Michael's Class - Thursday, April 16th TO DO

Here are the links for today's meetings:

1. Make sure you follow Gillian's instructions for logging into student groups at the bottom of this post. In short, make sure you are logged directly into your PPS account on your device and using a "Chrome" browser if possible before clicking any links. If you can't get into your student group email Michael (mjansa@pps.net). If you can't get into the whole group meeting at the end, text Gillian.

2. Join your new student group at 11:00. Expectations, conversations prompts (see the 2nd page), groups, and links are included in the attached "Digital Student Groups" document.

3. When you are done with your student group conversation, take a moment to click into Gillian's whole group meeting link at the top of the Google Classroom banner. This is just a check in to make sure our links and your PPS accounts are working. Once you've logged in and said hi to Gillian you can leave.

********BOTH CLASSES (Robin & Michael's)*********

4. Pick a page from your Digital Notebook to share for our meeting tomorrow. Place a star (or write "I want to share this page") on whatever slide you want to share. All students should have this done by 8:00 pm today!

5. Continue your daily work in your Digital Notebook, including responding to the Student Groups Reflection" if you haven't already done so.

6. Join us (on time please) for our Friday digital community circle through Google Hangouts Meet at 11:00. The link will be posted here.

Wednesday, April 15th To Do

Wednesday, April 15th TO DO:

1. Thanks for joining us in student groups today and thanks to many of Michael's students who worked with Gillian to help us navigate our tech issues.

2. Continue ahead with your daily reading, writing, ancient cultures, and choice engagement work. Update your Digital Notebook! Consider completing your "Student Group Reflection" and be thinking about which page of work from your Digital Notebook you want to "star" and share with your core class community for Friday.

3. Meet again tomorrow at your usual times, Robin at 10:00 and Michael at 11:00. Tomorrow we are going to work through some tech issues all together then connect you into your student groups. We will update these details tomorrow.

Tuesday, April 14th - To Do

1. Join  your student group meeting. Links and conversation prompts are here - April 13-17 - Student Groups Links and Conversation Prompts. Conversation prompts are also posted to the bottom of this post.

2. Continue to make progress with your daily work and Digital Notebook.

3. Show back up for your student groups again tomorrow at 11:00.

Student Group Discussion Prompts
The goal is to digitally connect in your small group and spend at least 10 minutes in conversation and community discussing at least 4 of the following prompts

Choose at least 4 of the following prompts to discuss:
Even though these are scary and difficult times, can you still Tell Me Something Good?!

Required → How are things going on the Digital Notebook? What have you done so far?

Have you found anything that you think should be added to the “Choice Engagement” section of the Digital Notebook? What is it?

What does a typical day of life during the Coronavirus look like for you right now?

Have you found a book, show, song/band, movie, artist, other to be helping make things feel better for you right now? What is it?

What’s your best, worst, weirdest stuck at home food creation in the last week?

If you could become a combination of two different animals what would you become? What was your response? Now that you have had more time to think about it do you have anything more to add to it or do you want to make any changes? What ideas from other classmates during our digital community circle greeting most stood out to you?

What’s been inspiring you lately?

WOULD YOU RATHER…
Would you rather wake up in the middle of an unknown desert or wake up in a rowboat on an unknown body of water?
Would you rather be constantly sneezing or constantly have the hiccups?
If humans lost the ability to see all colors except one, which color would you want to survive?
Would you rather live in a treehouse or on a boat?
Would you rather be transported permanently 500 years into the future or 500 years into the past?
Would you rather Have a dog with a cat’s personality or a cat with a dog’s personality?
DO YOU HAVE ANY GOOD ONES? SHARE THEM WITH MICHAEL!

Respond to the “Student Group Reflection” questions at the bottom of the Student Groups slide in your Digital Notebook by Thursday afternoon at the latest.

Monday, April 13th - TO DO

1. Please review Digital Learning - Community Expectations before joining our meeting today at 11:00. Please also check for a comment from me on your Digital Notebook from last week.

