Sellwood School
WEEK OF OCT 26
Submitted by James Keiter on Sat, 10/24/2009 - 8:06am.
In the past week we discussed the swine flu (sigh) and media coverage of same, using the idea of the 'feedback loop'; we talked about homework quality, again, with respect to the Globalization and Paragraph assignments; we took notes of Proofreading Marks; we discussed Colonial Life, which, it seems, was pretty hard; we read about how stocks and credit work in connection with the economy, and some of us suffered the effects of the flu or whatever else is going around.
Next week we'll talk more about stocks and record our six picks to follow for the next few weeks; we'll discuss and share our Personal Narratives; we'll move farther along in colonial history; we'll learn important political terms for future discussions, and we'll talk about the first of several memory assignments. We'll also take a magnifying glass to U-S currency. It should be a fine, full week. Please come as a chaperone if you wish on our November field trip. We'll have some fun and learn good things and meet good people.
HOMEWORK: Your student brought the following assignments home Friday:
>The Quotation Paragraph: Gandhi speaks...kids react. Due Wednesday.
>PINK Field Trip Slip: Can you come? Due Tuesday.
>Stock Pick: Students are asked to research and select 5 stocks to follow.
SCHEDULE:
Monday: Avoid flu. US Currency exercise. Narratives returned.
Tuesday: FT slip, $ due
Wednesday: Paragraph due; Quiz (contents: History chapters 2&3 summaries; vocabulary; proooofreading marks; general Q's re stocks and credit cards; feedback loop and swine flu/media)
Thursday: Avoid flu. Stocks recorded in class.
Friday: Avoid flu. Currency exercise for E.C. due w/parent signature.
Hope this update finds you and yours well. Just a reminder: Please don't share your child with us if he or she is packin' a fever. That was a bit of a problem this past week.
Keiter
In the past week we discussed the swine flu (sigh) and media coverage of same, using the idea of the 'feedback loop'; we talked about homework quality, again, with respect to the Globalization and Paragraph assignments; we took notes of Proofreading Marks; we discussed Colonial Life, which, it seems, was pretty hard; we read about how stocks and credit work in connection with the economy, and some of us suffered the effects of the flu or whatever else is going around.
Next week we'll talk more about stocks and record our six picks to follow for the next few weeks; we'll discuss and share our Personal Narratives; we'll move farther along in colonial history; we'll learn important political terms for future discussions, and we'll talk about the first of several memory assignments. We'll also take a magnifying glass to U-S currency. It should be a fine, full week. Please come as a chaperone if you wish on our November field trip. We'll have some fun and learn good things and meet good people.
HOMEWORK: Your student brought the following assignments home Friday:
>The Quotation Paragraph: Gandhi speaks...kids react. Due Wednesday.
>PINK Field Trip Slip: Can you come? Due Tuesday.
>Stock Pick: Students are asked to research and select 5 stocks to follow.
SCHEDULE:
Monday: Avoid flu. US Currency exercise. Narratives returned.
Tuesday: FT slip, $ due
Wednesday: Paragraph due; Quiz (contents: History chapters 2&3 summaries; vocabulary; proooofreading marks; general Q's re stocks and credit cards; feedback loop and swine flu/media)
Thursday: Avoid flu. Stocks recorded in class.
Friday: Avoid flu. Currency exercise for E.C. due w/parent signature.
Hope this update finds you and yours well. Just a reminder: Please don't share your child with us if he or she is packin' a fever. That was a bit of a problem this past week.
Keiter
WEEK OF OCT 19--23
Submitted by James Keiter on Sat, 10/17/2009 - 9:57am.
Whee! Big thunderstorm as I post, so the fingers are crossed...
In the past week we took our Midterm, discussed the business and nature of journalism (as we pored through copies of USA Today), talked about advertising, stocks and globalization. That's a lot of "Stuff"...which is something else we talked about: consumerism and environmental impact. We also had a very stimulating discussion about rights; the nature of those, with limitations, responsibilities and variations, will be a strand throughout the year.
In this coming week, we'll look at the revision and final copy process (seen in our Personal Narratives) and learn more about those pesky conventions--all the technical elements, from punctuation and spelling to grammar and syntax--that will be a schoolwide focus with a grant from Nike this year. Your student has been asked to prepare for a discussion of teacher dress codes (with the Paragraph Assignment), and is expected to follow up on our micro-globalization tag check exercise at home, by looking at a variety of consumer products and places of origin. We'll talk a little bit more about stocks: your student should be thinking about 6 stocks to follow weekly between now and the Winter Break.
