This will be the final post here. From September 2009 through August 2011, this served as the class blog for tcsnmy7, the seventh grade at The Children’s School in La Jolla, California. The cryptic titles for many of the homework posts were meant as conversation seeds for students and their families at the end of the day.
The blog will remain online as an archive of my two years teaching seventh graders in the Nelson Middle Years program, which has since expanded and now includes students in the fifth through eighth grade. My primary role at TCS is now that of eighth humanities teacher. Please visit tcsnmy8 if you would like to continue following along or see tcsnmy6 for an archive of my two years working with sixth graders at TCS.
You might also be interested in my personal blog. If you would like to contact me, send email to tcsnmy6@gmail.com.
Thank you for all of your attention and support.
Rob Greco
Students (and Parents),
Although the school year has just finished, it is time to start thinking about summer reading. This letter outlines expectations as you enter the eighth grade. The details should come as no surprise; the class had several discussions regarding the format and content for summer reading this year. You decided on one shared read that the class will discuss when it reconvenes in the fall: My Family and Other Animals, by Gerald Durrell [ISBN: 0142004413].
You also decided to read other material that genuinely interests you (newspapers, magazines, comic books, non-fiction, audio books, biographies, novels, short stories, blogs, game guides, etc.) and to keep a record of what you read. This record will also be shared in the fall. Here is a short list of book suggestions (There is no expectation that you will choose from it.) that was compiled by the class:
- The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, by Douglas Adams
- The House of the Scorpion, by Nancy Farmer
- Uglies, by Scott Westerfeld
- Leviathan, by Scott Westerfeld
- The Giver, by Lois Lowry
- A Long Way from Chicago, by Richard Peck
- The Little Prince, by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
- Annabel Scheme, by Robin Sloan
- For the Win, by Cory Doctorow
- Kim, by Rudyard Kipling
- Cannery Row, by John Steinbeck
Please feel free to contact me with any questions. Enjoy your reading and your summer.
Sincerely,
Rob Greco
Thank you all for a great Presentation of Learning last night! You were all poised and articulate. The interactive component was especially well-received and entertaining.
Pre-Algebra: Review the incomplete items on your concept checklist.
NMYPE: A few of you still need to give your NMY Program Evaluation to Ruby.
Laptop Agreements: These forms most be read, signed and returned if you want to keep your laptop over the summer. They are due by Friday. If you do not have your form in by Friday, you will not be able to take your laptop home.
Don’t forget that tomorrow night is the eighth grade graduation. You need to be on campus by 4:45 PM.
Don’t forget that your Presentations of Learning are scheduled for tonight at 6:30 PM.
Pre-Algebra: Review the incomplete items on your concept checklist.
NMYPE: Have you given your NMY Program Evaluation to Ruby?
Laptop Agreements: These forms most be read, signed and returned if you want to keep your laptop over the summer. They are due by Friday. If you do not have your form in by Friday, you will not be able to take your laptop home.
That’s it.
Don’t forget that your Presentations of Learning are scheduled for tomorrow night at 6:30 PM.
Pre-Algebra: Review the incomplete items on your concept checklist.
Español: Escribe un reflexción sobre tu proyecto basado en el libro Patricia va a California.
Presentations of Learning: Practice your speech. The next rehearsal is tomorrow morning.
NMY Program Evaluation: Written evaluations were due today. If you did not turn yours in, get it to Ruby ASAP.
Thank Yous: If you volunteered to work on a thank you, please complete it ASAP.
That should do it!
Don’t forget that your Presentations of Learning are scheduled for Tuesday night at 6:30 PM.
Pre-Algebra: Review the incomplete items on your concept checklist.
Presentations of Learning: Send your slide materials to Charmaine and your booklet materials to Brianna. Those items are past due. Practice your speech. The first rehearsal has been rescheduled for Monday morning.
NMY Program Evaluation: Written evaluations are due Monday. There will be a discussion that day. See Google Docs for the prompts.
Thank Yous: If you volunteered to work on a thank you, please complete it by Monday.
Have a great weekend!
The eighth graders will be presenting their capstone projects tonight at 6:30 PM in the NMY Common Room.
Pre-Algebra: Review the incomplete items on your concept checklist.
Español: La fecha de entrega del proyecto basado en el libro Patricia va a California es mañana.
Update: Español: Entrega tu copia del libro Patricia va a California.
Presentations of Learning: Finish making adjustments to your speeches. Continue preparing the interactive activity. The first rehearsal will be tomorrow morning.
NMY Program Evaluation: Written evaluations are due Monday, June 6. There will be a discussion that day. See Google Docs for the prompts.
Thank Yous: If you volunteered to work on a thank you, please complete it as soon as possible.
Tomorrow is TCS Variety Show, and additional capstone viewing day.