2. Join our Google Hangouts Meet digital community circle at 11:00 - https://meet.google.com/cew-ifqu-gmd. Come prepared to type in "Something Good" and respond to this very important question for our greeting - If you could become a combination of two animals together, what would those animals be and why?

3. Check out the April 13-17 Digital Notebook in your Google Classroom "Classwork." Make a copy of this for yourself, write your name on it, and go through it.

4. Complete daily work, including reading, writing, ancient cultures, and choice engagement.

5. Be prepared to join us Tuesday at 11:00 for our student group meetings. 

Friday, April 10th - TO DO

1. Join us in our Google Hangouts Meet community circle --- meet.google.com/cew-ifqu-gmd

2. Update your Digital Notebook. Make sure there is evidence of your reading, writing, ancient cultures progress, and extension learning. Share this with one person in your family.

3. Be prepared to meet again as a whole class community on Monday at 11:00. Links will be posted here and in the Google Classroom.

4. Enjoy the weekend and sunshine in a safe and socially distant way. Share an appreciation with those you are sharing space with. 

Thursday April 9th - TO DO

Great work with your Digital Small Groups yesterday! We will do the SAME digital small groups today - Michael's @ 11am.

Use the links provided on the "Digital Student Groups - Year of the Mountain" doc attached to the top post of Google Classroom. Conversations prompts are slightly updated and at the bottom of that document with the Student Group links. They are also at the bottom of this blog post. Please also review the "Google Hangout Community Expectations"

Thursday, April 9th To Do:

1. Using the conversation prompts as a guide, respond to at least 4 questions for at least 10 minutes with your Student Group in the provided Google Hangout Meets link.

2. After your small group conversation fill out the Student Group slide in your digital notebook.

3. Continue reading, writing, and working through the ancient cultures table of contents in your digital notebook.

4. Be ready to show up for your whole class meeting Friday @ 11am for Michael's class. Google Meet links will be posted to this classroom tomorrow morning.

Student Group Discussion Prompts

The goal is to digitally connect in your small group and spend at least 10 minutes in conversation and community

Choose at least 4 of the following prompts to discuss:

• Even though these are scary and difficult times, can you still Tell Me Something Good?!
• Required → What is one thing you have been doing through your Digital Notebook that has felt engaging (or the least non-boring)? Writing? Reading? Ancient cultures? Extended learning? Explain.
• Have you been doing anything to stay connected socially to people while honoring the “Stay at Home, Save Lives” order by Governor Brown? Explain. 
• What’s your best, worst, weirdest stuck at home food creation?
• Are you a night owl or an early bird? Explain what that has been like for you during life in times of the Coronavirus
• If you could play any musical instrument what would it be and why? 
• What is the best song to have a socially distant digital dance party to? What is a dance move to go with that song?
• What has been the hardest part about having to stay at home to save lives for you? 
• What’s been inspiring you lately? 
• WOULD YOU RATHER…
• Would you rather walk backwards all day or not be able to sit down?
• Would you rather have to read aloud every word you read or sing everything you say out loud?
• Would you rather... be a kindergartner, 3rd grader, current grade, Freshman, or Senior
• Would you rather be covered in fur or scales?

Respond to the “Student Group Log” questions at the bottom of the Student Groups slide in your Digital Notebook

Wednesday, April 8th - TO DO

1. Please consider the following Google Hangouts Meet - Community Expectations - Michael's Class before your Student Groups today.

2. Student Groups and Google Hangout Meets links have been posted to the Google Classroom (if you have not joined, the class password is o2wjlyy) If you have any issues, I am available by email this morning. Let me know and I can help problem solve (mjansa@pps.net).

3. Discuss at least 4 of the questions listed below (these are also on Slide 6 of your Digital Notebook) for at least 10 minutes with your Student Group. You can expect myself, Gillian, or Debra to participate with your groups for part or all of the time.

4. Once done with your Student Groups, work on at least one section of your Digital Notebook through the Google Classroom.

