Friday, September 5, 2014

Animal Symbols


Students wrote their first blog post on their personal blogs describing what animal they thought represented them best. The class then practiced commenting and feedback etiquette on each others' blog posts.

Below are three examples of students' writing and, of course, their creative self-portraits made with the SplitPic app on the iPad.



I think that the water snake symbolizes me because I love water, and water snakes do too, I mean, duh, it is in the name. I also think I am like a water snake because they are so absolutely amazing at hiding! I too am great at hiding. I like to try to be stealthy, and everybody knows that snakes are very stealthy. When I was five, I found a three-foot water snake. I was really close to it, and everyone said it was going to bite me, but for some reason I looked it in the eye and it didn’t. I got real close to it and caught it. Ever since then, I have always loved water snakes. Also, every year I am always at the lake swimming. Even when school started up, I am there after school. I am there swimming just like a water snake. Overall I think I am mostly like a water snake.
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I think I am a Dog, because I am very protective of my family and friends. The Dog is a symbol to me because I am very very protective. One time my friend was getting made fun of and I told the bully that they weren’t any different from my friend. Another time was when someone was being rude to me, and I told them that they must be insecure of themselves because they were making fun of me. I am a very protective person.


Teaching is another characteristic of mine. A real life story is when I do something bad my sister comes and copies me so I taught her to not do bad things. Another one is when my dogs were being bad I had to teach them that they should not do that.
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The animal I picked that symbolizes me is a lion. The characteristic that a lion has that I have is being athletic. I am a person that would rather be outside than inside because being active makes you more healthier than just sitting at home eating donuts. The way that I am athletic is by playing football where I dash, leap, clash into people. I also play other sports that keep me active like basketball, wrestling, and track and field. When I was about three years old I started gymnastics and I didn’t even know that I did this until about a year ago so I don’t know much. I do know that I did do flips, back hand springs, and the splits I know that must have hurt. Finally lions are many things but being athletic is one of most important I think because thats how they catch they prey and fight off predators.

Another characteristic that I have that a lion has is being stubborn. Being stubborn meaning I like doing things my own way, and I think that lions are stubborn because they never listen to their trainers and when they do its with a bad attitude. Last year when my acquaintance and I did a science project together he wanted to do it one way and I wanted to do it another way and resulted in a extensive controversy. Also in Physical Education I argued with the instructor about what we should do for exercise. In conclusion I would like to say that I hate being stubborn because it gets me in distress to much.
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Hands-On History

Over the past two weeks we've participated in a couple hands-on history projects. After partner-reading about Lascaux Cave in France and the different tools and subjects of the prehistoric artists, we made our own art using plant and mineral based paint that the students created. Then we took a hammer to some clay pots to get a taste of how archeologists feel when they faced with a million shards of pottery to piece together. Enjoy the photos!



Hand prints with homemade ash based paint.

Footprints with mud paint.

Our very own prehistoric-styled art inspired by Lascaux Cave. 

Archeologists using teamwork.

Careful hands!

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Math Homework Help

Dear Parents, Caregivers and Students,

For those of you feeling like you need more support at home on the math homework, we just discovered a rather helpful link: Click here!

This website was created to assist students and their families at home with their math homework. For those of you who have students in my Math Foundations Course, you would choose the 6th Grade Engage Math materials and then select the module and lesson number (right now we're on Module 1).

As you will see, the upper grade math modules are not all there. For instance, 7th grade is missing entirely. Hopefully, they will continue to populate this website with videos for upcoming modules.

Hope this is helpful,

Maggie Orion


Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Class Update


Dear Parents and Caregivers,

I was so pleased with the packed house at Back-To-School Night, and it was great to be able to answer some of your questions. Remember to reach out if you have more. I heard your concerns about math homework in regards to our new curriculum, and I will be working on making sure the students leave with better notes.

We've been learning about prehistoric cave art, practicing our partner reading, getting introduced to the physical science in our lives and coming up with solutions rather than complaints for problems encountered at school.

Please note that the after school program starts this week, and if you'd like your child to attend, please fill out the paperwork from Back-To-School Night or pop in the office to pick the packet up.

Mark your calendars: September 10th is a minimum day and our first awards assembly. Feel free to stop by at 8:45 to see how our school celebrates our students.

This upcoming weekend on Saturday the 6th, the e Volunteer Fire Department's annual fundraiser and picnic will be held. This is a great opportunity for your student to earn Community Service hours. Sign-up sheets are in class.

