Congratulations to Ms. Komar! She has taken over my position for the first half of this school year while I am on maternity leave.
I wish you all the best as you start this new school year!
I'll see you in February.
-Mrs. C
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Baby Caruso has arrived
Jillian Ryan Caruso was born on Tuesday, August 4 at 12:39 pm.
She weighed 7 lbs. 14 oz., and is 21” long.
She weighed 7 lbs. 14 oz., and is 21” long.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Animal Planet Episode
The following information came from Mr. Turner:
Dear All -
Although it has been a long time in coming, here is the segment from Animal Planet that highlights the pigs and Nelsen in our January spirit assembly. There is no mention of the school or the fundraiser, but much of the footage is of the assembly along with the students in the background.
If the following address below is not a hyperlink, just cut and paste it into your browser: http://animal.discovery.com/videos/most-outrageous-pig-genius.html
Steven Turner
7th Grade Science / ASB Advisor
Dear All -
Although it has been a long time in coming, here is the segment from Animal Planet that highlights the pigs and Nelsen in our January spirit assembly. There is no mention of the school or the fundraiser, but much of the footage is of the assembly along with the students in the background.
If the following address below is not a hyperlink, just cut and paste it into your browser: http://animal.discovery.com/videos/most-outrageous-pig-genius.html
Steven Turner
7th Grade Science / ASB Advisor
Monday, June 22, 2009
Happy Summer!
Thanks everyone for a great school year! Here's to a fun last day and a safe summer for all.
Check back in August for a baby update.
Regards,
Mrs. C
.
Check back in August for a baby update.
Regards,
Mrs. C
.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
The end is in sight
How did I miss a month of updates? And did anyone notice? We've been busy studying South and North America in social studies and working on vocabulary and book groups in language arts. Time just flew by.
The end of the year is so close we can taste it. Before we head off to summer, however, there are a few housekeeping things to be aware of. Most importantly, all late/missing work must be turned in by Wednesday, June 17. Make sure to check Gateway....I'm updating it frequently as work rolls in and I dig through the pile of late work that has shown up.
I want to thank you all for a great year. It sure has been a busy one, but also a lot of fun. I'm going to miss this group of students next year.
Speaking of next year, I will be taking first semester off for maternity leave. I'll be back at Nelsen in February. And in case you're interested, I'll post some pictures of the new baby on this blog when she arrives in August.
Thanks again! And have a great summer.
.
The end of the year is so close we can taste it. Before we head off to summer, however, there are a few housekeeping things to be aware of. Most importantly, all late/missing work must be turned in by Wednesday, June 17. Make sure to check Gateway....I'm updating it frequently as work rolls in and I dig through the pile of late work that has shown up.
I want to thank you all for a great year. It sure has been a busy one, but also a lot of fun. I'm going to miss this group of students next year.
Speaking of next year, I will be taking first semester off for maternity leave. I'll be back at Nelsen in February. And in case you're interested, I'll post some pictures of the new baby on this blog when she arrives in August.
Thanks again! And have a great summer.
.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
From WASL to CBA
One assessment after another…that's what it feels like these days.
We finished up the WASL and jumped right in to our social studies CBA (classroom-based assessment). Students have spent the last two weeks learning/reading/watching/writing about the Three Gorges Dam in China. This is a combined social studies/language arts project that ALL seventh graders at Nelsen are completing. It fulfills both state social studies and a district writing requirements.
The good news...we're almost done. Final drafts will be completed in class this week. This will also conclude our study of East Asia.
Next on our agenda....South and Middle America! Watch for new map assignments on Monday.
We finished up the WASL and jumped right in to our social studies CBA (classroom-based assessment). Students have spent the last two weeks learning/reading/watching/writing about the Three Gorges Dam in China. This is a combined social studies/language arts project that ALL seventh graders at Nelsen are completing. It fulfills both state social studies and a district writing requirements.
The good news...we're almost done. Final drafts will be completed in class this week. This will also conclude our study of East Asia.