5. We will meet again with the same Student Groups tomorrow at 11:00.


Student Group Discussion - Choose at least 4 of the following prompts to discuss:

• Even though these are scary and difficult times, can you still Tell Me Something Good?!
• Required → What is one thing you have been doing through your Digital Notebook that has felt engaging (or the least non-boring)? Writing? Reading? Ancient cultures? Extended learning? Explain.
• Have you been doing anything to stay connected socially to people while honoring the “Stay at Home, Save Lives” order by Governor Brown? Explain. 
• What’s your best, worst, weirdest stuck at home food creation?
• Are you a night owl or an early bird? Explain what that has been like for you during life in times of the Coronavirus
• What is the best song to have a socially distant digital dance party to? What is a dance move to go with that song?
• What has been the hardest part about having to stay at home to save lives for you? 
• What’s been inspiring you lately? 
• OTHER → STUDENT CHOICE!

Tuesday, April 7th - TO DO and Beyond

Tuesday, April 7th (TODAY) - TO DO:
1. Make sure you have completed the Michael's Class - Distance Learning Student Survey Google Form

2. Make sure you have enrolled in the Year of the Mountain - Distance Learning Google Classroom. The class code is o2wjlyy

3. In the Year of the Mountain - Distance Learning Google Classroom access the "Distance Learning Digital Notebook," read through it, and make at least 1 edit (though you are encouraged to do much more). Remember this is YOUR Digital Notebook. You can edit it however you want. You do not need to share any of the work done on this notebook. I will automatically be able to see it as your teacher through the Google Classroom.


Wednesday, April 8th (TOMORROW) - TO DO
1. Join your Google Hangouts Meet STUDENT GROUP at 11:00. Student groupings and links to the Google Hangouts Meet for each group will be posted by 9:30 tomorrow morning.

2. Continue to make daily edits on your Distance Learning Digital Notebook through the Google Classroom.

Consider - Michael's Class - Distance Learning - Community Expectations

Consider the following discussion questions for tomorrow's student groups:

Student Group Discussions - Choose at least 4 of the following prompts to discuss:

• Required → What is one thing you have been doing through your Digital Notebook that has felt engaging (or the least non-boring)? Writing? Reading? Ancient cultures? Extended learning? Explain.
• Even though these are scary and difficult times, can you still Tell Me Something Good?!
• Have you been doing anything to stay connected socially to people while honoring the “Stay at Home, Save Lives” order by Governor Brown? Explain. 
• What’s your best, worst, weirdest stuck at home food creation?
• Are you a night owl or an early bird? Explain what that has been like for you during life in times of the Coronavirus
• What is the best song to have a socially distant digital dance party to? What is a dance move to go with that song?
• What has been the hardest part about having to stay at home to save lives for you? 
• What’s been inspiring you lately? 
• OTHER → STUDENT CHOICE!

Tuesday, April 7th - Distance Learning Agenda

Tuesday, April 7th we will meet as a core class community at 10:30 AM through a digital "Google Hangouts Meet" community circle. 

The link to access the "ses211" meeting is: meet.google.com/xgn-zezo-ugo

You can also join through phone by dialing +1 484-519-1201 

and entering the PIN: ‪602 108 189‬#

Please mute your microphone when entering the meeting to create as smooth as of a beginning of possible. Please be aware of other digital community expectations we discussed today as well.

Please make sure you have joined the "Year of the Mountain Distance Learning" Google Classroom. You will need to click "Join a Class" and enter in the following code for access: o2wjlyy

We will be sharing this space with Robin's class, Amy, Alix, Gillian, and Debra, who will all be a part of our digital learning experience.  

As a part of our second digital community circle we will greet one another, learn more about the "Distance Learning Digital Notebook," and be introduced to "Digital Student Groups" that will start Wednesday, April 8th. 

 Looking forward to seeing you all tomorrow!!!

Finally, if you have not already done so, please fill out this Google Form before the week is over: Michael's Class - Distance Learning Student Survey

Google Hangouts Meet - Community Expectations - Michael's Class

Monday, April 6th - Distance Learning Agenda

Monday, April 6th we will meet as a core class community at 10:00 AM through a digital "Google Hangouts Meet" community circle. 

