8th Grade GOAL Writing Contest Entries

8th graders: This year you have 2 different options for writing contests to enter.

• Letters About Literature
• Guidelines and Entry Coupon
• Previous Winner Examples
• Previous Winner Topic and Authors by State
• World Food Prize Iowa Youth Institute
• Information Poster
• Student Handbook (How to Write the Paper)

Look over the links for the two contests and then start to write your rough draft.

Independent Project Reflections

Now that you're done presenting your projects, write a blog post sharing and reflecting on your experience.  Include the following:

• Briefly describe your project, both your topic and the format in which you presented. 
• What do/did you like most about your project?  Explain. 
• What was the hardest part of this project, and why?
• How did you improve as a learner or as a student during the process of this project?  Explain.
• If you could do the whole thing over again, what would you change and/or improve?  Why?
• If you have any genuine suggestions for Mrs. Edlin about how to improve this assignment or how to make this project more meaningful to future students, please include them at the end.

Publish your blog post, and submit the link on the Canvas assignment (for your class, NOT the read-aloud section).  After you publish, please comment on the posts of at least three other people.

When you finish, you may visit any link under Idleness Prevention Society at the left-hand side of this blog

Independent Project Reflections

Now that you're done presenting your projects, write a blog post sharing and reflecting on your experience.  Include the following:

• Briefly describe your project, both your topic and the format in which you presented. 
• What do/did you like most about your project?  Explain. 
• What was the hardest part of this project, and why?
• How did you improve as a learner or as a student during the process of this project?  Explain.
• If you could do the whole thing over again, what would you change and/or improve?  Why?
• If you have any genuine suggestions for Mrs. Edlin about how to improve this assignment or how to make this project more meaningful to future students, please include them at the end.

Publish your blog post, and submit the link on the Canvas assignment (for your class, NOT the read-aloud section).  After you publish, please comment on the posts of at least three other people.

When you finish, you may visit any link under Idleness Prevention Society at the left-hand side of this blog

Independent Project Reflections

Now that you're done presenting your projects, write a blog post sharing and reflecting on your experience.  Include the following:

• Embed your project into your blog post.  If you did a poster or a model, take a picture of it and insert that picture into your post.
• Briefly describe your project, both your topic and the format in which you presented. 
• What do/did you like most about your project?  Explain. 
• What was the hardest part of this project, and why?
• How did you improve as a learner or as a student during the process of this project?  Explain.
• If you could do the whole thing over again, what would you change and/or improve?  Why?
• If you have any genuine suggestions about how to improve this project or how to make this project more meaningful to future students, please include them at the end.

Publish your blog post, and submit the link on the Canvas assignment (for your class, NOT the read-aloud section).

When you finish, you may visit any link under Idleness Prevention Society at the left-hand side of this blog

Shakespeare Reflection

Write a blog post reflecting on our Shakespeare unit.  For a B, choose 2 of the following options to write about.  For an A, go above and beyond.

1. Write about the change in your feelings from first hearing we were doing a Shakespeare unit through now.  Explain specifically what events changed your feelings.
2. In The Taming of the Shrew, was Kate tamed in the end?  Explain your opinion with examples from the text.
3. Why is Shakespeare's First Folio important?  Explain what you learned on our field trip.
4. How did Shakespearean insults and death scenes help your understanding and confidence with Shakespeare?  Explain.
5. Why is it still important to learn Shakespeare, 400 years after his death?

After publishing your blog post, use your good commenting skills and respond to at least 3 posts from 7th or 8th grade GOAL students.

2016-2017 1st Blog Post

Complete the following steps.

1.  Go to your blog (or create a blog if you don't have one yet).  Check to make sure your links work.  You may change the title, but you MAY NOT CHANGE THE ADDRESS!  My own blog has an old address but a new title, so I feel your pain.

2.  Create a new blog post.  Give it the title "2016-2017 1st Blog Post."  Set some goals for yourself for this new year.  Set an academic goal, set a personal behavior goal, and set an improvement goal.  Explain why they are all 3 important areas for you to work on this year.

3.  Watch this video on how to leave good comments... I know it's cheesy for you middle school students, but these kids know what they're talking about.  Even if you've watched it before, watch it again!

4.  Go to the lefthand side of my blog in the section called Idleness Prevention Society.  Check out some of the links.  If you see any that don't work, include them in the comment you're going to write to this post.  Note the links that are blocked by the school filter instead of not working at all.  You can check these out at home.  Know any good sites for me to include?  Include them in the comment to this post!

5.  Go to the righthand side of my blog.  Is your blog listed in the correct grade level?  If not, tell me in the comment you're going to leave in step 6.

6.  When you're done with numbers 1-4, comment on this blog post.  Your comment should use the tips given in the video and also a link to your own blog's url.  Show me you learned something, or ask some questions... leave a good comment.  Then you may tweak the settings/backgrounds/fonts on your own blog and/or check out Idleness Prevention Society in detail for the rest of the period.  Get blogging!

Breakout Boxes

7th grade GOAL classes:  You are the first GOAL classes to work with Breakout Boxes.  Reflect on your experiences.

1.  How would you define "Breakout Box" in your own words?  How would you tell another person what Breakout Boxes are?

2.  You worked to solve two teacher-made Breakout Boxes in class, a Communication Through the Ages box and a Mark Twain box.  What are the skills needed to solve a Breakout Box like these?  Explain.

3.  You helped to design your own Breakout Box.  What skills are needed to design a Breakout Box?

4.  Describe what went well when the other team tried to solve your Breakout Box.

5.  What were unexpected challenges when the other team tried to solve your Breakout Box?  What do you think were the reasons for the challenges?

