Monday, November 24, 2008
This week in Core: end of the Trimester, Turkey Day, Civil War
Here is a list of what's happening in class this week:
Monday: Last day to turn in late work/make-up work/extra credit for Core. We'll be in the library typing our how-to paragraphs which are due on Tuesday. In Social Studies we'll be doing a mini-incentive period with the other 6th grade Core classes.
Tuesday: locker clean out. We're back in the library to finish our paragraphs. In Social Studies students are working to finish their Create a Culture rough drafts (due Wednesday).
Wednesday: Beaver/Duck Day! How to Packets will be collected, and Create a Culture rough drafts are due at the end of the period.
Notes about the end of the trimester:
1. Reading logs will be changing for Trimester 2, which means that students will NOT receive a new one on Wednesday, Nov 26th. Students are encouraged to read over the Thanksgiving break but a log will not be collected.
2. Remember that there is no school on Monday, December 1, 2008. This is our grading day!
Finally,
Have a safe, and wonderful Thanksgiving! Remember to root for the Beavs on November 29th. Watch the game on Versus at 4pm and look for me and my family in the stands!
GO BEAVS!
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
This Week in Core: Nov 17 - Nov 21
This week we have Twilight fever, well I suppose it's fair to say that I have Twilight fever, but a large number of students and staff seem to have it as well (the movie opens Friday).
In Language Arts we have begun our process paper assignment, more affectionately known as the How to Packet. The packet will be our focus for this week and next week. Please see the due dates below. In addition, there are 2 more reading logs due before the end of the trimester (this Wednesday Nov 19th and next Wednesday Nov 26th).
How-to Packet Deadlines
Page 1 and Page 2: due at the end of the period Nov 17th
Page 3: due at the end of the period Nov 18th
Steps 3, 4, and 5: due at the end of the period Nov 20th
Steps 6 and 7: due at the end of the period Nov 21st
Step 8: typed in class Nov 24th and 25th
Last day to work on the packet in class: Nov 25th
Packet and paragraph (rough and final draft) due: Nov 26th
In Social Studies we continue our study of culture. This week we look at the ways in which geography defines a culture. On Wednesday students will begin the Create a Culture project. Please check back for details on this project.
Important Dates to Remember:
November 24th: Last day for late work/EC/make up work for Core
November 26th: Last day of Trimester 1
November 26th: Beaver/Duck Day (CIVIL WAR IS NOVEMBER 29th!!!!!)
November 27 -28:N No School (Thanksgiving)
December 1st: No School (grading day)
December 12th: Science fiction/fantasy book needs to be completed
Have a great week!
Check out this picture (from Sunday's sports section):
Sunday, November 9, 2008
This Week in Core: November 10 - 14
Here is the roundup for this week in core:
Language Arts:
On Monday we will review adjectives, homophones and verbs in anticipation of our adjective, homophone and verb quiz on Wednesday. Also on Wednesday we will have a reading log quiz. On Thursday we'll review transition words and on Friday we will begin our expository writing assignment: the how to paragraph.
Social Studies:
In Social Studies this week we will begin to unravel the meaning of culture by doing a number of activities and readings. Later in the week, students will start creating their own culture for the created countries.
Remember NO SCHOOL on TUESDAY in observation of Veteran's Day.
Monday, October 27, 2008
This Week in Core
This week in core we're tackling political systems as we head toward the election next Tuesday. Students are busy comparing different forms of government and preparing for a crash course in Elections that will take us through Wednesday November 5th.
In language arts, we're playing with vocabulary and spelling. This week we have Autumn words and next week will bring election themed words and phrases.
Last Friday the PM Core did a fabulous job when they hosted the Newberg city planners and engineer to discuss planning and mapping. Students learned about how the city uses GIS and maps to plan where goods and services as well as housing are placed in the city. Students then worked in teams to create their "perfect" cities. I can't believe how many Taco Bell's and Abercrombies these cities had; some even came with water parks, Disney Land theme parks, and of course skate parks! This week it is AM Core's turn, and I can't wait to see what y'all come up with! ;)
Have a great week; don't forget to wear your costume on Friday!
Go Beavs (I'll be there cheering them on)!!!!
Monday, October 20, 2008
2 more opportunities to win win win!
1. The new movie Bedtime Stories has an opportunity for students in grades 6-8 to win a bedroom make over. Just write an essay/story about your favorite character from literature and what would happen if they were to come alive. Details available from Miss Bryant
It’s Easy to Enter!
1. Go to www.scholastic.com/bedtimestories to read the official rules.
2. Answer the question and enter their response online.
OR, for mail entries:
Download the official entry form here and mail it, along with their
writing response, to Bedtime Stories Sweepstakes/Scholastic,
557 Broadway, 5th Floor, NY, NY 10012
2. Design a new flag for the state of Oregon! Did you know that February 14, 2009 will be Oregon's 150 birthday? The Oregonian is sponsoring a fun contest to design a new flag for Oregon entries must be in by November 21st. Here are all the DETAILS.
Happy writing, dreaming and drawing!
Think you can write like Rowling?
Here is an article quoted from MTV Movie Blog, and written by Jennifer Vineyard
"Time to get out your quills — J.K. Rowling wants to see if her readers can write. The Harry Potter author is holding an essay contest for her younger fans — ages 8 through 17 — in which the winners would be invited to join her for tea.
There are five slots for American winners (and their chaperons) for the all-expense paid trip to Edinburgh, Scotland, in which the essay writers would get to attend the event at the National Library of Scotland on December 4. Rowling would read from “The Tales of Beedle the Bard,” which will be published that day and then take part in a Q&A session with her first editor, Barry Cunningham. A total of 250 children and teens would be present.
So how do you get to be one of the U.S. five? Scholastic, who is sponsoring the contest, is asking fans to write an essay of 200 words or less, describing how they have helped others — either in their schools, their communities, or around the world. Entries must be received by 5 p.m. EST on October 30.
Rowling is also celebrating the release of “Beedle the Bard” by loaning one of the seven original copies to the New York Public Libary, where it will be on display until January 4. The copy to be on display is the one she gave to her American editor, Arthur A. Levine, who was one of only six people to get an original copy created, illustrated, and hand-written by Rowling."
This Week in Core: October 20th-October 24th
It was great to see so many of you at conferences last week! If you were unable to attend conferences and have questions or concerns regarding your progress report don't hesitate to email or call me.
Language Arts
Students are typing their Create a Country paragraphs at the beginning of the week (due on Wednesday). In addition to paragraphs, students will review homophones beginning on Tuesday with a small group project (due Wednesday). On Thursday and Friday students will apply what they have learned by completing the homophone packet (due Friday).
Social Studies
Create a Country project maps are currently being graded and reviewed, and will hopefully be returned to students by the end of the week. We turn our focus in SS away from mapping and toward population, economics and political systems. On Monday and Tuesday students will read about population and discuss why people live where they do. Wednesday and Thursday bring a brief overview of economics (which we will revisit from time to time throughout the year).
Planning Month
October is city planning month, a time when city planners are encouraged to visit schools and share with students what being a planner is all about. The Newberg city planners will be visiting our class on Friday, October 24th (PM) and Tuesday, October 28th (AM) to chat with students and to lead them in designing the perfect city!
Have a great week!
Go Beavs!