~ There will be no specific homework assignments this week ~
*Please note the blog entry below and
STUDY!!!
Reminders:
School ends at 12:40 PM Tue-Thu.
No school Friday
Holiday Break: December 19-January 4
School resumes: Monday, January 5
Monday, December 15, 2008
How to Succeed at Finals (while REALLY trying)...
WHAT YOU WILL NEED & WHEN
TO SUCCEED DURING FINALS WEEK…
MONDAY:
Review Social Studies Practice Essay, text book, hand-outs and notes in preparation for tomorrow’s essay test.
***Be sure to continue to study for other tests every night and to prep/rehearse monologue (characterization, vocal work using costume/prop)
TUESDAY:
*If you are performing today in drama, you will need to be prepared, in costume, with prop(s) PRIOR TO (before) school begins (as in before 8:25 PM).
ALL students will need a sharpened pencil or pen, ready, prior to 8:25 AM.
For the Social Studies exam, you will be given the essay question and notebook paper needed.
STUDY FOR VOCABULARY TEST (studying not required for literature portion) TOMORROW.
WEDNESDAY:
*If you are performing today in drama, you will need to be prepared, in costume, with prop(s) PRIOR TO (before) school begins (as in before 8:25 PM).
ALL students will need a sharpened pencil or pen, ready, prior to 8:25 AM.
Bring with you to class your copies of Old Yeller, A Wrinkle in Time, A Wind in the Door, The Secret Garden, Gilgamesh
STUDY FOR SCIENCE & MATH TOMORROW.
THURSDAY:
*If you are performing today in drama, you will need to be prepared, in costume, with prop(s) PRIOR TO (before) school begins (as in before 8:25 PM).
ALL students will need a sharpened pencil or pen, ready, prior to 8:25 AM.
Science test 9:10 – 10:20
Math Test 10:40-12:40
Cheers,
Ms. Pitman
TO SUCCEED DURING FINALS WEEK…
MONDAY:
Review Social Studies Practice Essay, text book, hand-outs and notes in preparation for tomorrow’s essay test.
***Be sure to continue to study for other tests every night and to prep/rehearse monologue (characterization, vocal work using costume/prop)
TUESDAY:
*If you are performing today in drama, you will need to be prepared, in costume, with prop(s) PRIOR TO (before) school begins (as in before 8:25 PM).
ALL students will need a sharpened pencil or pen, ready, prior to 8:25 AM.
For the Social Studies exam, you will be given the essay question and notebook paper needed.
STUDY FOR VOCABULARY TEST (studying not required for literature portion) TOMORROW.
WEDNESDAY:
*If you are performing today in drama, you will need to be prepared, in costume, with prop(s) PRIOR TO (before) school begins (as in before 8:25 PM).
ALL students will need a sharpened pencil or pen, ready, prior to 8:25 AM.
Bring with you to class your copies of Old Yeller, A Wrinkle in Time, A Wind in the Door, The Secret Garden, Gilgamesh
STUDY FOR SCIENCE & MATH TOMORROW.
THURSDAY:
*If you are performing today in drama, you will need to be prepared, in costume, with prop(s) PRIOR TO (before) school begins (as in before 8:25 PM).
ALL students will need a sharpened pencil or pen, ready, prior to 8:25 AM.
Science test 9:10 – 10:20
Math Test 10:40-12:40
Cheers,
Ms. Pitman
Friday, December 12, 2008
HOMEWORK, Friday, December 12, 2008
Drama:
Have monologue completely memorized
By: Monday morning, beginning of class: December 15
O.T.O.:
Prep for Oral Exam, Monday, December 15:
~Be sure to know the Mother Teresa piece - in order
~ Be able to verbally articulate:
*Each phrase of the M.T. piece
*Our 4 classroom phrases (i.e. "Dig Deeper")
*The "reminders" (i.e. "One for all and all for one")
*The bow - why we practice this at the beginning/end of each class.
Be prepared to not only verbally articulate what these things mean, also be able to explain your experience with them.
All other subjects:
STUDY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Big thanks to all the parents and students that provided goodies and beverages for today's Tea. We enjoyed all of it!
REMINDERS:
Next week, Monday is a regular, full-day schedule
Tue-Thu, school ends at 12:40 PM
No school on Friday: Winter Break begins
Have monologue completely memorized
By: Monday morning, beginning of class: December 15
O.T.O.:
Prep for Oral Exam, Monday, December 15:
~Be sure to know the Mother Teresa piece - in order
~ Be able to verbally articulate:
*Each phrase of the M.T. piece
*Our 4 classroom phrases (i.e. "Dig Deeper")
*The "reminders" (i.e. "One for all and all for one")
*The bow - why we practice this at the beginning/end of each class.
Be prepared to not only verbally articulate what these things mean, also be able to explain your experience with them.
All other subjects:
STUDY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Big thanks to all the parents and students that provided goodies and beverages for today's Tea. We enjoyed all of it!
REMINDERS:
Next week, Monday is a regular, full-day schedule
Tue-Thu, school ends at 12:40 PM
No school on Friday: Winter Break begins
What is Science?
Mnemonically:
Science
Class
Is
Exciting!
Notice
Chemicals...
Exploding
Smartness is needed
Creativity is required
Interesting things are studied
Extraordinary work
Never back down from a question
Creations are made
Enthralling things are done
Scientific
Commitments
Include
Experimenting
New
Creative
Enrichments
System of knowledge
Creative
Interesting
Experimental
Never-ending
Continues
Everlasting
Science
Can
Illuminate
Endings and
Never
Can
End
Scientific
Conjectures that
Illuminate
Everything and
Nothing that
Consists of
Energy
An offering of thoughtful and creative ways to express what science is, from the students in Room 503.
Enjoy the weekend!
Cheers,
Ms. Pitman
Science
Class
Is
Exciting!
Notice
Chemicals...
Exploding
Smartness is needed
Creativity is required
Interesting things are studied
Extraordinary work
Never back down from a question
Creations are made
Enthralling things are done
Scientific
Commitments
Include
Experimenting
New
Creative
Enrichments
System of knowledge
Creative
Interesting
Experimental
Never-ending
Continues
Everlasting
Science
Can
Illuminate
Endings and
Never
Can
End
Scientific
Conjectures that
Illuminate
Everything and
Nothing that
Consists of
Energy
An offering of thoughtful and creative ways to express what science is, from the students in Room 503.
Enjoy the weekend!
Cheers,
Ms. Pitman
Thursday, December 11, 2008
HOMEWORK, Thursday, December 11, 2008
Social Studies:
Practice essay & Parent signature
Due: Tomorrow, Friday, December 12
*Late assignments will not be accepted.
Drama:
Memorize monologue
By: Monday Morning
Other Subjects:
Study, study, study!!!
Our Tea is tomorrow:
THANK YOU IN ADVANCE TO THE FOLOWING STUDENTS & THEIR PARENTS:
Goodies:
Sterling
Ryan
Brie
Reed
Samuel
Drinks:
Max
Denzel
Kyle
Practice essay & Parent signature
Due: Tomorrow, Friday, December 12
*Late assignments will not be accepted.
Drama:
Memorize monologue
By: Monday Morning
Other Subjects:
Study, study, study!!!
Our Tea is tomorrow:
THANK YOU IN ADVANCE TO THE FOLOWING STUDENTS & THEIR PARENTS:
Goodies:
Sterling
Ryan
Brie
Reed
Samuel
Drinks:
Max
Denzel
Kyle
Afterwhile Crocodile...
Pardon the brevity: I have an appointment in North Phoenix today and will post today's entry later this evening.
Cheers,
Ms. Pitman
Cheers,
Ms. Pitman
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
HOMEWORK, Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Language Arts:
Study Vocabulary
Math:
Have review sheet signed
Due: Tomorrow, Thursday, December 11
Study!
Drama:
Memorize monologue
Must be prepared by Monday morning
Social Studies:
Work on practice essay. Remember: your parents need to read it so you can make edits before turning it in Friday (along with parent signature on Essay Form)
Warm-ups:
Go over Ozymandias (up through what we've memorized so far)
Study Vocabulary
Math:
Have review sheet signed
Due: Tomorrow, Thursday, December 11
Study!
Drama:
Memorize monologue
Must be prepared by Monday morning
Social Studies:
Work on practice essay. Remember: your parents need to read it so you can make edits before turning it in Friday (along with parent signature on Essay Form)
Warm-ups:
Go over Ozymandias (up through what we've memorized so far)
The Silent Garden
...is what becomes of The Secret Garden when our classroom noise level becomes so loud, there is nothing else to do but go to silence.
The students in Room 503 have wonderful energy...but sometimes...sometimes it boils over and becomes a bit more...hmmm...a bit more energetic than the classroom can actually contain. And when this happens over and over several times in the course of a short span of time, it comes down to opting for a completely silent work space.
So this morning the students in Room 503 worked on their Secret Garden work packets in silence.
However...
That did not stop us from getting into a lively discussion over the packet questions later in the day...where all kinds of ideas popped up, such as adults have less imagination than children and how it's unfair that teachers at TPA don't have to follow the dress code and students do.
Frances Hodgson Burnett is probably chuckling in her grave.
Cheers,
Ms. Pitman
The students in Room 503 have wonderful energy...but sometimes...sometimes it boils over and becomes a bit more...hmmm...a bit more energetic than the classroom can actually contain. And when this happens over and over several times in the course of a short span of time, it comes down to opting for a completely silent work space.
So this morning the students in Room 503 worked on their Secret Garden work packets in silence.
However...
That did not stop us from getting into a lively discussion over the packet questions later in the day...where all kinds of ideas popped up, such as adults have less imagination than children and how it's unfair that teachers at TPA don't have to follow the dress code and students do.
Frances Hodgson Burnett is probably chuckling in her grave.
Cheers,
Ms. Pitman
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
HOMEWORK, Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Language Arts:
Read Ch. 27, S.G.
Due: Tomorrow, Wednesday, December 10
Create discussion ques./answer for Tea
Due: Tomorrow, Wednesday, December 10
Complete ANY incomplete homework!!!
Math:
Study vocabulary words; Fractions-Decimal conversions
Due: Tomorrow, Wednesday, December 10
Drama:
Memorize Personification Monologue
Due: Monday, December 15
Social Studies:
Work on take-home practice essay
Due: Friday, December 12
*Complete poster-ad sketch
Due: Tomorrow, Wednesday, December 10
Warm-Ups:
Memorize Ozymandias, "And on the pedestal these words appear:"
Due: Tomorrow, Wednesday, December 10
Our Tea, this Friday:
Goodies:
Sterling
Ryan
Brie
Reed
Samuel
Drinks:
Max
Denzel
Kyle
Big thanks to:
The Menedez' for coming through with Kleenex/tissue!
Read Ch. 27, S.G.
Due: Tomorrow, Wednesday, December 10
Create discussion ques./answer for Tea
Due: Tomorrow, Wednesday, December 10
Complete ANY incomplete homework!!!
Math:
Study vocabulary words; Fractions-Decimal conversions
Due: Tomorrow, Wednesday, December 10
Drama:
Memorize Personification Monologue
Due: Monday, December 15
Social Studies:
Work on take-home practice essay
Due: Friday, December 12
*Complete poster-ad sketch
Due: Tomorrow, Wednesday, December 10
Warm-Ups:
Memorize Ozymandias, "And on the pedestal these words appear:"
Due: Tomorrow, Wednesday, December 10
Our Tea, this Friday:
Goodies:
Sterling
Ryan
Brie
Reed
Samuel
Drinks:
Max
Denzel
Kyle
Big thanks to:
The Menedez' for coming through with Kleenex/tissue!
Memorize, Ingest, and Understand
That's the name of the game this week for much of next week's work to come.
The students in Room 503 have a lot on their plates and they are hard at work memorizing poems and monologues, and making sure they are getting all the facts and information they need - not only to do well on their final semester exams, but so that they will do well next semester and, hopefully, the rest of their lives.
It's one thing to memorize by rote for a test, it's entirely another to understand for life.
Yesterday's blog entry gave you a run-down of what the students will be facing next week. In class this week, we are daily re-exploring ideas and themes that we began in the beginning of the semester. Here is an example (this was a hand-out from which students were prompted to journal):
"One for all, and all for one!”
At the beginning of the school year you were given a bag of “reminders,” one of which was a Three Musketeers Bar. It was a little something to remind you that “we don’t do this alone” – this school thing. This Room 503 thing. Take a few moments to think about this phrase (originally a motto between three friends in a novel) and how you have lived up to it in our classroom this semester…or how you haven’t. Have you felt supported by your classmates as well? In what ways…or not.
Take some time and care to please write a paragraph or two in your journal about your experience with this phrase this semester.
Reflection and self-assessment have been a big part of our class work this semester and students will not only be journaling about their experiences this week, but will engage in an oral exam with regards to the ideas and ideals that we have been apiring to over the past four months.
There's a whole lotta thinkin' goin' on!
Cheers,
Ms. Pitman
The students in Room 503 have a lot on their plates and they are hard at work memorizing poems and monologues, and making sure they are getting all the facts and information they need - not only to do well on their final semester exams, but so that they will do well next semester and, hopefully, the rest of their lives.
It's one thing to memorize by rote for a test, it's entirely another to understand for life.
Yesterday's blog entry gave you a run-down of what the students will be facing next week. In class this week, we are daily re-exploring ideas and themes that we began in the beginning of the semester. Here is an example (this was a hand-out from which students were prompted to journal):
"One for all, and all for one!”
At the beginning of the school year you were given a bag of “reminders,” one of which was a Three Musketeers Bar. It was a little something to remind you that “we don’t do this alone” – this school thing. This Room 503 thing. Take a few moments to think about this phrase (originally a motto between three friends in a novel) and how you have lived up to it in our classroom this semester…or how you haven’t. Have you felt supported by your classmates as well? In what ways…or not.