Generally speaking, the year continues to go well. Please ask to see your student's copy of my Updated Homework Policy, discussed in class Friday. In a nutshell, parent excuses are required for missed deadlines; absentees should turn in late work on the day of return before school. Unless it's a larger project, the relevance of many assignments is lost in short order, and I don't want to reinforce students who do very little for much of the trimester, then crank everything out at the end. Many students really got the point of the required revision for the Personal Narrative pieces, and most--not all--did well on the Midterm. Students who failed were given the chance to raise their grade. Sadly, some did not take me up on that offer.
Coming up this week:
Monday: Magazine Sale Assembly
Wednesday: Globalization HW due
Paragraph (rough draft, final copy) due
*Two hour late open...so
Thursday: Quiz
Sounds good. Have a good rainy weekend.
Jim Keiter
Whee! Big thunderstorm as I post, so the fingers are crossed...
In the past week we took our Midterm, discussed the business and nature of journalism (as we pored through copies of USA Today), talked about advertising, stocks and globalization. That's a lot of "Stuff"...which is something else we talked about: consumerism and environmental impact. We also had a very stimulating discussion about rights; the nature of those, with limitations, responsibilities and variations, will be a strand throughout the year.
In this coming week, we'll look at the revision and final copy process (seen in our Personal Narratives) and learn more about those pesky conventions--all the technical elements, from punctuation and spelling to grammar and syntax--that will be a schoolwide focus with a grant from Nike this year. Your student has been asked to prepare for a discussion of teacher dress codes (with the Paragraph Assignment), and is expected to follow up on our micro-globalization tag check exercise at home, by looking at a variety of consumer products and places of origin. We'll talk a little bit more about stocks: your student should be thinking about 6 stocks to follow weekly between now and the Winter Break.
Generally speaking, the year continues to go well. Please ask to see your student's copy of my Updated Homework Policy, discussed in class Friday. In a nutshell, parent excuses are required for missed deadlines; absentees should turn in late work on the day of return before school. Unless it's a larger project, the relevance of many assignments is lost in short order, and I don't want to reinforce students who do very little for much of the trimester, then crank everything out at the end. Many students really got the point of the required revision for the Personal Narrative pieces, and most--not all--did well on the Midterm. Students who failed were given the chance to raise their grade. Sadly, some did not take me up on that offer.
Coming up this week:
Monday: Magazine Sale Assembly
Wednesday: Globalization HW due
Paragraph (rough draft, final copy) due
*Two hour late open...so
Thursday: Quiz
Sounds good. Have a good rainy weekend.
Jim Keiter
UPDATE!
Submitted by James Keiter on Sat, 10/10/2009 - 11:28am.
Check the attachments. I've included the Personal Narrative Evaluation, so students and parents can understand what I'm looking for. Enjoy!
Personal Narrative eval.pdf
Check the attachments. I've included the Personal Narrative Evaluation, so students and parents can understand what I'm looking for. Enjoy!
Personal Narrative eval.pdf
WEEK OF OCT 12--16
Submitted by James Keiter on Fri, 10/09/2009 - 11:36am.
LOOKING BACK: This was an excellent week, with excellent classroom conversations on topics as wide-ranging as this morning's moonshot to the UO football program to Chief Seattle, again, and the nature of history...and the need to ask questions, always. We discussed genuine revision of the Personal Narrative, with the understanding that I'll be evaluating this piece by looking at the genuine changes attempted over time. I've styled this The Real Writing Process...as opposed to, well, you know. The kids did a fine job in all ways--and that includes actually doing and submitting homework. As I said, we're trying to establish good habits that will lead to success here, there (high school) and everywhere (the big picture).
THE WEEK AHEAD: We had a lot of kids out this week. Please understand, parents: The burden of responsibility for make-up/catch-up is on the student...not you, not me. Returning absentees are expected to see me and make up missed work on their own time.
We're at the mid-term right now. Parents are being asked to do a couple of chores for me. See the daily deal below:
MONDAY: The Mid-term Parent Folder Check is due with your signature. Please take the time to sit and go through your student's folder with him or her. How's it looking? Is the folder neat and orderly? Do written assignments show some focus and effort? Look and see. Comment as needed.
