For the weeks of Nov. 17-21 and 24-26

Remember....half days this week due to conferences. Students will be released at 11am on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.

Social Studies

Last week students completed several in-class activities and a larger project about climate zones. The project was due on Friday; please check gateway to see if your student turned it in.

This week we'll be defining the word "culture" which is a very important concept as we get ready to move beyond basic geography skills and begin studies of cultures around the world for the rest of year. Our first stop, after Thanksgiving, will be Africa.

We did spend two days last week going over the requirements of current events and students practiced all elements of the assignment with the class. Unlike in previous years (if you had an older student in my class), current events will no longer be a weekly assignment. The assignment now requires a little more depth of thought and a bit more writing. Therefore, they will only have to do 4-5 per quarter. I will post all of the due dates for the quarter soon. In the meantime, please have your student show you the assignment directions that should be in their notebook.

Language Arts

Students finished their most recent writing assignment: short stories based on the artwork from "The Mysteries of Harris Burdick." The final drafts have been compiled and I'm working on printing and binding an anthology of these creative stories for each student.

From here until winter break, we will be focusing on persuasive writing. This is the second mode of writing that they will have to demonstrate on the WASL. (The first was expository, which we've been working on up to this point.) Right now we're working on some preparatory activities. We'll begin really digging in after the long weekend.

We'll be going to the library this week so students can check out an AR book to read over the break.

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For the weeks of Nov. 3-7 and 12-14

November 3 marked the beginning of second quarter.

A quick overview of what we've been up to...


Social Studies:

Last week we finished working on landforms with a couple in-class activities and a take-home quiz. If your student is showing a "0-missing" grade on Learning Gateway for the quiz, they have until Monday, Nov. 17 to turn it in and earn partial credit. After Monday, the grade will remain a zero.

This week and next we are focusing on weather, climate, seasons, and the water cycle. This information is a direct compliment of what they have been/are learning in science. It's fun to hear students make the connection between the two classes and begin to see the overlap.


Language Arts:

Last week we wrapped up the district reading assessments for first quarter and watched "The Outsiders." Students completed a Venn diagram comparing the novel to the movie. My first period class overwhelmingly agreed that, while they enjoyed the movie a lot, the book was "way better!"

Yesterday we looked at some pictures from the book "The Mysteries of Harris Burdick." Students participated in an observation/brainstorming activity; today, tomorrow, and Monday we'll be in the computer lab writing short stories based on the drawings.

Students should start thinking about second quarter AR points. They will need another 15 points by January 20. (Extra points earned during 1st quarter will be carried over to this grading period.)

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