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Daily HW and Info for Students & Parents - Scroll Down
🌲 Frost Valley Permission Slip & $100 Non-Refundable Deposit Due Thursday, 12/18 🛶
12/5 - Have a lovely weekend!
12/3 - Frost Valley Parent Meeting tonight 6:30 PM - Beach Street Auditorium
ELA: Vocabulary Routine Lesson 3 - Day 9 (Your Choice is due tomorrow)
Review/study for assessment tomorrow.
Sci: Review notes on Minerals, Rocks, & The Rock Cycle (5 mins)
*Specifically, the Rock Cycle
*A rock cycle AI Space was posted to the Google Classroom
12/2
ELA: Vocabulary Routine Lesson 3 -Day 8
*Assessment is on Thursday
Sci: Review notes on Minerals, Rocks, & The Rock Cycle (5 mins)
*Specifically, the Rock Cycle
*A rock cycle AI Space was posted to the Google Classroom
12/1 - Remember the advice today - 3 weeks of hard work! 12 nights of studying! Then break!
ELA: Vocabulary Routine Lesson 3 -Day 7
*Assessment is on Thursday
Sci: Review notes on Minerals, Rocks, & The Rock Cycle (5 mins)
*Specifically, the 3 types of rocks
*A rock cycle AI Space was posted to the Google Classroom
Parents:
Old posted HW/Info is at the very bottom of this page (scroll down past the green background).
Mr. Lavery's Website Mrs. Hudson's Website
Please don't stress! One day at a time! Students and parents have had to deal with starting middle school for years. It just takes a few days to get used to it.
Be open to new ideas and new methods of learning.
There will be difficult, annoying, and/or uncomfortable moments or days. Accept that it will happen, but it will also pass.
Stay positive and have a sense of humor about it all.
You will get lost. Read that again. It's no big deal. Tons of teachers and students in the halls to help you.
You will not get detention. Read that again. You'd really have to want to get it if you get it in the first month of school.
You will get your locker open. I've never had a student not be able to learn how to work a lock and locker. If you listen, you'll be fine.
Pay attention to everyone during the first week of school. It may be a bit boring or repetitive, but all of it is important and will make your experience at Beach Street awesome!
Stay/feel safe.
Make you laugh.
Make you feel cared for.
Learn something.
(In that order.)
I believe it is important to be honest. Be prepared the best you can for the following:
The room will have air conditioning now, so dress appropriately.
Fall/Winter - Windows will remain open a bit throughout the year. So dress appropriately, please! (I will discuss this more as fall/winter approaches.)
You may bring an easy-to-use water bottle (no glass).
Students take a drink as needed.
NO other drinks are allowed. Water only. (Why? Because water spills are easy to clean quickly. Other stuff is not.)
I will always let you go to the bathroom or nurse.
I will explain sign-out procedures during the first week of school.
I, personally, will not assign detention (unless I have to based on school policy/code of conduct being broken).
I have high expectations for you...
I expect kindness shown to all!
I expect you to do your best! (Everyone's best is different. Mistakes mean you are learning.)
I expect quality work. (I will explain this in class.)
I focus on learning, not grades... but I must use them.
So think this for EACH assignment: 90's is excellent work, 80's good work, 70's average work, anything below needs improvement, 64 or below means you "failed" to complete most of the learning requirements.
For me, I get 90's in surfing, math, art, or maybe PE... but 70's for hair braiding... and below 64 - "failing" - for singing. No subject is more important than another. We all excel at some things, and we all stink at other things.
If you want a higher "grade" or Honors - that's great!... You need to practice and perhaps find new ways to improve. I will always be there to provide help!
Please avoid being a "portal stalker"... a running average is going to go up and down constantly. You don't know how many more assignments there will be, and different assignments have different percentages (set up by the district), so it is not an accurate daily picture. At the end of the quarter, it tells you how you did on everything put together. Again, I'd rather you focus on your skills, concepts, and learning... then you'll improve your understanding of the material and your "grades" will increase as well.