Next on our agenda....South and Middle America! Watch for new map assignments on Monday.
.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Here we go a WASL-ing....
Well...here we are...three days of testing done, three more to go. The kids have been great at showing up prepared--with a full night's sleep behind them and full bellies to get them through the testing block. Attitudes have been outstanding and everyone has been focused and ready to give their best. I'm so proud of them all! Keep it up!
The afternoons have been, as you can imagine, a little slower paced than normal. I've been incorporating some art activities into both language arts and social studies to give students' brains a much needed rest...it keeps them thinking, but in a different way.
The only due date this week is the East Asia map which will be collected tomorrow.
Next week we'll be doing more of the same--expect a lighter-than-normal workload and tired kids at home each night.
Remind your students to rest, eat well, and keep doing the great job they have been!
.
The afternoons have been, as you can imagine, a little slower paced than normal. I've been incorporating some art activities into both language arts and social studies to give students' brains a much needed rest...it keeps them thinking, but in a different way.
The only due date this week is the East Asia map which will be collected tomorrow.
Next week we'll be doing more of the same--expect a lighter-than-normal workload and tired kids at home each night.
Remind your students to rest, eat well, and keep doing the great job they have been!
.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Wishing you a relaxing spring break.
I didn't post an update this week as I was in the midst of getting my National Board portfolio entries finished and sent off. Phew! I'm so glad that's done! Now I just need to study for a big exam in June.
I hope you all enjoy a relaxing spring break. My family will be spending the next four days in Disneyland with my husband's high school band students. Not exactly restful, but certainly fun.
See you all on the 13th!
-Mrs. C
PS: I haven't posted this yet, but know that a couple of you are interested....we found out last week that we are expecting a girl.
.
I hope you all enjoy a relaxing spring break. My family will be spending the next four days in Disneyland with my husband's high school band students. Not exactly restful, but certainly fun.
See you all on the 13th!
-Mrs. C
PS: I haven't posted this yet, but know that a couple of you are interested....we found out last week that we are expecting a girl.
.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
For the Week of March 23- March 27
ALL WORK FOR THIRD QUARTER IS DUE ON FRIDAY, 3/27!
This week in Social Studies:
This week in Social Studies:
Monday - Students began work on a map South East Asia. Current event #5 was also assigned on this day.
Tuesday – Students worked on a packet of questions on Chapter 29 of their text book.
Wednesday - Today we will be watching a video about Indonesia and taking notes.
Thursday and Friday - We will be creating Wayang (shadow) Puppets from SE Asia.
Due Dates:
Wed. 3/25 - Chapter 29 Packet
Thurs. 3/26 - South East Asia Map
Fri. 3/27 - Current Event #5
This week in Language Arts:
Monday - Students took a third quarter district reading assessment.
Tuesday and Wednesday - The class will be scoring real WASL responses as we revisit expository writing. The goal is for students gain a better understanding of what good writing looks like, and what is expected of them on the WASL this year.
Thursday and Friday - Students will be working on concrete poems about South East Asia.
Third quarter AR points are due by the end of the day on Monday, March 30.
This week also marks the last few days of Ms. Komar's full time student teaching. She will be in and around our classroom next week finishing up grades and we will have a small celebration for her next Friday (April 3). She's done an outstanding job and we all wish her the best as she starts looking for a full time job...(finally getting paid!)
Congratulations, Ms. Komar!
.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
For the week of March 16 - March 20
Social Studies
This week we will be continuing our unit on South Asia:
On Monday the class was divided into six groups and they created a summary of an assigned country. Tuesday the groups will present their summaries and the rest of the class will take notes.
Wednesday we will learn about Nepal, its culture and history, and Mt. Everest. Thursday we will be watching a video about the mountain and its legend.
Friday will be a QUIZ from the notes the students took on Tuesday and a brief lesson on Gandhi.
Language Arts
Monday we finished the book Homeless Bird then took a trip to the library so that students could earn their A.R. points for the book. Remember...everyone needs 15 A.R. points by March 30th.
