Post date: Feb 21, 2011 4:32:33 PM
Dear Parents and Kids:
This teaching job has got to be the best gig around – rewarding, rigorous, and week-long vacations every couple of months. I try hard not to gloat when I chat with my cubicle-confined contemporaries on Facebook or at various reunions. Thanks to all of you who make the job so great.
Recap of the Week:
English
Speeches: Most of the students who gave speeches this week really embraced the intent of the assignment and gave evocative presentations. There were others who didn’t exhibit much preparation or investment in the experience. We are in the process of burning the recordings to CD for students to self-assess.
Essays: As the students were progressing on their Steinbeck projects, I explained why I (and they) should set the expectations high -- our kids have all the ingredients for great writing, and with enough "ganas", they should be able to compose at a level that is not only commensurate with their public school peers in mechanics and structure, but exceed it in passion and perspective. As I said in my email of a few weeks ago, I believe that a bar set high will challenge the kids but not be out of reach.
Movie Time: During a few half-class showings, I was able to squeeze in the Senise-Malkovich production of "Of Mice and Men". Even those students who read other SteinBooks could identify his very insightful, sad, and poignant style. It may not have been the most upbeat way to end the week, but I was impressed by the discussions that I heard after the movie.
Science:
During science this week the students learned about the characteristics of various groupings of elements on the periodic table. They did this through a variety of instructional strategies including progressive notes, the publisher's worksheet, a "clicker" activity, and a take home test. My hopes are that if the students start second semester with high scores (as they are), they will work hard to maintain them!
On Tuesday I used an old laserdisc to do an investigatory simulation ("The Case of the Exploding Lawnmowers") that set the stage for the upcoming chemistry chapters. The next few topics in science will be a bit more challenging but also involve more experiments involving chemical interactions and reactions.
The next two major assignments in science are the element poster or shirt (due on 3/4) and the science fair project that Mrs. Stuart is spearheading (expo day is 4/1). It wil be great to be able to help the kids investigate elements and issues of their choosing. The instructions for the T-shirt project were given out by Mrs. Stuart on Friday 2/11. The poster instructions are on the project page of my site.
Things on my Mind:
There has been an unsettling thought swirling in my head as well as a somber tone to some parent discussions lately: How can the remaining time in 8th grade best prepare the kids for the requirements and rigor of high school? I'm in the process of putting my thoughts into an essay I'm calling "The Frontage Road and the Freeway" about this very topic. Two-second summary: how to make the merge from the scenic and experiential county frontage road (of "alternative ed") to the fast-paced demands of life on the freeway (of "traditional ed"). I'd love to hear your thoughts before I "publish" this paper and inundate you with mine. If you have time and desire, please reply with whatever input and ideas you have.
Last Thing:
This week I'm hoping to start building the "hill" for the water feature in middle school alley. I will go to Peninsula Building Materials on Monday to meet with Patrick, the manager, about my ideas and hopefully get a donation or reduced price for the bolders and river rock. If any of you are interested in digging dirt and rolling rocks, please let me know.