In addition, you'll get your grade on your assignment back before I put it in the portal; therefore, it is silly to keep looking for it to show up on the portal. I want you to see what you were successful with and what you did incorrectly so that you can talk with your parents about it. NOTE to PARENTS: Please ask your child to show you the assignment, rather than react to a portal grade. (I will discuss this in detail at Open House.)
Phones are to be off and kept in your locker as per NYS Law and school policy, but...
Your device is a powerful, effective learning tool that some of you may want to utilize in conjunction with your Chromebook to expand creativity or save time. I support that and will allow it, at appropriate times, for those reasons.
If you wish to use your phone, you just need to ask me. Do NOT text at your locker without permission!
Talk with your parents so you know what you may or may not install when the time comes.
Examples: Google Drive, Docs, Forms, Slides, Earthquake Apps, Tuning Apps, etc.
Quality.
Your best effort.
Lots of choice.
Lots of "Passion Projects."
Lots of learning the right tools for the task at hand.
Lots of collaboration.
Done over time.
Less memorization, more understanding of concepts, processes, and applying your knowledge.
Hopefully, mostly enjoyable. (But not every topic is everyone's favorite.)
A good attitude.
Your Chromebook fully charged each day! You need to make a habit to do this every night! We use them every period!
I cannot move you to a seat near an outlet because it is unfair to others who cannot plug in.
Some type of earbuds.
A pen.
Some kind of folder to take home the occasional flyer from the school, etc.
An awareness of others. (Everyone has a different comfort zone. Respect that.)
Notebook if you feel more comfortable writing down reminders, some notes, etc.
A mouse if you do not like using the Chromebook trackpad
Small individual size tissues
Small bottle of hand sanitizer (optional)
We do have some in the room and about the school, but it is wise to have your own.
Altruism is a term used to describe behavior characterized by acts with no apparent benefits for the individual who performs them but is beneficial to others. Humans may designate a selfless love of others, that is to say, the wish that others find happiness and generosity expecting nothing in return.
Connection is a term that describes a relationship or bond between people.
Flexibility is a term that describes the ability to change or modify; and an openness to compromise.
Grace is a term that describes being courteous and having manners; being understanding.
Positivity is a term that describes being optimistic or looking on the bright side of situations.
Sense of Humor is a term that describes being able to appreciate joking.
As we've learned over the last few years - although it has always been a classroom community procedure I've stressed - please wash your hands well (20 seconds) and sneeze into your elbow. Stay healthy - eat right, get sleep, get exercise, laugh, and be creative! And, of course, talk to your parents or me if you have any concerns. We are all here for each other! We're better together!
With love,
Mr. Fawess
11/26 - Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and long weekend!
11/25
ELA: Vocabulary Lesson 3 - Day 6
Sci: Look over the NEW Minerals, Rocks, and the Rock Cycle. (5 mins)
11/24
ELA: Vocabulary Lesson 3 - Day 5
Sci: I posted NEW notes about Minerals, Rocks, and the Rock Cycle. Check them out or review any notes you took from the 3 pages we read today in the textbook. (5 mins)
11/21 - Have a fun weekend!
11/20
ELA: Vocabulary Lesson 3 - Day 4 (we will continue tomorrow)
Sci: Study/Review your notes for Earth's Interior Assessment (5-10 mins)
*The one written question is based on the information presented in the last slide of Earth's Interior (old
version) Notes Presentation
11/19
ELA: Vocabulary Lesson 3 - Day 3
Sci: Review your notes for Earth's Interior (5-10 mins)
*Assessment is this Friday, 11/21 (No notes allowed, no test preview) - The one written question is based on the
information presented on Slide #22 (the last slide) of Earth's Interior (old version) Notes Presentation
11/18
ELA: Vocabulary Lesson 3 - Day 2
Sci: Review your notes for Earth's Interior (5 mins)
*Assessment is this Friday, 11/21 (No notes allowed, no test preview) - The one written question is based on the
information presented on Slide #22 (the last slide) of Earth's Interior (old version) Notes Presentation
11/17
ELA: Vocabulary Lesson 3 - Day 1
Sci: Review your notes for Earth's Interior (5 mins)
*Lab Form for Tootsie Pop Layers of Earth will be completed tomorrow in class
*Assessment is this Friday, 11/21 (No notes allowed, no test preview) - The one written question is based on the
information presented on Slide #22 (the last slide) of Earth's Interior (old version) Notes Presentation
11/12
ELA: None (or Fridge Poetry - optional - Due Friday)
Sci: Review textbook page 12 or any notes you jotted down today OR look over the Earth's Interior Notes
Optional: Work on the "glow up slides presentation" for Earth's Interior if you'd like to be a part of the contest (Due
Friday, 11/14)
*I posted a NEW AI Space to learn about and review Layers of the Earth!
