September 2011
1 post
Archived [4 Sept 2011]
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...
August 2011
2 posts
June 2011
13 posts
Eighth Grade Summer Reading 2011
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...
Exposed Mess [8 June 2011]
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...
Showtime [7 June 2011]
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...
Appreciated [6 June 2011]
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...
4'33" →
A big thanks to Taelon for remembering “4’33”” and sharing it at the TCS Variety Show this morning. It might seem strange to describe a performance of that piece as perfect, but I’m willing to make a case. Taelon’s delivery was well-timed and splendidly executed with a calm stillness and relaxed concentration. He also wore a appropriate, almost-expressionless...
Fifth Annual SeaWorld Shamu & You Family Walk →
Henry, one of the TCS third graders, announced his participation in the Fifth Annual SeaWorld Shamu & You Family Walk on October 1, 2011. Please consider sponsoring Henry and/or joining his team: Henry’s Hemophiliacs.
A One-Minute Segment [3 June 2011]
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...
Sherif Drinksapplejuice [2 June 2011]
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...
(Un)funny [1 Jun 2011]
Friday is the TCS Variety Show and capstone viewing day.
Pre-Algebra: Today you looked at measures of central tendency and range. Your homework is to complete Practice 11-6 and Word Problem 11-6.
Español: La fecha de entrega del proyecto basado en el libro Patricia va a California es el viernes, 3 de junio.
Presentations of Learning: Finish making adjustments to your speeches. Continue...
Kim and the Podarkeopsis
Here’s a note from TCS elementary science teacher Kim Lohnas:
In science, some classes entered a contest put on by Scripps Oceanography researchers to name a new species of worm that was recently discovered. I’m very excited to report that Scripps has chosen two of the names we submitted as finalists! The public can vote for their favorite name online anytime between now and...
Round Two [31 May 2011]
Yearbook orders are due tomorrow.
Pre-Algebra: Today you looked at measures of central tendency and range. Your homework is to complete Practice 11-4 and Word Problem 11-4.
Humanities: Come with ideas for the summer reading list. We will discuss tomorrow.
Español: La fecha de entrega del proyecto basado en el libro Patricia va a California es el viernes, 3 de junio.
Presentations of...
May 2011
36 posts
Five [27 May 2011]
Don’t forget that there will be a seventh and eighth grade lunch on Tuesday. There is no need to bring anything.
Humanities: Come with ideas for the summer reading list. We will discuss on Tuesday.
Español: La fecha de entrega del proyecto basado en el libro Patricia va a California es el 3 de junio.
Presentations of Learning: Make adjustments to your speeches based on the feedback you...
Loose Change Drive
The NMY seventh graders are completing an end of the year CSL (community service learning) project which will benefit the Japanese earthquake victims through Save the Children. On Tuesday, May 31 they are holding a one-day loose change drive and are asking the TCS community to bring their change to class to be collected. Please help them make this project successful. Any and all contributions are...
__________________ [26 May 2011]
There will be a lunch on Tuesday. You know why. There is no need to bring anything.
Humanities: Come with ideas for the summer reading list. We will discuss tomorrow.
Pre-Algebra: There will be a level 2 quiz tomorrow for concepts 7-7, 7-8, 9-3, 9-5, 9-6 and 9-7.
Español: La fecha de entrega del proyecto basado en el libro Patricia va a California es el 3 de junio.
Presentations of Learning:...
A note from Janie
All library items are due on Tuesday, May 31 for inventory, and there will be no more library checkout this year. Please get items in as soon as possible. I will be checking classrooms and the library individually for lost and overdue books before billing at the end of the school year, so it will really help if people bring in their books as soon as they can!
TCS Variety Show
Music! Dancing! Jokes! Bubbles?! Come check out all of the talents that the students have to offer at the TCS Variety Show. This year, the fifth and sixth grade students have joined forces to organize the event and raise money to donate to UNICEF’s relief efforts in Japan. Everyone is welcome to attend. Refreshments will be provided before and after the event, and donations will be...
Success! [25 May 2011]
Well executed today. (Pun intended.)
Pre-Algebra: There will be a level 1 quiz tomorrow for concepts 7-7, 7-8, 9-3, 9-5, 9-6 and 9-7. The level 2 quiz will be on Friday.
Science: Your sugar experiment posts are due tomorrow. The post should include a link to the original recipe, photo documentation (if you have it), and your thoughts on working with sugar.
Español: La fecha de entrega del...
Charcoal Pop [24 May 2011]
Did you check the NMY7 Google calendar?
Humanities: Finish your writing your portion(s) of the book project by tomorrow. Bring the supplies that you volunteered to provide.
Pre-Algebra: We looked at two different lessons today, scatter plots and histograms. Selected problems from Word Problem Practice 9-8 and Practice 11-2. Be aware that 9-8 is included on the quiz for Thursday.
Pre-Algebra:...
None [23 May 2011]
Take some time to read this list carefully and to check the NMY7 Google calendar. There are many assignments coming due and events coming up in the remaining (less than) three weeks of school.
Humanities: Finish your writing your portion(s) of the book project by tomorrow. Have you made arrangements for the supplies that you volunteered to bring?
Pre-Algebra: You are working on translating...
Glitch →
Remember Glitch? It’s now in beta. If you singed up for notifications last year, you probably received an email. If not, you can ask to be include by clicking the button labeled “Give me early access to play.” Sophia and Enzo have been part of the alpha testing of the game — they give it four thumbs up.
Rapture [20 May 2011]
Have you taken any of you belongings home?