Tuesday we will be working on creating quilt squares as a final project for Homeless Bird. Each student will create a quilt on a provided piece of paper depicting six scenes from their own life. They will be required to color and decorate their quilts as neatly as possible. Finished projects are due Friday.
Wednesday and Thursday we will be working on scoring persuasive essays in order to prepare for the WASL coming up in April!
Friday we will be sharing and grading the quilt squares.
.
This week we will be continuing our unit on South Asia:
On Monday the class was divided into six groups and they created a summary of an assigned country. Tuesday the groups will present their summaries and the rest of the class will take notes.
Wednesday we will learn about Nepal, its culture and history, and Mt. Everest. Thursday we will be watching a video about the mountain and its legend.
Friday will be a QUIZ from the notes the students took on Tuesday and a brief lesson on Gandhi.
Language Arts
Monday we finished the book Homeless Bird then took a trip to the library so that students could earn their A.R. points for the book. Remember...everyone needs 15 A.R. points by March 30th.
Tuesday we will be working on creating quilt squares as a final project for Homeless Bird. Each student will create a quilt on a provided piece of paper depicting six scenes from their own life. They will be required to color and decorate their quilts as neatly as possible. Finished projects are due Friday.
Wednesday and Thursday we will be working on scoring persuasive essays in order to prepare for the WASL coming up in April!
Friday we will be sharing and grading the quilt squares.
.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Language Arts Extra Credit Opportunity
You’re family is invited to a fun, free evening at Nelsen!
Nelsen Middle School’s
Family Literacy Night
Friday, March 13, 2009
6:00 - 8:30pm
Stations will include:
* REI presents Leave No Trace
*Cultural Center
* Bingo
* Math Literacy
* Notebook Making with Knowledge Points
* Mystery Guest Reader
Each student will have their name put into a raffle for a chance to win one of many prizes!
~Refreshments provided by Starbucks~
BONUS: My language arts students can earn 10 extra credit points for attending.
.
For the week of March 9 - March 13
Language Arts
This week in language arts we will continue reading the novel Homeless Bird. This novel is about a girl named Koly who, at the age of thirteen, is getting married. However, after her new husband dies, Koly’s life takes many different twists and turns, through which she continues to show great strength and courage. This book ties in nicely with the unit we are beginning on South Asia in social studies.
On Monday we created a biography poem about Koly together as a class. The students then used the same format to write a poem about themselves. The rough draft is due on Wednesday and we will be working on the final during class on Thursday. There will also be an assignment coming home asking the students to write a poem about a family member. This poem will be using the same format and will require some time to interview the family member, so be on the look out!
Social Studies
In social studies we began a new Unit on South Asia. We have been working on our maps in class and they are due on Thursday. This week we will be learning about the physical geography of the region and studying India’s history and culture. On Friday there will be a short lesson on Bollywood and then the students will have the chance to watch some clips of movies and music videos from India’s Bollywood.
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Monday, March 2, 2009
For the week of March 2-6
Social Studies
Big test this week! Students will be able to use the notes they've been taking on the five major world religions for a test on Thursday and Friday. Even though this is an open note test, I've encouraged students to study by reading over some of their notes each night, even highlighting major terms/ideas. This will help them find things more easily.
Next week we will start South Asia.
Language Arts
We are finishing up going over strategies for success on the reading WASL today and tomorrow. The major things to remember include: underlining the answer when you find it in the text, crossing out answers that are wrong on the multiple choice section to narrow things down, and answering EVERY part of the extended response questions.
Students received a vocabulary packet to go along with a new novel we're starting on Wednesday: Homeless Bird. The vocabulary is due next Monday (3/9).
Homeless Bird is set in modern day India and ties in nicely with our overview of Hinduism and upcoming study of South Asia in social studies. (I just love it when we can mix the curriculum!) One of my major goals for this novel is, honestly, just for students to just enjoy reading it. It's a wonderful, fast-paced story and students are always hooked right away. We will do a couple extension assignments with the novel, but no major quizzes or projects...I'll keep you posted as those come up. This week our focus will be reading and discussing the story in class.
