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September 30, 2004
It's Thursday!
Today in Language Arts we took favorite passages from our novel “On My Honor” and illustrated them as a cover for our portfolio that is due next Monday. Marion Dane Bauer does a fantastic job “painting a picture with words” that the reader can see. As writers we strive to write that clearly and cleverly so that our readers enjoy our work.
In Social Studies we are about to wrap up “Bashet the Burial Priest” and our Big Book “Into the Mummies Tomb.” I believe the students have learned a great deal from these two different pieces of literature and have increased their knowledge and understanding of Egypt’s history and culture.
Ask your kids about the quiz we took in Social Studies today. Lots of 100’s!!! :-)
Posted by hlperson at 04:05 PM | Comments (0)
September 24, 2004
On My Honor
One of my favorite reads for young adults is the novel, On My Honor, by Marion Dane Bauer. For this last week we have been reading in class and discussing our own thoughts and ideas on honor, peer pressure, and the big decisions that are facing the kids as they grow. For several years I have used this novel in my Language Arts classes. There is a LIFT (Literature is For Thinking) portfolio that accompanies the story. The LIFT set assists with discussion skills, reading comprehension, writing, literary analysis, and critical-creative thinking. The plan is to complete the novel next Friday and the portfolio will be due the following Monday.
In Social Studies we are enjoying the exciting Big Book Into the Mummies Tomb. We have begun our Beshet the Burial Priest play and are working through it. The vocabulary is difficult and I have been impressed with how well the kids are working through it. Obviously they enjoy the material and are willing to work a little harder to be successful.
The last day of the grading period is October 6th. All AR points and missing work should be turned in by this date. I sent home one classes Missing Task list earlier this week and forgot to send the other class. They received their today. I apologize for any inconvenience.
Have a GREAT weekend!
Posted by hlperson at 12:01 PM | Comments (0)
September 21, 2004
Marvin Daugherty Visits
Sorry folks it is a short write up today, running a little late for dinner. The classroom got a new “teacher only” computer today. This is something I do not personally believe in but it is a not a decision I have a vote on. When we move to NCWISE, it is suppose to better facilitate security of information and grades for the kids. For me it means that I lose a workstation that the kids could use in regards to AR, online research, and technology projects. Not that I am complaining, I have built 4 additional computers for the classroom (with a great deal of support of my number one geek Alvin Phillips and plenty of student labor over the last couple of years) We will do the best we can with it.
We did have a distinguished visitor today to discuss weather (specifically hurricanes) with the kids. Marvin Daugherty from WITN-7 News spent time with us after lunch. The material was so interrelated with social studies and geography it was exciting even to me. We extend a huge thanks to Mr. Daugherty and to Ms. Cox for organizing this visit.
Posted by hlperson at 06:14 PM | Comments (0)
September 15, 2004
Magazine Sale Kick-Off
Today we began our annual Magazine Sales fundraiser. Mr. Bill came and shared all of the great prizes that the kids can earn by supporting Norwayne with this fundraiser. 40% of all money earned goes right back into the school for supplies for the classrooms and materials we need to give these kids the education they deserve. If the kids turn in two orders tomorrow, they will get to attend the Dance/Ice Cream social. Hopefully they will all be asking for your Rolodex to complete the cards for relatives living out of town. If they bring it back completed they will receive some candy, and be qualified for a whole host of other prizes. Please support Norwayne by assisting with this fundraiser.
Mrs. Munoz is looking for volunteers for October 5th. The 7th grade is having a “Funshop” working to build team skills, respect, and have a great time doing it. We need adults to travel with small groups of kids and enjoy this opportunity with them. Please call 242-3414 and speak with Mrs. Munoz if you are able to help.
Glorious Lady Freedom quilt was the prompt for our journal entry today. It won a national contest back in 1988 for the Statue of Liberty. The kids tell me that was “forever” ago. In memory of September 11th, I felt this was a fitting prompt. The kids found the “purple mountain majesties”, “amber waves of grain” and the Twin Towers. They dominated the skyline and were everywhere, it is still difficult to imagine them gone.
In Social Studies we read a little more from “Into the Mummies Tomb.” The kids are obviously going out on their own and picking up other information because they are challenging my knowledge with their questions and their research. How exciting it truly is for them to so enjoy what they are doing, that they pursue further knowledge on their own.
Friday is a Teacher Workday and boy do I need it! I have a ton of grades on my desk to enter. On Wednesday I hope I can provide the kids with a missing task list so they will if they are missing any assignments and be able to get them turned in.
Posted by hlperson at 05:01 PM | Comments (1)
September 13, 2004
Monday the 13th
Today in Language Arts we built a Vocabulary Wheel to help study for our upcoming test. Breaking down the Vocabulary Unit into smaller pieces has been a benefit to many of the kids. The All-Stars extend many thanks to Mrs. Lipcsak for her helpful advice.
Our first technology integration project looks awesome. Most everyone has completed, corrected, and printed their Autobiographical poems and we are displaying them on our front windows. The kids used the digital cameras and Microsoft Publisher to complete this project. Our second Technology integration project is an essay on “Why My Library Card is the Smartest Card Ever!” We began the process of typing up our Library Card Essays today using Microsoft Essay. These are due Thursday, on Friday I will turn them into the Wayne County Public Library.