The link to access the "ses211" meeting is: meet.google.com/xgn-zezo-ugo

You can also access by phone by dialing ‪+1 484-519-1201‬ and entering the PIN: ‪602 108 189‬#

Please mute your microphone when entering the meeting to create as smooth as of a beginning of possible. We will go over other digital meeting expectations later tomorrow.

In addition, we will be asking all of you to join the Year of the Mountain Google Classroom. You will need to click "Join a Class" and enter in the following code for access: o2wjlyy

We will be sharing this space with Robin's class, Amy, Alix, and Gillian, who will all be a part of our digital learning experience.  

I will explain what else to expect moving forward during our digital community circle tomorrow. This will include a "Distance Learning Digital Notebook" that will reflect your one hour of daily work, how we will set up digital student groups, and info/expectations on the 8th grade portfolio. Looking forward to seeing you all tomorrow!!!

Finally, please fill out this Google Form before the week is over: Michael's Class - Distance Learning Student Survey

4/3 - Distance Learning Updates

HELLO CORE CLASS COMMUNITY!!! I MISS YOU ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Below I am copying an email I sent to your families. I would encourage you to read through it to get a sense of where we are heading next week and beyond. 

On Monday we will come together as a community digitally at 10:30 for a community circle through Google Hangouts Meet. I am excited to see you all there! I will send out a link to this via email and on the blog Monday morning at the latest. 

In the meantime, continue to take care of yourselves and check out the Michael’s Class - Daily Distance Learning document. 

Michael's Class - Distance Learning Updates - Email Sent 4/2

Greetings Room 211 Families,

I hope this finds you all as well as you can be right now.

As PPS and SES transition into "distance learning" I'm writing to update you all on what to expect for our core class in the coming week. 

First of all, if you haven't filled out the SES Needs Assessment Survey yet, please do so. It is confidential and will only be reviewed by the SES administration and  school counselors team. 

With that assessment in mind, we are going to be reaching out to you all individually in the coming days by phone to check in, see how you all are doing, and to get a sense of what we can do to best support your family right now. You can expect to hear from either myself, Amy, Alix, or Robin. Gillian, our school librarian, is also going to be supporting our core community during this distance learning process. 

Starting next Monday, April 6th we'll be coming online with a more robust digital learning experience for students with the goal being to re-connect our community as best we can given the circumstances, get students in conversation and relationship with one another again, and offer various learning opportunities to practice essential skills and engage minds. We will begin and end our week with an all-class digital community circle that I will facilitate through "Google Hangouts Meet." In addition, throughout next week and beyond students will have different opportunities to engage their minds and connect with other classmates and adults. Students will placed in "advisory groups" and will meet digitally with those classmates 3 times a week. We will be offering "office hours" during which students can check in with a teacher one on one about their learning, and more importantly, about how they are doing. Robin, the other Year of the Mountain teacher, Gillian, Amy, and Alix will be supporting our core class community with those "office hours". Our goal is to work to make sure each student can have one on one facetime with a teacher at least once a week. 

I will be sending out another email this weekend with the link to that first Google Hangouts community circle on Monday, April 6th that will include further details about the week and how to connect with available teachers during those office hours. 

Additionally, 8th grade families please know that more information will be coming in regards to how we plan on supporting and helping facilitate the 8th graders with their 8th Grade Portfolio. 

In the meantime, I would encourage students to continue to spend time with this Michael’s Class - Daily Distance Learning document. Though I will soon be having to transition away from the class blog and into Google Classroom as a part of PPS distance learning expectations, this document will be on the ses211.blogspot.com class blog and I will continue to keep it updated.

Thanks for the engagement, support, and flexibility. I am very much looking forward to reconnecting and seeing students' digital faces next Monday in our Google Hangouts Meet community circle!.

Take care!

