Week 13

I've been putting the final touches on progress reports. This has led me to tweak my teaching just a little. I realize that some students are ready to soar while others are finding it difficult to get off the ground. This trimester I'm designing lesson plans and assignments that will enable the students to work at their own pace and at their individual level. The students will work independently a good deal of the time, and so it is crucial that they develop positive habits in order to be successful. I expect that when students turn in an assignment, they are turning in what they consider to be their best work. Some students are already doing this while others are rushing through the assignments, not following directions, and sometimes not doing the work at all. I promise to never assign a task that I do not believe is of value. But they need to put the time and effort into learning in order to receive that value.

With all that said, here are some important points about this upcoming trimester.

• Starting tomorrow, every student must have an independent reading book at school. The classroom library is overflowing with excellent choices. They need to be reading a book now and finishing it over Christmas break. They will have a light assignment to do over the holidays.
• All assignments are expected to be finished and turned in on or before the due date. The turned in product should be an example of the student's best work. Mrs. Troyer and I will help any student that might be struggling or not understanding any assignment.
• When there is homework, students will take a homework slip home. Please sign this and return to me the following school day. If I don't get a returned slip, I will call you to make sure you were informed of the homework.
• Please, please, please have your child show you their assignments on Google Classroom. This is a wonderful tool that Mrs. Troyer and I use everyday. It makes it possible to teach to all learning styles - visual, auditory, and kinetic. By accessing the classroom calendar and clicking on the assignment, students not only see exact due dates, they also are directed to precise instructions and necessary attachments.

Here's the line up of study between now and Christmas:

1. Mock Trial of the Boston Massacre

    Skills - reading comprehension, persuasive techniques, public speaking, collaboration, critical thinking, organization, listening skills, and examination of original documents.

2. Cell Mitosis

    Skills - memorization, spelling, reading comprehension, and outlining.

3. "Paul Revere's Ride"- Longfellow, "The Gift of the Magi" - O. Henry, and "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas" - Dr. Seuss

     Skills - close reading, paraphrasing, compare/contrast, writing, listening skills, and literary analysis.

4. Family holiday traditions

     Skills  - prewriting, topic sentences, transition words, concluding sentences, and paragraph organization.

I'm looking forward to returning to a refreshed class ready to progress; always being wild and free.

Week 12 Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving break is right around the corner and I think that we're all looking forward to it. The students have worked hard over this past trimester and have compiled much new knowledge. It's always a good practice to reflect on accomplishments so here are just a few...

• Developed discipline while enjoying XC practices and meets.
• Learned or reviewed the parts of speech with a catchy song. (See if they remember it now and then.)
• Became familiar with several Native American tribes and realized that they are truly the first Americans.
• Read Nathaniel Hawthorne's "Dr. Heidegger's Experiment", learned about Ponce de Leon, and the Fountain of Youth.
• Got creeped out by Edgar Allan Poe's the Raven and created original blackout poetry.
• Spent a copious amount of time reading and writing about the Monarch butterfly's journey.
• Held snakes!
• Discussed the contradictions of Thomas Jefferson's life.
• Explored plant and animal cells by comparing them to everyday life.

... and I could go on but it's time to move on.

We will be wrapping things up this week and also enjoying some special events.

Monday - Friday: Usborne Book Fair in the Commons.

Monday, 11/12: Luke Bair will visit the class at 1:00 and talk about Armistice Day. Parents are invited to join us. 

Wednesday, 11/14: We will travel to the American Shakespeare Theater in Staunton, VA and view "As You Like It". The day's schedule is-

• Be at school by 8:00 am so that we can leave at 8:15. The drivers are Troyer, Wood, Lumsden, and Johnson. We need to arrive before 10:00 am.
• The play starts at 10:30 am with an actor talk back at 12:45 pm. The snack bar is open at intermission. Students are responsible for buying their own snack if wanted.
• Lunch will be at a local pizza place. Please send $10 with your student for lunch. I will order pizzas to be ready ahead of time.
• We go back to the theater at 2:00 pm for a behind the scenes tour.
• We'll depart at 3:15 with an ETA at GES of 4:45 pm.

Friday, 11/16: Grandparents/Special friend day. Please join us for a morning of fellowship school wide and in our classroom. Let the office know if you are coming and if you will be staying for lunch. Early dismissal is at 1:00 pm.

Monday, 11/19 - Friday 11/23: Thanksgiving Break. Relax... Refresh... Refuel!

Mrs. J

Week 11

I hope you are all enjoying this gorgeous Fall weekend. The end of the first trimester is quickly approaching and I certainly feel that the class as a whole and individually has made quite a bit of progress. We have establish a good routine and are understanding the expectations associated with growing up and being in Middle School.

We had a fabulous trip to Monticello. Our guide was excellent and I know that we all learned a lot about Thomas Jefferson, the Declaration of Independence, and Monticello. All the students were well behaved and engaged. It definitely was a success.

We only have two weeks until Thanksgiving break and several items need to be completed before then.

This week...

• we will reflect on our trip to Monticello as we read and discuss the Declaration of Independence. The students will also practice their handwriting skills by copying a portion of the document and committing it to memory.
• we will explore political cartoons of the Revolution and discuss propaganda. This will prepare the class for our mock trial which we will focus on between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
• we will learn about ethos, pathos, and logos and how they are used in persuasive arguments.
• the Cell Analogy projects are due (Friday) and will be presented.
• the students will be tested (Friday) on the countries of South America, the Caribbean, and Central America.
• is full of activities and learning experiences, so encourage your students to be well rested and ready to give their best in all they do.

Make sure to support the GrabNGo so that we can continue to pay for our field trips. Please let Tanya know when you are able to provide the food.

Mrs. J