Post date: May 12, 2012 5:30:45 AM
Important things first: please take a look at the student-created reading groups on the "mystery" page of my site and take the next steps necessary to have a mystery book ready for class on Tuesday. For those groups who have formed and chosen a book, this is just a matter of attaining copies of the book. For those who have formed a group but not yet chosen a book, you must communicate with each other (gdoc) and take both steps. For those not yet in a defined group, you have three steps to do.
Recap of the Week
Engish: On Monday I gave out what is likely to be the last grammar assignment of the week (no promises, though) on subject-verb agreement. That mechanics stuff has been a big part of the ELA curriculum this year and I hope that the grammar skills have transfered into the students' writing. Similarly, our vocabulary exercise at the middle of the week was a "recap" assignment, in which they browsed their comp books for any 10 great words that they had entered on previous Wordy Wednesdays but have not assimilated into operational vocabulary. They entered those words into this site, and they played two of the three games it creates.
During bookclub time the kids participated in a sleuthing scenario. Each group was given a set of 16 “stolen checks” in random order, a few at a time, and the group had the task of creating the story that could be explained using the checks as clues. It was quite an engaging session and the stories each group created were great.
In addition to those two routine lessons, I had the kids read two articles from SCOPE magazine in order to draw connections between the gladiator games of ancient times and the unscripted "reality" TV shows that are (unfortunately) gaining much popularity and impact.
Much class time of the week was also devoted to the completion of a few other assignments, including their autobiographical excerpt, the class newspaper, and a newspaper-based "Non Fiction Friday" form that should be discussed with you over the weekend... ask 'em 'bout it.
Science: Our unit on astronomy is off to a good start. Over the next few weeks the kids will be building board games that are designed to teach about one aspect of astronomy in an engaging and entertaining way. I've had kids build games for many years and the process and results are almost always great. On my website there is a "Board Game" page that explains the project in great detail, and also explains the group-work grading system. There are also pictures of some past games and documents that are designed to keep the project going smoothly and completed on time.
Other Things:
Fourteen more days of/at school left. Sigh. I'm sure that I'm not the only one feeling two simultaneous and strong feelings: eager for the relaxed sleep-in schedule of Summer, but also a bit of sadness at the thought of this class departing and dispanding. Well, lets make/take it for all its worth and enjoy every minute together. :)
Pond repairs and improvements were done this week and it is healthy and happy again. It always thrills me when kids notice me tinkering, digging, or hauling rocks around, and enthusiastically offer to help. Yesterday, for example, I began to excavate a four inch deep layer of dirt between the pond and the walkway, and within minutes all the tools were in kids hands I got to stand by in CalTrans fashion and give occasional hints.
Still Thrilled by Tuesday's Trip: I'm very glad that the other two classes are working on student-planned field trips! Ours went as planned and was a blast. Not much more to say!
Enjoy your weekend.
Chris