Wednesday December 10, 2008
Quote of the Day
"In the end, we will conserve only what we love. We will love only what we understand, and we will understand only what we are taught." - Carson
Today was a half day and a club day. We met in the computer lab and students used the computers for research and FCAT Explorer.Posted by thomas on 12.11.08 @ 03:29 PM CST [link] [No Comments]
Tuesday December 9, 2008
Quote of the Day
"Have the gumption to live different and the sense to let everybody else live different." - Middleton
Earth Science: We continued reviewing for the test on Thursday and Friday.Language Arts: Students were given the entire period to start their rough draft of their persuasive essay on a ritual or rite of passage they may engage in.
Posted by thomas on 12.11.08 @ 03:27 PM CST [link] [No Comments]
Monday December 8, 2008
Quote of the Day
“Electric power is everywhere in unlimited quantities and can drive the world’s machinery without the need of coal, oil, gas, or any other of the common fuels.”- Tesla
Earth Science: We began our review of Chapter 16 today and played a neat game where we went around the class asking questions. Students were given time to work in groups of 2 and being the section reviews.I reminded the class that some day this week they would have a quiz where they had to walk outside and identify the types of clouds in the sky that day. Reminded them to study their clouds!
Language Arts: Students went over the points of a persuasive essay and we read the section in our Elements of Language book on how to write persuasively. I went over the "eye" writing organizer to try and help students organize the ideas they brainstormed over the weekend.
Posted by thomas on 12.11.08 @ 03:24 PM CST [link] [No Comments]
Thursday & Friday December 4&5, 2008
Quote of the Day
" We never know how high we are until we are called to rise." - Dickinson
Earth Science: Classes continued presenting projects today and then we did a cool demonstation where we created clouds in a bottle. Our discussion centered around identifying clouds and we talked a good part of the period about what types of weather are associated with fronts and air masses.Language Arts: Students finished Taneka and we had show and tell where I brought in items from the Lower Brule Reservation to show the students. I allowed them to try on a traditional Hair Shirt, and showed them how I make bone chokers. We finished our discussion by going outside and practicing stringing and drawing a bow. It was not as easy as some people thought!
Students were given the task of thinking about their own culture or family and some rituals or rites of passage they might participate in.
Posted by thomas on 12.11.08 @ 02:34 PM CST [link] [No Comments]
Wednesday December 3, 2008
Earth Science: AR book time. Finish presenting cloud projects. Cloud in a bottle demo.Bellringer: In full and complete sentences, give the names of three types of clouds and at least one fact about each.
We finished up preseting projects and I was very disappointed that the majority of 6th period decided not to do theirs. This was a major grade. Fantastic job by periods 1 and 2 and those students in 6th who completed the project.
Language Arts: Finish audio version of tanaeka and continue our discussion of culture and rites of passage.
Show and tell: some things from my childhood
Bellringer: Do you agree that, "it doesn't matter whether you win or lose, it's how you play the game."
Write a letter to the editor explaining your point of view about this old saying as it applies to sports or other areas of life. give specific examples to support your opinion.
We discussed using writing strategies for planning out the letter to the editor and I focused on this planning strategy.
Posted by thomas on 12.04.08 @ 09:55 AM CST [link] [No Comments]
Tuesday December 2, 2008
Earth Science: Students presented their cloud projects to the class. Students were told that if they did not have it today, it could be turned in tomorrow for 80% credit. It will not be accepted after that date.Language Arts: Go to the media center for AR books. Turn in Taneka. Listen to the audio version of Taneka and then discuss rituals and rites of passage as they apply to our society today.
Deadline for essay rough draft will be 12/10/08. We will disucss this further in class.
Posted by thomas on 12.04.08 @ 09:41 AM CST [link] [No Comments]
December 1st, 2008
Unfortunately, I arrived at school sick, and then had to go home. Students were given a worksheet to complete in both science and language arts.This sheet was collected the following day.
