1/31

HW due Wednesday:

1. Term 2 Service Reflection
...This is NOT due tomorrow.
...We worked on this for roughly 30 minutes today. Work on this for another 30 minutes tonight. It will be due Thursday. If anyone finishes it tonight and wants feedback they can turn it in tomorrow morning.
...Focus on using the green rubric as your guide so that your reflection includes:
Hook, What? So What?! NOW WHAT?!?!, Concluding Thought, Creative Piece
...Be mindful of your conventions. Do you have a title? Pay attention to indenting paragraphs, capitalization, and punctuation marks!

Here is the rubric (sorry it is scanned poorly):
Service Reflection Rubric (scanned)

For those of you interested, here are some of those images related to Nestle and specific corporate ownership of many different products: Nestle

Also, here are the images from our VTS discussion today: VTS 1/31/17

1/27

HW due Monday:

1. Spoken Word Poetry Unit with Mic Crenshaw Reflection

Spoken Word Poetry Reflection Assignment

...Please note that your answers to this reflection do not have to be written. You could record them in audio or video format or in any other creative way if you so choose

***Your writing and speaking today was beyond incredible! I strongly encourage you all to share your final spoken word piece with your family. If didn't get a chance to share on Friday and still want to, we will hold space for you all Monday to continue that sharing!***  

2. Term 2 Service Hours

...Your 3 hours of term 2 service should be complete by Monday

...We will start working on the reflections in class on Tuesday

HW due Tuesday:

1. Science Fiction novel in class

Term 2 ends Thursday, February 2nd

No school (grading day) Friday, February 3rd

1/26

HW due Friday:

1. Spoken Word Poem
...Finish your poem
...Share it with one person outside of our core class community
...Tomorrow afternoon will be our last class with Mic Crenshaw. Come ready to share and learn and celebrate!

HW due Monday, Jan 30th
1. Term 2 Service Hours (3) complete ***We will work on the reflection in class Tuesday***

HW due Tuesday, Jan 31st
1. Science Fiction (Dystopian) choice novel selected and in class (unless we have talked ahead of time)

Spoken Word - Writing for Friday

Considering the past 4 days with Mic Crenshaw and using the unit objective and essential questions as your guide, create a spoken word poem that is true to you.

Unit Objective --- Through a spoken word poetry unit focused on exploring identity and issues of justice, students will learn from local activist and artist Mic Crenshaw, extending their learning into both written and spoken poetry.

Unit Essential Questions

• Who am I? To myself? To my family? To my community? Who are we?
• What are the stories I carry in my backpack? How can I share them?

How to turn it into a spoken word poem What are the strongest visual memories The strongest sensory details (with those feelings) Sight, sound, textile, emotions My bodies sensual experience → the things that left their mark on me STRONG statements that carry the poem? let words hang in the air Focus on one line to deliver with emotion, power, clarity Repeat lines!!!

Thursday in class: NewsELA

Read TWO of the following NewsELA articles at an appropriate reading level for yourself, respond to the questions, and take the quiz

a.  https://newsela.com/articles/womens-marches/id/26027/ OR
b. Pick any article from the Water is Life article collection: https://newsela.com/text-sets/40364/el--water-life
c. Pick any article from the Screens article collection https://newsela.com/search/#/?needle=screens

If prompted for a class code, try either of the following: Class Code: 4042j9 or 64FBB5

1/25

HW due Thursday:

1. Screenagers - 4 Bars
...Write 4 bars (sentences) about your reaction to Screenageers

2. Belmont Library
...Tomorrow we are headed to the Belmont Library as we kick off our Science Fiction (Dystopian/Utopian) choice novel reading unit. What science fiction books do you love? Which ones would you like to read that are at your reading level? Make sure you bring your library card and/or know your address if you would like to check out any books while there tomorrow.

1/24

HW due Wednesday:

1. Read only one of the following NewsELA articles at an appropriate reading level for yourself, respond to the questions, and take the quiz

a.  https://newsela.com/articles/womens-marches/id/26027/ OR
b. Pick any article from the Water is Life article collection: https://newsela.com/text-sets/40364/el--water-life

If prompted for a class code, try either of the following: Class Code: 4042j9 or 64FBB5

If you have technical problems or don't have access to do this, don't worry about it, we can find time at school to make it happen

2. Write 4 bars about My Family (that means you only have to write 4 sentences). Don't overthink this, spend no more than 10-15 minutes on. Write what comes to your head right away!!! This is just practice.

