WINTER BREAK!!!!

HOORAY FOR WINTER BREAK!!!!!!!!

HW during winter break...
1. READ daily
2. At some point take 5 minutes and email what you are reading, how you are liking it, and anything else about your book (this isn't due until Friday, January 4th so its ok if it doesn't happen over break).
3. Attempt to sell 3 Applebee's tickets ($10, all you can eat breakfast, Saturday morning, January 26th)
...Once you know you have someone interested I will give you a ticket to sell.

SMILE, LAUGH, ENJOY YOUR FRIENDS/FAMILY/LIFE!!!!!!!!!!

Secret Snowflake

Secret Snowflake

 

These are the responses people gave at class meeting on Monday to the question "What type of Candy do you like?" and "What are some hobbies you enjoy?"

 

  

Niki – most candy (not nuts or bananas or coconut) & skating

Sorrel – skittles, milky way & soccer

Lenny – Twix or kit kats & drawing

Oliver Bisby – all candy (except bananas and coconut) & doing sciency type things

Amelia – all candy (except dried coconut) & violin

Maeve – doesn’t care about which candy & reading

Rowan – likes candy that lasts forever (like jawbreakers or twinkies) & reading/math puzzles

Emma – chocolate & arguing with Rowan

Rachel – Kit Kats & making stuff out of fabric

Oliver Borg – Dark Chocolate over Milk Chocolate & reptiles

Ben – NOT white chocolate and NOT vegemite & drawing

Griffin – Carmel & skateboarding

Erik – likes the sour spray stuff which he doesn’t know what its called (hates laffy taffy) & soccer

Dezmond – likes all types of candy (especially banana but not coconut) & loves funny jokes

Henry Mong – heath bars & skate stuff (like stickers)

Jackson – Almondy Joy & Football

Noah – Recess Peanut Butter Cups & snowboard

Nathan – likes any possible candy that there is & likes all kinds of stuff (anything)

Henry Schecter – Kit Kate, milk way, or twix (no peanuts) & music

Eliot – all types of candy & soccer

Issaiah – recess peanut butter cups & shoelaces/soccer

Jada – Dr. Pepper, skittles, butterfingers & singing!

Zoe – ring pops & drawing (and tacos even though she didn’t say it)

Kyzen – peanut butter (especially receses) & ticonderoga pencils, brightly colored things, and pink

Molly – chocolate & soccer

Tasja – Almond Joy and pretty much any candy (except licorice) & drawing

Theo – I like most candies except chocolate with nutes and m & m’s & I like most music except top 40 and yea

Ireland – jolly ranchers & drawing

Ayler – coke/dr. peppered (dark colored soda) & candlelit dinners and long walks on the beach

Simon – kit kats & guitar

Colette – nerds and kit kat & drawing!

Nothing is due tomorrow!!!

A reminder that NOTHING is due tomorrow.

You can work on your reading pages, botany pages, and SECRETS project, but none of it is due tomorrow. Thanks to all of you who are checking your planners and checking in with me with questions.

NOTHING needs to be done tomorrow BUT you can set yourself up for success by working on the things listed above. Any questions and you can check in with me tomorrow afternoon.

Thanksgiving Break

Happy Thanksgiving Break!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Enjoy the time away from school, family, friends, yourself, and of course, food!

Things to consider while away:
1. Have a conversation with your parents about conferences, what you are doing well, and what you can work to improve on

2. Botany Pages... Make sure you are caught up on all the botany pages that were due last week (Nov 12-16)

3. Read!!!!
-You should be caught up to pace, completed sticky notes, and a 1/2 page journal entry by Tuesday, Nov 27th. This means you should be reading while you are away (which is no big deal because good readers read nightly!)

4. SECRETS project
...This is not due until Dec 6th but is definitely something worth thinking about.
...You will be expected to have a project idea and plan by Tuesday, Nov 27th (we will brainstorm together Monday)
....If it would make the project more enjoyable feel free to start working on it over break

5. Service Journal - Buy Nothing Day - Friday, Nov 23rd
...Participate in Buy Nothing Day!
...Service Journal page related to it is due Tuesday, Nov 27th (p. 79)

ENJOY LIFE!!!!!