Take some time and care to please write a paragraph or two in your journal about your experience with this phrase this semester.
Reflection and self-assessment have been a big part of our class work this semester and students will not only be journaling about their experiences this week, but will engage in an oral exam with regards to the ideas and ideals that we have been apiring to over the past four months.
There's a whole lotta thinkin' goin' on!
Cheers,
Ms. Pitman
Monday, December 8, 2008
HOMEWORK, Monday, December 8, 2008
Language Arts:
Read Ch. 26, S.G.
Due: Tomorrow, Tuesday, December 9
*If not completed in class, finish working on literature paragraphs.
Due: Tomorrow, Tuesday, December 9
Study: Vocab Final Exam, next Wednesday
Math:
Finish problem 3.4
Due: Tomorrow, Tuesday, December 9
STUDY!
Social Studies:
STUDY! & Work on Take-Home Practice Essay
*Parent form to be signed
Due: Tomorrow, Friday, December 12
Science:
Re-read Leeuwenhoek biography hand-out
Due: Tomorrow, Tuesday, December 9
O.T.O.:
STUDY! Hand-out on phrases for Oral Exam
Go over Mother Teresa Hand-out, be sure to have memorized
Due: Monday, December 15
Vocal Warm-ups:
Ozymandias: Memorize up through "The hand that mocked them and the heart that fed."
Due: Tomorrow, Tuesday, December 9
Reminders:
Next Week's schedule is as follows:
Monday: Full day (school ends at 3:10 PM)
Tuesday - Thursday: Half-Day Schedule/Finals (school ends at 12:25 PM)
Friday: No School - Winter Break begins
Read Ch. 26, S.G.
Due: Tomorrow, Tuesday, December 9
*If not completed in class, finish working on literature paragraphs.
Due: Tomorrow, Tuesday, December 9
Study: Vocab Final Exam, next Wednesday
Math:
Finish problem 3.4
Due: Tomorrow, Tuesday, December 9
STUDY!
Social Studies:
STUDY! & Work on Take-Home Practice Essay
*Parent form to be signed
Due: Tomorrow, Friday, December 12
Science:
Re-read Leeuwenhoek biography hand-out
Due: Tomorrow, Tuesday, December 9
O.T.O.:
STUDY! Hand-out on phrases for Oral Exam
Go over Mother Teresa Hand-out, be sure to have memorized
Due: Monday, December 15
Vocal Warm-ups:
Ozymandias: Memorize up through "The hand that mocked them and the heart that fed."
Due: Tomorrow, Tuesday, December 9
Reminders:
Next Week's schedule is as follows:
Monday: Full day (school ends at 3:10 PM)
Tuesday - Thursday: Half-Day Schedule/Finals (school ends at 12:25 PM)
Friday: No School - Winter Break begins
FINALizing and Preparing for Next Week's Exams
The Sixth Graders got their first taste today of what next week's semester final exams will be like.
The following is the schedule of next week's exams:
Monday: This is a full, regular schedule day. However, the students will have the first half of their Math exam (Vocabulary) today and they will have their O.T.O. oral exam. The oral exam will focus on the students' understanding of the phrases, concepts and ideas we have worked on this semester as well as presentation and vocal skills.
Tuesday-Thursday are half-day schedules (school ends at 12:25 PM)
Tuesday: Social Studies exam. This is an essay exam. An at-home practice essay is due this Friday (December 12). Students were given all their study information today. Parent guidance is appreciated in this assignment, where the students will need an extra pair of eyes to help them complete their finished essay this week. This is in preparation for the very same in-class essay they will write next week.
Wednesday: Today the students will have their Language Arts exams. The Vocabulary exam will cover all of the vocabulary terms we have learned over the semester. The test will consist of multiple choice, true/false and fill-in-the-blank. The literature portion will consist of multiple choice, short essay and a creative component.
Thursday: The Science exam will be given in the morning prior to break and the second portion of the Math exam will begin at 10:30 and the students will have time between then and the end of the school day to complete it.
Tuesday-Thursday: 8:30-9:10 A.M. Personification/Monologues will be presented as each student's drama "final." Time slots to present will be chosen by lottery.
Are we having fun yet?
Cheers,
Ms. Pitman
The following is the schedule of next week's exams:
Monday: This is a full, regular schedule day. However, the students will have the first half of their Math exam (Vocabulary) today and they will have their O.T.O. oral exam. The oral exam will focus on the students' understanding of the phrases, concepts and ideas we have worked on this semester as well as presentation and vocal skills.
Tuesday-Thursday are half-day schedules (school ends at 12:25 PM)
Tuesday: Social Studies exam. This is an essay exam. An at-home practice essay is due this Friday (December 12). Students were given all their study information today. Parent guidance is appreciated in this assignment, where the students will need an extra pair of eyes to help them complete their finished essay this week. This is in preparation for the very same in-class essay they will write next week.
Wednesday: Today the students will have their Language Arts exams. The Vocabulary exam will cover all of the vocabulary terms we have learned over the semester. The test will consist of multiple choice, true/false and fill-in-the-blank. The literature portion will consist of multiple choice, short essay and a creative component.
Thursday: The Science exam will be given in the morning prior to break and the second portion of the Math exam will begin at 10:30 and the students will have time between then and the end of the school day to complete it.
Tuesday-Thursday: 8:30-9:10 A.M. Personification/Monologues will be presented as each student's drama "final." Time slots to present will be chosen by lottery.
Are we having fun yet?
Cheers,
Ms. Pitman
Friday, December 5, 2008
HOMEWORK, Friday, December 5, 2008
Language Arts:
Read S.G., Ch. 25
Due: Monday, December 8
Vocabulary: using your list, create study cards on index cards
of ALL your Vocab. words for the semester final.
Due: Monday, December 8
Vocabulary re-take test will be offered Monday, after school, 3:30 PM.
STUDY!
For those who did not do or complete it, please work on the S.G. handout on Ch. 23, "Magic" and application of the Scientific Method.
Due: Monday, December 8
Math:
Practice long division; Study vocabulary
Due: Monday, December 8
Science:
Read Leewenhook hand-out
Due: Monday, December 8
Social Studies:
Complete Thera action-adventure/historical fiction/disaster movie storyboard
Due: Monday, December 8
Drama:
Personification Monologue (write/"rehearse")
*Hand out (follow directions thoroughly)
Due: Monday, December 8
ROOM 503 WISH LIST:
Kleenex/Tissue
Windex & 409
Read S.G., Ch. 25
Due: Monday, December 8
Vocabulary: using your list, create study cards on index cards
of ALL your Vocab. words for the semester final.
Due: Monday, December 8
Vocabulary re-take test will be offered Monday, after school, 3:30 PM.
STUDY!
For those who did not do or complete it, please work on the S.G. handout on Ch. 23, "Magic" and application of the Scientific Method.
Due: Monday, December 8
Math:
Practice long division; Study vocabulary
Due: Monday, December 8
Science:
Read Leewenhook hand-out
Due: Monday, December 8
Social Studies:
Complete Thera action-adventure/historical fiction/disaster movie storyboard
Due: Monday, December 8
Drama:
Personification Monologue (write/"rehearse")
*Hand out (follow directions thoroughly)
Due: Monday, December 8
ROOM 503 WISH LIST:
Kleenex/Tissue
Windex & 409
Reader's Digest
Room 503 is abuzz...with books!
There's always our Language Arts selection - currently, The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Interestingly, though it is one of my (and Mrs. Veenstra's favorites), it is receiving less than rave reviews from the students. However, like it or not, these Sixth Graders will always have the experience of having read and explored this classic tale through and through.
For those of you who are unaware of our post-lunch time ritual, we partake in a read-aloud book every day. So far this semester we have read The Phantom Tollbooth, From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, and The Lightning Thief and Sea of Monsters by Richard Riordan. Maniac Magee, by Jerry Spinelli. is our current read. Winner of the 1991 Newbery Medal , the story delves into some pretty profound themes, such as racism and family and asks the question "what and where is home?"
Along with our Language Arts unit and our read-aloud book of choice, each of the students is currently reading an independent book of their choice or is woking on a project based on the book they last read. Each student is required to present their project in class upon completion. We have had some truly wonderful projects and presentations since we implemented the Independent Reading project less than two months ago.
James Bryce once said "the worth of a book is to be measured by what you can carry away from it. " I hope our students take away a great deal.
Cheers,
Ms. Pitman
There's always our Language Arts selection - currently, The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Interestingly, though it is one of my (and Mrs. Veenstra's favorites), it is receiving less than rave reviews from the students. However, like it or not, these Sixth Graders will always have the experience of having read and explored this classic tale through and through.
For those of you who are unaware of our post-lunch time ritual, we partake in a read-aloud book every day. So far this semester we have read The Phantom Tollbooth, From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, and The Lightning Thief and Sea of Monsters by Richard Riordan. Maniac Magee, by Jerry Spinelli. is our current read. Winner of the 1991 Newbery Medal , the story delves into some pretty profound themes, such as racism and family and asks the question "what and where is home?"
Along with our Language Arts unit and our read-aloud book of choice, each of the students is currently reading an independent book of their choice or is woking on a project based on the book they last read. Each student is required to present their project in class upon completion. We have had some truly wonderful projects and presentations since we implemented the Independent Reading project less than two months ago.
James Bryce once said "the worth of a book is to be measured by what you can carry away from it. " I hope our students take away a great deal.
Cheers,
Ms. Pitman
Thursday, December 4, 2008
HOMEWORK, Thursday, December 4, 2008
Language Arts:
Read S.G., Ch.'s 22-24
Due: Tomorrow, Friday, December 5
S.G. Hand-out: Answer questions/Apply scientific method to Ch. 23's "experiment."
Due: Tomorrow, Friday, December 5
Begin studying for Semester Final Exam, Wednesday, December 17
*Hand-out of ALL the fall semester's Vocabulary words were handed out today.
Drama:
Create and rehearse voice and movement for Personification of Greek Terrain.
Due: Tomorrow, Friday, December 5
Math:
ACE 3 (23-25, 28, 29, 33-42)
Due: Tomorrow, Friday, December 5
Warm-Ups:
Ozymandias: GO OVER ALL THAT WE'VE MEMORIZED!
Due: Tomorrow, Friday, December 5
Read S.G., Ch.'s 22-24
Due: Tomorrow, Friday, December 5
S.G. Hand-out: Answer questions/Apply scientific method to Ch. 23's "experiment."
Due: Tomorrow, Friday, December 5
Begin studying for Semester Final Exam, Wednesday, December 17
*Hand-out of ALL the fall semester's Vocabulary words were handed out today.
Drama:
Create and rehearse voice and movement for Personification of Greek Terrain.
Due: Tomorrow, Friday, December 5
Math:
ACE 3 (23-25, 28, 29, 33-42)
Due: Tomorrow, Friday, December 5
Warm-Ups:
Ozymandias: GO OVER ALL THAT WE'VE MEMORIZED!
Due: Tomorrow, Friday, December 5
The Science of the Secret Garden
Scientific people are always curious and I am going to be scientific.
~ Colin, p. 189, The Secret Garden
~ Colin, p. 189, The Secret Garden
And so are the students of Room 503.
Today, in class, we brainstormed what it meant to be a good scientist. Shout-outs came with the likes of:
Asking questions, discovering questions, discovering answers, digging deeper, failing brilliantly, persistence, hypothesizing, analyzing, experiementing, researching, wondering, being curious, determination, and many more...
This evening the students have a homework assignment: to apply the scientific method to a particular "science experiment" in The Secret Garden. I think it will be very interesting to see what each student comes up with, and also to read how they view "Magic" and the power of the mind from a scientific perspective.
Cheers,
Ms. Pitman
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
HOMEWORK, Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Language Arts:
Read S.G., Ch. 19-21
Due: Tomorrow, Thursday, December 4
Complete S.G. questions on hand-out that you began in class that you haven't yet finished.
Due: Tomorrow, Thursday, December 4
Math:
P. 9, 39-40, Prob. 3.2 (A-D)
Due: Tomorrow, Thursday, December 4
Social Studies:
If you are re-taking the Social Studies exam: STUDY!
Re-take is tomorrow, Thursday, after-school at 3:30 PM.
*Very light homework this evening...unless, of course, you are studying for the S.S. re-take test.
S.O.S.
Room 503 could really use a few boxes of tissue, should anyone want to donate to the cause.
Thanks!
F.Y.I.
For the record: TPJA Faculty resumes are available in the main office for review upon request, should you ever want to see Mrs. Veenstra's or Ms. Pitman's.
Read S.G., Ch. 19-21
Due: Tomorrow, Thursday, December 4
Complete S.G. questions on hand-out that you began in class that you haven't yet finished.
Due: Tomorrow, Thursday, December 4
Math:
P. 9, 39-40, Prob. 3.2 (A-D)
Due: Tomorrow, Thursday, December 4
Social Studies:
If you are re-taking the Social Studies exam: STUDY!
Re-take is tomorrow, Thursday, after-school at 3:30 PM.
*Very light homework this evening...unless, of course, you are studying for the S.S. re-take test.
S.O.S.
Room 503 could really use a few boxes of tissue, should anyone want to donate to the cause.
Thanks!
F.Y.I.
For the record: TPJA Faculty resumes are available in the main office for review upon request, should you ever want to see Mrs. Veenstra's or Ms. Pitman's.
Greece is the Word...
...and it's also our new Social Studies unit.
Currently, we are exploring the geography of Greece, and today we read about the Thera (now Santorini) volcano that erupted over 3, 000 years ago. The eruption had a huge impact on Greece and all parts of the Mediterranean, including Egypt - even reaching China. It also had a tremendous influence on Greek mythology and literature.