TUESDAY: The FINAL COPY OF THE PERSONAL NARRATIVE IS DUE, along with the rough draft and the Revised Draft. Parents are asked to sign at the end of the Final Copy, as proof you saw your child's work. Students understand that missing pieces will hurt their evaluation and grade.
WEDNESDAY: MIDTERM QUIZ-TEST: As noted in class, this one will cover everything since the beginning of the year. Students should make a point of reading through all notes, several times, taking special care to review all vocabulary words and the 30 U-S states we've covered so far. Also, the STUFF READING// ANSWERS is-are due.
MIDTERM PROGRESS REPORTS will be entered Tuesday. Your child will receive an 'I' (Incomplete) grade if either the Folder Check, the Personal Narrative or the Reading Letter (due last week) are not seen by me. If your child is absent, I will be understanding--but only if a signed parent NOTE is brought in on the day of return.
LOOKING AHEAD: I'll be planning a field trip in early November to downtown Portland--more on that as we get closer. Students will be honing their reading goals, to be discussed by you, me and them at our conference in November. If you haven't arranged this critical meeting with yours truly and your student, please call the office to do so. 503-916-5656.
>>> Please use this blog. Email me with concerns. The kids are great. Thanks!
LOOKING BACK: This was an excellent week, with excellent classroom conversations on topics as wide-ranging as this morning's moonshot to the UO football program to Chief Seattle, again, and the nature of history...and the need to ask questions, always. We discussed genuine revision of the Personal Narrative, with the understanding that I'll be evaluating this piece by looking at the genuine changes attempted over time. I've styled this The Real Writing Process...as opposed to, well, you know. The kids did a fine job in all ways--and that includes actually doing and submitting homework. As I said, we're trying to establish good habits that will lead to success here, there (high school) and everywhere (the big picture).
THE WEEK AHEAD: We had a lot of kids out this week. Please understand, parents: The burden of responsibility for make-up/catch-up is on the student...not you, not me. Returning absentees are expected to see me and make up missed work on their own time.
We're at the mid-term right now. Parents are being asked to do a couple of chores for me. See the daily deal below:
MONDAY: The Mid-term Parent Folder Check is due with your signature. Please take the time to sit and go through your student's folder with him or her. How's it looking? Is the folder neat and orderly? Do written assignments show some focus and effort? Look and see. Comment as needed.
TUESDAY: The FINAL COPY OF THE PERSONAL NARRATIVE IS DUE, along with the rough draft and the Revised Draft. Parents are asked to sign at the end of the Final Copy, as proof you saw your child's work. Students understand that missing pieces will hurt their evaluation and grade.
WEDNESDAY: MIDTERM QUIZ-TEST: As noted in class, this one will cover everything since the beginning of the year. Students should make a point of reading through all notes, several times, taking special care to review all vocabulary words and the 30 U-S states we've covered so far. Also, the STUFF READING// ANSWERS is-are due.
MIDTERM PROGRESS REPORTS will be entered Tuesday. Your child will receive an 'I' (Incomplete) grade if either the Folder Check, the Personal Narrative or the Reading Letter (due last week) are not seen by me. If your child is absent, I will be understanding--but only if a signed parent NOTE is brought in on the day of return.
LOOKING AHEAD: I'll be planning a field trip in early November to downtown Portland--more on that as we get closer. Students will be honing their reading goals, to be discussed by you, me and them at our conference in November. If you haven't arranged this critical meeting with yours truly and your student, please call the office to do so. 503-916-5656.
>>> Please use this blog. Email me with concerns. The kids are great. Thanks!
WEEK 5 UPDATE 2:))))))
Submitted by James Keiter on Tue, 10/06/2009 - 2:32pm.
CHANGE OF PLANS! Okay, so the flu us going around in a big way. Let's not panic and wash our hands and...let's make the revised draft of the Personal Narrative due Thursday for editing. We did a mini-lesson on same today using my story as a model. Come prepared Thursday...and remember: The QUIZ AND CURRENT EVENTS are due tomorrow (Wednesday) as planned.
To all of our sick people: We miss you. Get well!***
CHANGE OF PLANS! Okay, so the flu us going around in a big way. Let's not panic and wash our hands and...let's make the revised draft of the Personal Narrative due Thursday for editing. We did a mini-lesson on same today using my story as a model. Come prepared Thursday...and remember: The QUIZ AND CURRENT EVENTS are due tomorrow (Wednesday) as planned.
