Operation ShoeBox a Success!

Thanks to a few students for doing a GREAT job!

We have sent a boy and a girl each a wonderful box of gifts for the holiday season. Well done!

Parent Teacher Interviews

Thank you to the many parents who came in for interviews. Please e mail me with questions or concerns, or if you think I might be able to help out with something you are working on with your son or daughter. I am always willing to help if I am able.

Remember that I am available for extra assistance every morning, lunch, and after school for students who need to hear more about the lesson, wonder about an assignment, or if a student wants to talk about their grades.

Thank you.!

Some Great Websites!

I recently ran an exploratory class with a group of students, and they searched for the best of the best websites in several categories. I think you will find this list useful for homework, or just for satisfying your curiosity about something. Enjoy!

Ancient Times
Ancient Civilizations
Ancient Civilizations for Kids
Ancient History Curriculum Links
Ancient History Quizzes and Ancient History Trivia -- FunTrivia
Ancient History Resources
Ancient History Web Sites
Ancient History — FactMonster.com
Ancient History — Infoplease.com
Ancient Mediterranean History-Thinkquest
Ancient World History
Ancient World
BBC - History - Ancient History
BBC - History - History for Kids
Best of History Web Sites
Exploring Ancient World Cultures
History Video Guide
History's Happening Ancient World History Page
historywiz The Ancient World
Home Page - History Television
Howstuffworks History
MrDonn.org - Ancient History INDEX
MrDonn.org - Site Index FREE LESSONS, ACTIVITIES, POWERPOINTS, FREE STUFF FOR KIDS & TEACHERS K-12
PBS History
The Amazing Ancient World - Premier Ancient Civilization Internet Book ACT I - StumbleUpon
The History Channel - Home Page
Welcome to The HistoryChannel.co.uk Homepage
World History Ancient Civilizations
World History by History Link 101
EMSc
Bubbles Free Game Download - WildTangent ORB
Cool math .com - An amusement park of math and more! Math lessons, math games, math practice, math fun!
Earth Science Rocks! Web Site
English Club - Learn English Teach English
English Spelling Games and Activities
gamequarium Math Games
grammar games index page learnenglish
Interactive ESL-EFL Online Games - Improve Your English Online (MSIE 4+ Versions)
Literacy Activities and English Games
Math is Fun - Homework Help
Math Playground
Env. & Animals
Animal Planet Pets, Wild Animals, Dog Breeds, Cat Breeds
Animals & Wildlife
Dinosaur Games - FREE - by DinoFun.com
Eartheasy homepage
EcoKids Home
Home Greenpeace International
http--planetozkids.com-
Kids Go Wild Home
National Wildlife Federation
Practical Environmentalist
Recycle City
Welcome to African Lion Safari
Welcome to SanDiegoZoo.org!
Welcome to the National Zoo FONZ website - National Zoo FONZ
High Interest
Chuck Norris Facts
Coloring.com - free online interactive coloring pages and coloring books
Disney.com The Official Home Page For All Things Disney
Free Music Download, MP3 Music, Music Chat, Music Video, Lyrics, Music CD, ARTISTdirect Network
Freewebs.com - Free website, free hosting, free webpage - Make a web site with photo albums, blogs, videos, forums and more!
Google Earth
Google Video
http--www.bigwavedave.ca-
Interesting Places for Kids
Koolstuff.com - kools tuff Resources and Information. This website is for sale!
Lolcats ‘n’ Funny Pictures of Cats - I Can Has Cheezburger
Loldogs, Dogs ‘n’ Puppy Dog Pictures - I Has A Hotdog!
Music on demand, free music without download Deezer
StupidStuff.ORG - Fun, Crazy Stuff!
The Graffiti Creator - Home Of Graffiti Art
Science and Technology
Bill Nye The Science Guy
Cool Science
Discovery Channel Science, History, Space, Tech, Sharks, News
Discovery Kids Home Page Discovery Kids
Kids Science Sites
Kids.gov - Main Page
KidSites.com - Great Sites for Kids - Science Sites
S C O R E Science - Kids Corner
Science & Technology Archives TreeHugger
Science and technology news and analysis The Economist
Science Monster
Science Sites
Science, Technology - Dr. Bob's Home Page

Operation ShoeBox

I'd never heard of this before this year. We get two shoe-boxes brought to our classroom (one for a boy and one for a girl) and we fill it with nice things for children in Mexico. From the Operation Shoebox website, here are a list of things that are suggested to be included:

School Supplies: pens, pencils and sharpener, crayons or pencil crayons, writing pads or paper, solar calculators, coloring and picture books, etc.