The Thera event is terrific material for an epic action-adventure, historical-fiction disaster movie and today the students in Room 503 began working on a "pitch" for a new film based on the eruption. For some the ideas began to flow easily...for others a little igneous rock-writer's block set in. And so it goes...We will be working on this throughtout our class time before the semester's final exams begin.
The students are concurrently working on another geography project - personifying something found in the physical terrain (or surrounding areas) of Greece. We began this project on Monday night and are cross-connecting it with our drama work.
And now turning to a completely different topic: The Dress Code. This afternoon a reminder was read in class about the Winter Dress Code. All of the students signed a form that said that they read/heard and will abide by the Code. Please note your TPA handbook to help ensure that your student is dressed appropriately for school (thanks).
Cheers,
Ms. Pitman
Currently, we are exploring the geography of Greece, and today we read about the Thera (now Santorini) volcano that erupted over 3, 000 years ago. The eruption had a huge impact on Greece and all parts of the Mediterranean, including Egypt - even reaching China. It also had a tremendous influence on Greek mythology and literature.
The Thera event is terrific material for an epic action-adventure, historical-fiction disaster movie and today the students in Room 503 began working on a "pitch" for a new film based on the eruption. For some the ideas began to flow easily...for others a little igneous rock-writer's block set in. And so it goes...We will be working on this throughtout our class time before the semester's final exams begin.
The students are concurrently working on another geography project - personifying something found in the physical terrain (or surrounding areas) of Greece. We began this project on Monday night and are cross-connecting it with our drama work.
And now turning to a completely different topic: The Dress Code. This afternoon a reminder was read in class about the Winter Dress Code. All of the students signed a form that said that they read/heard and will abide by the Code. Please note your TPA handbook to help ensure that your student is dressed appropriately for school (thanks).
Cheers,
Ms. Pitman
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
HOMEWORK, Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Language Arts:
Read S.G., Ch.'s 17 & 18
By tomorrow, Wednesday, December 3
Math:
Problem 3.1, p. 38 (A-D)
By tomorrow, Wednesday, December 3
Interdisciplinary:
Bring in River Project folder/info.
By tomorrow, Wednesday, December 3
Vocal Warm-ups:
Memorize Ozymandias
"...Tell that its sculptor well those passions read
Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things"
By tomorrow, Wednesday, December 3
Social Studies:
Work on personification features
By tomorrow, Wednesday, December 3
Thanks to the parents who continue to send magazines and toilet paper rolls!
Special thanks to Mrs. Bush for consistently supplying our geckos with food and yummy crickets!
Room 503 needs:
Kleenex/tissue
409
Windex
Read S.G., Ch.'s 17 & 18
By tomorrow, Wednesday, December 3
Math:
Problem 3.1, p. 38 (A-D)
By tomorrow, Wednesday, December 3
Interdisciplinary:
Bring in River Project folder/info.
By tomorrow, Wednesday, December 3
Vocal Warm-ups:
Memorize Ozymandias
"...Tell that its sculptor well those passions read
Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things"
By tomorrow, Wednesday, December 3
Social Studies:
Work on personification features
By tomorrow, Wednesday, December 3
Thanks to the parents who continue to send magazines and toilet paper rolls!
Special thanks to Mrs. Bush for consistently supplying our geckos with food and yummy crickets!
Room 503 needs:
Kleenex/tissue
409
Windex
Giving More Thanks
Thanksgiving
Turkey
Thanks
Football
Rough-housing
Sleepover
Movie
Turkey
Gravy
Horrible, bloody, gross car crash
Thanksgiving
~ Max Steadman
Thanksgiving
Football
Dumpster
Car crash
Dinner
Turkey
Safeway
Pumpkin Pie
Leftovers
Thanksgiving
~ Dane Steadman
Thanksgiving
No school
Arizona
Boring 4-hour-long dinner
Wine
Dressed up unnaturally nice
Football game
Runescape
Lord of the Rings
My dad's friend
Turkey
Thanksgiving
~ Ben Shockley
Thanksgiving
Throwing up
Friends
Sparkling cider
Ice cream
Turkey
Rain
Video games
Fun
Whipped cream
Basketball
Thanksgiving
~ Samuel Walterscheid
Thanksgiving
Life
Friends
Family
Music
Lights
Warmth
Food
Water
Thankful
Thanksgiving
~ Victor Dinh
Thanksgiving
Fun
Cool
Tiring
Entertaining
Awesome
Distressful
Interesting
Thanksgiving
~ Ryan Bush
Turkey
Thanks
Football
Rough-housing
Sleepover
Movie
Turkey
Gravy
Horrible, bloody, gross car crash
Thanksgiving
~ Max Steadman
Thanksgiving
Football
Dumpster
Car crash
Dinner
Turkey
Safeway
Pumpkin Pie
Leftovers
Thanksgiving
~ Dane Steadman
Thanksgiving
No school
Arizona
Boring 4-hour-long dinner
Wine
Dressed up unnaturally nice
Football game
Runescape
Lord of the Rings
My dad's friend
Turkey
Thanksgiving
~ Ben Shockley
Thanksgiving
Throwing up
Friends
Sparkling cider
Ice cream
Turkey
Rain
Video games
Fun
Whipped cream
Basketball
Thanksgiving
~ Samuel Walterscheid
Thanksgiving
Life
Friends
Family
Music
Lights
Warmth
Food
Water
Thankful
Thanksgiving
~ Victor Dinh
Thanksgiving
Fun
Cool
Tiring
Entertaining
Awesome
Distressful
Interesting
Thanksgiving
~ Ryan Bush
Monday, December 1, 2008
HOMEWORK, Monday, December 1, 2008
Language Arts:
S.G. ~ Skim over (refresh your memory) Ch. 15
Read Ch. 16
For Tomorrow, Tuesday, December 2
Look up in the dictionary & write down definitions for:
Life, Living, Dead, Magic
For Tomorrow, Tuesday, December 2
Math:
p. 34 (1-5): Use sentences
For Tomorrow, Tuesday, December 2
Social Studies:
Ques. 5, p. 233 *Using Ms. Pitman's ORAL directions
Personify, in visual art form, a physical characteristic
of Greece's terrain, complete (in writing) with a name, at least 3
personality traits, one main emotional state of being. Come up
with a voice for your personification and spend some time
thinking about how "he/she" moves, behaves, etc.
For Tomorrow, Tuesday, December 2
Vocal Warm Ups:
Go over Ozymandias (what we have memorized thus far)
For Tomorrow, Tuesday, December 2
If you can spare 'em, we REALLY need:
Windex
409
Paper Towels
Still looking for...
Empty cardboard toilet paper rolls
Magazines
S.G. ~ Skim over (refresh your memory) Ch. 15
Read Ch. 16
For Tomorrow, Tuesday, December 2
Look up in the dictionary & write down definitions for:
Life, Living, Dead, Magic
For Tomorrow, Tuesday, December 2
Math:
p. 34 (1-5): Use sentences
For Tomorrow, Tuesday, December 2
Social Studies:
Ques. 5, p. 233 *Using Ms. Pitman's ORAL directions
Personify, in visual art form, a physical characteristic
of Greece's terrain, complete (in writing) with a name, at least 3
personality traits, one main emotional state of being. Come up
with a voice for your personification and spend some time
thinking about how "he/she" moves, behaves, etc.
For Tomorrow, Tuesday, December 2
Vocal Warm Ups:
Go over Ozymandias (what we have memorized thus far)
For Tomorrow, Tuesday, December 2
If you can spare 'em, we REALLY need:
Windex
409
Paper Towels
Still looking for...
Empty cardboard toilet paper rolls
Magazines
Giving Thanks: After Thoughts
Thanksgiving
Football
Water
Lunch
Turkey
Gravy
Television
Cars
Presents
Sweaters
Sleeping
Thanksgiving
~ Zach Brittain
Thanksgiving
Adventure
Mud
Stuffing
Pumpkin Pie
Bridge
Creek
The Tehachapi Loop
Trains Etc.
Tehachapi
Thanksgiving
~ Kyle Pickard
Thanksgiving
Turkey
Awesome food
Grandma's house
Books
Reading
Fun and games
Soccer champs
Thanksgiving
~ Brianna Lijewski
Thanksgiving
Fun
Crowded
Loud
Crazy
Gilbert to Parker
Sad
Fast
Funny
Peaceful
Favorite dog
One of a kind
Thanksgiving
~ Denzel Abdulai
Thanksgiving
God, Jesus and Holy Spirit
Thanks
Church
Care
Compassion
Pilgrims
Indians
Family and friends
Thanksgiving
~ Jacob Shumate
Thanksgiving
Fun
Games
Loud
Grateful
Crowded
Long
Exciting
Music
Food
One of a kind
Thanksgiving
~ Sterling Hicks
Thanksgiving
Football
Friends
Sleepover
Cousins
Pie
Turkey
T.V.
Dinner
Dog
Ice cream
Thanksgiving
~ Joshua Putrasahan
More to follow tomorrow...
Football
Water
Lunch
Turkey
Gravy
Television
Cars
Presents
Sweaters
Sleeping
Thanksgiving
~ Zach Brittain
Thanksgiving
Adventure
Mud
Stuffing
Pumpkin Pie
Bridge
Creek
The Tehachapi Loop
Trains Etc.
Tehachapi
Thanksgiving
~ Kyle Pickard
Thanksgiving
Turkey
Awesome food
Grandma's house
Books
Reading
Fun and games
Soccer champs
Thanksgiving
~ Brianna Lijewski
Thanksgiving
Fun
Crowded
Loud
Crazy
Gilbert to Parker
Sad
Fast
Funny
Peaceful
Favorite dog
One of a kind
Thanksgiving
~ Denzel Abdulai
Thanksgiving
God, Jesus and Holy Spirit
Thanks
Church
Care
Compassion
Pilgrims
Indians
Family and friends
Thanksgiving
~ Jacob Shumate
Thanksgiving
Fun
Games
Loud
Grateful
Crowded
Long
Exciting
Music
Food
One of a kind
Thanksgiving
~ Sterling Hicks
Thanksgiving
Football
Friends
Sleepover
Cousins
Pie
Turkey
T.V.
Dinner
Dog
Ice cream
Thanksgiving
~ Joshua Putrasahan
More to follow tomorrow...
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Let Them Eat Cake...
...And they did! The students of Room 503 celebrate Mrs. Veenstra's birthday...
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
HOMEWORK, Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Language Arts:
Read S.G., Ch. 15
Due: Tomorrow, November 26
Study - Vocabulary/Spelling Test TOMORROW!
Vocal Warm-Ups:
Ozymandias - go over what we have memorized so far.
*We will pick up from where we left off next Monday
Math:
ACE p. 28 4-7, 59-64
Due: Tomorrow, Wednesday, November 26
Social Studies:
For those who have yet to return Parent-Signed Ancient Egypt Project Grade Sheets, bring them to school by tomorrow (Wednesday) or 3 points will be deducted from your project.
O.T.O.:
Write two paragraphs (or more) on this week's Mother Teresa phrase (see hand-out)
Due: Tomorrow, November 26
Outstanding Homework:
Any homework or assignments that have yet to be turned in must be turned in by tomorrow, Wednesday, November 26 to receive credit.
Independent Reading Projects:
Presenting Tomorrow:
Claire
Eden
Meghan
Ryan
Reminder:
No school this Thursday/Friday: Thanksgiving Break
*R & R weekend: No Homework
Read S.G., Ch. 15
Due: Tomorrow, November 26
Study - Vocabulary/Spelling Test TOMORROW!
Vocal Warm-Ups:
Ozymandias - go over what we have memorized so far.
*We will pick up from where we left off next Monday
Math:
ACE p. 28 4-7, 59-64
Due: Tomorrow, Wednesday, November 26
Social Studies:
For those who have yet to return Parent-Signed Ancient Egypt Project Grade Sheets, bring them to school by tomorrow (Wednesday) or 3 points will be deducted from your project.
O.T.O.:
Write two paragraphs (or more) on this week's Mother Teresa phrase (see hand-out)
Due: Tomorrow, November 26
Outstanding Homework:
Any homework or assignments that have yet to be turned in must be turned in by tomorrow, Wednesday, November 26 to receive credit.
Independent Reading Projects:
Presenting Tomorrow:
Claire
Eden
Meghan
Ryan
Reminder:
No school this Thursday/Friday: Thanksgiving Break
*R & R weekend: No Homework
Sports Shorts from the Students in Room 503...
Two Hand Touch Football By Ben Shockley
Two hand touch football may not seem like a huge deal. It also doesn't sound very competitive either. But in the TPJA sixth grade it is!
Lots of people get crazy-competitive and make it sound like it's the greatest, most fun discovery of mankind. Some games are really intense and kids are turning red with pressure and running. Two hand touch football at TPJA is so awesome, it should be put on the news!
Sixth Grade Basketball By Denzel Abdulai
The sixth graders that are in boys' basketball are Denzel Abdulai, Victor Dinh, Jacob Shumate, Kyle Pickard and Zach Brittain. We are going to have our first basketball game on Wednesday, November 26. We are gonna kick butt out there! Go TPJA Knights!
Hey! First Ever TPJA Class By Ryan Bush
The homework is a lot but I have made tons of friends. The sixth graders get so many more breaks. We always play football. Zach and I are the best wide receivers. Denzel and Jacob are the best quarterbacks. So far this has been a great year at TPJA!
Two hand touch football may not seem like a huge deal. It also doesn't sound very competitive either. But in the TPJA sixth grade it is!
Lots of people get crazy-competitive and make it sound like it's the greatest, most fun discovery of mankind. Some games are really intense and kids are turning red with pressure and running. Two hand touch football at TPJA is so awesome, it should be put on the news!