Beginning of Term 2!

Congrats to most of you on a strong finish to the term. I thoroughly enjoyed our field trip to Tillamook. Both because of the engaging learning at the Tillamook Forest Center and because of all the interesting things your brains came up with for the "equation analysis tests" on both bus rides.

I hope everyone enjoys their LOOOOOONG 4 day (!!!!!) weeekend! 

Grades are officially submitted for term 1. We are now back to the beginning of a new term. Each and every one of you has straight A's for your 2nd term. Be engaged, participate, and stay on on top of your work starting from day 1 and you can keep those straight A's!

HW due Tuesday.... 

1. Field Study Questions
...Extra Assignment Question: Where did you see your expert area in the forest today? Give some specific examples.

2. Reading... We will be having book groups on Tuesday.
Make sure you have done the following.
-Bring book to class!
-Have read to the agreed page (no less, no farther)
-Sticky notes (chapter summary/predictions, questions, connections)
-Reading Journal (see below for more details)

3. Writing.... Basic rough draft of your choices story...
Include:
-Hook, introduction to setting, characters
-Choice 1 (not the real choice) with exploded moment
-Choice 2 (what really happened) with exploded moment
-Result and conclusion of story based off your real choice.

4. 1 fact/story related to Veteran's Day (this Monday)

Reading Journal Requirements
...date/entry title/name of book

Respond to one or several of the questions on the main (yellow!) sheet for the Forest Novel reading assignments. Your response should be a minimum of 1/2 page. If you have lost the sheet below are some of the questions to consider.
-What do you think is the most important thing the author wants you think, know, or feel? WHY?
-What parts of the book were difficult for you and how did you get through them?
-What tricks do you notice the writer using that you want to try sometime in your writing?
-What social issues are involved with this story?
-What kind of music would you choose for the soundtrack for a movie of this book? What actors would play what roles?

Service Reflection Rubric

Service Reflections Rubric:

-There should be a minimum of three paragraphs
-I am looking for a strong hook and conclusion... CONNECTIONS of your work to the outside communities and world...Correct grammar and punctuations, and of course a creative piece (please don't do the same creative piece over and over again on each reflection... spice it up)
-I would recommend doing your work on the computer as I often send back reflections for editing after I first receive them. Doing your work on the computer enables you to go back and make corrections without having to feel like you are starting all over again.

What?
•What did you do?
•Who was involved?
•Where were you?
•What part did you play?
•When did it happen?

Michael's comments: The "what" is a quick, brief paragraph. Recognize that you must go far beyond the “what” to have a complete reflection as paragraph takes little thought and effort to complete. Pay attention to the “so what” and give the MOST attention and thought to the “now what”


SO WHAT?
•Why did you do it?
•Why was it important to do?
•How was it helpful?
•Who benefits from the Project?

NOW WHAT?
•What are you going to do with what you learned?
•What will you keep doing (or not doing) now?
•How is this action connected to a larger issue? What larger issue?
•Who is doing something about this issue?
•What organizations exist to address this issue?

Always Consider…

you --> School --> COMMUNITY --> WORLD

Michael's notes: A paragraph should be spent showing how your work connects outside of your three hours of service to the greater community and world.

Michael's final note:
When looking at reflections I will always look for a hook, 3 paragraphs (with the NOW WHAT paragraph reflecting the most effort), and CONNECTIONS (showing how your work relates to bigger picture ideas).

These are worth 25 points and show reflect a high level of effort and thought.

9/21

Happy Friday... Don't forget your Double Dream Hands!

HW due Monday.

1. Little People Journal Entry
...Please answer all prompts on the white Little People page you glued into your Little People journal thoroughly and thoughtfully. This writing should reflect engagement, effort, and imagination
...Remember that you can type this, write it directly in the journal, or write it on a larger piece of paper and fold/tape it into your journal.

