Weekly Preview: 2/14-2/17

Happy Valentine's Day! What a wild, weird week this is going to be! With ITBS and parent/teacher conferences, the schedules are messed up every single day. We'll all have to go with the flow.

6th GOAL: We're finishing up Great Ocean Rescue, and we'll spend the rest of this week completing the in-class activities that relate to oceanography on the other side of the laser disc. There are some great photos and video clips that go along with them.

7th GOAL: We're working hard on History Day projects this week. Here's our agenda for the next month... 2/14-2/17: plan & organize exhibits, write scripts for performances and documentaries; 2/21-2/25: build/create exhibits, practice performances, create documentaries; 2/28-3/4: write/edit/publish process papers and annotated bibliographies; 3/7-3/11: practice mock judge interviews, perfect projects, prepare for competition; 3/14: last day to panic; 3/15: History Day! It's going to be here before we know it!

8th GOAL: We're working hard on Images of Greatness projects this week. Our research is done, so here's the agenda for the time we have left: 2/14-2/17: write/edit/publish essays and annotated bibliographies; 2/21-2/25: create timelines and bioriddles, submit quote; 2/28-3/11: create trifold display boards, create costume; 3/14-3/17: memorize and practice bioriddle, prepare accompanying dish; 3/17: Images of Greatness takes place at 7:00 pm in the FMS Cafetorium. We have lots of work to do to get to that point!

7th Language Arts: This week we're going to be doing mini-persuasive projects. This will be in class activities that will give students the feel of a persuasive presentation. We will also be working on Week 21 Spelling, Words from Names and Places. Pretest corrections and p. 130 (1-20) are due on Wednesday. The posttest will be on Friday.

Week 21 Words

tangerine

suede

gardenia

calico

frankfurter

tuxedo

angora

cardigan

damask

cheddar

magnolia

denim

hamburger

cantaloupe

satin

currant

leotard

cashmere

hyacinth

camellia

I hope to see all you parents and guardians at parent/teacher conferences this week. They take place from 5:00-8:30 on Tuesday and Thursday nights. See the school website for details, or leave a comment here if you have questions. Have a wonderful week!

Library Day Booktalks

With shortened periods and 2 grades needing to finish research today, I didn't take a lot of time today for booktalks, but here are the few I highlighted:

A Killing Freeze by Lynn Hall

Eleven by Patricia Reilly Giff

Shooting the Moon by Frances O'Roark Dowell

Happy reading!!!

Weekly Preview: 2/7-2/11

This week's schedule is a revision of last week's schedule, thanks to our 3 snow days.

6th GOAL: More Great Ocean Rescue! Each group is getting better with every mission in using the data provided, debating skills, and problem-solving strategies.

7th GOAL: The snow days last week really messed with our History Day research. We'll be trying to finish up our research by Wednesday of this week. We'll use Thursday and Friday as our days to analyze research and draw conclusions.

8th GOAL: The snow days have also messed with Images of Greatness research. Since the date is set, we won't be adding extra days to the end of the project. Students will be researching through this week. Next week, the major work begins.

7th Language Arts: We've carried over spelling from last week. Page 124 (1-20) will be due on Wednesday. Refer to last week's Weekly Preview for the list. The rest of this week will be spent working on Design-An-Ad. Rough drafts are due Tuesday, and final drafts will be due Friday.

Don't forget that ITBS testing starts Tuesday. Students, get plenty of sleep, and eat a good breakfast. Let's all do our very best!

Bye Bye Birdie Costume Ideas

If you're playing a teen girl: Consider combinations of the following (some are links to click): poodle skirts, big, swingy skirts, blouses that button up, sweater sets, scarves around the neck, cat-eye glasses, saddle shoes or plain white tennis shoes, bobby socks, rolled-up jeans, capri pants, thick belts around the waist. Here are some more links to teen girls' fashion in the 1950's: #1

If you're playing a teen boy: Consider combinations of the following (some are links to click): bowling shirts that button, plaid or madras shirts that button, plain shirts that button, rolled-up jeans, khaki pants, converse sneakers, high school letter jackets, brown or black loafers.

If you're playing an adult female: Consider combinations of the following (some are links to click): 50's style women's hats, full skirts, pencil skirts, sweater sets, plain blouses, "flats" or "pumps" shoes, aprons, trenchcoats. Here are some more links to women's fashion in the 1950's: #1 #2 #3 #4

If you're playing an adult male: Consider combinations of the following (some are links to click): button-down shirts, brown or black shoes, navy/black/khaki dress pants, neckties, sportscoats/blazers, cardigan sweaters, 50's style men's hats. Here are some more links to men's fashion in the 1950's: #1 #2

If you're playing both a teen and an adult: You have the following options... 1. You can have 2 costumes. 2. You can have a teen costume with some kind of long coat over it for when you're an adult. Consider something like a trenchcoat or an adult's winter coat.

Things NOT to wear: Modern tennis shoes, short skirts, shirts with modern logo.

Here's a clip from the production of Bye Bye Birdie I just saw in the Twin Cities. It gives some ideas for costumes and hairstyles.

I'll add to this page as I find things, so check back often! :)

Weekly Preview: 1/31-2/4

It looks like a big snowstorm is moving our way, but here's the tentative plan for the week:

6th GOAL: We're continuing with the Great Ocean Rescue Activity. The two classes are competing against each other to spend the least amount possible when solving the oceanography missions.

7th GOAL: We're continuing History Day research this week. Topics have been chosen, and students are really digging in, always keeping the theme of "Debate and Diplomacy" in mind.