11/10
ELA: None
Sci: Work on the "glow up slides presentation" for Earth's Interior if you'd like to be a part of the contest (Due
Friday, 11/14)
11/7 - Have a fantastic weekend! Monday starts Quarter 2!
11/6
ELA: None
Sci: None
11/5 - Family Connect Night
Sci: Thermal Energy Part 2 - Written Response is tomorrow, but if you followed the recommendations in class, you
should not need to do anything tonight.
11/3 - No school tomorrow - Election Day
ELA: Study/Review Literary Devices in "Thank You, Ma'am" & "Eleven" presentations for your assessment on
Thursday, 11/6
Sci: Study/Review for Wednesday & Thursday's Thermal Energy/Heat Transfer Assessment
*Wednesday - Multiple Choice (88 points) - NO notes allowed - understand and apply the concepts
-You saw the assessment today, so focus your studies on the topics you were unsure of
*Thursday - Written/Short Response (12 points - 2 questions)
Question 1 focuses on Ice Cream Melting/kinetic energy
-Make sure you understand why it melts and can explain it
Question 2 focuses on a Thermal Mug/insulator/conductor/specific heat/heat transfer
-Make sure you can explain what the best material is to use to design a thermal mug, and how it
keeps the drink hot/cold
10/31 - Happy Halloween! Have fun and be safe!
*No HW on weekends, but since many of you have not been studying the provided notes, maybe you should take a little time to prepare for Wednesday & Thursday's Thermal Energy/Heat Transfer Assessment.
(Remember: review on Monday; no school on Tuesday)
As discussed in class this week...
Wednesday - Multiple Choice (88 points) - NO notes allowed - understand and apply the concepts
Thursday - Written/Short Response (12 points - 2 questions)
Question 1 focuses on Ice Cream Melting/kinetic energy
Question 2 focuses on a Thermal Mug/insulator/conductor/specific heat/heat transfer
10/30 - Halloween Costumes!
ELA: Review Literary Devices in "Thank You, Ma'am" & "Eleven" presentations (5 mins)
Sci: Review Thermal Energy, Heat Transfer Notes, Conductors & Insulators Notes, and Vocabulary
(5 mins... maybe 10 to 20 if you haven't been studying)
10/29 - Wear Neon Tomorrow for Red Ribbon Week!
ELA: Review Literary Devices in "Thank You, Ma'am" & "Eleven" presentations (5 mins)
Sci: Bring in an empty can tomorrow if you are interested in trying the "Can Crush"
Review Thermal Energy, Heat Transfer Notes, Conductors & Insulators Notes, and Vocabulary
(5 mins... maybe 10 to 20 if you haven't been studying)
10/28 - Wear Sweats/Sweatshirts Tomorrow for Red Ribbon Week!
ELA: Review Literary Devices in Thank You Ma'am presentation (5 mins)
Sci: Bring in an empty can tomorrow if you are interested in trying the "Can Crush"
Review Thermal Energy, Heat Transfer Notes/Vocabulary (5 mins)
*New notes posted on Thermal Energy and Matter
*Thermal Energy Simulator posted as well
10/27 - Wear Tie-Tye for Red Ribbon Week on Tuesday!
ELA: Review simile and metaphor in Thank You Ma'am presentation
Sci: Review Thermal Energy Notes/Vocabulary (5 mins)
*New notes posted on Thermal Energy and Matter
*Thermal Energy Simulator posted as well
10/24 - Have a great weekend! Wear Red for Red Ribbon Week on Monday!
10/22 - Family Connect Night!