-Michael

Michael's Class - Daily Distance Learning

I miss you all!!! Being apart from our incredible core class community for such an uncertain amount of time is difficult beyond words. I am thinking of you all as individuals and as a group. As Mo Phillips has been saying, "Together Apart!"

Above all else, be good to yourselves and your families and work to support your physical and mental health.

Here is a link to your daily distance learning assignment...

Michael’s Class - Daily Distance Learning

Work with your families to see what makes most sense for you all. You are encouraged to share your work with me.

You will also find other support resources on the side of this blog where I normally keep our field study calendar.

Take care, take care, take care!!!

-Michael

Helpful Links During the Extended Break...

Michael's Class Grades - Term 3 - 2020 - Share with Families 3/11

8th Grade Portfolio Assignment

Counseling Support - from Rebecca

Information and Resources Regarding Extended Spring Break, Including Meals

Amy Kleiner's PPS Phone --- 971-3478429

pps.net/coronavirus (which includes some interesting digital learning resources)

https://sesspringbreakresources.weebly.com/

Heather's SES Learning from Home Resources

OPB - Oregon High School Students Reflect On Coronavirus And Xenophobia

A google form for those interested in helping out with aide.

A spreadsheet of food pick up sites and materials

Coding Resources: 

https://studio.code.org/courses
Tynker.com
code.org

www.scholastic.com/learnathome (Scholastic is offering 3 hours of free content for 20 days!)

E-books and more | Multnomah County Library

Comic Creator:

www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/comic/

Acrostic Poem Creator:

www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/acrostic

PPS Research Resources:

https://www.pps.net/Page/980

"Digital Breakouts" From Gillian

• https://platform.breakoutedu.com/game/play/a-european-vacation-210425-12F7ZLD47V
• https://platform.breakoutedu.com/game/play/alien-opportunity-210425-CI3UF1X979
• https://platform.breakoutedu.com/game/play/earth-dome-s-o-s-race-to-save-our-systems-210425-VJVYACPB4F
• https://platform.breakoutedu.com/game/play/alien-encounter-solar-system-210425-T1KGQWZA5N
• https://platform.breakoutedu.com/game/play/climate-change-coming-soon-to-a-city-near-you-210425-RB8IQ9QTG3
• https://platform.breakoutedu.com/game/play/get-me-home-if-you-can-210425-6HBL3JH8OR
• https://platform.breakoutedu.com/game/play/so-many-books-so-little-time-210425-JWY8XBD5CP

Persuasive Essay Resources: 

• IMPORTANT PARTS OF A PERSUASIVE ESSAY!!!
• Essay Transition Words (use at least 3 in your essay)
• Persuasive Essays - Student Examples (check this out to see examples of "Sources Cited" at the end of each essay)
• Persuasive Writing - Michael's Blazers Example Paragraphs
• Persuasive Essay - Graphic Organizer
• Persuasive Essay - BRAINSTORM Research + Room 211 Shared Research 
• Persuasive Essay - NOTES FROM CLASS

3/12

HW due Friday:

Thank you for your flexibility with our field study cancellation today. 

1. READ for at least 20 minutes. Make sure you continue to engage in daily reading!!!

2. Take care of yourself and be good to your family.

We will finish our persuasive essays together in class. 

Persuasive Essay Writing and Links

IMPORTANT PARTS OF A PERSUASIVE ESSAY!!!

Essay Transition Words (use at least 3 in your essay)

Persuasive Essays - Student Examples (check this out to see examples of "Sources Cited" at the end of each essay)

Persuasive Writing - Michael's Blazers Example Paragraphs

Persuasive Essay - Graphic Organizer

Persuasive Essay - BRAINSTORM Research + Room 211 Shared Research 

Persuasive Essay - NOTES FROM CLASS

3/11

HW due Thursday:

1. Field study ... we are going on a field study tomorrow to the Portland Art Museum and Oregon Historical Society. Come prepared with a lunch, warm clothes (we will be eating outside), and an engaged mind. 