Posted by thomas on 12.04.08 @ 09:29 AM CST [link] [No Comments]
Monday and Tuesday November 24 &25th, 2008
Quote of the Day
"There are two ways to live your life, one is as though nothing is a miracle, the other is as though everything is a miracle.”- Einstein
Vocabulary
Science: weather, humidity, relative humidity, condensation, cloud, precipitation, air mass, front, cyclone, anticyclone... Language Arts: climax, complications, resolution, foreshadowing, associate, mortgage, trivial, convulsing, coroner, feeble, deduced, sentinel, fakir, rifled, suavity
Monday and Tuesday are block days due to the Thanksgiving holiday.Homeroom: Reports to class on Tuesday to pick up their progress reports.
Science:In science today, I handed out the rubric for the 3-D cloud project all students are to complete. This has been added to the new homework calendar available on the first page of our website.
Students picked, or were assigned a cloud they are to research. I gve the students a piece of posterboard to use to construct their project using the elements listed in the rubric. In a nutshell, student are to research their cloud and construct a 3 dimensional representation of their cloud using whatever medium they feel would best work. In addition, their project must depict the Earth and have a scale that begins at sea level and shows the altitude at which their cloud forms. they are also to write a one paragraph "Abstract" (Brief explanation about what their project shows.), and have this attached to the front of the project board. This assignment was Monday and Tuesday and is due December 1st. (Next Monday)
Language Arts: Students were assigned "Ta-Na-E- Ka" in the Holt Reader pages 14- 27. they are to complete the pre- writeing activity, read the story and complete the side bars and then do the comprehension excercises at the end of the story. This is due on December 1st and has been added tot he homework calendar on the fisrt page of our class website.
We finished the in class play, "The Case of the Speckled Band." Following that, we read the short story, "Duffy's Jacket" to emphasize foreshadowing and plot twist. We finished out the class reading T.S. Eliot's "MacCavity the Mystery Cat."
Posted by thomas on 11.25.08 @ 09:15 AM CST [link] [1 Comment]
Wednesday November 12, 2008
Quote of the Day
“Only a fool tests the depth of the water with both feet.” - African Proverb
Homeroom
Homeroom was reminded to turn off their cell phones and given an opportunity to do so.
Language Arts
Today in class we read from the AR book, "Walk Two Moons." Students followed along as I read a couple chapters. We will finish this book before the end of the nine weeks.After reading, I went over the homework assignment in the Vocabulary Workshop book. Students are to do pages 15-18. They were instructed to read through excercise 1, but not do it. They are to complete excercise 2 and 3 and turn it in ont eh block day they have me, (Thurs. or Fri.).
We have been talking about Drama in class and the elements that make up a great drama. We have been toying with the idea of a full scale play and as a prelude to this, we are doing a read through of "Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Speckled Band." Students were assigned parts with a twist to make it a little more fun.
Turn in:
Remember: Vocabulary due on block day
(Accepted up until 9:00pm via e- mail)
Earth/Space Science
In class today we began by reading pages 227-230 in the "Sciencesaurus". This introduced students to the unit on climate. We went over the 8 vocabulary words they had for homework. Their assignment is to place the term on the front of the card and in their own words, write the definition under the term. On the back of the card, they are to draw a picture or diagram that represents the term on the front.Students were given class time to write down the actual definitions and then began reading chapter 16. Note cards are due on the block day they have me in class.
NOTE: Test scores were very low on the chapter 15 test. I will adjust these scores on a curve.
Homework:
Turn in:
Remember:Note cards are due on block day.
Posted by thomas on 11.13.08 @ 06:14 AM CST [link] [No Comments]
Tuesday November 11, 2008
Quote of the Day
“Prophecy is a guess that comes true, and if it doesn’t it’s just a metaphor.”- J’Kar
Periods 1,2,3 went to the media center today to work on FCAT Explorer. I will be pulling grade reports off the program to see where I need to concentrate teaching. Periods 4,5,6 could not get access time today so we worked inthe class room on the Drama Unit and in 6th period science on Chapter 16.Posted by thomas on 11.11.08 @ 09:13 AM CST [link] [No Comments]
Monday November 10, 2008
Quote of the Day
The best defense is a good offense.” – Mel (The cook on Alice)
All classes today, went to the computer lab to take the test online. Those students who were absent will have to make the test up using scantron or on Tuesday when we are in the media center for FCAT Explorer.Posted by thomas on 11.11.08 @ 09:03 AM CST [link] [No Comments]
Logging into the tests
Tests will open at 6pm Friday November 7th, 2008 and remain open unti 11:59pm Monday night.If I do not have a score for you by Monday morning, you WILL take the test int he classroom.