8th GOAL: We're continuing Images of Greatness research this week. Topics have been finalized, and students are working to become the expert on their Image of Greatness.

7th Language Arts: We'll start the week with Week 20 spelling. Page 124 plus pretest corrections will be due on Wednesday. We'll be moving on to our annual Design-An-Ad contest for the rest of the week. This is always a hit with students, as they try to design the winning advertisement for the Fairfield Ledger.

Week 20 Spelling Words

application

asset

affirm

according

attain

applaud

assurance

account

assortment

affix

appetite

attempt

accustomed

approval

attire

assemble

appliance

afford

assert

attentive

Weekly Preview: 1/24-1/28

6th GOAL: We are finally finished with Independent Project presentations, and we're ready to move into our next unit on Oceanography. We'll be doing an activity called Great Ocean Rescue, and it will be a taste of what's to come later in the quarter with the 6th grade interdisciplinary unit.

7th GOAL: We're busy with the research phase of our National History Day projects, and we'll be in the library all this week. All research is good, but primary source research is especially good!

8th GOAL: We're busy with the research phase of our Images of Greatness projects. Topics are being finalized this week, and we'll be in the library becoming the experts on our Image of Greatness!

7th Language Arts: We're finishing up our 3rd pen pal letters of the year this week. Letters are due for teacher edit by the end of the day on Tuesday. Final drafts are due Friday. In spelling, Week 19 words focus on plural nouns. Corrections and book p. 118 (1-20) are due Wednesday.

Let's have another great week! :)

Library Day Booktalks!

Tuesday was Library Day for GOAL students. The following books are the ones I booktalked during class. Also, every student had a chance to booktalk the book they're currently reading.

Firestorm by David Klass

Monkey Town by Ronald Kidd

Savvy by Ingrid Law

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Animal Farm by George Orwell

The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling

Feel free to comment with your own booktalks too... what are your recommendations?

Weekly Preview: 1/18-1/21

Our week is getting a late start, thanks to Monday's snow/ice day, but hopefully, we're all rested and ready to go!

6th GOAL: We will be finishing independent project presentations this week. It's taken longer than planned, but the projects have been great so far!

7th GOAL: We're learning more and more about History Day. We'll be picking topics next week and digging into research, so this is the week to really get a good grasp on the process and the expectations. Ask lots of questions!!!

8th GOAL: We will be finishing independent projects this week and then moving into our big third quarter unit, Images of Greatness. Stay tuned for more details!

7th Language Arts: This is a Maintenance Test week, so there will be no spelling pretest, but pp. 111 (1-20), 112 (1-20), and 113 (1-10) will be due Wednesday to review for the big test on Friday. For the rest of the week, we'll be working on our third pen pal letters. Rough drafts are due Wednesday at the end of class. When those are revised, they will be typed and peer-conferenced. Once fixes are made, they are due for teacher edit next Tuesday (1/25) at the end of class. Final drafts will be due next Friday (1/28).

Cast of Bye Bye Birdie: Just stick to the schedule. We'll make up what we missed with section 4 as soon as we can squeeze it in.

Have a good short week, and be careful of that ice. It's still treacherous out there!

Weekly Preview: 1/10-1/14

6th GOAL: We'll be presenting independent research projects all this week. This is the first time 6th graders have done this. I'm excited to see what they have done!

7th GOAL: We'll be getting more information about History Day this week. The theme of "Debate and Diplomacy" is a tricky one and a great thing to talk about at home for further understanding!

8th GOAL: We'll be finishing up independent research project presentations this week. The next big project for us is Images of Greatness!

7th Language Arts: We're getting back into the routine of spelling with Week 17, Words from Spanish. Book page 105 plus pretest corrections will be due on Wednesday. On Tuesday, we'll have a sharing day to celebrate the end of Writer's Workshop. Then, we'll move into writing another pen pal letter.

Week 17 Spelling Words

avocado

stampede

cafeteria

rodeo

mustang

iguana

lariat

sierra

tornado

cinch

fiesta

mosquito

cabana

bravado

mesa

canyon

pronto

siesta

patio

tortilla

Cast & Crew of Bye Bye Birdie: It sounds like some snow is in the forecast. If, by chance, we end up with a snow day, remember that we'll stay exactly on schedule, skipping over the section we missed due to weather. We'll try to pick it or squeeze it in later.

Have a super week! :)

Weekly Preview 1/3-1/6

Happy New Year! I think I'm off to a good start. I woke up at 5:30, ready for my first day back at school. Those of you who know me know that this is NOT normal behavior. Maybe I'm turning over a new leaf for 2011!

Here's what's happening in room 101 for this last week of the semester:

6th GOAL: Students will be working on their independent projects this week. They'll start presenting next Monday.

7th GOAL: Students will be getting the basics about National History Day and brainstorming possible topics. It's a challenging theme this year, so we have a lot of discussing and brainstorming to do. Click here for more details.

8th GOAL: Students will be presenting their independent projects. Also, on Thursday, Mrs. Flinspach will be here to talk to the 8th graders about TAG in high school.

7th Language Arts: No spelling this week as we finish up Writer's Workshop. Final drafts are due before students leave on Thursday. I edited tons of papers over break, and I'm very excited about conferencing with my budding young authors!

Rehearsals for Bye Bye Birdie also start this week. We'll meet after school today (Monday) to hand out and go over rehearsal schedules. Drama Club will meet as scheduled on Tuesday, and then we'll really get into blocking rehearsals for the show. Get those lines learned.

Have a super week, everyone!