Extra credit if you write down 1 fact about each of the following exhibits we will be seeing tomorrow: 

Portland Art Museum

Volcano!

Ancient China

Oregon Historical Society 

DREAMs Deferred

Vanport Floods

2. Persuasive Essay - Self-Editing - complete the self-editing sheet no matter where you are at in the writing process of your persuasive essay (don't spend more than 23 minutes on this).

3/10

HW due Wednesday: 

Complete one of the following 4 HW options for tomorrow. You must choose something different from last week:

1. Read for 20 minutes. Write down what you read and what stood out to you about it and why. Include an image and a caption from an important moment of your reading.
2. Read a choice article on NewsELA that you find relevant and engaging. Write a 3 sentence summary of what you read and the name of the article.
3. Write a persuasive paragraph convincing me of something related to life in Room 211
4. Write 8 bars about your Tuesday

3/9

HW due Tuesday: 

1. Bring choice silent reading material to class tomorrow.

2. You all made great progress on your persuasive essays in class today. Continue working on your essay for another 15 minutes tonight. Consider any of the following mini-lessons we have done while you work:


IMPORTANT PARTS OF A PERSUASIVE ESSAY!!!

Essay Transition Words (use at least 3 in your essay)

Persuasive Essays - Student Examples + Persuasive Writing - Michael's Blazers Example Paragraphs

Persuasive Essay - Graphic Organizer

Persuasive Essay - BRAINSTORM Research + Room 211 Shared Research 

Persuasive Essay - NOTES FROM CLASS

Persuasive Essay - Conclusions

3/5

HW due Friday:

Complete one of the following 4 HW options for tomorrow. You can choose which one:

1. Read for 20 minutes. Write down what you read and what stood out to you about it and why. Include an image and a caption from an important moment of your reading.
2. Read a choice article on NewsELA that you find relevant and engaging. Write a 3 sentence summary of what you read and the name of the article.
3. Write a persuasive paragraph convincing me of something related to life in Room 211
4. Write 8 bars about your Thursday

Persuasive Essay Writing

IMPORTANT PARTS OF A PERSUASIVE ESSAY!!!

Essay Transition Words (use at least 3 in your essay)

Persuasive Essays - Student Examples + Persuasive Writing - Michael's Blazers Example Paragraphs

Persuasive Essay - Graphic Organizer

Persuasive Essay - BRAINSTORM Research + Room 211 Shared Research 

Persuasive Essay - NOTES FROM CLASS

3/3

HW due Wednesday: 

1. Thesis Statement + Topic Sentence Practice

2. Is anyone going lead our "What's been inspiring you lately?" for First Thoughts tomorrow???

3/2

Welcome to the month of March folks.

HW due Tuesday: 
1. Bring silent reading material to school tomorrow

2. Persuasive Writing --- spend 16 minutes working on your Water is Life persuasive essay. Do you know your topic and claim? Were you able to complete most of the Brainstorm Research Graphic Organizer?Do you have enough evidence from multiple valid sources to support your claim? Were you able to access any valuable evidence from the Room 211 - Shared Class Research? If you can answer yes to all of the above, you are ready to begin focusing on your Persuasive Essay - GRAPHIC ORGANIZER. Begin by focusing on your thesis statement and topic sentences. 


Credible Sources Google Form 

2/25

HW due Wednesday:

1. Thesis Statements Practice - Write 3 thesis statements on the subject of your choice about essays you could in theory write. Consider our notes below:

Thesis Statements Notes

• The thesis statement is like the MAP to your essay… when a person reads the thesis statement, they should know what the rest of the essay is going to be about
• It introduces and summarizes the entire argument
• Within the thesis statement we should see an introduction to what each body paragraph will be about
• IT SHOULD BE ARGUABLE
• Last sentence of the first introductory paragraph
• Avoid use of I/we/us/our

Topic Sentences NOTES:

• Like a thesis statement, but just for one body paragraph
• First sentence of the body paragraph
• It should be arguable
• Avoid use of I/we/us/me/our
• States the main point of the paragraph and…how it connects to the entire essay

Michael's example thesis statement that he did not want to write: 

Although Michael would STRONGLY disagree and has evidence to prove it, Haviva is better than Michael in Connect 4 BECAUSE she claims to have a better record and has more daily practice. 