Humanities: For Monday, finish reading the rest of And Then There Were None.
Humanities: Have you made arrangements for the supplies needed for your book project?
Science: We have begun creating our sugar treats. If you need to bring any supplies or materials, please make sure you do! It would also be helpful if you review what needs to happen so...
Interview Etiquette [19 May 2011]
Don’t forget to start taking home any materials that you are no longer using in the studio. Some of you have a L A R G E collection of belongings that have accumulated in the past months.
Humanities: For tomorrow, finish reading chapter thirteen of And Then There Were None. The date for our book project is now set for Wednesday.
Pre-Algebra: We looked at slope-intercept form. Homework is...
The 2011 NMY7/8 Universal Food List
Here’s the list produced by our conversation on the beach on Friday. If I recall, it started with a misunderstanding of Bri’s invention and use of the phrase “universal foods.” That led to talk and surveying about foods that all of us will eat. There weren’t many. Thanks to Tati for taking notes and passing them along to me.
bagels
doughnuts (original glaze)
...
Me gustas cuando callas →
Want to know more about that poem that I mentioned during morning meeting? Here’s a link to a post that I made back in December. It includes mention of a song adaptation by a contemporary band.
Gummies [18 May 2011]
The candy factory is starting to roll out its product!
Humanities: For tomorrow, finish reading chapter ten of And Then There Were None. The date for our book project is now set for next Wednesday, May 25.
Pre-Algebra: We looked at our final geometry concept, surface area of pyramids. Practice 7-8 is homework.
Science: We are about to begin creating our sugar treats. If you need to bring any...
I Like Big Buts… [17 May 2011]
…with one T! Do you hear me?
Humanities: For tomorrow, finish reading chapter eight of And Then There Were None. The date for our book project is now set for Wednesday, May 25.
Pre-Algebra: We, especially Maxx, covered surface area today. The homework is Practice 7-7.
Ninja Star Problem: Be sure to put some time into this problem before we gather together on Friday.
Español: Lee capítulo 8...
Devon? [16 May 2011]
How about a more routine week for a change?
Humanities: For tomorrow, read chapter six of And Then There Were None. Check your calendar because tomorrow we’ll also need to set a date for the project. [Update: The chapter number for this list item has now been corrected.]
Pre-Algebra: There will be a quiz tomorrow that will be level 2 questions. The quiz will cover 7-1 to 7-6.
Ninja Star...
Together Again [13 May 2011]
It’s so good to be back with all of you again! We missed you.
Humanities: For Monday, read chapter four of And Then There Were None.
Math Square Challenge: Keep on theorizing about the “ninja starts” until next Friday, May 20. We’ll meet to discuss them again that day.
Presentations of Learning: Work on your individual speech.
CSL: Lemonade Stand #1 is tomorrow.
Have...
Lemonade Stand #1 is this Saturday!
From Lisa A.:
Our lemonade stand to benefit Save the Children will be taking place this weekend, Saturday, May 14. Please let your parents know that we need some donated supplies for this project. Their contributions will be greatly appreciated. Taelon’s driveway will be our venue and we decided to meet there at 1:15 PM to set up. Here are the list of supplies:
pitchers/containers (We...
Until we meet again… [6 May 2011]
We’re going to miss you next week.
ERBs: Remember that next week you’ll be taking the ERBs. Sleep well, eat a good breakfast, and don’t feel stress about the tests.
Humanities: For Monday, read chapter two of And Then There Were None.
Math Square Challenge: Elizabeth and I shared an interesting math problems with you in Morning Meeting. Each of you need to put some time into...
San Diego Book Arts →
This link is for Laure, but I think some of the rest of you might also be interested:
“San Diego Book Arts is open to everyone interested in the art of the book and serves as an educational and creative resource for the community.”
See the gallery, exhibitions, and workshops pages to learn more about what they offer.
How to Make Bowls out of Vinyl Records →
From this morning’s conversation, and especially for Andrew: “How to Make Bowls out of Vinyl Records.”
Cielito lindo [5 May 2011]
That’s one of my favorite songs. Although it’s a promotion for a bank, I kinda like this version. You might also like Negrita de mis pesares and Bésame mucho, two of my other favorites.
Humanities: For tomorrow, read chapter one of And Then There Were None.
Pre-Algebra: We explored how to calculate the volume of prisms and cylinders today. Homework is Practice 7-5. There are...
Bam! [4 May 2011]
Thanks to Marisol and Heather from La Jolla Playhouse’s YPW Program for today’s workshop.
Humanities: Tomorrow we will discuss your next humanities project and decide on a format for the end-of-year presentations of learning.
Pre-Algebra: 3D solids were the focus of today’s class. What is the difference between a prism and a pyramid? Homework is selected questions from 7-4.
...
Promises, promises… [3 May 2011]
Thanks to Jonathan and Kelly from Miles to Go for two days of engaging presentations.
Field Trip: Get your permission slip signed and return it by tomorrow.
Reflections/Sharing: Are you up to date?
Humanities: On Thursday, we will discuss your next humanities project and decide on a format for the end-of-year presentations of learning.
Math: We looked at how to find the area of complex...
Reminder: Jennifer Kolari at TCS
A note from the office:
Just a quick reminder that Jennifer Kolari will be here at TCS tomorrow evening presenting a workshop to our TCS parent community. The event will run from 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. and will be held in the NMY common room.
Jennifer is an engaging and entertaining speaker. She is also an author and is the founder of Connected Parenting. She is a child and family therapist and...