Newsletter: Endings and Beginnings

Important

Thank you for your signatures on the progress report. Please be reminded that you can sign up and check student grades through my online grade book. If you need a reminder on your login and password, just send a note.

Upcoming Dates

§  February 10th is a minimum day.

§  February 12th and 15th, we have no school.

§  February 26th is the end of the trimester.

New

In ELA, we will post our essays on the Kidblog and then begin our brand new unit: Voices of Adversity.

In social studies, students will learn about the history of Japan.

In science, we will explore the magnitude of geological time.

Updates and Info

Students identified and sketched fossils as well as correlated rock formations to their ancient environments. They finished an essay on the history of China and are just about done with final drafts of their rule to live by. They started tumbling in P.E.!

With our speedy internet, many students are hopping online for supplementary math through Khan Academy when we finish our regular math lessons early. They all have logins and passwords for this program. I encourage students, who are able to work, on Khan Academy at home to fill in gaps in their math foundations or accelerate themselves through grade level math. It's an amazing, free resource for families!

Newsletter: Progress Reports

Important

Progress reports are going home today. I got sick last week and couldn't get them out until now. Please sign the newsletter that went home to confirm having recieved your student's report.

Upcoming Dates

§  February 10th is a minimum day.

§  February 12th and 15th, we have no school.

§  February 26th is the end of the trimester.

New

In ELA, we will be finishing our informational essays on a rule to live by.

In social studies we have homework. Students will use their notes to write about Chinese history from the fall of the Han dynasty through the invasion of the Mongols.

In science, we will be discovering the process of fossil creation.

Updates and Info

Students presented their advertising commercials for an invention from the Han, Tang, or Song Chinese dynasties. The commercials were great! Students also analyzed a model informational essay, collected evidence for their "rule to live by", outlined their essay and began writing!

Scholastic book orders went home today. Orders must be returned for Thursday. Rainy day books galore!

Newsletter: Progress Reports and Fast Internet

Important

Progress reports will be going home at the end of next week. Please know that these grades will be greatly impacted by subsequent projects and assessments. They are snapshots of where your student is in the moment. I need confirmation that you received these reports, so there will be a signature page attached.

Yakshi is offering free study support to middleschoolers and highschoolers after school on Thursdays in the library. Please reach out if you are interested!

Please call the office if your student is going home with another parent or adult. We cannot release students with adults who are not on their emergency forms. Unfortunately, we’ve had a lot of issues with this lately.

Upcoming Dates

§  This Wednesday, January 13 is a minimum day and awards assembly.

§  January 18, we are off for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

New

In ELA, we will continue on a research project. This week, students will be assessed on reading for gist, identifying relevant details for a research question, and participating successfully in productive academic discussion.

In social studies we will finish our commercial regarding an invention made during the Golden Age in China. Next up, we’ll be learning about the Mongol invasion and Genghis Khan.

In science, we will be discovering the process of fossil creation.

Updates and Info

Students illustrated the process of sedimentary rock formation in science; began their advertising commercial for an invention from the Han, Tang, or Song Chinese dynasties; learned how advertisers use pathos, logos, and ethos in attracting consumers; and began their research project for a rule to live by. 

We got fast internet! This has been an incredibly complex, technical (and often frustrating) process, but thankfully Mrs. Ross has finally shepharded us into a new age of high speed connection! Thank you, Mrs. Ross!

A fresh bout of cold and flu germs are moving through the school. Please help your student drink lots of clear fluids and get plenty of rest to stay healthy. Also, please keep sick students home to avoid spreading further illness. If you can pick up homework at the end of the day, I can send home some. If possible, keep them reading! 

Newsletter: New Year

Important

It’s a brand new year! Welcome back! In my excitement, I'm somewhat tardy posting this to the blog, though it went home with students.

Progress reports will be going home at the end of next week.

This trimester’s reading grade is heavily influenced by at home reading minutes and parent/caregiver signatures for those minutes, so keep up the good work of checking those Student Planners.

Upcoming Dates

§  January 13 is a minimum day and awards assembly.

§  January 18, we are off for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

New

In ELA, we will be embarking on a research project that will culminate in an evidence based essay on a rule to live by that students will choose.

In social studies we will be fine tuning our note taking skills while learning about  the civilizations of China and Japan.

In science, we will be discovering the processes that create sedimentary rock.

Updates and Info

The class enjoyed a festive party exchanging compliments and Secret Santa gifts! 6^th and 7^th graders completed a short fictional narrative and finished The Phantom Tollbooth. We also celebrated all the 8^th graders passing the Constitution Test!

Third trimester begins February 26th. I’d like to have elective classes lined up earlier rather than later, so please consider reaching out to me if you or someone you know is willing to teach!