Water is Life

SLOW FOODS COHORT SURVEY - IRON CHEF

Water is Life - Persuasive Writing - Brainstorm Research 

WATER IS LIFE PERSUASIVE ESSAY TOPICS - POTENTIAL OPTIONS: 

• Middle school students should or should not have a month long “Water is Life unit.”
• Students in Portland should or should not visit the Columbia Wastewater Treatment Plant.
• It is or is not important to know about Portland’s water systems.
• Mercy Corps is or is not working to address water issues both locally and globally

Search on Youtube - Mos Def - New World Water - Lyrics

Water is Life - Intro Article

TED ED - Water Video Lessons

Columbia Wastewater Treatment Plant

After the Flush

Mercy Corps

Arctic Village Exhibit
Polar Bears of the Kaktovik

Water Footprint Article + Hidden Water Calculator

NewsELA - How Much Water do you Use?

NewsELA - Freshwater Resources

Water is Life - Standing Rock

Heroes of the Flint Water Crisis

Michael’s Class - Water Shared Research - 2020

2/24

HW due Tuesday:

1. Hero's Journey + Change Maker book in class. First book should be finished by tomorrow unless we have had a conversation.

2. Thesis Statement Practice ... Of the 8 sentences written, complete the following:

• Find and circle the two perfect thesis statements (Give one reason why it works and write out what the main point and body paragraphs will be about)
• Put an X next to thesis statements that are not effective (For these thesis statements write 1 thing that does not work about it)

2/24 - Thesis Statements Notes

• The thesis statement is like the MAP to your essay… when a person reads the thesis statement, they should know what the rest of the essay is going to be about
• It introduces and summarizes the entire argument
• Within the thesis statement we should see an introduction to what each body paragraph will be about
• IT SHOULD BE ARGUABLE
• Last sentence of the first introductory paragraph
• Avoid use of I/we/us/our

Water is Life

Water is Life

Water is Life - Persuasive Writing - Brainstorm Research 

WATER IS LIFE PERSUASIVE ESSAY TOPICS - POTENTIAL OPTIONS: 

• Middle school students should or should not have a month long “Water is Life unit.”
• Students in Portland should or should not visit the Columbia Wastewater Treatment Plant.
• It is or is not important to know about Portland’s water systems.
• Mercy Corps is or is not working to address water issues both locally and globally

Search on Youtube --> Mos Def - New World Water - Lyrics

Water is Life - Intro Article

TED ED - Water Video Lessons

Columbia Wastewater Treatment Plant

After the Flush

Mercy Corps

Arctic Village Exhibit
Polar Bears of the Kaktovik

Water Footprint Article + Hidden Water Calculator

NewsELA - How Much Water do you Use?

NewsELA - Freshwater Resources

Water is Life - Standing Rock

Heroes of the Flint Water Crisis

Michael’s Class - Water Shared Research - 2020

2/20

HW due Friday:

1. Powell Butte Field Study Assignment

Water is Life

Water is Life - Persuasive Writing - Brainstorm Research 

Water is Life - Intro Article

TED ED - Water Video Lessons

Columbia Wastewater Treatment Plant

After the Flush

Mercy Corps

Arctic Village Exhibit
Polar Bears of the Kaktovik

Water Footprint Article + Hidden Water Calculator

NewsELA - How Much Water do you Use?

NewsELA - Freshwater Resources

Water is Life - Standing Rock

Heroes of the Flint Water Crisis

2/19

HW due Thursday:

1. Mic Crenshaw Spoken Word Reflection

2. Field study - Powell Butte plant restoration - 9:00 - 12:00... Come prepared to work outside (even if there is sun it will be cold) and get in the dirt. Your hands and clothes (especially your shoes)will definitely get dirty so come prepared!!!

