Hello Spiegel Core Families!
I hope your sunny weekend is going great :)
Quick Homework Reminder:
-Annotated Discography due Monday 5/4
(students should add their citations, links, and annotations to the shared class Google Doc. Follow the directions in the document to correctly cite your songs (includes a link to the Purdue OWL website)
-Debate Research due Monday 5/4
(students should have carefully investigated 2 sources that support their side and 2 sources that support the counterarguments)
-"Possibilities" poem due Wednesday 5/6 (see Links & Documents)
Students did well with both subs, though they were more productive on Tuesday. Both teachers said they enjoyed the kids, though :)
Each student has a debate topic for which they are responsible, and they need to have at least four helpful resources to help them plan their debate. Students need facts, surveys, expert quotes/opinions, etc. to support their arguments.
We also started creating 3-D relief maps of China, which we will complete next week. These show a more complete picture of how geography and topography influenced Ancient China, which will provide a helpful lens through which to view their rich history. We will complete the unit in the next two weeks, and the rest of the school year in Social Studies will focus on Ancient Greece.
Next week, we will explore critical thinking strategies and logical fallacies. This will better prepare us for the debate process, as the next step will be to fully craft and practice our arguments.
Independent Book Projects and Current Events will begin on Monday. Both of these are at-home projects that last the month of May, requiring a completed Book Project and 2 Current Events reports.
Our Smarter Balanced testing is coming up, starting on May 11th. We will spend an hour of our time together each day on testing until everyone has completed. Students who are opting out need to bring reading materials and homework. You will be expected to use your time VERY wisely. Stay tuned for more information.
We lost momentum on the baby pictures thing, so please make sure everyone brings in their baby pictures next week! ASAP! We want to do a fun activity with them, but we need everyone to get involved. We are still missing more than 10 students!! Students will be marked down if they do not bring something or at least talk to me about why they don't have one.
Check for grade updates in Synergy this weekend, and stay tuned for more info.
One more note: "Hodge Podge" on Friday 5/8! 7th and 8th graders know what this means, and I will be announcing and seeking their help on Monday.
Thank you! Have a good one :)
I hope your sunny weekend is going great :)
Quick Homework Reminder:
-Annotated Discography due Monday 5/4
(students should add their citations, links, and annotations to the shared class Google Doc. Follow the directions in the document to correctly cite your songs (includes a link to the Purdue OWL website)
-Debate Research due Monday 5/4
(students should have carefully investigated 2 sources that support their side and 2 sources that support the counterarguments)
-"Possibilities" poem due Wednesday 5/6 (see Links & Documents)
Students did well with both subs, though they were more productive on Tuesday. Both teachers said they enjoyed the kids, though :)
Each student has a debate topic for which they are responsible, and they need to have at least four helpful resources to help them plan their debate. Students need facts, surveys, expert quotes/opinions, etc. to support their arguments.
We also started creating 3-D relief maps of China, which we will complete next week. These show a more complete picture of how geography and topography influenced Ancient China, which will provide a helpful lens through which to view their rich history. We will complete the unit in the next two weeks, and the rest of the school year in Social Studies will focus on Ancient Greece.
Next week, we will explore critical thinking strategies and logical fallacies. This will better prepare us for the debate process, as the next step will be to fully craft and practice our arguments.
Independent Book Projects and Current Events will begin on Monday. Both of these are at-home projects that last the month of May, requiring a completed Book Project and 2 Current Events reports.
Our Smarter Balanced testing is coming up, starting on May 11th. We will spend an hour of our time together each day on testing until everyone has completed. Students who are opting out need to bring reading materials and homework. You will be expected to use your time VERY wisely. Stay tuned for more information.
We lost momentum on the baby pictures thing, so please make sure everyone brings in their baby pictures next week! ASAP! We want to do a fun activity with them, but we need everyone to get involved. We are still missing more than 10 students!! Students will be marked down if they do not bring something or at least talk to me about why they don't have one.
Check for grade updates in Synergy this weekend, and stay tuned for more info.
One more note: "Hodge Podge" on Friday 5/8! 7th and 8th graders know what this means, and I will be announcing and seeking their help on Monday.
Thank you! Have a good one :)