2. Service Statistic and Image
...Using our If the world were a village of a 100 people statistics find one that stands out
...Create a page with the statistic and image (with color) representing the statistic
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNnbO8x4JAY&safe=active

3. Bring your favorite quote that best represents who you are and your bamba!!!!

Wednesday - we will begin our choice fiction reading assignment. Be thinking about which Just Right reading book you want to be engaged with during this assignment.

Thursday = field study to Jean's Farm (!!!)

Have a happy weekend!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dm7yAWpX1Mc&safe=active

9/20

What a swell trip we had today eh?!?! Start thinking about the world that your tribe of little people belongs to....

HW due Friday:

1. Field Study Questions
...Before you start take a moment to look at your score from last week. Figure out what you need to do to either improve or keep being amazing with your answers.
...Essential Questions = maximum effort and thought (which looks like a minimum of 3 complete sentences).
...Complete all assignment questions.

-School Pictures @ 11:30
-TURN IN CAMP COLLINS FORMS TO REBECCA!!!!!
-Middle School Dance @ 6:30

Extra Credit:
1. In your field study questions at the very bottom write the answer to this question:
....Which "famous" hiking trail were we on for parts of our field trip both today (Hoyt) and last week (Forest Park)???????
....Circle and label your answer EXTRA CREDIT so its really easy to observe

9/19

HW due Thursday:

We are going to Hoyt Arboretum (which is right above the Zoo) tomorrow. Dress appropriately (we will be doing some more hiking!) and bring a lunch/water...

1. Spend 5-10 minutes reading about Hoyt Arboretum online. Come to school with 3 interesting facts about this place we are headed to tomorrow...
http://www.hoytarboretum.org/

2. Come up with two more examples of Form and Function in our world (see below for notes/examples)

3. Create a "Little Person" drawing in one of the following areas related to a forest (streams, canopy, deciduous trees, moss/lichen/fungus, fruits and flowers, soild, nurse logs/snags, and the "dew."

....This does not need to be a fancy drawing (don't spend more then 10 minutes on this), I simply want you to try and wrap your imagination around where we could see them in the forest (you can also print a picture or write about this).

Friday = Picture Day (@11:30) ------ bring your forms if you want to order
Turn in Camp Collins forms to the office

Form/Function Notes:

Function: what does it do?

Form: what is its shape

WHAT DOES THIS NEED TO BE DOING????? (form)

WHAT IS THE BEST SHAPE FOR IT TO TAKE (function)

FORM follows (comes after) FUNCTION

***environment/setting always plays an important role***

***SURVIVAL (danger/predators)  plays a role***

An example of animal or thing related its….

Function ____________________ (what does it need to do)

Form _______________________ (the shape it takes to do what it needs to do)

Camel….

Function – protection from sand in the eyes

Form – Long eyelashes

Frog….

Function – it needs to swim fast in the water

Form – webbed feet, smooth skin

THE CAMEL ADAPTATION SONG: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpGg-m8wyY4&safe=active

Little People Sightings .... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBkQlRuAFlE&feature=related&safe=active

9/18

HW due Wednesday:

1. LATE OPENING!!!!! (school starts at 10:45)

2. Reader Profile sheet (who are you as a reader?!)

Other:
-Turn in Camp Collins forms to the office
-bring a composition book if you have one available in your cubby/locker/house
-GARDEN DAY opportunity!!!! Tomorrow @ 9:00 at the Cob Bench with Vinnie and Louie until 10:30... A reminder that everyone needs 2 hours of garden work a term

Thursday we are going on a field study to Hoyt Arobretum

Friday is picture day (@ 11:30)... Turn any forms/checks into me.

Keep your eyes peeled for little people (especially the dancing ones!)...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ut7Oe5u3Tsk

9/17

HW due Tuesday:

1. Important Moments in Our Reading History sheet
...This is worth 10 points. I expect thoughtful answers. I will be collecting it tomorrow morning first thing.

2. Bring reading material for silent reading


Extra:
-If you have not already done so you will be presenting your summer mementos tomorrow
-Turn all Camp Collins forms into Rebecca at the office

9/14

Happy Friday!