Sixth Grade Basketball By Denzel Abdulai
The sixth graders that are in boys' basketball are Denzel Abdulai, Victor Dinh, Jacob Shumate, Kyle Pickard and Zach Brittain. We are going to have our first basketball game on Wednesday, November 26. We are gonna kick butt out there! Go TPJA Knights!
Hey! First Ever TPJA Class By Ryan Bush
The homework is a lot but I have made tons of friends. The sixth graders get so many more breaks. We always play football. Zach and I are the best wide receivers. Denzel and Jacob are the best quarterbacks. So far this has been a great year at TPJA!
Monday, November 24, 2008
HOMEWORK, Monday, November 24, 2008
Language Arts:
Study for Vocabulary/Spelling Test on Wednesday!
Thoughtfully and reflectively answer the questions on the
Secret Garden hand-out (both sides).
Due: Tomorrow, Tuesday, November 25
Vocal Warm-Ups:
Go over Ozymandias - what we have memorized so far.
Math:
ACE2: Starting on p. 29 (24, 50-58)
Due: Tomorrow, Tuesday, November 25
Social Studies:
STUDY!!! Social Studies Test TOMORROW (Tuesday)
Have Ancient Egypt Project Grade Paper signed by parent
Due: Tomorrow, Tuesday, November 25
*If you are re-doing any or all of your project, it will be due:
Monday, December 1 (No Later)
*COMPLETE any outstanding homework & turn it in BY Wednesday.
Independent Reading Projects:
Presenting Tomorrow:
Chad
Denzel
Meghan
Reed
Victor
Presenting Wednesday:
Claire
Eden
Ryan
Reminder:
No School Thursday/Friday: Thanksgiving Holiday, R & R Weekend
Study for Vocabulary/Spelling Test on Wednesday!
Thoughtfully and reflectively answer the questions on the
Secret Garden hand-out (both sides).
Due: Tomorrow, Tuesday, November 25
Vocal Warm-Ups:
Go over Ozymandias - what we have memorized so far.
Math:
ACE2: Starting on p. 29 (24, 50-58)
Due: Tomorrow, Tuesday, November 25
Social Studies:
STUDY!!! Social Studies Test TOMORROW (Tuesday)
Have Ancient Egypt Project Grade Paper signed by parent
Due: Tomorrow, Tuesday, November 25
*If you are re-doing any or all of your project, it will be due:
Monday, December 1 (No Later)
*COMPLETE any outstanding homework & turn it in BY Wednesday.
Independent Reading Projects:
Presenting Tomorrow:
Chad
Denzel
Meghan
Reed
Victor
Presenting Wednesday:
Claire
Eden
Ryan
Reminder:
No School Thursday/Friday: Thanksgiving Holiday, R & R Weekend
Yo Ho Ho, and a Bowlful of Social Studies Questions
Multiple choice question, anyone? How about a "true or false"? Perhaps a fill-in-the-blank?
Pick a question, any question (from our upcoming Social Studies test) and see if you can answer it correctly. So went this afternoon's study game challenge for tomorrow's test.
Almost all the questions that will appear on tomorrow's test were individually folded up and put in a bowl for today's all-class game quiz. The students worked in two teams to answer as many questions as possible. Each question answered correctly by an individual student garnered points for his/her team.
Specific questions (answered correctly) could earn each team a certain number of points (just like tomorrow's test questions): Multiple Choice and True/False questions were worth one point, while Fill-in-the-Blank questions were worth two. A question on Egyptian Social Hierarchy and a chronological time line question offered four and five points respectively.
The game was fun and gave students the opportunity to see what they actually do know and what they have to spend more time studying this evening.
Happy cramming!
Cheers,
Ms. Pitman
Pick a question, any question (from our upcoming Social Studies test) and see if you can answer it correctly. So went this afternoon's study game challenge for tomorrow's test.
Almost all the questions that will appear on tomorrow's test were individually folded up and put in a bowl for today's all-class game quiz. The students worked in two teams to answer as many questions as possible. Each question answered correctly by an individual student garnered points for his/her team.
Specific questions (answered correctly) could earn each team a certain number of points (just like tomorrow's test questions): Multiple Choice and True/False questions were worth one point, while Fill-in-the-Blank questions were worth two. A question on Egyptian Social Hierarchy and a chronological time line question offered four and five points respectively.
The game was fun and gave students the opportunity to see what they actually do know and what they have to spend more time studying this evening.
Happy cramming!
Cheers,
Ms. Pitman
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
HOMEWORK, Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Language Arts:
Read S.G., Chapters 11-14
Due: Monday, November 24
Gather and bring in materials/art supplies for your S.G. book
By Friday morning, November 21
Bring in index cards for Vocab/Spelling study cue cards
By Friday morning, November 21
Study Vocab/Spelling: TEST NEXT WEDNESDAY!
Vocal Warm-Ups:
Memorize the second line of Ozymandias
"Near them on the sand, half sunk, a shattered visage lies..."
Due: Tomorrow, Thursday, November 20
Math:
P. 22 & Worksheet; prob. 2.2 (A & B)
Due: Tomorrow, Thursday, November 20
Social Studies:
*Bring Index cards to school tomorrow for in-class study time
STUDY FOR ANCIENT EGYPT/KUSH TEST NEXT TUESDAY
*** Please Note:
Ms. Pitman will be attending a science conference up in Portland, OR this Thursday and Friday. Students will be given homework assignments for the weekend on a special hand-out in class. Please ask your student about it. There will be no homework or blog entries made over the next two days. The blog will be back on track next Monday, November 24.
Thanks for your understanding.
Read S.G., Chapters 11-14
Due: Monday, November 24
Gather and bring in materials/art supplies for your S.G. book
By Friday morning, November 21
Bring in index cards for Vocab/Spelling study cue cards
By Friday morning, November 21
Study Vocab/Spelling: TEST NEXT WEDNESDAY!
Vocal Warm-Ups:
Memorize the second line of Ozymandias
"Near them on the sand, half sunk, a shattered visage lies..."
Due: Tomorrow, Thursday, November 20
Math:
P. 22 & Worksheet; prob. 2.2 (A & B)
Due: Tomorrow, Thursday, November 20
Social Studies:
*Bring Index cards to school tomorrow for in-class study time
STUDY FOR ANCIENT EGYPT/KUSH TEST NEXT TUESDAY
*** Please Note:
Ms. Pitman will be attending a science conference up in Portland, OR this Thursday and Friday. Students will be given homework assignments for the weekend on a special hand-out in class. Please ask your student about it. There will be no homework or blog entries made over the next two days. The blog will be back on track next Monday, November 24.
Thanks for your understanding.
The Not-So-Secret Secret Gardens
After reading about Mary's discovery of the Secret Garden in the book of the very same name, the students in Room 503 spent the first part of their morning beginning to sow some seeds to create secret gardens of their own.
First, we all ventured outside and spent a few quiet moments in the courtyard, simply listening, feeling, smelling, being...Allowing our senses to just open up to what was available. Then, each of us set out, silently, around the school to collect all (small) things natural: twigs, leaves, flowers, stones, pine cones, etc. and bring them back to our classroom.
Given two pieces of construction paper (one of green hue, one of brown), three pieces of different sized white paper (haphazardly hole-punched), and some pieces of blue and green ribbon, the students began their foray into creating their own Secret Garden books.
The "gardens" can be anything each student wants to create...within the structure of the physical book itself. Inspired by their outdoor finds and fueled by their imaginations, it is my hope that the students will create magical places, just like Dickon, Mary's Yorkshire friend, says in the original Secret Garden: "It's like as if a body was in a dream."
Wishing you all wonderful ones -
Cheers,
Ms. Pitman
First, we all ventured outside and spent a few quiet moments in the courtyard, simply listening, feeling, smelling, being...Allowing our senses to just open up to what was available. Then, each of us set out, silently, around the school to collect all (small) things natural: twigs, leaves, flowers, stones, pine cones, etc. and bring them back to our classroom.
Given two pieces of construction paper (one of green hue, one of brown), three pieces of different sized white paper (haphazardly hole-punched), and some pieces of blue and green ribbon, the students began their foray into creating their own Secret Garden books.
The "gardens" can be anything each student wants to create...within the structure of the physical book itself. Inspired by their outdoor finds and fueled by their imaginations, it is my hope that the students will create magical places, just like Dickon, Mary's Yorkshire friend, says in the original Secret Garden: "It's like as if a body was in a dream."
Wishing you all wonderful ones -
Cheers,
Ms. Pitman
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
HOMEWORK, Tuesday, November 18
Language Arts:
Look up the three dictionary definitions:
wistfully, reflective, contrary (on worksheet)
Due: Tomorrow, Wednesday, November 19
Read S.G., Chapter 9
Due: Tomorrow, Wednesday, November 19
Vocal Warm Ups:
Memorize first line/sentence Ozymandias
Due: Tomorrow, Wednesday, November 19
Math:
ACE 2 (p. 28) 1-3; Finish 2.1 - all letters
Due: Tomorrow, Wednesday, November 19
Science:
Read Section 2, Text: p. 12-18
Answer Ques. 1-3, p. 19
Due: Tomorrow, Wednesday, November 19
Still accepting...
Empty cardboard toilet paper rolls
Unwanted magazines
Look up the three dictionary definitions:
wistfully, reflective, contrary (on worksheet)
Due: Tomorrow, Wednesday, November 19
Read S.G., Chapter 9
Due: Tomorrow, Wednesday, November 19
Vocal Warm Ups:
Memorize first line/sentence Ozymandias
Due: Tomorrow, Wednesday, November 19
Math:
ACE 2 (p. 28) 1-3; Finish 2.1 - all letters
Due: Tomorrow, Wednesday, November 19
Science:
Read Section 2, Text: p. 12-18
Answer Ques. 1-3, p. 19
Due: Tomorrow, Wednesday, November 19
Still accepting...
Empty cardboard toilet paper rolls
Unwanted magazines
The Wizard of Ozymandias
...would be non other than the late, great English Romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley.
The students of Room 503 have just begun to take on one of Shelley's shortest, as well as one of his most famous, poems, Ozymandias (published in 1818). The sonnet, with an unusual rhyme scheme, is about Ramses II, pharaoh of Ancient Egypt, and his rise and fall. The central theme focuses on hubris and how this character flaw plays out over and over again in history.
As with Jabberwocky, the students will be learning the poem line by line. Tonight they will begin at the beginning:
I met a traveller from an antique land
Who said: Two vast and trunkless legs of stone
Stand in the desert.
And we'll go from there. By the end of the school year, it is my hope, that along with better diction and projection skills our Sixth Graders will know at least six important pieces of literature that they will be able to carry with them throughout their lifetimes.
Cheers,
Ms. Pitman
The students of Room 503 have just begun to take on one of Shelley's shortest, as well as one of his most famous, poems, Ozymandias (published in 1818). The sonnet, with an unusual rhyme scheme, is about Ramses II, pharaoh of Ancient Egypt, and his rise and fall. The central theme focuses on hubris and how this character flaw plays out over and over again in history.
As with Jabberwocky, the students will be learning the poem line by line. Tonight they will begin at the beginning:
I met a traveller from an antique land
Who said: Two vast and trunkless legs of stone
Stand in the desert.
And we'll go from there. By the end of the school year, it is my hope, that along with better diction and projection skills our Sixth Graders will know at least six important pieces of literature that they will be able to carry with them throughout their lifetimes.
Cheers,
Ms. Pitman
Monday, November 17, 2008
HOMEWORK, Monday, November 17, 2008
Language Arts:
Read S.G., Chapters 7 & 8
Due: Tomorrow, Tuesday, November 18
Math:
Check & Redo Math Quiz
*You may use your book; May not use another person
Due: Tomorrow, Tuesday, November 18
Social Studies:
Draw/write up conclusions on your findings from your "Shoebox Archaeology" data.
Due: Tomorrow, Tuesday, November 18
Vocal Warm Ups:
Read through (several times) the Ozymandias poem. Write a paragraph or two about what you think the poem means...and/or what it means to you.
Due: Tomorrow, Tuesday, November 18
Read S.G., Chapters 7 & 8
Due: Tomorrow, Tuesday, November 18
Math:
Check & Redo Math Quiz
*You may use your book; May not use another person
Due: Tomorrow, Tuesday, November 18
Social Studies:
Draw/write up conclusions on your findings from your "Shoebox Archaeology" data.
Due: Tomorrow, Tuesday, November 18
Vocal Warm Ups:
Read through (several times) the Ozymandias poem. Write a paragraph or two about what you think the poem means...and/or what it means to you.
Due: Tomorrow, Tuesday, November 18
It's a Dirty Job...
...but Sixth Graders have to do it.
Shoebox archaeology, that is!
How do we learn about people, their past, their cultures? What can we find out (or not find out)from the relics they leave behind? What kind of questions do we need to ask to find the answers we're looking for? What do we need to do when our finds are few and far between? What can we conclude if we have little information to go on?
These are the questions the students of Room 503 needed to ask themselves today as they dug through their shoebox sites on their quest for a better understanding of what it means to be an archaeologist.
Time was ticking, and some of the students didn't get through all of the artifacts in their "dig site," while others only had two or three items to uncover and make observations and inferences about. Tonight, the students should be going over and/or writing their conclusions about what they found. Tomorrow we'll share our conclusions as a class and see what we can glean from our experiences.
Thank you to all of the students who worked so hard to get this project prepared over the weekend and to all of you parents who helped them.
Cheers,
Ms. Pitman
Shoebox archaeology, that is!
How do we learn about people, their past, their cultures? What can we find out (or not find out)from the relics they leave behind? What kind of questions do we need to ask to find the answers we're looking for? What do we need to do when our finds are few and far between? What can we conclude if we have little information to go on?