Big test this week! Students will be able to use the notes they've been taking on the five major world religions for a test on Thursday and Friday. Even though this is an open note test, I've encouraged students to study by reading over some of their notes each night, even highlighting major terms/ideas. This will help them find things more easily.
Next week we will start South Asia.
Language Arts
We are finishing up going over strategies for success on the reading WASL today and tomorrow. The major things to remember include: underlining the answer when you find it in the text, crossing out answers that are wrong on the multiple choice section to narrow things down, and answering EVERY part of the extended response questions.
Students received a vocabulary packet to go along with a new novel we're starting on Wednesday: Homeless Bird. The vocabulary is due next Monday (3/9).
Homeless Bird is set in modern day India and ties in nicely with our overview of Hinduism and upcoming study of South Asia in social studies. (I just love it when we can mix the curriculum!) One of my major goals for this novel is, honestly, just for students to just enjoy reading it. It's a wonderful, fast-paced story and students are always hooked right away. We will do a couple extension assignments with the novel, but no major quizzes or projects...I'll keep you posted as those come up. This week our focus will be reading and discussing the story in class.
.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
For the week of Feb. 23 - 27
Social Studies:
This week and next in social studies we will be looking at the five largest world religions: Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. Students will learn about the history, basic beliefs, traditions, practices, sacred writings, and major holidays of each over the next several days. We have discussed in class how three of these religions evolved in the Middle East and the other two in South Asia—our current and next regions of study. I believe it is important for students to understand the basic concepts of these five religions in order to fully understand the impact of religion on daily life and culture in these parts of the world. Students are encouraged to talk with you each evening about what they have learned that day.
During this process, students are taking notes on each religion. There will be a test next Thursday and Friday over this material and they will be able to use their notes on it. (A great lesson that the better their notes, the more helpful they will be to them!) If a student is absent on any of these days, he/she needs to get the notes from a friend.
Also, students do have a current event due this Friday. For period 1, the format remains the same as it has been all year. For periods 3 & 6, there is now a worksheet to complete about a news article instead of the former write-up; an article still needs to be attached.
Language Arts:
This week we are wrapping up a few loose ends, going to the library in search of AR books, and doing some practice test-taking and scoring for the reading portion of the WASL. We are also going over some strategies for success on the reading WASL.
For all classes:
This is a fairly light homework week, so it’s a great time to help your student get caught up on any missing work!
.
This week and next in social studies we will be looking at the five largest world religions: Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. Students will learn about the history, basic beliefs, traditions, practices, sacred writings, and major holidays of each over the next several days. We have discussed in class how three of these religions evolved in the Middle East and the other two in South Asia—our current and next regions of study. I believe it is important for students to understand the basic concepts of these five religions in order to fully understand the impact of religion on daily life and culture in these parts of the world. Students are encouraged to talk with you each evening about what they have learned that day.
During this process, students are taking notes on each religion. There will be a test next Thursday and Friday over this material and they will be able to use their notes on it. (A great lesson that the better their notes, the more helpful they will be to them!) If a student is absent on any of these days, he/she needs to get the notes from a friend.
Also, students do have a current event due this Friday. For period 1, the format remains the same as it has been all year. For periods 3 & 6, there is now a worksheet to complete about a news article instead of the former write-up; an article still needs to be attached.
Language Arts:
This week we are wrapping up a few loose ends, going to the library in search of AR books, and doing some practice test-taking and scoring for the reading portion of the WASL. We are also going over some strategies for success on the reading WASL.
For all classes:
This is a fairly light homework week, so it’s a great time to help your student get caught up on any missing work!
.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Where has the last month gone?
To say that I've fallen a little behind in updating this page is a bit of an understatement.