Toys: small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, kazoos, harmonicas, yoyos, skipping ropes, small Etch A Sketch®, Slinky®, etc.

Hygiene Items: toothbrush, mild bar soap (in a plastic bag), comb, washcloth, etc.

Other: Candy (hard through the center, in manufacturers packaging), T-shirts, socks, ball caps, sunglasses, hair clips, toy jewelry, watches, etc.

A Personal Note: In a separate envelope, you may enclose a note to the child and a photo of yourself or your family

Let's hope that our students / our children / become interested to give a little bit to make a big difference to others.

Major Social Studies Project

There is a major social studies project due on December 10th. Take some time to go through the criteria and the assignment with your child. It is a really interesting project and, as always, an adult perspective helps students to learn ever more effectively.

Parent Teacher Interviews November 26-27

If you haven't sent back the green appointment sheet, please do so today! Dates and times are booking quickly.

RRJ

Here is the outline of our RRJ's. The formatting isn't as clean as the grid we use in class, but it will do if you have misplaced your sheet. Remember, RRJ's are due EVERY Tuesday, so you know what you have to do for homework if you miss a Tuesday class.

Elements of a Reading Response Journal (RRJ)

One
Date;
Title;
Author;
Number of pages read.

Two Plot Details:
• What happened?
• Setting details?
• Characters?
• Conflicts?
• Be specific.

Three Analysis:
• Comment of the author’s use of a literary device, or
• Consider the writing from a particular perspective.

Four Personal Comments:
• How do you feel about what you have read?
o Why?
• What feelings or experiences do you share with the character(s)?
o Explain.

Five Predictions:
• What do you think might happen next?
o Why?
• What would you like to have happened next?
o Why?

Journal Writing

Here is an outline of our journal writing topics and process.

Journal Writing
Criteria:
1. You must write for 15 minutes or more without stopping. Your teacher will give specific details.
2. You must choose one of the bold headings listed below as a topic starter.
3. Format your page according to criteria listed in class.



Topics:


1. Yesterday. Write about all the things you did yesterday; include sincere statements that explain how you feel about those things.
2. Weekend. Write about all the things you did on the weekend; include sincere statements that explain how you feel about those things.
3. Yesterday Twist. Write about all the things you did yesterday and add a twist. For example, tell the events as if you were a superhero, or a fantasy character, or from the point of view of a fly watching you.
4. Weekend Twist. Write about all the things you did on the weekend and add a twist. For example, tell the events as if you were a superhero, or a fantasy character, or from the point of view of a fly watching you go about your weekend business. You choose; be interesting.
5. Favorite Moment. Write about a favorite moment in your life.
6. Pour Out. Pour out your feelings about an important topic in your life. Good and bad, happy and frustrated are all worth writing about.
7. Opinion. Make your opinion about an important topic loud and clear. Give reasons for your opinions and why you feel the way you do.
8. Teacher Choice. The teacher will choose a topic or will choose a method or a focus for the completion of the assignment.

Grading:
Journals will be graded both WHILE you are writing and at times they will be HANDED IN for a grade.
• WHILE: these will be graded for participation in the assignment as an in-class activity and performance assessment. Formatting and other criteria are important.
• HANDED IN: these writings will be graded on specific criteria outlined before you begin writing.

Work Habits

These are the most important of all report card assessments -- in my estimation. A good grade is great, of course, but the ability to work hard and perform well in school during class time is a clear indicator of future success. And, good work habits are valued by employers, scholarship committees, and institutions of higher learning. You can't go wrong by doing well with work habits.

Work Habit Grades
Assessed for Overall Effort in Class

General Work Habit Criteria:

On time to class

Gets to work without prompting

All supplies needed are present

Organized

On-task

Trying to do best

Engaged in learning

Respectful of learning environment

Grading Outline

The following is an outline of a typical means of grading many in class assignments and activities. This does not cover every instance, but sets forth a general outline that is followed much of the time.

There are three major compoments: conventions, ALIE, and ATQ. The conventions component covers all of the things to do with set-up of the activity, layout, approach to and execution of the assignment, correct use of vocabulary and terms, spelling etc. The ALIE section covers specific performance indicators, demonstration of skills, listening and understanding, appropriate interaction, expression etc. The ATQ section covers the activity, task or question being covered and all of the component parts required to meet set criteria.

This approach to grading allows students to be assessed in three categories for every assignment and rewards a thoughtful, diligent approach to school-work during class time.

Hopefully, if all goes well there will be information on this webspace regarding classes and assignments, upcoming events and more.

Here's to learning about this new medium....