To all of our sick people: We miss you. Get well!***
WEEK 5 UPDATE:)))))))
Submitted by James Keiter on Sun, 10/04/2009 - 3:53pm.
Here it is, PM kids. I've attached the recipe for those cookies, in case you feel the need to sharpen your baking skills. Look below.
willie H cookie recipe.pdf
Here it is, PM kids. I've attached the recipe for those cookies, in case you feel the need to sharpen your baking skills. Look below.
willie H cookie recipe.pdf
FOUR-DAY WEEK 5: OCT 5-8
Submitted by James Keiter on Sat, 10/03/2009 - 10:08am.
Students: Bring your Personal Narrative rough drafts for revision work Monday.
PARENTS & STUDENTS:
We had a fine week (to 10/2) which covered a real range: a discussion of the First Amendment--ask your student how that came up--the nature of history, the importance of goal-setting, the need to read, US geography, and more on the nature of revising written work. Despite some rain, we did a fine job on our first field trip, and gathered enough information and observations for a good discussion back in the classroom. Our next field trip will take us downtown, probably in early November. More on that later. Thanks to the delightful chaperones who made it all possible.
IMPORTANT BITS:
>This will be a four-day week, with no school Friday in Portland.
>Students received paper planners last week; feel free to check those for the dates below, which were entered in class. I also gave my permission for students to use cell phone planners in my room on Fridays only, with the understanding that this brief permitted period does not give students license to break the school rules involving cellphones. My reasoning is that most adults so equipped would use these systems, and it seems a waste to not permit students to develop useful habits. Let me know if it's a problem.
>I read student personal narratives and sent that work with my comments home Fridays. Students were told they will be graded solely on the basis of real changes made to this work...not the usual cosmetic corrections. Please encourage your student to rip that first piece apart and try a fresh start at another point--focussing, if possible, on what we described in class as the heart or center of the story. I'll model this process Monday with a story in class.
THIS WEEK:
MONDAY: Revision of personal narratives; goal setting for week; week 4 sum-ups returned
TUESDAY: Vocab list 4; Revised PN due for edit...
WEDNESDAY: Quiz 4 (20 US states; all notes so far; vocab list 3)
THURSDAY: Discussion of reading goals (from letters) and more
PLEASE NOTE: Parents will be asked to check student FOLDERS over the next [long] weekend. You'll be asked to check and sign for my check the following Monday. Thanks.
CE4 09-10 choice.pdf
Students: Bring your Personal Narrative rough drafts for revision work Monday.
PARENTS & STUDENTS:
We had a fine week (to 10/2) which covered a real range: a discussion of the First Amendment--ask your student how that came up--the nature of history, the importance of goal-setting, the need to read, US geography, and more on the nature of revising written work. Despite some rain, we did a fine job on our first field trip, and gathered enough information and observations for a good discussion back in the classroom. Our next field trip will take us downtown, probably in early November. More on that later. Thanks to the delightful chaperones who made it all possible.
IMPORTANT BITS:
>This will be a four-day week, with no school Friday in Portland.
>Students received paper planners last week; feel free to check those for the dates below, which were entered in class. I also gave my permission for students to use cell phone planners in my room on Fridays only, with the understanding that this brief permitted period does not give students license to break the school rules involving cellphones. My reasoning is that most adults so equipped would use these systems, and it seems a waste to not permit students to develop useful habits. Let me know if it's a problem.
>I read student personal narratives and sent that work with my comments home Fridays. Students were told they will be graded solely on the basis of real changes made to this work...not the usual cosmetic corrections. Please encourage your student to rip that first piece apart and try a fresh start at another point--focussing, if possible, on what we described in class as the heart or center of the story. I'll model this process Monday with a story in class.
THIS WEEK:
MONDAY: Revision of personal narratives; goal setting for week; week 4 sum-ups returned
TUESDAY: Vocab list 4; Revised PN due for edit...
WEDNESDAY: Quiz 4 (20 US states; all notes so far; vocab list 3)
THURSDAY: Discussion of reading goals (from letters) and more
PLEASE NOTE: Parents will be asked to check student FOLDERS over the next [long] weekend. You'll be asked to check and sign for my check the following Monday. Thanks.
CE4 09-10 choice.pdf