2/18

HW due Wednesday:

1. Hero's Journey Reading Assignment 4

2/12

HW due Thursday: 

***Sorry for forgetting to update the blog yesterday. MY BAD!!! In case you need it, your Hero's Journey Assignment 3 was due yesterday.***

1. Spoken Word Poetry
-Complete at least 8 bars (or lines) for the wide topic of "Who am I?"
-Complete at least 8 bars (or lines) for the wide topic of "Who are we?"

Students should spend between 12-22 minutes on these tonight. Even if you are completely done, still work on these for at least 12 minutes (if you have nothing to edit or add you can always write a new poem!). We will have from 8:45 - 9:15 to finish these up in class tomorrow morning.

2. Students should have their choice Change Maker book in class tomorrow morning for reading.

There is a SES Dance tomorrow from 6:30 - 8:30!!!

No school Friday

2/10

HW due Tuesday:

Thanks for your flexibility while I was out sick today.

You have no new homework due. That said, by now you should have completed the OMSI - Ice Worlds field study assignment.

In addition, you should plan on having your Hero's Journey + Changemaker book in class tomorrow.

7th Grade - Successful School Survey

https://surveys.panoramaed.com/portlandor/sunnyside78

School Access Code:  sunnyside78

2/6

HW due Friday:

Tomorrow we will be working with Mic Crenshaw in the morning from 10:25 - 11:25 (AMAZING 4 bars that you all shared this afternoon by the way!) and Marv Pemberton around climate change in the afternoon 12:05 - 1:05. As a result, you have no homework due tomorrow.

HOWEVER, you will have your OMSI - Ice Worlds field study assignment due MONDAY, 2/10. We brainstormed evidence and worked on this in class for 30 minutes this afternoon. Finish this up sooner, rather than later, so that you don't have a rush of homework on Sunday evening. 

2/5

HW due Thursday:

1. Bring your Hero's Journey + Change Maker book to class for silent reading tomorrow morning.

2. WRITING - 4 BARS!!!
a. Write 4 bars (essentially, 4 lines) about water
b. Write 4 bars about homework

3. We will be headed to OMSI around 10:15 to experience the Ice World documentary in the OMSI Planetarium. We will be back in class by 1:30. Come prepared with a lunch, weather appropriate clothes, and an engaged mind.

Ice Worlds is a tour of the icy landscapes of our solar system, especially our home planet Earth. In Ice Worlds audiences explore the critical relationship between ice and life – “a tale of friend and foe, enabling, challenging, supporting and adapting” – that has developed over millions of years.

SPIRIT WEEK --- Tomorrow is "Sports Day." Keep that spirit week energy rolling!

Mic Crenshaw - Elegy for John Trudell

2/4

HW due Wednesday:

1. Hero's Journey + Change Maker Reading Assignment #2

A reminder that we will be working with Mic Crenshaw tomorrow from 10:25 - 11:25 for our 2nd spoken word poetry lesson

2/3

HW due Tuesday:

1. Bring choice Hero's Journey + Change Maker book to school

2. Complete the Home Water Footprint Calculator and write down the results. Share what you learned with someone in your family.

3. Field study assignments - We spent another hour discussing and wrapping up our work on the following field study assignments today. Many of you finished these in class already, but know that these will both be due and collected tomorrow at the beginning of class.

Columbia Wastewater Treatment Plant Field Study Assignment

Mercy Corps Field Study Assignment

1/30

HW due Friday:

1. Mercy Corps Assignment Questions (we will do the EQ tomorrow afternoon)

2. Mic Crenshaw Spoken Word Poetry - watch 1 Mic Crenshaw video and write down one thing that stood out to you from it in preparation for our first lesson with him tomorrow morning.

Mic Crenshaw (Last of a Dying Breed) - Sunlight

Mic Crenshaw - Superheroes

Mic Crenshaw - Obvious

Mic Crenshaw - Earthbound

Extra Credit - Watch Mic's TED Talk and write down 2 things that stood out to you from it