Post date: Feb 13, 2017 4:2:25 AM
Hello Again -- Long Time!
I didn't write a newsletter for week 21 and last week I only saw rm 25 kids for two days, so there is a bit of catching up for me to do. For the past 6 weeks we've only had 6 to 7 hours a week of homeroom time and yet things flowed fairly smoothly; the weekly routines continued unabated (vocab words, curiosity slides, current events, reading) and most kids made great progress on their "mid year investigation" teaching and learning sessions.
Topics for This Newsletter:
1. Report Cards: Last Wednesday you should have received an envelope from your kid containing 4 or 5 pages. The page of comments written by the student and me; a page of math information and comments, two pages of "skills" ranked on a novice-approaching-mastry-exemplary (culminating from student and teacher and data-based factors), as well as scores from PE and selectives. This is a far cry from the traditional report card and I hope that the information is useful and informs you and your kid regarding areas of need and growth.
2. On Time Turn In: Late work and the self-deception that tends to go with it ("I'll do/finish that later") has increased throughout the year and is really plaguing some kids, so I've decided to shake things up a bit by implementing an "on time credit only" policy. For kids to get points (and PowerSchool entries) for work they have to turn it in at the time due or by the end of the day due. I'll temper that with a few late work passes for each kid (emergencies come up) and a "parent note = full credit" adendum, but for the most part, I want kids to get into the cut and dry habit of getting things done in the assigned timeframe and turned in when due. I could give a big hoo haw about high school preparadness and the "for the good of the kid" schtick, but the bottom line is that it is really time intensive to deal with a pile of straggler papers each night, which can take away from time better spent making good interactive lessons.
3. Constitution: The timing is perfect for the Government and Constitution "intensive" topic to arrive. During this coming week the kids and I will be learning about the Articles of Confederation, branches/balance of government, preamble and articles of the Constitution, and the 27 amendments -- all with the lens of historical events and current/future issues.
4. Pay It Forward movie, essay, action: Last week I started showing the kids the movie "Pay It Forward" with Kevin Spacey, Helen Hunt, and Haley Joel Osment. It is a powerful movie and book that will provide material for our next writing piece. Each kid will choose a topic, write a thesis statement, and then build a traditional supported-thesis essay. (writing coaches: I'll be sending you an email about this later tonight or tomorrow). Lastly, I'll introduce the idea of pay-it-forward type actions that the kids can do. I've done this once before with good and varied results (link)
5. SJ Scooter Tour Planning: The next trip that I'd like to do with the kids is a mostly student planned scooter tour of San Jose. We'll use public transit and scooters/skateboards to get around, and the kids will find the places of historical, educational, or cultural interest and plan the route and itinerary. Dates are TBA, but if this kind of thing interests you, please volunteer to chaperone.
6. Speaking of volunteering, has anyone stepped up to lead the Spring Auction classroom responsibilities?
Have a good night and I'm looking forward to a week of all-homeroom mornings!
Chris