In Social Studies we reviewed some test prep materials that are provided with our textbook.. For every chapter, there are eight or so questions in the format of the EOG test that reviews the material and is a good practice for the EOG’s. We also learned about time zones and the International Date Line. The idea that we could travel back and forth across the line (keeping away from Mondays) was exciting. Many of the kids gained a new understanding for jet lag.
There is a “Parents Supporting Parents” meeting tomorrow night at 7:00-8:00 for anyone that is interested. The kids received a flier today to carry home. We also will be kicking off Magazine Sales on Wednesday of this week and School Pictures are scheduled for Thursday.
Posted by hlperson at 02:24 PM | Comments (0)
September 09, 2004
Ice Cream Sandwhich
Last night we held our Meet the Teacher Night and Ms. Cox and I were impressed with the turnout. We had 17 of our families’ present and received notes from several more. I believe the Ice Cream Break might have had a lot to do with it, but I also awarded a homework grade for attendance or for a note from the parents letting me know they could not attend. In our Vocabulary review today I used some student’s lack of participation as an example. Several of the students “forgot” to let their parents know, even though we have been discussing it for the last week and with the bonuses that were available.
CiCi’s Pizza offers a fundraiser program for local schools. Buffet is $3.49 and they give a portion of the proceeds to the school. When you pay, make sure you let them know your homeroom. The homeroom with the highest turnout receives a free pizza party.
Be on the look out for a fresh set of Progress Reports tomorrow. I hope I get all of the grades entered this evening. The most important thing many of the kids can do between now and the end of the grading period (October 6th) is to earn their AR Points.
I had two young men stay after today for the home football game and used those 45 minutes before the game to get some work done. Brandon and Andrew made good use of their time and they should be very proud of their “smrtness”.
Posted by hlperson at 03:34 PM | Comments (0)
September 03, 2004
Labor Day Weekend
It sounds so nice to be able to say, “I’ll see you guys next Tuesday.” Three days off will rejuvenate us all. For Team Time today we had a cross-curriculum activity creating some beaded bracelets using greatest common factor and some of our inference skills in choosing the colors of beads from our knowledge of African history. Only one of our classes is taking Social Studies this semester so it really does make team activities more difficult. I had some GREAT pictures of the kids working on their bracelets (well crawling on the floor trying to recover their beads and begging Ms. Cox and Mrs. Munoz for help) but I managed to format the Cd from the digital camera before I had copied the pictures over.
Our Meet the Teacher Night is scheduled for Wednesday September 08, from 6:30 to 7:30. Mrs. Wilkins will treat every student who has a parent attend to an ice cream party. If you attend or send me a note (written or email) letting me know you are aware but can not attend, I will put an extra credit 100 in for your child. I hope to have a newsletter created, a PowerPoint display of the kids at work, as well as an assortment of their work for you to view.
I wanted to make everyone aware again that I am a strong proponent of mastery learning especially in regards to our Accelerated Reader program. If a student has read a book and did not pass the test, they may reread the work (they do need to track as they are reading) and retake the test. Sometimes in the rush to “get points” the kids hurry through great literature. Some truly enjoy the read, but do not master the quiz. A second reading is sometimes very helpful.
It is almost that time again, so be on the look out for Progress Reports. The Office says they should go home on Friday the 10th of September. I will conference with Ms. Cox and see if it is possible to get them printed up before the Meet the Teacher Night.
Have a safe and enjoyable Labor Day holiday and I'll see you Tuesday!
Posted by hlperson at 04:36 PM | Comments (0)
September 01, 2004
What a Day!
After being absent yesterday, I was quite excited to get such a glowing note from Mr. Blackmon. It seems the kids behaved well and he “enjoyed his visit” with them. Mr. Blackmon had such a good day; he decided the kids did not have to finish up any of the work for homework. I really do appreciate when the notes are so positive. Missing school doesn’t just equal make up work for the students; I have plenty to catch up on also. We used today as a catch up day from the lengthy assignments I left yesterday. Several of the students worked on their Autobio Poems, read AR, worked on their classroom jobs, and some even made up missing assignments.
My friend Alvin shared a very interesting picture with me last time I was in Wilson. I decided it would make an excellent journal starter. As the kids wrote, there were snickers and enthusiastic eyes. It seems many of the boys felt a bond with the young man in the chair. I guess I have a lot to be thankful for; I could be the teacher that had to explain what happened in that picture. J
We did get some exciting news today. Our Guidance Counselor, Mrs. Munoz is beginning her National Boards and has chosen our team as her focus. The students have a permission form that Mrs. Munoz needs signed and returned. I began my National Boards journey last year, and will know in November if I have passed or what I need to redo in order to get there. Congratulations to Mrs. Munoz for striving to become a better educator and for all she does for our kids!
We are excited about our three-day weekend and next week’s “Meet the Teacher Night”. Mrs. Wilkins is providing the kids whose parents attend an ice cream as a reward. In my class they will earn a 100 if you can attend or if you write a note letting me know you are aware but cannot attend.
Posted by hlperson at 04:46 PM | Comments (6)