ELA: None
Sci: None
10/21
ELA: If you do not think you will finish your identity poem tomorrow in class, continue revising and editing it. (Remember, if you are using your time wisely in class, you should not need to do any of this at home.)
Sci: Study/review your Heat Transfer Notes (5 mins) or complete your Thermal Energy Vocabulary Slides if you did not finish them today.
10/20
ELA: Vocabulary Routine Lesson 2 - Day 9 - Your Choice Activity (Due Today - make sure you submitted)
Study/review for the Vocabulary Lesson 2 Assessment tomorrow.
Sci: Review any Thermal Energy/Heat transfer notes or work on Vocab. Words in presentation (5 mins)
10/17 - Have a lovely weekend!
10/16
ELA: Vocabulary Routine Lesson 2 - Day 8 - Your Choice Activity (Due Day 9 - Moved to Monday because of
shortened periods today)
Sci: Continue Thermal Energy Vocabulary Slides/Notes (5 mins)
10/15
ELA: Vocabulary Routine Lesson 2 - Day 7 - Your Choice Activity (Due Day 9 - Friday)
Sci: Review Thermal Energy with the AI Spaces (5 mins)
Heat transfer "Your Choice Assessment" was due at the end of the period today. If you did not complete it,
you must submit it tonight.
10/14
ELA: Vocabulary Routine Lesson 2 - Day 6 - Your Choice Activity (Due Day 9 - Friday)
Sci: Review Thermal Energy with the AI Spaces (5 mins)
Heat transfer "Your Choice Assessment" due at the end of the period tomorrow.
10/10 - Have a wonderful 3-day weekend!
*I posted a new AI Space for you to help check the quality of your heat transfer example explanation. Check it out!
10/9 - Spirit Week - Wear a Hat Tomorrow
ELA: Vocabulary Routine Lesson 2 - Day 4 (continued due to shortened periods)
Sci: Review Thermal Energy (5 mins) & make your decision which method you will be doing for your Heat Transfer Choice Assessment.
10/8 - Spirit Week - Wear Blue and Gold Tomorrow for the Pep Rally!
ELA: Vocabulary Routine Lesson 2 - Day 4
Sci: Review Thermal Energy (5 mins) & make your decision which method you will be doing for your Heat Transfer Choice Assessment.
10/7 - Spirit Week - Wear Your Favorite Sports Team Apparel Tomorrow!
ELA: Vocabulary Routine Lesson 2 - Day 3 (reminder that I check this tomorrow)
Sci: None
10/6 - Spirit Week - Wear Camouflage Tomorrow!
ELA: Vocabulary Routine Lesson 2 - Day 2
Sci: Be prepared to discuss the lab you conducted today.
*You will need your headphones in class tomorrow!
10/1
ELA: None
Sci: None
10/30
ELA: None
Sci: None
9/29 - Wear Blue & Gold tomorrow to support Childhood Cancer!
ELA: None
Sci: Review for The Scientific Method Assessment tomorrow. Use all the materials in the Google Classroom - your notes, the practice material, and the AI Assistant that asks you questions similar to the assessment questions!
As reviewed in class, the questions will test your knowledge and understanding of:
The steps to the scientific method
independent and dependent variables
control and experimental groups.
9/26 - Have a terrific weekend!
ELA: None
Sci: Optional... Use the AI Space I posted today to practice identifying the steps of the scientific method from various labs.
*Our first assessment has been moved to Tuesday, 9/30
9/25 - Chromebook charged as always! ELA AIMSWeb tomorrow!
*You must wear your ID every day. Missing IDs requires you to get a temporary at the main office in Advisory (parents are notified - 5 times missing is a lunch detention)
ELA: None
Sci: Study your notes on The Scientific Method... especially the new notes on Independent and Dependent Variables
*Our first assessment has been moved to Tuesday, 9/30
9/22 - Have a wonderful holiday for those celebrating!
*Family Connect Night!
Sci: *Our first assessment has been moved to Tuesday, 9/30
Open House is Thursday, 9/18 at 6:30 PM - TEAM Fawess-Lavery-Hudson meets in the auditorium to start the night
Next Week is Start with Hello 2025 at Beach Street!