Weekend HW:

1. Complete Field Study questions
...maximum thought and effort on essential questions (minimum of 3 COMPLETE sentences)
...Complete all assignment questions, including a map of our day (from your perspective... meaning its ok if its not accurate)

2. Complete buddy poem (we will produce a final draft on Monday)
...Minimum of 10 sentences in the poem
...Attempt to start each sentence with an action word (verb), preferably (but not required) with a -ing word
...Use your buddy interview form for information about your buddy

3. Bring a book that is at your reading level (not a magazine) to class on Monday...

Don't forget shoes for P.E.

Thursday = field study to Hoyt Arboretum

Friday = 1st middle school dance

9/13

Wow. What a great field study today (minus the talking/poking for the last 10 minutes on the bus)...

Due Friday:
...Bring your smiles
...Work on your field study questions (you will be getting plenty more weekend homework)
...Hopefully we will get time to share summer mementos

Due Monday:

1. Field Study questions
....Max thought/effort on essential questions (minimum of 3 complete sentences)
....Complete all assignment questions
....Make sure the inventory, micro map, nature journal (with date, time, place, weather) are all updated

9/12

HW due Thursday:

1. Field Study - Forest Park
...Bring lunch, water, appropriate clothes for hiking

2. Bring random object (that can be lost) for field study activity
...example: lego person, old hat, crayola marker, etc...

3. REMIND YOUR PARENTS ABOUT BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT!!!! (tomorrow @ 6:00)

4. Finish organizing your binder (see below for instructions)

Binder Organization

3 sections + the front and back flaps

all things 3 hole punched (or whatever else needs to be done to avoid stuffing things in folders with no order)

new things in the front, older towards the back, oldest at the back

planner in very front

NO LOOSE PAPERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HW TO COMPLETE:

·      All HW that needs to get done or be turned in should be left in the front flap of your folder… TO DO HW needs its own space

DIVIDER SECTIONS
1. Notes

2. Handouts

3. Random

Returned HW/Tests (or a folder to keep it all)

·      These should either be kept in the back flap of your biner or in its’ own divider section

·      All work that gets returned is kept until grades are received at the end of the quarter

Behind everything you should keep some (just a small amount) loose sheets of paper

Other things we will have for core:

Composition Books:

-E-Core (Already set up)

-Writer’s Workshop (To Be Set Up)

-Reading (To Be Set Up)

9/11

Tubularly Terrific Tuesday...

HW due Wednesday:

1. Perspective image
...On a 1/2 sheet of paper create an image that somehow captures the word perspective
...What is your "perspective" on the word perspective
....You can write/draw/print/take a picture/etc...
....Feel free to show parts of your "Bamba" in your image
....Example: Because Spanish is a part of my bamba I might draw a Spanish country in the back ground of my image... Because soccer is a part of my bamba I might include a soccer ball in my image

2. ORGANIZATION:
...Bring in a binder + 3 dividers (these can simply be colored pieces of paper... which I have at school)
...Tomorrow I will explain my optimal organizational approach for your binders. You don't have to organize things my way, but I strongly recommend following my basic organizational pointers.

3. Forest Park - 3 facts
...On Thursday we will be going to Forest Park. We will be going there 4-5 more times throughout the year. Tonight spend roughly 10 minutes on the internet looking up information about Forest Park. Come to school with 3 facts about Forest Park that you find interesting.

Thursday:

-Field Study - Forest Park


*** Turn in your parent packet to the office ***

9/10

First Monday of the school year.... Yikes!

HW due Tuesday:

1. Writing/Reading survey
....If a part of the survey doesn't make sense or confuses you do not worry about. Give it your best guess or skip it. The idea of this assignment is for you to start showing me how you feel about reading and writing

2. Bring reading material for silent reading tomorrow!

HW due Wednesday:

1. Perspective image
...On a 1/2 sheet of paper create an image that somehow captures the word perspective
...What is your "perspective" on the word perspective
....You can write/draw/print/take a picture/etc...
....Feel free to show parts of your "Bamba" in your image
....Example: Because Spanish is a part of my bamba I might draw a Spanish country in the back ground of my image... Because soccer is a part of my bamba I might include a soccer ball in my image


THURSDAY:
1. Field Study to Forest Park
2. Back to School Parent Night (tell your parents!) @ 6:00 pm.

