Happy New Year!
We were a little wound up today due to reuniting with old friends and freezing for a change. We made it outside and successfully through all classes.
We do have a bit of work to finish up this week in LA and SS. Here it is.
RAFT - should be done by end of class tomorrow. Will be assessed for progress reports (FRIDAY!)
Literary Essay on your book choice - typed draft finished by end of class tomorrow or homework. This will be finished by end of class Wednesday
Reading record - students should have finished two books in December.
It seems ridiculously soon, but we were just told that progress reports will go home this Friday. We will let everyone know if work is complete and up to standard. These will come home with students.
We started to look for our National History Day topics today in the library. Topic choice is due Friday. The theme is Exploration, Encounter and Exchange in History. Mrs. Babbitt helped us out by introducing several books and a list of topics from the NHD website. See the website http://nhd.org/
Here is the sample topic list
Homework:
Math: Skill sheet (due Thursday?)
SS: Finish RAFT - use the check sheet and rubric
start your NHD topic looking/reading if you are done
Read for 20-30 minutes (novel of your choice)
Update your reading record
We were a little wound up today due to reuniting with old friends and freezing for a change. We made it outside and successfully through all classes.
We do have a bit of work to finish up this week in LA and SS. Here it is.
RAFT - should be done by end of class tomorrow. Will be assessed for progress reports (FRIDAY!)
Literary Essay on your book choice - typed draft finished by end of class tomorrow or homework. This will be finished by end of class Wednesday
Reading record - students should have finished two books in December.
It seems ridiculously soon, but we were just told that progress reports will go home this Friday. We will let everyone know if work is complete and up to standard. These will come home with students.
We started to look for our National History Day topics today in the library. Topic choice is due Friday. The theme is Exploration, Encounter and Exchange in History. Mrs. Babbitt helped us out by introducing several books and a list of topics from the NHD website. See the website http://nhd.org/
Here is the sample topic list
Homework:
Math: Skill sheet (due Thursday?)
SS: Finish RAFT - use the check sheet and rubric
start your NHD topic looking/reading if you are done
Read for 20-30 minutes (novel of your choice)
Update your reading record
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)