Wednesday - Wear Green Wednesday... a symbol of unity and solidarity with the Sandy Hook Promise.
Thursday - Travel Thursday. Wear a clothing item from a place you have traveled to. Get the conversation started!
Friday- Moving Forward Friday! Come together as a community by wearing Blue + Gold!
9/19 - Have a fantastic weekend!
Sci: *Our first assessment has been moved to Tuesday, 9/30
9/16 - Wear GREEN tomorrow!
ELA: Vocabulary Routine Lesson 1 - Day 7 ("Your Choice Activity" - remember you get class time all week and always study your words for 5 minutes a night)
Sci: Use the notes posted in the Google Classroom to study the 6 Steps to the Scientific Method.
*Our first assessment will be on Friday, 9/26
9/15
ELA: Vocabulary Routine Lesson 1 - Day 6 ("Your Choice Activity" - remember you get class time all week and always study your words for 5 minutes a night)
Sci: We'll have notes posted tomorrow night to study... for now, remember we'll use 6 Steps to The Scientific Method.
9/12 - Have a fantastic weekend!
9/11
ELA: Vocabulary Routine Lesson 1 - Day 4 (study your words for 5 minutes...you can study however you like or use the AI Scenario)
Sci: None... or work a little on your "Fawess Favorites" slide, poster, or 30 sec video... You will have class time tomorrow to finish it (I will show you how to submit in class)
*If you are reading this, remember "test tube" - I will explain tomorrow :)
9/10 - Wear Red, White, & Blue in Honor of Patriots' Day tomorrow
ELA: Vocabulary Routine Lesson 1 - Day 3 (study your words for 5 minutes... as stated in class today, if you didn't finish Check for Understanding today in class, it is due tomorrow)
Sci: None... or work a little on your "Fawess Favorites" slide, poster, or 30 sec video... do NOT finish it - you will have class time tomorrow and Friday to finish it
9/9
ELA: Vocabulary Routine Lesson 1 - Day 2 (study your words for 5 minutes... use the workbook or the link to the online version, which is on our Vocab. Routine Doc in the Google Classroom that we have been using)
Sci: None... but start to think of what you want to include on your "Fawess Favorites" slide or 30 sec video
9/8
ELA: Vocabulary Routine Lesson 1 - Day 1 (you probably finished in class, but everything you need is in the Google Classroom)
Sci: None
9/5 - Thanks for a great start!
*Please make sure you have everything on the supply list by Monday (scroll down for the list)
*Make sure you charge your Chromebook for Monday!
ELA: Vocabulary Routine is posted in the Google Classroom and on the Parents' Page & ELA Page of this site.
9/4 - All students were issued a new Chromebook today :)
Charge your Chromebook. Take a look over my website if you haven't yet.
9/3 - Great second day! And great first day with Lavery and Hudson's core groups!
HW: Charge your Chromebook. Take a look over my website.
9/2 - Awesome first day!
HW: Complete "Yellow Card" - two-sided. Charge your Chromebook. Take a look over my website.
August 2025
Welcome! Feel free to navigate my website - but please note that it will not be fully operational until school starts.
A ParentSquare welcome message was sent out today - Monday, 8/25. Please check it out!
Supplies for Team Fawess/Lavery/Hudson:
Fully-Charged Chromebook Each Day
Pens Link to Amazon
Pencils Link to Amazon
2 Composition Notebook (ELA/Math): Link to Amazon
Highlighters Link to Amazon
2 Black Sharpie Markers (keep one with you, one will stay in the classroom)
Earbuds (wired is fine) OR Headphones (but students need to have them in class each day... keep in mind many don't like bulky headphones) Link to Amazon
2 Plastic Folders (AKA - "Take Home Folder" & Math Folder)... so it holds up throughout the year Link to Amazon
Box of Tissues
Personal Hand Sanitizer (optional)
Students will decide if they need any other supplies once the class routine is established (these are not needed for day one):
Mouse? (Many students find it easier to manipulate the Chromebook)
June 2025
SORA's Summer Reading Program - Check it out: SORA Sweet Reads
WI Summer Reading - Recommended Reading list 6-8