*** If you checked the blog please come up to me tomorrow morning and say...
"Dear Michael, You should know that I am a radical person, From me****

Happy Friday!

Happy Friday Fist Pump Day!

Woo Hoo. We are one week into the school year!

Thanks to all for such a great field study today.
You were: prepared, aware, engaged, positive, and awesome!!!

Due Monday:

1. Field Study Questions
***Remember that you should focus most of your effort on essential questions (a minimum of 3 sentences), answer all essential and assignment questions, and update your table of contents

2. Bring in filled out forms from Parent Packet

Please remind your parents that Thursday, September 13th @ 6:00 is Parents Back to School.

9/6

Happy 2nd day of school!!!!

First of all, if you are reading this then congratulations on checking the blog. Checking the blog is a great habit to build in supporting your organization habits.

Tomorrow is our first field study!!!!!

We are going to the Rose Garden Fountain (with Cori's class)...

Bring:
-lunch
-water bottle
-e-core + pencil
-clothes that can get wet in the fountain (IF you decide you want to get wet)

Please be sure to pass your parent packet to your parents!!! They should turn their packets into the office or me.

Extra Credit:

Watch this incredibly cute video of a girl's first day of school. Write a list of 5 things that were super great about your first two days of school.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2eCyS8v7tc&feature=player_embedded

To receive the extra credit your task is to turn this sheet (with your name on it) in to my homework bin tomorrow morning when you walk into the classroom

LAST WEEKEND OF SCHOOL!!!

LAST WEEKEND OF THE SCHOOL YEAR!!!

1. Reading recommendations (this will be graded!)

2. Class compliments (you should get close to finished, if not all the way finished this weekend. That being said they are not due until the last day of school...  Challenge yourself to be thoughtful and kind to each student and to go beyond the generic compliments of "you are nice and cool")

3. Teacher Feedback - Extra Credit
....The more I can understand what I do that works and what I do that doesn't work the better teacher I can become. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE take the time to do this.

Teacher Feedback for Michael

Extra Credit

Please help me reflect on my teaching so that I can become better at what I do

These questions are here to help guide your feedback. If you want to write something different be my guest. If you want only answer 1 of these questions be my guest. Know that the more you can share with me (both positive and negative) the better it can help me improve as a teacher. I REALLY appreciate you taking the time to do this for me. THANK YOU.

1.     List 3 specific things that you enjoyed about by teaching style this year. Explain how they helped you learn and grow.

2.     List 3 things that you thought could be improved on in terms of how I teach (talking too much, too much cowbell, etc…). Explain what you think I could do to make these things better.

3.     What are your thoughts on organization/homework/grades? Did the way I collected, graded, gave feedback, and returned things work? Did the planner/blog combo work? Did the way I showed your grades to you work?

4.     Thoughts on the classroom… Where things are, how I have things set up, what I have on the walls, etc…. Aside from being really crowded are there things I could do to make the space better?

5.     Thoughts on how “classroom management” and discipline worked in the class. Was I too strict? Fair? Too lenient?

6.     Any final thoughts on my teaching style? Things that really worked and things that really didn’t work? Overall comments and suggestions are much appreciated!!!!!!!

Buddy Reflection Rubric

Buddy Reflection

Name: _______________                                                                                                      

We have spent many Fridays this year going down and enjoying time with our buddies. They look up to you and are extremely excited whenever we come.  For your buddy reflection, please complete the following tasks:

1.  Write a 1 page reflection that includes:

•       A lead or intro that captures the reader’s attention

•       A memory from when you were the age of your buddy – describe the memory completely

•       A memory that you have shared with your buddy

•       Describe how you and your buddy are alike or different

•       Is it important that we have “buddies” at a K-8 School? Why/Why not? Why do you think teachers make time fit buddies into their weekly schedule? Has your experience with your buddy been valuable for them?

•       What did you learn about yourself while being with your buddy?

2.  Make a card or letter for your buddy.