Extra Credit:
Complete all of the Peak Water activity, including the extra research

Peak Water

Tuesday In Class: NEWS ELA

Login to News ELA through your google PPS account:

Choose the appropriate reading level for yourself, read the article, respond to the quiz and the written questions

1/21

We didn't a chance to do planners today! Things go too busy and exciting with Mic Crenshaw.... Great job challenging yourself, writing, and sharing today!


HW due Tuesday:

1. Mic Crenshaw Spoken Word

Share one thing you wrote today with someone in your family. If you left your writing at school, share one thing you did today with Mic Crenshaw.

Write two bars (sentences) about your evening!

Tomorrow Mic is going to be talking about the Afrikan Hip Hop Caravan that he helps lead. Can you find out one fact about the caravan and write it down?

http://hiphopcaravan.net/2014/?page_id=2

Here is the video Mic shared today: Elegy for John Trudell

1/20

Be safe, engaged, and active this weekend. Speak your truth!!!

HW due Monday:

1. Mercy Corps Field Study Assignment Mercy Corps Field Study Assignment
...Complete essential question (you should have already completed the assignment questions). Don't forget to use R.A.C.E. in your response and to include at least 2 specific examples, 1 connection, and 1 observation.
...See our brainstorm notes below if you are feeling stuck in your response

2. Home Water Audit - Share the water audit with someone in your family. Write down one big take away from the water audit experience. Write down three things you can do to conserve water.
http://changethecourse.us/conserve/#iframepreview

***We will start Monday with Mic Crenshaw in class***

Be ready to start writing about our spoken word essential questions:

Who am I? To myself? My family? My community? Who are we? What are the stories I carry in my backpack? How can I share them?***

Here is Mic's video for "Obvious." It was just released today! You were some of the first to see this! Mic Crenshaw - Obvious


MERCY CORPS EQ BRAINSTORM NOTES:
How does equity (inequity) and justice (injustice) play a role in who has access to water? Practicing R.A.C.E. and using at least two specific examples from this field study, explain your thinking to this essential question based on learning and experience at Mercy Corps

• The water activity → some had more access (reading vs. illegible)... some had a bigger advantage
• in the water activity ---> those with less privileges had a harder time building (not as much access… for example: $$$)
• Competition vs cooperative
• not working to get everyone with water… only thinking about self
• Identity cards → on the walking line… BECAUSE → some people have available water sources, some don’t
• the amount of time it takes to get water

1/19

HW due Friday:

1. Mercy Corps Field Study assignment - Assignment Questions only (we will talk about the EQ tomorrow afternoon)
...Mercy Corps Field Study Assignment
...Give assignment question #2 extra effort

Extra Credit; Watch Mic Crenshaw's TED Talk and share three big ideas you took away from what he shared: Mic Crenshaw - TED Talk

Share the results of your home audit with your family: http://changethecourse.us/conserve/#iframepreview

Home Water Audit

1. Go to the following home water audit link: http://changethecourse.us/conserve/#iframepreview
2. Complete the audit to the best of your knowledge, filling out your worksheet while you go
3. See Michael if you finish early

1/18 - Welcome Back to the World of School

Welcome back to school! Do you remember how to check the blog? Do HW?

HW due Thursday:

1. Mercy Corps Field Study
***BRING SIGNED PERMISSION SLIP!!!***
*Lunch*
*$5 dollars

Hello Middle School families, 

This winter and early spring, all middle school classes will have the opportunity to visit Mercy Corps as part of their field studies. Mercy Corps is happy to instruct our students and asks a small donation of $5 per student to attend their Action Center. Please contribute $5 for your child to attend and if you are able, please contribute a few dollars more for students who are unable to contribute any funds at this time.   

Here is the link: 

https://www.schoolpay.com/link/mercycorps

***Extra Credit: List 3 facts about the work Mercy Corps does. Can you find anything related to water? Mercy Corps ***


2. Spoken Word Poetry

In preparation for our spoken word poetry unit with Mic Crenshaw (http://www.miccrenshaw.com/) watch one spoken word poetry unit video:
shane koyczan - to this day
Prince Ea - Why I Think This World Should End
Brenden Wellington - America in 4 Minutes
Who Am I? - Life by Sara
Portland Public Schools - Verselandia (2 hours long presentation from PPS high school students doing spoken word!)
OR FIND YOUR OWN!