These are the questions the students of Room 503 needed to ask themselves today as they dug through their shoebox sites on their quest for a better understanding of what it means to be an archaeologist.
Time was ticking, and some of the students didn't get through all of the artifacts in their "dig site," while others only had two or three items to uncover and make observations and inferences about. Tonight, the students should be going over and/or writing their conclusions about what they found. Tomorrow we'll share our conclusions as a class and see what we can glean from our experiences.
Thank you to all of the students who worked so hard to get this project prepared over the weekend and to all of you parents who helped them.
Cheers,
Ms. Pitman
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Friday, November 14, 2008
HOMEWORK, Friday, November 14, 2008
Language Arts:
Finish Chapter 5 & Read Chapter 6, S.G.
Due: Monday, November 17
*Complete any class work you didn't finish today
Due: Monday, November 17
Math:
20 minutes extra work on additional practice paper
Due: Monday, November 17
Social Studies:
The Shoebox Archaeologist *(students have a hand out)
Collect this weekend (and bring to school on Monday):
~ A shoebox (with lid)
~ A large plastic storage zip loc (or plastic grocery) bag full of soil
~Small "artifacts" relating to your grandparents, parents and yourself - including photos. Make sure each item is placed in an individual baggie or zip loc bag.
~ A metal spoon
~ A paintbrush
Due: Monday, November 17
*Complete any unfinished classroom work from this afternoon
Finish Chapter 5 & Read Chapter 6, S.G.
Due: Monday, November 17
*Complete any class work you didn't finish today
Due: Monday, November 17
Math:
20 minutes extra work on additional practice paper
Due: Monday, November 17
Social Studies:
The Shoebox Archaeologist *(students have a hand out)
Collect this weekend (and bring to school on Monday):
~ A shoebox (with lid)
~ A large plastic storage zip loc (or plastic grocery) bag full of soil
~Small "artifacts" relating to your grandparents, parents and yourself - including photos. Make sure each item is placed in an individual baggie or zip loc bag.
~ A metal spoon
~ A paintbrush
Due: Monday, November 17
*Complete any unfinished classroom work from this afternoon
Sundaes on Friday
There's nothing like incentive to get one going. And there's nothing like ice cream to motivate a Sixth Grader to memorize Jabberwocky to (almost) perfection.
So this afternoon we had an ice cream extravaganza...Ahh - the sweet taste of success...
Before I left the students with substitute teachers for the rest of the day (yikes).
I am off to catch a plane. I will be out of town until late Sunday night. My apologies in advance if you email me and I don't get back to you before Monday.
Cheers,
Ms. Pitman
So this afternoon we had an ice cream extravaganza...Ahh - the sweet taste of success...
Before I left the students with substitute teachers for the rest of the day (yikes).
I am off to catch a plane. I will be out of town until late Sunday night. My apologies in advance if you email me and I don't get back to you before Monday.
Cheers,
Ms. Pitman
Thursday, November 13, 2008
HOMEWORK, Thursday, November 12 2008
Language Arts:
Bring S.G. to class tomorrow
Vocabulary Words (Yellow Hand-Out)
Due: Tomorrow, Friday, November 14
Social Studies:
Bring History text book & 10 index cards
Due: Tomorrow, Friday, November 14
Vocal Warm Ups:
Go over (and over and over) Jabberwocky.
*If the entire class, individually, can recite the whole poem
tomorrow morning, we will have ice-cream sundaes in the
afternoon. If just one person can't, we won't.
Math:
No Homework!
Bring S.G. to class tomorrow
Vocabulary Words (Yellow Hand-Out)
Due: Tomorrow, Friday, November 14
Social Studies:
Bring History text book & 10 index cards
Due: Tomorrow, Friday, November 14
Vocal Warm Ups:
Go over (and over and over) Jabberwocky.
*If the entire class, individually, can recite the whole poem
tomorrow morning, we will have ice-cream sundaes in the
afternoon. If just one person can't, we won't.
Math:
No Homework!
Don't Put Off Until Later What You Could Do Right Now
Today's blog entry, for example.
I felt so flustered and harried yesterday that I wasn't able to get my entry up by 6:00 PM and that I hadn't copied down the homework assignments to post, I thought I'd get a jump start on today's.
We hadn't had Drama since last Friday, due to Veteran's Day this past Tuesday, so I think the students were happy to be back in the Zelman Center this morning. Everyone participated in an activity entitled "SCENE!"
First, everyone was split into four groups. Each person in the group was given a strip of paper with a writing direction on it. Depending on which group you were in, you had to write one of the following:
1) A statement.
2) A question that requires a “yes”/”no” answer.
3) An answer that begins with either “Yes” or “No” – and then continues with either “and,” “but,” or “however,” with a short explanation attached.
4) A fun exclamation!
There were five people who all had to respond to each direction (each person coming up with their own statementr, question, response and/or exclamation).
Next, one student from each group was selected to form a new group with three other students, so that there was a statement, a question, a response and an exclamation person in each new group.
The newly formed groups each took to the stage one at a time and "performed" what they wrote on their paper strips in order, 1-4. Once each group had a chance to say and hear their "lines" said out loud, they were given all of five minutes to come up with a location, four characters, a situation and rehearse their piece before performing it for the rest of the class.
The person who had the first line had to call out "scene!" to begin the piece. The person who had the fourth, and last line, had to call "scene!" to end the piece. After all the groups had performed one time through, they each had to get up and do the whole performance over, once in high-speed mode, next in slow motion.
Working quickly gave the students no choice but to work as a unit, as an ensemble. For the most part, the scenes all came out clearly and creatively and were a lot of fun to watch. We'll have to see what happens tomorrow when we have Drama once again.
By the way, parents, you are always welcome to stop in and see what we are doing in Drama or any other subject. Just get a pass at the main office when you come onto campus and join us.
Cheers,
Ms. Pitman
I felt so flustered and harried yesterday that I wasn't able to get my entry up by 6:00 PM and that I hadn't copied down the homework assignments to post, I thought I'd get a jump start on today's.
We hadn't had Drama since last Friday, due to Veteran's Day this past Tuesday, so I think the students were happy to be back in the Zelman Center this morning. Everyone participated in an activity entitled "SCENE!"
First, everyone was split into four groups. Each person in the group was given a strip of paper with a writing direction on it. Depending on which group you were in, you had to write one of the following:
1) A statement.
2) A question that requires a “yes”/”no” answer.
3) An answer that begins with either “Yes” or “No” – and then continues with either “and,” “but,” or “however,” with a short explanation attached.
4) A fun exclamation!
There were five people who all had to respond to each direction (each person coming up with their own statementr, question, response and/or exclamation).
Next, one student from each group was selected to form a new group with three other students, so that there was a statement, a question, a response and an exclamation person in each new group.
The newly formed groups each took to the stage one at a time and "performed" what they wrote on their paper strips in order, 1-4. Once each group had a chance to say and hear their "lines" said out loud, they were given all of five minutes to come up with a location, four characters, a situation and rehearse their piece before performing it for the rest of the class.
The person who had the first line had to call out "scene!" to begin the piece. The person who had the fourth, and last line, had to call "scene!" to end the piece. After all the groups had performed one time through, they each had to get up and do the whole performance over, once in high-speed mode, next in slow motion.
Working quickly gave the students no choice but to work as a unit, as an ensemble. For the most part, the scenes all came out clearly and creatively and were a lot of fun to watch. We'll have to see what happens tomorrow when we have Drama once again.
By the way, parents, you are always welcome to stop in and see what we are doing in Drama or any other subject. Just get a pass at the main office when you come onto campus and join us.
Cheers,
Ms. Pitman
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
HOMEWORK, Wednesday, November 12, 2008
*Please forgive the tardiness of the blog postings this evening. I left school rather quickly and was delayed in getting some errands finished.
Language Arts:
Read S.G., Chapter 4
*(with a dictionary - to look up words you don't know)
Due: Tomorrow, Thursday, November 13
Math:
Ace 1
*(My apologies - I dashed out of school so quickly,
I forgot to write down pages and problem numbers...
Good quiz for your students to make sure they are
writing their assignments down!)
Due: Tomorrow, Thursday, November 13
And, th-th-that's all folks! Enjoy an easy homework evening.
Language Arts:
Read S.G., Chapter 4
*(with a dictionary - to look up words you don't know)
Due: Tomorrow, Thursday, November 13
Math:
Ace 1
*(My apologies - I dashed out of school so quickly,
I forgot to write down pages and problem numbers...
Good quiz for your students to make sure they are
writing their assignments down!)
Due: Tomorrow, Thursday, November 13
And, th-th-that's all folks! Enjoy an easy homework evening.
Pyramid Schemes
...of the educational variety, that is...and right in our very own classroom!
This morning the students of Room 503 presented their Ancient Egypt projects. There were some absolutely awesome projects - from pyramids to scrolls, to scrapbooks, board games, sphinxes, to a beautifully constructed Rosetta Stone! I will be posting photos of the projects over the next few days for your viewing pleasure *(see above the ones I posted today).
I was very impressed with the time, care, creativity and energy that was put into some of the projects. I am hopeful that the students that didn't put in as much effort this time around will be more motivated the next time we engage in a similar activity.
Because of the enormity of the projects, grades will not be completed until next week (hence, they will not be mentioned on the 3rd quarter progress reports, but will be factored in to the reports at the end of the semester).
The upcoming progress reports are simply that: notes on the progress the students have made since fall break. There are no letter grades - simply check marks and comments. I hope that you and your students find them useful and help you gage how your student is doing. If you have any questions, please be sure to stop by or email. If you would like to speak over the phone, the best way to do that is to email me with your phone number and let me know the best time to phone you.
Cheers,
Ms. Pitman
This morning the students of Room 503 presented their Ancient Egypt projects. There were some absolutely awesome projects - from pyramids to scrolls, to scrapbooks, board games, sphinxes, to a beautifully constructed Rosetta Stone! I will be posting photos of the projects over the next few days for your viewing pleasure *(see above the ones I posted today).
I was very impressed with the time, care, creativity and energy that was put into some of the projects. I am hopeful that the students that didn't put in as much effort this time around will be more motivated the next time we engage in a similar activity.
Because of the enormity of the projects, grades will not be completed until next week (hence, they will not be mentioned on the 3rd quarter progress reports, but will be factored in to the reports at the end of the semester).
The upcoming progress reports are simply that: notes on the progress the students have made since fall break. There are no letter grades - simply check marks and comments. I hope that you and your students find them useful and help you gage how your student is doing. If you have any questions, please be sure to stop by or email. If you would like to speak over the phone, the best way to do that is to email me with your phone number and let me know the best time to phone you.
Cheers,
Ms. Pitman
Monday, November 10, 2008
HOMEWORK, Monday, November 10, 2008
Language Arts:
Read S.G., Chapter 3 - with a dictionary!
*Look up any words you do not know.
Re-read the "Mistress Mary" nursery rhyme in Ch. 2
Due: Wednesday, November 12
Math:
Ace 1, p.12 (3-12, 27)
Due: Wednesday, November 12
Social Studies:
Complete Outline for "Daily Life in Egypt"
Due: Wednesday, November 12
Complete Ancient Egypt Project
Due: Wednesday, November 12
Reminder:
No school tomorrow: Veteran's Day
Read S.G., Chapter 3 - with a dictionary!
*Look up any words you do not know.
Re-read the "Mistress Mary" nursery rhyme in Ch. 2
Due: Wednesday, November 12
Math:
Ace 1, p.12 (3-12, 27)
Due: Wednesday, November 12
Social Studies:
Complete Outline for "Daily Life in Egypt"
Due: Wednesday, November 12
Complete Ancient Egypt Project
Due: Wednesday, November 12
Reminder:
No school tomorrow: Veteran's Day
Cracking Down
We have six weeks left to the first semester and Mrs. Veenstra and I have really started to crack down on the students in Room 503. Suiting up and showing up is key - and that means being accountable...on time to class, prepared with working materials and having homework completed.
When students do not complete their homework, they will forfeit their break time. After showing up unprepared (i.e. without a writing utensil or book that they need) three times, students will receive detention.
Accountability is so crucial at TPJA and at TPA and provides a foundation for life-long habits. Students are responsible for writing down their homework assignments and bringing the correct materials home to get their homework done. They are also responsible for bringing their work and necessary materials back to school.
If a student completes his/her homework and leaves it at home - it's still incomplete until it shows up in class. I have had several students tell me, "I left it next to the computer" (or wherever else), expecting me to say, "oh, all right then," and leave it at that. Homework entails actually doing the work and turning it in (on time).
I have also heard, "oh - I forgot." Hmmm...Forgetting just doesn't make the accountability factor go away. And forgetting is...well, close to impossible if assignments have been written down and can also be found on the blog. "Just didn't do it," is another story.
If you know that your child is going to be over-the-top busy (i.e. is playing in a concert until late at night), please let me know ahead of time so arrangements can be made. I am happy to accomodate when it comes to situations like that. The students know this (or should know this, as I have reiterated it several times), and (should) know to have you let me know in advance.
With all that said, I hope that you all enjoy the mid-week day off tomorrow. Hats off and great thanks to any veterans out there.
Cheers,
Ms. Pitman
When students do not complete their homework, they will forfeit their break time. After showing up unprepared (i.e. without a writing utensil or book that they need) three times, students will receive detention.
Accountability is so crucial at TPJA and at TPA and provides a foundation for life-long habits. Students are responsible for writing down their homework assignments and bringing the correct materials home to get their homework done. They are also responsible for bringing their work and necessary materials back to school.
If a student completes his/her homework and leaves it at home - it's still incomplete until it shows up in class. I have had several students tell me, "I left it next to the computer" (or wherever else), expecting me to say, "oh, all right then," and leave it at that. Homework entails actually doing the work and turning it in (on time).