6.  Think of at least one other classroom setting or topic that would make a good Breakout Box, and explain.

Documentary Reflections

Write a post reflecting on your documentary filmmaking experience.  Embed your videos from YouTube, and thoughtfully answer the following questions:

• Describe the process you went through to make your documentary.  Each group's process was a little different.  Tell how you made yours work.
• What are some specific interesting facts you learned about your topic?
• What are some specific things you learned about filmmaking?
• What are some specific things you learned about successful collaboration and working in groups?
• Which parts of your documentary make you proud?  Why?
• Which parts of your documentary would you improve if you had more time?  Explain.
• What is your advice for the group next year on how to successfully complete this unit and to make stellar documentaries?

Deep Thinking Friday: Forces

Hannibal Reflections

Please write a blog post to respond to the following questions.  You may include any appropriate pictures of your own from the day.

1.  Give a summary of the field trip for anyone who might not know about our Mark Twain unit or might not have ever been to Hannibal, Missouri.

2.  What was the most educational part of the trip and why?  What did you learn?

3.  What was the most fun part of the trip and why?

4.  What part of the trip would you improve for next year's class if you could?  Explain.

5.  How did your Mark Twain research help prepare you for your trip to Hannibal?  Explain.

When you finish, comment on the blogs of at least 5 classmates (use this website for tips on good commenting, if needed), and then you may go to any site on the lefthand side of this blog under Idleness Prevention Society, or you may read for your independent reading contracts.

Independent Project Reflection

Please write a blog post about your independent project.  Include the following:

1. Embed your project into your post.  If you did a display, take a picture of the project to include in your post.
2. Explain what your topic was and why you chose it.
3. Discuss what part of your project made you the most proud and why.
4. What were the one or two most interesting things you learned?  Explain.
5. If you could improve your project, how would you change it, or what would you add?

After you have finished your post, please comment on the posts of at least 5 other students.  If you need helping knowing how to write good comments, please watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDVSw54VU1A

7th Grade: Mark Twain Biography

Please get a set of headphones and go to the following link:  http://www.biography.com/people/mark-twain-9512564/videos/mark-twain-full-episode-2074654020.  We will discuss this video in class on Thursday, so be prepared.

5th Grade GOAL Poetry Reflection

Create a new blog post and answer the following:

1. How did your opinion of poetry change during our poetry unit?  Explain.
2. Which poetry activity did you enjoy the most?  Explain.
3. What poem did you share (or are going to share) with the class?  Give the title and name of the poet.  Why did you choose this one?  

When you're done, publish your blog post and then share the url (web address) of your blog with Mrs. Edlin in an e-mail.  Then you may go to any of the activities in Idleness Prevention Society on the lefthand side of this blog.

Summer Enrichment

Images of Greatness Reflection

Now that the big night is history, reflect on your process and project.  Write a blog post that includes the following:

1. a picture of you with your project (you can also include the group photo, if you'd like)
2. a description of your person and how they were/are important in their field or in history
3. how the person ties with your own personal definition of greatness
4. a description of the food you brought and how it tied with your person 
5. what part of your project made you the proudest
6. what you'd improve about your project and/or challenges you faced completing your project

Then, comment on the blogs of others.  Share your observations about their projects and performances.

Film Reflection

7th Grade GOAL Students:

Write a blog post reflecting about your experience making our FMS Promotional Video.  Include paragraphs about the following:

1.  Explain your role in the film.  What were your responsibilities?  What were your personal successes and challenges?
2. What did you learn about filmmaking?  Explain.
3.  What did you learn about teamwork?  Explain.
4.  What did you learn about your school?  Explain.
5.  What was your favorite part of the video, and why?
6.  What would you improve on the video, if you had a chance?  Explain.
7.  Embed the video to your post.

Invent Iowa Reflection

On your blog, reflect on the Invent Iowa process.  Use elaborated communication in your answers.

• Post a picture of your board and your prototype, if you have one.  Attach links, if needed.
• Describe the problem you tried to solve.
• Explain how your invention is a solution to the problem.
• Reflect on your process.  What went well?  What were your challenges?
• If you could modify or change your invention at this point, what would you do, and why?
• Give any advice to future inventors on how to make this project go smoothly.

When your reflection is done, comment on the posts of others.  Remember what it takes to make good comments on others' blogs.

Robin Hood Costume Ideas

The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood will be presented at FMS on March 3 & 4, 2016.  Cast members:  Look here for costume ideas.  Costumes are due by Monday, February 22.

Merry Men:  Here are some idea pictures for you.  Try to stick with colors found in nature like gray, green, brown, some black (not all black), and maybe some oranges and yellows too.  Leggings, tights, or long johns on the bottom, and long shirts/tunics on the top either belted or roped at the middle.  Brown or black shoes or boots or Converse in any color for shoes.

Fawning Ladies: Long skirts and blouses or long dresses.  Ballet slippers or slip on flats that don't click too badly for shoes.  We'll provide flowers for your hair.  Here are some idea pictures:

Guards:  All black... black shirts, black pants, and black shoes.  We'll provide the hoods.

Deep Thinking Friday, 1/8/16

After working on the Mock Trial unit with 6th grade GOAL students, some questions have been circulating in my mind about the American Judicial System.  Watch the following TED Talk (start at 5:36 because it's a little long for a TED talk... feel free to watch the rest at your leisure).

 

After watching, reflect on and be prepared to discuss the following concepts: injustice, fairness, punishment, equality.  How does the American Judicial System fit in with these concepts?