I'd like to fill you in...The district computer filter has prevented me from updating this blog from school so I have to do it from home. Normally this would not be a big deal, but as some of you might have heard from your students, I'm now about 4 months pregnant. As parents yourselves, I'm sure you know how exhausting the first couple months of pregnancy are. Throw a three year old in the mix and I just haven't been nearly as efficient in the evenings as I usually am. Anything “extra” got knocked down the priority list for the last couple weeks. Happily, the fatigue is now waning and I'm feeling more like myself again so I hope to be back to my regular weekly posts. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
My big question is...does this website help you? Please zip me a quick email or post your comments here (anonymously if you'd like) and let me know if this blog is a useful tool for you to keep up with the goings on in my classroom.
Thanks! Hope you are all enjoying a beautiful, sunny week off! We'll get back to the swing of things on Monday.
I'd like to fill you in...The district computer filter has prevented me from updating this blog from school so I have to do it from home. Normally this would not be a big deal, but as some of you might have heard from your students, I'm now about 4 months pregnant. As parents yourselves, I'm sure you know how exhausting the first couple months of pregnancy are. Throw a three year old in the mix and I just haven't been nearly as efficient in the evenings as I usually am. Anything “extra” got knocked down the priority list for the last couple weeks. Happily, the fatigue is now waning and I'm feeling more like myself again so I hope to be back to my regular weekly posts. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
My big question is...does this website help you? Please zip me a quick email or post your comments here (anonymously if you'd like) and let me know if this blog is a useful tool for you to keep up with the goings on in my classroom.
Thanks! Hope you are all enjoying a beautiful, sunny week off! We'll get back to the swing of things on Monday.
Monday, January 12, 2009
For the week of Jan 12-16
Back in the swing of things....
This week Ms. Komar took over language arts. Here's what she has to share with you:
Language Arts
This week we will be beginning a new book called Chain of Fire by Beverely Naidoo. The book is set in South Africa during apartheid, so it goes well with what we have been learning in Social Studies! To enhance the students comprehension of the book, they will be participating in literature circles. Literature circles are basically student led book clubs. Students will have a job to complete each week and must be prepared to share their work with their literature circle group. Groups will be comprised of 5 or 6 students and will meet on a weekly basis, during class time, to discuss the book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and I am very excited to share it with the students!
Monday: Reading Chain of Fire
Tuesday: Reading a short story and having the students create their own endings to the story,
Reading Chain of Fire
Wednesday: Preparing for literature circles, Reading Chain of Fire
Thursday: Literature circles
Friday: Chain of Fire chapter quiz (chapters 1-5)
Social Studies (still with Mrs. Caruso)
Maps of Europe were assigned today and are due Thursday. Students have two class periods to work on them at school; the rest should be done at home. We'll also do a couple short worksheets this week focused on the geography of Europe, reinforcing map skills from earlier in the year.
Current Event #3 is due this Friday (Jan. 16).
This week Ms. Komar took over language arts. Here's what she has to share with you:
Language Arts
This week we will be beginning a new book called Chain of Fire by Beverely Naidoo. The book is set in South Africa during apartheid, so it goes well with what we have been learning in Social Studies! To enhance the students comprehension of the book, they will be participating in literature circles. Literature circles are basically student led book clubs. Students will have a job to complete each week and must be prepared to share their work with their literature circle group. Groups will be comprised of 5 or 6 students and will meet on a weekly basis, during class time, to discuss the book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and I am very excited to share it with the students!
Monday: Reading Chain of Fire
Tuesday: Reading a short story and having the students create their own endings to the story,
Reading Chain of Fire
Wednesday: Preparing for literature circles, Reading Chain of Fire
Thursday: Literature circles
Friday: Chain of Fire chapter quiz (chapters 1-5)
Social Studies (still with Mrs. Caruso)
Maps of Europe were assigned today and are due Thursday. Students have two class periods to work on them at school; the rest should be done at home. We'll also do a couple short worksheets this week focused on the geography of Europe, reinforcing map skills from earlier in the year.
Current Event #3 is due this Friday (Jan. 16).
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