I have also heard, "oh - I forgot." Hmmm...Forgetting just doesn't make the accountability factor go away. And forgetting is...well, close to impossible if assignments have been written down and can also be found on the blog. "Just didn't do it," is another story.
If you know that your child is going to be over-the-top busy (i.e. is playing in a concert until late at night), please let me know ahead of time so arrangements can be made. I am happy to accomodate when it comes to situations like that. The students know this (or should know this, as I have reiterated it several times), and (should) know to have you let me know in advance.
With all that said, I hope that you all enjoy the mid-week day off tomorrow. Hats off and great thanks to any veterans out there.
Cheers,
Ms. Pitman
Friday, November 7, 2008
HOMEWORK, Friday, November 7, 2008
Language Arts:
Read The Secret Garden (S.G.)
Ch. 1 (if you didn't read it in class today) & Ch. 2
Due: Monday, November 10
Create Bookmark for S.G.
*Paper Book Mark Material given at school
Due: Monday, November 10
Look up and write down definitions for new Vocabulary Words:
precedent, satire, consumption
Write up definitions on a separate sheet of notebook paper
Due: Monday, November 10
Math:
ACE 1: P. 12-15 (2, 25, 26)
Finish unfinished classwork
Due: Monday, November 10
Social Studies:
Work on Ancient Egypt Project
Due: Wednesday, November 12
*If you didn't have all your research in today,
get it done over the weekend - Due: Monday, November 10
Vocal Warm-Ups:
Go over Jabberwocky, stanzas 1-6 (memorized)
Due: Monday, November 10
Indpendent Reading Projects:
Monday's presenters:
Ryan
Meghan
Dane
Max
REMINDER:
NO school Tuesday, November 11: Veteran's Day
Room 503 could use...
Windex or 409
Sani-Wipes
Still accepting...
Empty toilet paper rolls
Old magazines
Read The Secret Garden (S.G.)
Ch. 1 (if you didn't read it in class today) & Ch. 2
Due: Monday, November 10
Create Bookmark for S.G.
*Paper Book Mark Material given at school
Due: Monday, November 10
Look up and write down definitions for new Vocabulary Words:
precedent, satire, consumption
Write up definitions on a separate sheet of notebook paper
Due: Monday, November 10
Math:
ACE 1: P. 12-15 (2, 25, 26)
Finish unfinished classwork
Due: Monday, November 10
Social Studies:
Work on Ancient Egypt Project
Due: Wednesday, November 12
*If you didn't have all your research in today,
get it done over the weekend - Due: Monday, November 10
Vocal Warm-Ups:
Go over Jabberwocky, stanzas 1-6 (memorized)
Due: Monday, November 10
Indpendent Reading Projects:
Monday's presenters:
Ryan
Meghan
Dane
Max
REMINDER:
NO school Tuesday, November 11: Veteran's Day
Room 503 could use...
Windex or 409
Sani-Wipes
Still accepting...
Empty toilet paper rolls
Old magazines
Far Out - it's Friday!
...And I think everyone in Room 503 is ready for the weekend. Including me. So I am going to keep this entry short and sweet.
I hope that everyone has a great weekend - filled with fun, rest and enough time to work whole-heartedly on our Ancient Egypt projects, due next Wednesday.
Cheers,
Ms. Pitman
I hope that everyone has a great weekend - filled with fun, rest and enough time to work whole-heartedly on our Ancient Egypt projects, due next Wednesday.
Cheers,
Ms. Pitman
Thursday, November 6, 2008
HOMEWORK, Thursday, November 6, 2008
Language Arts:
Bring The Secret Garden to class tomorrow
Friday, November 7
Have parents sign Vocabulary Test
Due: Tomorrow, Friday, November 7
** Students who wish to re-take the test must see
Ms. Pitman and attend a special study session next
Wednesday, November 12 after school
Math:
Pg, 12 (1, 8, 20-24) Ace 1
Due: Tomorrow, Friday, November 7
Social Studies:
Work on Ancient Egypt Project
Research due tomorrow, Friday, November 7
Project Due: Wednesday, November 12
Vocal Warm-Ups:
Memorize Jabberwocky, stanza 6
Reminders:
Tomorrow, Friday, November 7: Early dismissal, 12:25
Next Tuesday, November 11: NO SCHOOL - Veteran's Day
Bring The Secret Garden to class tomorrow
Friday, November 7
Have parents sign Vocabulary Test
Due: Tomorrow, Friday, November 7
** Students who wish to re-take the test must see
Ms. Pitman and attend a special study session next
Wednesday, November 12 after school
Math:
Pg, 12 (1, 8, 20-24) Ace 1
Due: Tomorrow, Friday, November 7
Social Studies:
Work on Ancient Egypt Project
Research due tomorrow, Friday, November 7
Project Due: Wednesday, November 12
Vocal Warm-Ups:
Memorize Jabberwocky, stanza 6
Reminders:
Tomorrow, Friday, November 7: Early dismissal, 12:25
Next Tuesday, November 11: NO SCHOOL - Veteran's Day
Crexaggerate...A New Portmanteau(x)
One of Room 503's most recent vocabulary words was portmanteau(x) (spelled correctly with or without the "x") - a new word created by merging two existing words (i.e. "brunch" and "smog").
Today, the Sixth Graders created and exaggerated in both their Drama and Language Arts classes, and so I have taken it upon myself to bestow upon our classwork a new portmanteau(x): crexaggerate - which means: to creatively exaggerate and/or to exaggerate creatively (depending).
In Drama, we began with one person telling a very simple story about their morning. Another student then took the story and added some detail to it. The next student added more and then the next went completely over the top. I likened the idea of the telling and retelling of the stories to the inverse idea of Matryoshkas, or Russian Nesting Dolls: instead of getting smaller in size as one opens one doll after another, the story would get bigger as it was retold over and over.
First we orally told the story, over and over. Then we began a new story where the story had to be told and retold not only verbally, but physically as well. Finally, a story was told verbally by one student while another acted out the story physically.
During Language Arts, the students were encouraged to get creative - and most even got a bit wacky - using specific vocabulary words, characters from all the different literary works we've read so far this semester and a phrase from the Mother Teresa piece we learned. Some of the students shared their stories out loud with the class, and each one, though containing similar elements, was incredibly - and crexaggeratedly - different.
Our day, like our writing pieces, was also different - and I'm not exaggerating: we had to get creative about our bathroom usage. Due to some bad overflow, we had to - for a time - use the bathrooms across the street at the church. We are hoping for a much easier flowing day tomorrow.
And so it is.
Cheers,
Ms. Pitman
Today, the Sixth Graders created and exaggerated in both their Drama and Language Arts classes, and so I have taken it upon myself to bestow upon our classwork a new portmanteau(x): crexaggerate - which means: to creatively exaggerate and/or to exaggerate creatively (depending).
In Drama, we began with one person telling a very simple story about their morning. Another student then took the story and added some detail to it. The next student added more and then the next went completely over the top. I likened the idea of the telling and retelling of the stories to the inverse idea of Matryoshkas, or Russian Nesting Dolls: instead of getting smaller in size as one opens one doll after another, the story would get bigger as it was retold over and over.
First we orally told the story, over and over. Then we began a new story where the story had to be told and retold not only verbally, but physically as well. Finally, a story was told verbally by one student while another acted out the story physically.
During Language Arts, the students were encouraged to get creative - and most even got a bit wacky - using specific vocabulary words, characters from all the different literary works we've read so far this semester and a phrase from the Mother Teresa piece we learned. Some of the students shared their stories out loud with the class, and each one, though containing similar elements, was incredibly - and crexaggeratedly - different.
Our day, like our writing pieces, was also different - and I'm not exaggerating: we had to get creative about our bathroom usage. Due to some bad overflow, we had to - for a time - use the bathrooms across the street at the church. We are hoping for a much easier flowing day tomorrow.
And so it is.
Cheers,
Ms. Pitman
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
HOMEWORK, Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Math:
Read p. 5-6, answer A,B,C
Due: Tomorrow, Thursday, November 6
Language Arts:
Osiris and Isis Story Mural Pictures
Due: Tomorrow, Thursday, November 6
Social Studies:
Work on Ancient Egypt Project
Research due: Friday, November 7
**Please make sure you get to the library by tomorrow night
Project due: Wednesday, November 12
Science:
Complete last night's homework, if you haven't already
Independent Reading:
Please bring your book to school tomorrow (or your project),
and then continue to bring your book with you daily.
Dictionary:
Please be sure to have the soft-cover dictionary TPJA
provided you AT school, readily available for your use.
The Secret Garden: Our next book.
Please make sure to bring it to school Friday, November 7.
Read p. 5-6, answer A,B,C
Due: Tomorrow, Thursday, November 6
Language Arts:
Osiris and Isis Story Mural Pictures
Due: Tomorrow, Thursday, November 6
Social Studies:
Work on Ancient Egypt Project
Research due: Friday, November 7
**Please make sure you get to the library by tomorrow night
Project due: Wednesday, November 12
Science:
Complete last night's homework, if you haven't already
Independent Reading:
Please bring your book to school tomorrow (or your project),
and then continue to bring your book with you daily.
Dictionary:
Please be sure to have the soft-cover dictionary TPJA
provided you AT school, readily available for your use.
The Secret Garden: Our next book.
Please make sure to bring it to school Friday, November 7.
Family Pictures
...of Isis, Osiris and their son, Horus, that is. That's what we began in class this morning and are to be completed this evening for homework.
After reading the story of Osiris (god of the Underworld, the dead, past Pharaohs, agriculture, and fertility) and Isis (worshipped as the ideal mother and wife, patron goddess of nature and magic; friend of slaves, sinners, artisans, the downtrodden, as well as listening to the prayers of the wealthy, maidens, aristocrats and rulers), students were asked to create a visual mural story of what they read.
I heard that there were some excellent Math Data Projects presented today (and perhaps some that could use a little more work), and some that will be presented tomorrow.
I cut back on homework a bit this week: between the two big projects the students have/have had to work on and the fact that I am a bit behind on test/homework corrections, I thought we could all use a little breathing room.
However, there is always much to do - including Independent Reading. The students have all been instructed to bring their Independent Reading books to school beginning tomorrow (or their project work, if they're in between books), so that they will always have their reading available and are completely accountable for it. This is the one thing that the students are required to do all of their own accord.
I just completed grading Monday's vocabulary/spelling tests and will be sending them home tomorrow to be signed by parents. Though test grades don't count for more than other grades in terms of the overall progress report marks the students receive, I believe tests are a - somewhat - decent way of gaging if students are ingesting the information they are learning in class. By sending tests home to be signed, you, as parents, can also gage your child's understanding (and/or their study habits).
'Til tomorrow -
Cheers,
Ms. Pitman
After reading the story of Osiris (god of the Underworld, the dead, past Pharaohs, agriculture, and fertility) and Isis (worshipped as the ideal mother and wife, patron goddess of nature and magic; friend of slaves, sinners, artisans, the downtrodden, as well as listening to the prayers of the wealthy, maidens, aristocrats and rulers), students were asked to create a visual mural story of what they read.
I heard that there were some excellent Math Data Projects presented today (and perhaps some that could use a little more work), and some that will be presented tomorrow.
I cut back on homework a bit this week: between the two big projects the students have/have had to work on and the fact that I am a bit behind on test/homework corrections, I thought we could all use a little breathing room.
However, there is always much to do - including Independent Reading. The students have all been instructed to bring their Independent Reading books to school beginning tomorrow (or their project work, if they're in between books), so that they will always have their reading available and are completely accountable for it. This is the one thing that the students are required to do all of their own accord.
I just completed grading Monday's vocabulary/spelling tests and will be sending them home tomorrow to be signed by parents. Though test grades don't count for more than other grades in terms of the overall progress report marks the students receive, I believe tests are a - somewhat - decent way of gaging if students are ingesting the information they are learning in class. By sending tests home to be signed, you, as parents, can also gage your child's understanding (and/or their study habits).
'Til tomorrow -
Cheers,
Ms. Pitman
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Email Eeks!
FYI: TPA has had some general email problems as of late, and my email seemed to really take a hit this weekend. If you sent me email between Friday and today, I may not have received it. I didn't receive any emails until this early evening when twenty came flooding into my mailbox.
Please forgive me if I haven't gotten back to you. Hopefully, now, it's up and running.
I am very good about emails and certain to get back to you within twenty-four hours. If you do not hear from me, please consider that something may be wrong with our server or our individual email accounts. I will never ignore your contact.
Cheers,
Ms. Pitman
Please forgive me if I haven't gotten back to you. Hopefully, now, it's up and running.
I am very good about emails and certain to get back to you within twenty-four hours. If you do not hear from me, please consider that something may be wrong with our server or our individual email accounts. I will never ignore your contact.
Cheers,
Ms. Pitman
HOMEWORK, Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Vocal Warm-Ups:
Memorize 5th stanza of Jabberwocky
Due: Tomorrow, Wednesday, November 5
Math:
Complete Data Project
Due: Tomorrow, Wednesday, November 5
Social Studies:
Work on Ancient Egypt Project
Research Due: Friday, November 7
Project Due: Wednesday, November 12
Science:
Read (NEW) Text Book, p. 8-10
Answer Questions, p. 11 (1-11)
*Complete sentences, excepting quest. #3
Due: Tomorrow, Wednesday, November 5
Special Note:
Krista, Jeremy LaFever's mom, is the Classroom Liaison for our 6th grade class. We met recently to come up with some ideas for this year. Krista will be contacting you soon to see if you have thoughts about any special talents you may have that you would like to contribute. She will also soon be offering you opportunities to contribute to you child's Tempe Prep experience through your involvement. Thanks for working with her to make this a fantastic year for our kids!