If you want to learn more about hidden water from our lesson today, go back to (this is not HW):
http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/freshwater/embedded-water and complete

Service Opportunities

Hi folks.... Hope everyone is enjoying the SNOW!!!

Here are some service opportunities that were sent to me via Portland Parks and Rec.

What have you done for term 2 service? What is your plan to finish your hours if you haven't already?

From: "Verrilli, Mary" <Mary.Verrilli@portlandoregon.gov> Date: January 3, 2017 at 10:18:24 AM PST Subject: Volunteers Opportunities Happening in West Portland this January! Happy New Year! Get outdoors this new year by stewarding your favorite natural area park with Portland Parks & Recreation. Join us in removing invasive plants, planting native shrubs and trees, and beautifying our parks for wildlife and communities. All ages are welcome to attend; young children must be supervised by an adult. Check out the many exciting opportunities going on in West Portland below! Ø  1/11 - Friends of Marquam Nature Park and the West Willamette Restoration Partnership – Marquam Nature Park https://www.portlandoregon.gov/parks/article/618085 Ø  1/14 - MLK Service Project at River View Natural Area with Hands ON Portland - River View Natural Area https://www.portlandoregon.gov/parks/article/620473 Ø  1/14 - MLK Hands on Portland Service Project at Gabriel Park- Gabriel Park https://www.portlandoregon.gov/parks/article/621239 Ø  1/21 - No Ivy League Work Party – Forest Park https://www.portlandoregon.gov/parks/article/618050 Ø  1/21 - Friends of Terwilliger Restoration Volunteer Event – Terwilliger Park https://www.portlandoregon.gov/parks/article/618287 Ø  1/28- Friends of Woods Memorial Park Volunteer Event- Woods Memorial Park https://www.portlandoregon.gov/parks/article/622518 Ø  1/28 - Friends of Marquam Nature Park and the West Willamette Restoration Partnership – Marquam Park https://www.portlandoregon.gov/parks/article/618092 *Make sure to check our PP&R Stewardship calendar before all events. There may be some cancellations due to weather* Emily LytleCommunity Aide II | Lands Stewardship Natural Areas West Portland Parks & Recreation 1120 SW Fifth Ave., Suite 1302 Portland, Oregon 97204Emily.Lytle@portlandoregon.gov portlandparks.org

1/10

Stay warm and safe out there folks!

HW due Wednesday:

Complete the Water is Life unit Pre-Assessment

Water is Life - Pre-Assessment

***REMEMBER, I don't expect you to know any of these answers. Simply share your best thinking based off however you interpret the questions. DO NOT look anything up online, just finish whatever you weren't able to do in class today. Your responses will serve as a marker for how much you learned when you re-take this at the end of the unit as a post-assessment to document your learning.

1st Weekend of 2017

Life and school in 2017 is underway! Happy weekend everyone. Stay safe and warm with all this snowy, cold weather.

HW due Monday:

1. Writing Exploded Moment
...Focusing on either an intention you set in class Friday or something you want to "let go" for 2017 write an exploded moment, imagining yourself in the future practicing that intention or practicing "letting go." This exploded moment should include a hook, dialogue, and sensory details (sights, sounds, smells, touch, etc...) and should be at least 1/2 page. Spend 15-25 minutes on this.

For example, if your intention was to have a more positive attitude with your younger sibling, make up a story using an exploded moment that shows you having that more positive attitude with your younger sibilng

2. Water Interesting Fact
...As we get ready to launch our Water is Life unit, come to school with 1 interesting fact about water written down. It could be a fact you already know, something you learned from Sarah during science on Friday, or something you researched on your own

SERVICE
What have you done or are you doing for service in term 2? Term 2 service is due Friday, January 20th. This means that you have 3 total hours doing either school, community, or cultural exchange service

Because of weather, tree recycling has been cancelled this weekend. It will be rescheduled shortly

NewsELA - In Class Reading - 1/5/17

1. NewsELA - Youth Climate Change

2. NewsELA - Challenges (pick any article)