Tag: parent update

Unit 2: Dec 12, 2017

This second unit that students created was one that tested their creativity and thinking out of the box. I am always amazed at the work and dedication that students put into creating their projects.

Students are expected to read, in English, every night. Unless I have assigned reading or other homework, the reading is their choice. They should be reading about 20-30 mins a day.

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ALL

This was a reading unit for both years. Throughout the unit they read their respective books, completed roles for their groups, participated in several discussions, and wrote an analysis, TIEA paragraph. There was a summative discussion and TIEA paragraph along with a project.

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Year 2 (G7)

During this unit Year 2 students read a graphic novel dealing with teenage woes and mishaps. Each book dealt with a typical teenage character and the mishaps of her life.  Students completed several practice analysis paragraphs and group discussions on the book. They had a final paragraph and discussion. As the last summative project for this unit, students created their own story dealing with teenage woes. They used Powtoons to create and animate this story using graphic novel techniques.

Year 2 Student Work (G7) KAS

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Year 3 (G8)

Year 3 students read novels dealing with equity and advocacy. In each book, there were issues that the characters in the novels had to stand up for. We had a mini lesson on the difference between equity and equality and why both are important. Students wrote an analysis paragraph and participated in a group discussion of their book. Students then chose to create a media PSA through a variety of project types based on a topic from their book.

Year 3 Student Work (G8) KAS

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Thank you so much for all you you do to help your student(s) be successful. If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or praise, please let me know.

3-27-15

It has been a long time since my last update and for that I completely apologize. I hope that all has been going well since my last post. Honestly, I thought I updated after the last unit and just realized yesterday that I did not.  It’s the last day before a long break. I hope that you are as excited as I am about the big move! The new building has me buzzing with anticipation. It’s great to have such a beautiful, technologically advanced building. Should you have any questions, comments, concerns, or praises, please email me. I am constantly reminded how fortunate I am that I have such amazing support from parents. Thank you for all that you do to help ensure student success.

All Students: Spring Break Work

Students need to watch several TED talk videos to have an understanding of how to do their own TED Talk for their Valiant Venture. Students also need to begin on their Google Presentation. It is also recommended that student continue to read, write, and speak in English every day.

All 

Students have finished two units since my last post. I will discuss those individually under each grade. Today is also the last day in class that students can work on their Valiant Venture. They may continue over the spring break if needed, but no other class time will be given to work on this. Students will be presenting their TED Talk within a few weeks of returning. We would love to have you be present and support what they have accomplished. More details will follow via email once we return from spring break and I have an exact date and location.

7th

Students completed a unit on lessons they can learn from the text. They examined and analyzed how authors use connections to give readers a lesson on life. They read many short stories, songs lyrics, as well as inspirational speeches. Today students finished a short unit on poetry. Students wrote many types of poems over the course of the last several weeks. For their summative, they wrote a poem using the poetic devices they learned describing their culture and analyzed two poems about different cultures.

8th

Students finished a unit on bias. They examined different forms of bias that can be found throughout the media. The media they viewed consisted of news, songs, advertisements, commercials, TV, and movies. It was a great eye opening experience for them even though it was quite challenging. Students finished a short unit on poetry with an emphasis on performing. During their long block this week they performed two poems: inspirational and hope/dream. This was part of their summative as well as analyzing three poems that are meant to inspire or empower.