If you take the test online you have two attempts and can use all the resources at your disposal. You make take the test twice and I will keep the better of the two scores. If you take the test online, you MUST bring something to do on Monday becasue others will be testing. This could be your AR book or you could do other classwork or even read ahead into Chapter 16. If you have nothing to do, you will be required to take the test in class regardless of your taking it online.
LOGIN INFORMATION:
Instructor's name TRAllison
Password lwms
Choose your test either language arts or earth science.
When it asks for you name TYPE YOUR NAME. Not mine.
As you take the test, do not use th back button on the browswer. The test will reset and count as one of your chances. Do not pause int he middle for more than 15 minutes. The test will close and be conted as one of your chances.
DO not forget to scroll ALL the WAY to the Bottom and click "submit. You will get a score and it will automatically be mailed to me.
Good luck.
Posted by thomas on 11.07.08 @ 07:32 PM CST [link] [No Comments]
Thursday November 6, Friday November 7, 2008
Quote of the Day
“Perhaps a child who is fussed over gets a feeling of destiny. He thinks he is in the world for something important and it gives him drive and confidence.”- Spock
Homeroom
Welcome to the 2nd nine weeks! I apologize for the computer glitches, but they are over and done and now we can get back on track. Mr. Kelly has been talking about honesty and I have been reinforcing this in the class on a daily basis. Our 6th graders are going to cost themselves privileges if they do not get their behavior in line with expectations. Incidents of disrespect, fighting, and inappropriate actions are rmpant. I will not tolerate these actions from my homeroom students. You must demonstrate respect for yourself and others at all times. You represent our class and we should hold ourselves in high regard.
Language Arts
Bell ringer: Nightmare.
We started class with a discussion and PowerPoint about the elements of drama. This is in anticipation of the play we will try to put on. "Where Were You On he Night of January 16th?" is a classic comedy/drama by author Ayn Rand. Elements of Drama.
I passed out study guides for the upcoming test.
Students were made aware that we must test on the things we have covered in class. In addition, there is a county wide assessment that must be done next week as well. Student opted to take our test on Monday in class and take the county assessment on Thursday and Friday (Block). The online test for our class will go live on Friday afternoon at 6pm and will close Monday night at 11:59pm. Students who opt to take the exam at home MUST complete the test within this timeframe. If I do not have an online test score for them by Monday, the will be required t take the test in class.
Turn in: blue words in context, figurative language, and analogies packet
Homework:Study your test review!
(Accepted up until 9:00pm via e- mail)
Earth/Space Science
Bell ringer: Geospshere.
Students have enjoyed the Chapter 15 unit on the atmosphere and we finished the unit with a PowerPoint on global climate change: Climate Change with video links.
Study guide given out. This test will go live on Friday afternoon at 6pm and remain active through 11:59pm Tuesday. If I do not have a score for students by Monday, they will be required to take the test on Tuesday in class.
Homework:
Turn in:
Remember: Use your study guide!
(Accepted up until 9:00pm via e- mail)
Student Council
I am pleased to say that our first meeting was a great success and we have a core group of excellent students who want to affect real change at Lake Weir Middle School. I checked student background with the help of Mrs. Kidd in student management and determined who can run. Student may no w openly campaign until November 25th. They may bring in posters and I will schedule time on the announcements for them to share their views with the student body. Elections will be on December 2, Tuesday in homerooms. I must say for the record, that the students did an excellent job identifying problems they see and proposing solutions to those problems. Hopefully it will be a productive year!
Posted by thomas on 11.06.08 @ 12:00 AM CST [link] [1 Comment]