1. Holiday party in class for students
2. Family New Year's party at 1:00pm Sat. or Sun. the weekend of Jan. 10th
3. Field trip idea, possibly the AZ Science Center and or the Zoo
4. Special contribution from the 6th grade class: Outdoor work space for art and science.
Memorize 5th stanza of Jabberwocky
Due: Tomorrow, Wednesday, November 5
Math:
Complete Data Project
Due: Tomorrow, Wednesday, November 5
Social Studies:
Work on Ancient Egypt Project
Research Due: Friday, November 7
Project Due: Wednesday, November 12
Science:
Read (NEW) Text Book, p. 8-10
Answer Questions, p. 11 (1-11)
*Complete sentences, excepting quest. #3
Due: Tomorrow, Wednesday, November 5
Special Note:
Krista, Jeremy LaFever's mom, is the Classroom Liaison for our 6th grade class. We met recently to come up with some ideas for this year. Krista will be contacting you soon to see if you have thoughts about any special talents you may have that you would like to contribute. She will also soon be offering you opportunities to contribute to you child's Tempe Prep experience through your involvement. Thanks for working with her to make this a fantastic year for our kids!
1. Holiday party in class for students
2. Family New Year's party at 1:00pm Sat. or Sun. the weekend of Jan. 10th
3. Field trip idea, possibly the AZ Science Center and or the Zoo
4. Special contribution from the 6th grade class: Outdoor work space for art and science.
Actor-Audience
This morning the Sixth Graders spent their drama time engaged in an exercise called "Actor-Audience." Using the first four stanzas of Jabberwocky as their text, each student had the opportunity to experience being an actor, on stage, speaking; being an actor on stage simply in presence; being an actor "waiting in the wings"; acting as a "prompter" from "the wings" and sitting in "the house" as an audience member.
The students did a great job overall - this is not an easy exercise. I was very pleased to see the support they gave their fellow classmates and the focus they brought to their on-stage work.
The morning continued with a very good discussion about yesterday's "silent morning" experience and four students made presentations of their independent reading projects.
I stepped into a whirlwind of data projects in Mrs. Veenstra's Math class in the latter part of the morning, and it looks like there will be some really good work to see tomorrow.
This afternoon we broke into small groups and discussed a couple of the issues that have been hot topics during this last political campaign. The issue of taxes hit a hot spot and we only stopped the discussion because the school day was over.
Hope everyone had the chance to enjoy their voting privileges - whether you stood in long lines today or got in on early voting (and stood in long lines then).
Cheers,
Ms. Pitman
The students did a great job overall - this is not an easy exercise. I was very pleased to see the support they gave their fellow classmates and the focus they brought to their on-stage work.
The morning continued with a very good discussion about yesterday's "silent morning" experience and four students made presentations of their independent reading projects.
I stepped into a whirlwind of data projects in Mrs. Veenstra's Math class in the latter part of the morning, and it looks like there will be some really good work to see tomorrow.
This afternoon we broke into small groups and discussed a couple of the issues that have been hot topics during this last political campaign. The issue of taxes hit a hot spot and we only stopped the discussion because the school day was over.
Hope everyone had the chance to enjoy their voting privileges - whether you stood in long lines today or got in on early voting (and stood in long lines then).
Cheers,
Ms. Pitman
Monday, November 3, 2008
HOMEWORK, Monday, November 3, 2008
Math:
Math Project
Due: Wednesday, November 5
Vocal Warm-Ups:
Jabberwocky, 1st-4th stanzas memorized
Due: Tomorrow, November 4
Social Studies:
Work on Ancient Egypt Project
Research Due: Friday, November 7
Project Due: Wednesday, November 12
Complete Ancient Egypt Embalming Hand Out
If you are re-taking last week's test: STUDY!!!
Re-take tomorrow, Tuesday, November 4, after school
Special thanks to Ryan for looking up more info. on Isis,
and to Meghan for looking up why Amenhotep IV changed his name
to Akhenaten.
IMPORTANT:: ACCOUNTABILITY
Students must bring a pen and/or pencils
to class with them. If pencils need to be sharpened, please do so
BEFORE class begins at 8:25 A.M.
*Three times unprepared will lead to a detention.
Please bring your own notebook paper to class.
If you would like water, please bring your own water bottle
please do not share with others).
If you are late to class, you MUST go to the office and check in.
Three unexcused tardies will lead to detention.
Math Project
Due: Wednesday, November 5
Vocal Warm-Ups:
Jabberwocky, 1st-4th stanzas memorized
Due: Tomorrow, November 4
Social Studies:
Work on Ancient Egypt Project
Research Due: Friday, November 7
Project Due: Wednesday, November 12
Complete Ancient Egypt Embalming Hand Out
If you are re-taking last week's test: STUDY!!!
Re-take tomorrow, Tuesday, November 4, after school
Special thanks to Ryan for looking up more info. on Isis,
and to Meghan for looking up why Amenhotep IV changed his name
to Akhenaten.
IMPORTANT:: ACCOUNTABILITY
Students must bring a pen and/or pencils
to class with them. If pencils need to be sharpened, please do so
BEFORE class begins at 8:25 A.M.
*Three times unprepared will lead to a detention.
Please bring your own notebook paper to class.
If you would like water, please bring your own water bottle
please do not share with others).
If you are late to class, you MUST go to the office and check in.
Three unexcused tardies will lead to detention.
Shhh...It's Monday...
This morning the students in Room 503 experienced "a morning of silence." From the moment they walked into the room at 8:25 until their break at 10:05 (with one five-minute, out-of-the-classroom break in between), the Sixth Grade students did not speak.
Even our attendance was taken in silence, with the students holding up paper signs with one another's names on them. This brought accountability and communication to a new level.
The only voice that was heard (most of the time - there were some whispers here and there), was mine - as I gave directions and had to orally advise when the students took their vocabulary/spelling test.
Overall, the students did a terrific job with the silent practice. Tomorrow they will need clear, well-projected voices when they must recite the 1st through 4th stanzas of Jabberwocky in front of their peers. This is not an exercise in embarrassment - but an exercise in really working to hone our projection and articulation skills, as well as improving our memorization skills.
The students have their Math Data Project due this Wednesday and they have their research for their Ancient Egypt project due on Friday (the actual project being due on Wednesday, November 12, which means they will have a whole day off that Tuesday before to complete it).
For those parents who don't know anything about this project, here are the guidelines that the students received:
ANCIENT EGYPT
Independent, In-Depth Study
Become an expert! Explore, research, create and share…
Choose a person, place or thing from Ancient Egypt that you would like to explore further.
As part of your exploration you MUST:
· Fill out and turn in a Project Request Form to Ms. Pitman
· Go to the public library and find at least one (1) source that you can site in your project.
· Use at least two (2) internet sources that you can site in your project.
· Find at least two (2) photos or images that you can use IN your project.
· Research items must be brought to class and checked the Friday prior to the due date of the project:
PLAN YOUR TIME WISELY.
Be prepared to turn your project in ON TIME and present it to the class.
IMPORTANT DATES:
~ Project Form Due: Wednesday, October 29
~ Research completed by Friday, November 7
~ Projects due/ready to present: Wednesday, November 12
*You may use the original topic you had said you would like to explore further – or you may choose a new one.
Possible Project Ideas (or you may create your own):
Diorama “Scroll” Report Creative Map
Mural Sculpture/Papier Mache Board Game
“Artifact” Character Creation/Monologue
Regardless what kind of project you choose to do, you must have written information to back it up. You may write a separate report : 1-5 pages in length; create a poster that contains your background information, or, if possible, include the information in your project (power point presentation, mural, scroll, pyramid, etc.). The more creative you are and the more conscientious, the better!
~ Be neat
~ Be thorough
~ Use correct spelling.
Both your project and your report must be thoughtful and thorough.
Before turning your project in:
~ Re-read
~ Edit
~ Critique your own work
~ Have someone else critique your work
~ Ask yourself, “Is there more I need? Is there more that I can do? Is this my best work?”
Happy Researching!
Cheers,
Ms. Pitman
Even our attendance was taken in silence, with the students holding up paper signs with one another's names on them. This brought accountability and communication to a new level.
The only voice that was heard (most of the time - there were some whispers here and there), was mine - as I gave directions and had to orally advise when the students took their vocabulary/spelling test.
Overall, the students did a terrific job with the silent practice. Tomorrow they will need clear, well-projected voices when they must recite the 1st through 4th stanzas of Jabberwocky in front of their peers. This is not an exercise in embarrassment - but an exercise in really working to hone our projection and articulation skills, as well as improving our memorization skills.
The students have their Math Data Project due this Wednesday and they have their research for their Ancient Egypt project due on Friday (the actual project being due on Wednesday, November 12, which means they will have a whole day off that Tuesday before to complete it).
For those parents who don't know anything about this project, here are the guidelines that the students received:
ANCIENT EGYPT
Independent, In-Depth Study
Become an expert! Explore, research, create and share…
Choose a person, place or thing from Ancient Egypt that you would like to explore further.
As part of your exploration you MUST:
· Fill out and turn in a Project Request Form to Ms. Pitman
· Go to the public library and find at least one (1) source that you can site in your project.
· Use at least two (2) internet sources that you can site in your project.
· Find at least two (2) photos or images that you can use IN your project.
· Research items must be brought to class and checked the Friday prior to the due date of the project:
PLAN YOUR TIME WISELY.
Be prepared to turn your project in ON TIME and present it to the class.
IMPORTANT DATES:
~ Project Form Due: Wednesday, October 29
~ Research completed by Friday, November 7
~ Projects due/ready to present: Wednesday, November 12
*You may use the original topic you had said you would like to explore further – or you may choose a new one.
Possible Project Ideas (or you may create your own):
Diorama “Scroll” Report Creative Map
Mural Sculpture/Papier Mache Board Game
“Artifact” Character Creation/Monologue
Regardless what kind of project you choose to do, you must have written information to back it up. You may write a separate report : 1-5 pages in length; create a poster that contains your background information, or, if possible, include the information in your project (power point presentation, mural, scroll, pyramid, etc.). The more creative you are and the more conscientious, the better!
~ Be neat
~ Be thorough
~ Use correct spelling.
Both your project and your report must be thoughtful and thorough.
Before turning your project in:
~ Re-read
~ Edit
~ Critique your own work
~ Have someone else critique your work
~ Ask yourself, “Is there more I need? Is there more that I can do? Is this my best work?”
Happy Researching!
Cheers,
Ms. Pitman
Friday, October 31, 2008
HOMEWORK, Friday, October 31, 2008
Language Arts:
STUDY!!! Vocabulary/Spelling Test: Monday, November 3
Math:
Work on Data Project
Due: November 5
Re-takes for test: Monday, November 3 (after-school)
Corrections on test
Due: Monday, November 3
Social Studies:
Work on Ancient Egypt Project
Research Due: Next Friday, November 7; Project due: Novemer 12
Re-takes for Test: Tuesday, November 4 (after-school)
*If you haven't already, have test signed by parent
Due: No later than Monday, November 3
Vocal Warm-Ups:
Memorize 4th stanza, Jabberwocky
Due: Monday, November 3
STUDY!!! Vocabulary/Spelling Test: Monday, November 3
Math:
Work on Data Project
Due: November 5
Re-takes for test: Monday, November 3 (after-school)
Corrections on test
Due: Monday, November 3
Social Studies:
Work on Ancient Egypt Project
Research Due: Next Friday, November 7; Project due: Novemer 12
Re-takes for Test: Tuesday, November 4 (after-school)
*If you haven't already, have test signed by parent
Due: No later than Monday, November 3
Vocal Warm-Ups:
Memorize 4th stanza, Jabberwocky
Due: Monday, November 3
Prognosis: Proginoskes
I am practically plural. The little boy thought I was a drive of dragons, didn't he? I am certainly not a cherub. I am a singular cherubim.
~ A Wind in the Door
~ A Wind in the Door
Proginoskes, Calvins, Megs, Echthroi - all were in attendance at our Tea this afternoon, following the conclusion of our Language Arts reading. Today's Tea was probably more along the lines of the Mad Hatter's than a true Socratic discussion, but we did hit on some good topics and, I believe, a good time (and a lot of goodies) was had by all (see photos below).
Thank you to all the parents who helped supply treats and drinks, and a special thanks to Tracy Baker (Chad's mom) for the spooky brew - that was such fun!
Have a happy, healthy, and, to be sure, candy-filled weekend!
Cheers,
Ms. Pitman
Thursday, October 30, 2008
HOMEWORK, Thursday, October 30, 2008
Language Arts:
Create costume, mask or puppet for Friday's AWITD Tea
*Use what you have at home! Be creative!
Due: Tomorrow, Friday, October 31
TYPED Discussion Question and answer (Bold font for ?)
For our Tea
Due: Tomorrow, Friday, October 31
Math:
Work on Math Project (Due Nov. 5)
Make-up Test, Monday after school
Corrections due Monday
Social Studies:
Work on Egypt project (Due: Nov. 12)
Re-take test Tuesday after school
Social Studies Test to be signed by parents
Due: Tomorrow, Friday, October 31
Create costume, mask or puppet for Friday's AWITD Tea
*Use what you have at home! Be creative!
Due: Tomorrow, Friday, October 31
TYPED Discussion Question and answer (Bold font for ?)
For our Tea
Due: Tomorrow, Friday, October 31
Math:
Work on Math Project (Due Nov. 5)
Make-up Test, Monday after school
Corrections due Monday
Social Studies:
Work on Egypt project (Due: Nov. 12)
Re-take test Tuesday after school
Social Studies Test to be signed by parents
Due: Tomorrow, Friday, October 31
Study Skills:
"Z" Connection to be completed
Due: Tomorrow, Friday, October 31
"Born in Arizona, Got a Condo Made of Stone-a..."
King Tut.
