Hiya Core Class.
AWESOME WORK building up to the Riparian Festival. Your Writing for Justice narratives, How Our Earth Works interactive geology projects, and classroom Riparian Festival creations were beyond incredible. Through it all, I was most impressed by your positive attitude, engagement, critical thinking, commitment to our community and support of one another. The classroom looked and felt cool, but more importantly, it was an accurate representation of our fall learning and growth and everything oozed with creativity and joy. Well done!
Here are some updates and notes and links as you move into the final week before Winter Break.
Class Grades - Updated 12/8/17
Post Conference Student Reflections
On Monday you will get to select your "Mini-Classes" with Lynn. Your "Mini-Class" will be on Wednesday from 9:30 - 1:05 and Thursday from 9:30 - 3:15. No matter the class you end up, embrace the experience with a positive attitude, and I am confident you will learn something new and have a good time.
On Tuesday you will be taking your Geology Unit Post Assessment during core class. You are allowed to use your E-Core Journal during this assessment. It is nearly identical to the Geology Unit Pre Assessment you took and focuses on our main geological concepts and essential questions. Take some time before Tuesday to make sure your E-Core Journal is updated and that you know where to find things in it. I look forward to comparing your post assessment with your pre assessment and seeing how much you learned this fall.
You will receive your "Secret Snowflake" on Tuesday. The idea of "Secret Snowflake" is to celebrate Winter Break by sharing your creativity and excitement with one other person in our core class. Lynn will give you a handout with the name of your "Secret Snowflake" on it Tuesday. You can share 1 or 2 things with them on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday this week. You can share a piece of writing, a card, a drawing or creation, small treat or gift. You are not allowed to spend a penny more than $5 over the course of the entire process and you can't share more than 2 gifts. When you have something to share, slip it into your "Secret Snowflake's" cubby. You can also look to see if you got anything special in your cubby on those three days.
A reminder that you in addition to relaxing and enjoying friends and family, you should be reading daily during Winter Break. I encourage you try something new as a reader and to work to find yourself reading something that feels meaningful and engaging. You are welcome to take any of my Good Books (they got moved to the bookshelf by the heater and paper cutter). You can also check out this list of recommended books if you are looking for something to try and get your hands on: Books Middle Schoolers in Michael's Class Should Read. Anyone who emails me (mjansa@pps.net) over Winter Break and tells me what they are reading and what they think of it can earn some extra credit.
Thank you again in advance for owning our class expectations and positively representing our community during our week without me there while you work with Lynn, Jan, your Mini-Class teacher, and Mary Lloyd.
Have a great week and an amazing Winter Break and I look forward to re-connecting with you all in the new year!
AWESOME WORK building up to the Riparian Festival. Your Writing for Justice narratives, How Our Earth Works interactive geology projects, and classroom Riparian Festival creations were beyond incredible. Through it all, I was most impressed by your positive attitude, engagement, critical thinking, commitment to our community and support of one another. The classroom looked and felt cool, but more importantly, it was an accurate representation of our fall learning and growth and everything oozed with creativity and joy. Well done!
Here are some updates and notes and links as you move into the final week before Winter Break.
Class Grades - Updated 12/8/17
Post Conference Student Reflections
On Monday you will get to select your "Mini-Classes" with Lynn. Your "Mini-Class" will be on Wednesday from 9:30 - 1:05 and Thursday from 9:30 - 3:15. No matter the class you end up, embrace the experience with a positive attitude, and I am confident you will learn something new and have a good time.
On Tuesday you will be taking your Geology Unit Post Assessment during core class. You are allowed to use your E-Core Journal during this assessment. It is nearly identical to the Geology Unit Pre Assessment you took and focuses on our main geological concepts and essential questions. Take some time before Tuesday to make sure your E-Core Journal is updated and that you know where to find things in it. I look forward to comparing your post assessment with your pre assessment and seeing how much you learned this fall.
You will receive your "Secret Snowflake" on Tuesday. The idea of "Secret Snowflake" is to celebrate Winter Break by sharing your creativity and excitement with one other person in our core class. Lynn will give you a handout with the name of your "Secret Snowflake" on it Tuesday. You can share 1 or 2 things with them on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday this week. You can share a piece of writing, a card, a drawing or creation, small treat or gift. You are not allowed to spend a penny more than $5 over the course of the entire process and you can't share more than 2 gifts. When you have something to share, slip it into your "Secret Snowflake's" cubby. You can also look to see if you got anything special in your cubby on those three days.
A reminder that you in addition to relaxing and enjoying friends and family, you should be reading daily during Winter Break. I encourage you try something new as a reader and to work to find yourself reading something that feels meaningful and engaging. You are welcome to take any of my Good Books (they got moved to the bookshelf by the heater and paper cutter). You can also check out this list of recommended books if you are looking for something to try and get your hands on: Books Middle Schoolers in Michael's Class Should Read. Anyone who emails me (mjansa@pps.net) over Winter Break and tells me what they are reading and what they think of it can earn some extra credit.
Thank you again in advance for owning our class expectations and positively representing our community during our week without me there while you work with Lynn, Jan, your Mini-Class teacher, and Mary Lloyd.
Have a great week and an amazing Winter Break and I look forward to re-connecting with you all in the new year!