Finally, we are kicking off our annual Run-Walk-A-Thon to celebrate fitness and raise funds for field trips and enriching activities. We simply cannot do all the fun extra activities we want to do without financial support from our community. Please encourage your student to contact family, friends and neighbors to get sponsored! Students can also receive pledges from staff so there is no reason not to earn some money. 

Thank you for your support!

Maggie Orion

Sunday, August 24, 2014

Class Update


Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Thank you for initialing your students' reading logs last week. I encourage you all to keep your students in the habit of reading every weekday and remember, you can always check to see what's due by looking at the homework sheet.

As a point of clarification, I'm asking for parents to initial the homework sheets that they received notes home from their students. You don't need to return parent letters with a signature the next day. I just want to know that all papers were safely delivered into your hands.

We've been building our reading stamina, analyzing literature, setting goals, exploring a new, rigorous math curriculum, and discovering our multiple intelligences. Ask your student what type of intelligence they scored highest in!

I look forward to seeing you and answering questions at Back-to-School Night this Thursday the 28th. A free and yummy dinner will be served at 5:15 with a principal's address following the meal. I'll begin my classroom presentation at 6:40.
Please note that we will have a minimum day that Thursday and school will end at 12:45. 

Additionally, there will be no school next Monday because it's Labor Day.

Take care,

Maggie Orion

Sunday, August 17, 2014

Class Update


Dear Parents and Caregivers,

So far, so good! We spent the first three days learning about each other, the classroom, and the procedures for this class. We've got a great group!

This week, we'll officially start our academic work. I have assessed students for reading and mathematics. The results will determine their math placement and reading supports.

Please check your student's homework sheet every evening and initial their reading minutes to begin a healthy homework habit right at the start. Discuss with your student when he or she will set aside time to complete homework and where finished homework will be placed to be ready for school the next day.

Mark your calendars for August 28th when we'll be hosting Back-to-School night. We'll be serving dinner promptly at 5:15 and there will be an important message from the principal following the meal. My class presentation will begin at 6:40 though you are welcome to come chat with me earlier.

A few of you have expressed interest in volunteering in the classroom or for special activities.  I can always use extra assistance in and outside of the classroom. With our small staff, every extra ounce of effort helps! A volunteer sign up sheet will be going home with your students.

Additionally, students are signing up for electives this week. This trimester we are offering Gardening and Cooking, Woodworking, Sign Language, Creative Writing, Art, and K, 1, 2 Teacher's Assistantships. 

Thank you for your support!

Maggie Orion

Monday, July 28, 2014

Welcome Back!


Dear Middle School Families and Caregivers,

            I hope you have enjoyed your summer and had plenty of time to swim, sleep in and play in the sun. I've been busy organizing the classroom and playing with technology that we'll be using in the classroom - very exciting!
            This next school year I have high expectations for student achievement and I wanted to make sure students come prepared with everything they need to think deep, learn a lot and stay organized. Please make sure your student has:

Necessary
­­____A backpack or book bag
____Plenty of sharpened pencils or mechanical pencils with extra lead
____Two basic 1" binders - these will mostly stay at school
____One sturdy binder for back and forth from school to home, 1.5"-2" based on your preference
____Binder paper in each binder (college ruled or wide ruled is your choice) - This year, we will not be providing lined paper, students need to bring it daily.
____Two packs of five binder dividers (10 total)
____A calculator - it doesn't need to be fancy but should have the capability to do square roots.
____Pack of 3" x 5" index cards with one blank side and one lined side
____3 ballpoint pens - black, blue and red
­____One glue stick

Optional

Colored pencils
Small pencil sharpener
Extra erasers
Pencil pouch/Pencil box
Headphones compatible with iPad
Book cover- they cost a dollar at K-Mart or you can just cover books with a brown bag.

            Please let me know in advance of the first day of school, if you are unable to acquire these items. I can be reached via email at ms.maggieorion@gmail.com or by calling the school.
            Parents and caregivers, I look forward to welcoming you at back-to-school night to outline what we'll be exploring this year as well as answer any questions you might have about classroom procedures, academic standards, homework expectations, and how to best support your student.
            In addition to sending newsletters home, I will be posting all correspondence on our class blog throughout the year. I will also showcase exemplary student work and class activities. Please check it out at cougarvilleclass.blogspot.com, and consider following posts by signing up on the left hand side of the home screen.
            Finally, I'll sign off by thanking you in advance for your support. I believe family involvement is integral to student success, and I am excited for the 2014/2015 teaching and learning extravaganza.

Thank you,


Maggie Orion