Probably most of you parents recall Steve Martin's comedic take on King Tut, back in 1978 when one of the world's most popular exhibits hit the museum circuit. Well, Mr. Martin made a come-back today in Room 503 and the students loved it!
Martin teamed up with the eighties girl band, The Bangles (Walk Like an Egyptian) and Chicago-based folk band, Poi Dog Pondering (The Ancient Egyptians, 1990) to offer some levity to our Ancient Egypt unit. They also offered us the opportunity to re-examine what a genre is (this time in music) and to listen to three different (albeit somewhat silly) perspectives on the ancient civilization we are currently studying.
Speaking of studying, we are continuing to work on honing our study skills through all kinds of different means. Today the students worked on the particular skill of how to read a table of contents to find necessary information. Tonight they will be working on alphabetizing and matching up information. As we continue to practice different study skills, students will have the opportunity to learn which skills help them the most, and they will also gain a sense of what areas they may need (and/or want) to work on further.
There will be lots of opportunity for practice as the sixth graders have two big projects in the works (Math and Social), opportunities to re-take both their last Math and Social Studies tests and an upcoming vocabulary/spelling test.
When in Room 503:
Ay oh whey oh, ay oh whey oh
Walk like an Egyptian...
Probably most of you parents recall Steve Martin's comedic take on King Tut, back in 1978 when one of the world's most popular exhibits hit the museum circuit. Well, Mr. Martin made a come-back today in Room 503 and the students loved it!
Martin teamed up with the eighties girl band, The Bangles (Walk Like an Egyptian) and Chicago-based folk band, Poi Dog Pondering (The Ancient Egyptians, 1990) to offer some levity to our Ancient Egypt unit. They also offered us the opportunity to re-examine what a genre is (this time in music) and to listen to three different (albeit somewhat silly) perspectives on the ancient civilization we are currently studying.
Speaking of studying, we are continuing to work on honing our study skills through all kinds of different means. Today the students worked on the particular skill of how to read a table of contents to find necessary information. Tonight they will be working on alphabetizing and matching up information. As we continue to practice different study skills, students will have the opportunity to learn which skills help them the most, and they will also gain a sense of what areas they may need (and/or want) to work on further.
There will be lots of opportunity for practice as the sixth graders have two big projects in the works (Math and Social), opportunities to re-take both their last Math and Social Studies tests and an upcoming vocabulary/spelling test.
When in Room 503:
Ay oh whey oh, ay oh whey oh
Walk like an Egyptian...
Cheers,
Ms. Pitman
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
HOMEWORK, Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Language Arts:
Read AWITD, Ch. 12
Create Vocabulary Study Cards (13)
Due: Tomorrow, Thursday, Oct. 30
AWITD Discussion Question for Tea
*Must be TYPED; Question in Bold font.
Also type out a well-thought out answer
Due: Friday, October 31
Creatively constructed, mask, costume or puppet, depicting one of the characters from AWITD or AWIT for our Tea.
Due: Friday, October 31
Math:
Signed test and signed corrections policy
Due: Tomorrow, Thursday, Oct. 30
Work on Data Project
Due: November 5
Social Studies:
*Bring Atlas to class tomorrow morning!
Work on Ancient Egypt Project
Research due: Friday, November 7
Project Due: Wednesday, November 12
Vocal Warm-Ups:
Memorize Jabberwocky, stanza 3
Due: Tomorrow, Thursday, Oct. 30
Reminders:
Early dismissal again, tomorrow, Thursday at 12:25 (Parent-Teacher conferences).
Room 503 is low on handi-wipes/sani-wipes - whatever you can spare would be greatly appreciated.
Happily accepting old magazines and empty toilet paper rolls! Send 'em in when you can.
Read AWITD, Ch. 12
Create Vocabulary Study Cards (13)
Due: Tomorrow, Thursday, Oct. 30
AWITD Discussion Question for Tea
*Must be TYPED; Question in Bold font.
Also type out a well-thought out answer
Due: Friday, October 31
Creatively constructed, mask, costume or puppet, depicting one of the characters from AWITD or AWIT for our Tea.
Due: Friday, October 31
Math:
Signed test and signed corrections policy
Due: Tomorrow, Thursday, Oct. 30
Work on Data Project
Due: November 5
Social Studies:
*Bring Atlas to class tomorrow morning!
Work on Ancient Egypt Project
Research due: Friday, November 7
Project Due: Wednesday, November 12
Vocal Warm-Ups:
Memorize Jabberwocky, stanza 3
Due: Tomorrow, Thursday, Oct. 30
Reminders:
Early dismissal again, tomorrow, Thursday at 12:25 (Parent-Teacher conferences).
Room 503 is low on handi-wipes/sani-wipes - whatever you can spare would be greatly appreciated.
Happily accepting old magazines and empty toilet paper rolls! Send 'em in when you can.
Jabber, Jabber, Jabber...
No, I am not making a typical observation of our very chatty, ever-talkative class, but I am hoping to impress upon the students of Room 503 the importance of vocal articulation, help them hone their memorization skills while - all the while - introducing them to, probably, the most famous nonsense poem in the English language: Jabberwocky.
Tonight, one of the students' homework assignment is to memorize the third stanza of the poem:
He took his vorpal sword in hand:
Long time the manxome foe he sought—
So rested he by the Tumtum tree,
And stood awhile in thought.
During our vocal warm ups I encourage (actually, I DEMAND) them to work extremely hard to get their mouths fully around the vowels and to hard-hit the consonants that each word so deliciously offers. I encourage (well, DEMAND) them to over-exaggerate each sound in order to really work their mouth muscles.
I think some of the students really hate me between 8:30 and 8:40 A.M., but if this helps them, ultimately, to speak clearly, I'm okay with that.
Appreciation to Lewis Carroll for his help in composing vocal warm-up exercises.
Cheers,
Ms. Pitman
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
HOMEWORK, Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Language Arts:
Read AWITD, Ch. 11
Look up definitions for new vocabulary words:
compassion, respect, reverence
*Write definitions out in COMPLETE SENTENCES.
Due: Tomorrow, October 29
Math:
Data Project due: November 5
Work on this nightly!
Students have all the directions - email if any questions.
Social Studies:
Ancient Egypt Project Form
Due: Tomorrow, October 29
Science:
In two (2) paragraphs (total), please think about, make inferences and write responses to the following questions:
~ How did the invention of the microscope lead to the discovery of the cell?
~ Why do you think it took almost two hundred years after cells were discovered for scientists to conclude that all living things consist of cells?
Due: Tomorrow, October 29
*Student Reminders:
Please put full names and dates in the upper right-hand corner of your assignments; Also, please title/label your assignments so that it is clear what your assignment is (i.e. Vocabulary Definitions).
Reminders:
Early dismissal this Wednesday & Thursday at 12:25 (Parent-Teacher conferences).
Room 503 is low on handi-wipes/sani-wipes - whatever you can spare would be greatly appreciated.
Happily accepting old magazines and empty toilet paper rolls! Send 'em in when you can.
Read AWITD, Ch. 11
Look up definitions for new vocabulary words:
compassion, respect, reverence
*Write definitions out in COMPLETE SENTENCES.
Due: Tomorrow, October 29
Math:
Data Project due: November 5
Work on this nightly!
Students have all the directions - email if any questions.
Social Studies:
Ancient Egypt Project Form
Due: Tomorrow, October 29
Science:
In two (2) paragraphs (total), please think about, make inferences and write responses to the following questions:
~ How did the invention of the microscope lead to the discovery of the cell?
~ Why do you think it took almost two hundred years after cells were discovered for scientists to conclude that all living things consist of cells?
Due: Tomorrow, October 29
*Student Reminders:
Please put full names and dates in the upper right-hand corner of your assignments; Also, please title/label your assignments so that it is clear what your assignment is (i.e. Vocabulary Definitions).
Reminders:
Early dismissal this Wednesday & Thursday at 12:25 (Parent-Teacher conferences).
Room 503 is low on handi-wipes/sani-wipes - whatever you can spare would be greatly appreciated.
Happily accepting old magazines and empty toilet paper rolls! Send 'em in when you can.
Book Ends
In Room 503 when we come to the end of an Independent Reading book, we work on a week-long project that culminates in a classroom presentation. This afternoon we were treated to the first round of presentations.
Five students completed their first Independent book last week and followed up with turning in a Project Form. Just as students get to choose what book they'd like to read (as long as it's not a book they've read before), they also get their choice of project (as long as they don't repeat the same project). Each student is given one week between completion of their book and their project presentation.
Today we had three people who made book jackets for their books Victor Dinh, Claire Ternyik and Samuel Walterscheid. Each student created new cover art and wrote their own summary-version of the book. Each of the book jackets presented were well-done, thoughtful and creative.
Meghan Menendez created a terrific poster/collage for her book, The Sick Cat Poster and Max Steadman dressed up as Ben, from Dragon Rider, and told the story from his character's point of view. He looked terrific and really brought parts of the story to life.
I was very pleased and impressed with this first go-round of presentations. The two main things everyone still needs to work on are articulation and projection. Body carriage and keeping energy focused (as in curbing the habit of flailing arms) is another area that requires attention, as does kicking the ever-nervous habits of interspersing "um" and "like" between every few words.
Nonetheless, I was impressed and inspired by each of these five students' willingness to take the plunge and put in some very good work on their own time. Giving students options to explore what they like and how they like to do it empowers them, in many ways, to take responsibility and dig deeper because they want to. Hopefully, these will become life-long habits and inspire life-long learning.
Cheers,
Ms. Pitman
Monday, October 27, 2008
HOMEWORK, Monday, October 27, 2008
Language Arts:
Read Ch. 10, AWITD
Write a 1 paragraph summary of the chapter.
Due: Tuesday, October 28
Create costume, mask or puppet for Friday's AWITD Tea
*Use what you have at home! Be creative!
NO parent-badgering! : )
Math:
Prepare to begin Data Project tomorrow.
Social Studies:
*Ancient Egypt Project Form
Due: Wednesday, October 29
Vocal Warm Ups:
Memorize 2nd stanza of Jabberwocky
Due: Tuesday, October 28
Independent Reading Projects:
The following students have projects due tomorrow, Tuesday, Oct. 28:
Victor Dinh
Meghan Menendez
Max Steadman
Claire Ternyik
Samuel Walterscheid
A WIND IN THE DOOR TEA TREAT BRINGERS:
Our Traditional Tea is this Friday, October 31.
The following students have offered to bring treats:
Meghan Menendez
Chad Shaw
Ben Shockley
Jacob Shumate
Max Steadman
Thank you in advance, to all of our parents who are helping
supply us with delicious treats for our tea!
Reminders:
Wednesday & Thursday are both early dismissal days
for Parent-Teacher conferences. Dismissal: 12:25 PM.
Room 503 is still accepting:
Handi-wipes/Sanitary wipes (we are LOW)
Empty toilet paper rolls and used magazines for upcoming projects
Read Ch. 10, AWITD
Write a 1 paragraph summary of the chapter.
Due: Tuesday, October 28
Create costume, mask or puppet for Friday's AWITD Tea
*Use what you have at home! Be creative!
NO parent-badgering! : )
Math:
Prepare to begin Data Project tomorrow.
Social Studies:
*Ancient Egypt Project Form
Due: Wednesday, October 29
Vocal Warm Ups:
Memorize 2nd stanza of Jabberwocky
Due: Tuesday, October 28
Independent Reading Projects:
The following students have projects due tomorrow, Tuesday, Oct. 28:
Victor Dinh
Meghan Menendez
Max Steadman
Claire Ternyik
Samuel Walterscheid
A WIND IN THE DOOR TEA TREAT BRINGERS:
Our Traditional Tea is this Friday, October 31.
The following students have offered to bring treats:
Meghan Menendez
Chad Shaw
Ben Shockley
Jacob Shumate
Max Steadman
Thank you in advance, to all of our parents who are helping
supply us with delicious treats for our tea!
Reminders:
Wednesday & Thursday are both early dismissal days
for Parent-Teacher conferences. Dismissal: 12:25 PM.
Room 503 is still accepting:
Handi-wipes/Sanitary wipes (we are LOW)
Empty toilet paper rolls and used magazines for upcoming projects
Form(s) and FUNction
Today was a day of forms...Independent Reading Forms, Ancient Egyptian Project Forms...form(al) vocabulary and grammar exercise forms and two big forms, called TESTS (Math and Social Studies, in that order).
This morning afforded us practice time with the basic neccessities of writing: grammar and vocabulary. These are two areas that certainly require our entire class' attention: not one of us is perfect (or even close) in this area (including yours truly), and so attention must be paid - and will be throughout the school year.
Another area we are continuing to pay close attention to is our study skills. This will be another on-going practice, and the students will be given different exercises weekly that will help them hone this most important skill. Today we engaged in an exercise that required focused listening, which, of course is a key ingredient when it comes to taking in information.
I heard many requests from students to do more exercises like the listening one we did this afternoon, which is great - because the more fun the students have practicing these kind of skills the more fun and creative they can get when it comes to engaging in their actual study habits.
Cheers,
Ms. Pitman
This morning afforded us practice time with the basic neccessities of writing: grammar and vocabulary. These are two areas that certainly require our entire class' attention: not one of us is perfect (or even close) in this area (including yours truly), and so attention must be paid - and will be throughout the school year.
Another area we are continuing to pay close attention to is our study skills. This will be another on-going practice, and the students will be given different exercises weekly that will help them hone this most important skill. Today we engaged in an exercise that required focused listening, which, of course is a key ingredient when it comes to taking in information.
I heard many requests from students to do more exercises like the listening one we did this afternoon, which is great - because the more fun the students have practicing these kind of skills the more fun and creative they can get when it comes to engaging in their actual study habits.
Cheers,
Ms. Pitman
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