Monthly Archives: April 2017

8th Grade Seminar Update — 5/1/17 (Final One!)

It’s been a lot of fun teaching 8th grade seminar.  We have just a handful of classes remaining with our final class on Thursday, May 11th.  There is a LOT due by the end of class on Monday, May 1st.  Here’s a list:

  • our literary analysis — we’ll be in the library so students can have access to the printer.  Students should turn in the rubric, their planning document, and their final essay.
  •  Reading PSR — this should be printed out in their portfolio along with their updated reading plan/book log.  I will sign off once I’ve made sure that the reflection has followed the assignment guidelines.
  • Semester self-evaluation (Rubric).  Due through Google Classroom.
  • Students should have identified a new book that they are reading.  Students should still be meeting the CHOICE reading requirement.
  • Any school copies of To Kill A Mockingbird should be returned with annotations removed.

Starting Tuesday, we’ll work on three more small projects to wrap up the year.

If we have time, we may do some “career-planning” and/or grammar skits as well — we’ll see how time unfolds.  Thanks so much for all your support!  -JF

Co-Op Update 5/1/17

Hi Everyone,

A few announcements:

  1. Conferencess run May 2nd-May 10th.  Click here for the schedule.
  2. Portfolios should be complete (except for the Spring Trip Journal) by the conference.  Click here or a full list of end-of-year portfolio requirements.
  3. There is another ADSTG (field trip) on Friday 5/5.  Students should dress appropriately for the weather and their rotation.  They need lunches, water bottles, snacks and sunblock!
  4. All students will be planning their meals for Spring trip on Monday.  Click on the link to see some Recipes the students looked at for ideas.  These recipes encourage cooking of meat and/or noodles ahead of time, to reduce dishes and increase safety on the campground.
  5. All students will shop for their food next Friday, May 12th.  We still need 9 parents to volunteer.  It will be from 11:00am – 1:30 pm.  Please click on this Link to Volunteer.
  6. Students’ tents and stoves were due last Friday.  If your family is able to lend one of these for your child’s group, can you please label all items and send them in?  Thank you!
  7. It is not too soon to check the Packing List and make sure your child has everything they will need for the trip.

Have a great week!  -JF

Co-Op Update — 4/24/17

A few quick updates.

  1. Conference run May 2nd-May 10th.  Click here for the schedule.
  2. Portfolios should be complete (except for the Spring Trip Journal) by the conference.  Click here or a full list of end-of-year portfolio requirements.
  3. Our first ADSTG is on Friday.  All groups will be headed out regardless of the weather.  Make sure that your student is prepared in case the weather turns wet.
  4. Thursday is an “all-school” field day.  There will not be academic classes on that day.

I’m super excited about Spring trip.   Make sure to read the CHOICE weekly for important updates.   Have a fantastic week!  -JF

8th Grade Seminar — Week of 4/24/17

Hi Everyone!

Only three days of class this week.  (No class on Thursday for field day.  No class on Friday for ADSTG.)  We’ll be working on our our literary analysis and our  Reading PSR.  Both are due by the end of class.  Please click on the links for full details.

In addition, students should be bringing an independent reading book to class.

Have a great week!  -JF

8th Grade Seminar — Week of 4/18/17

Students should have completed To Kill A Mockingbird by this time.  They should also have identified their next read.  Here’s what’s happening:

  • Tuesday, April 18th:  Final day of CMAS Science Testing during LA period.  No class.
  • Wednesday, April 19th:  We’ll have abbreviated class during this period due to integrated POLs.  We’ll finish our viewing of the film of To Kill A Mockingbird.
  • Thursday, April 20th:  We’ll introduce the final project, our literary analysis.
  • Tuesday, April 25th: Strong draft of Literary Analysis due for peer critique.
  • Wednesday, April 26th:  Final draft of Literary Analysis due AND Reading PSR should be signed off by this date.

Thanks for all your continued support!  -JF

Co-Op Update 4/13/17

Hi Everyone,

I’m looking forward to seeing everybody during end-of-year conferences starting in early May.  Here are the end-of-year portfolio requirements that students can use to keep track of their progress.  All portfolios should be complete prior to conferences.

Spring trip forms are due on April 19th.  Make sure to read the CHOICE weekly for important updates as we get closer to Spring trip.

Have a fantastic week!  -JF

Shark Tank Update 4/10/17 (Final One!)

Hi Everyone,

Make sure to ask your students about our ADI experience last Friday.  We’ll be working on POLs, PSRs, and a Geography Scavenger Hunt this week.  Here is the POL Schedule fyi…

Session #1:  Tuesday — 1:35-2:35pm Session #2 — Tuesday 2:40-3:40pm Session #3 1:35-2:35pm Session #4 2:40-3:40pm
Alana and Lydia Veronica Eric Francis
Aniela Logan and Nate Brady Sam Sterritt
Ren and Nico Klara and Riley Grant Hannah
Chris Henry Jade and Safia Joey
    Elisha Sam and Liam

Upcoming due dates:

  • Thursday, 4/13:  PSRs and Geography Scavenger Hunt due.
  • Tuesday, 4/18 and Wednesday, 4/19 –POLs
  • Friday, 4/21 — bring in items for end-of-class party

The class officially ends on 4/21.  Thank you so much for all your support and a great semester. -JF

Co-Op Update 4/10/17

Lots Happening!

  1. End of Year conference sign-up is here!  Please sign up by clicking on this link at your earliest convenience,
  2. Portfolios should be complete prior to conferences.  We’ve had some work-time during co-op, but students should be using the April Portfolio Check-in to help them.  Looking over this document with your student will help give you both a sense of whether they are on-track for the portfolio.
  3. Spring trip forms are due on April 19th.  A lot is happening — so make sure to check out the CHOICE weekly for all sorts of important updates.
  4. Reminder — no school on Friday the 14th and Monday the 17th
  5. 8th Graders are taking CMAS in 8th grade seminar on 4/10, 4/11, and 4/18.

Have a fantastic week!  -JF

LA Update – 4/10/17

We’ll be having Science CMAS testing during 8th grade seminar.  Students should plan on bringing their choice novel (can be To Kill A Mockingbird) and headphones for testing.  Students who have opted out of testing will be having a study hall in the library.

Upcoming dates of note:

  • Friday, April 7th: Check-in #3 Due.  Many students still need to turn this in — please do so at your earliest convenience.
  • Monday, April 10th, 11th, and 18th:  CMAS Science Testing during LA period.  No class.
  • Thursday, April 13th:  Students should be finished with To Kill A Mockingbird at this time.  We’ll be learning how to write a literary analysis for our final project.
  • Friday, April 20th:  Literary analysis due at the end of class.  (Date may float as it approaches.). To Kill A Mockingbird books should be returned at this time.

Have a great week!  -JF

 

8th Grade Seminar Update — 4/3/17

I can’t wait to reconnect with everyone following Spring break.  Upon our return, we’ll be engaging in reader’s theater this week to better understand the main trial of To Kill A Mockingbird.  We’l also be learning about the Scottsboro Boys trial and continuing our study of figurative language.  Upcoming dates of note:

  • Tuesday, April 4th:  Chapter 18-25.  Book group meeting #7 (two-days)
  • Thursday, April 6th:  Admin lesson during LA period. No class.
  • Friday, April 7th: Check-in #3 Due.
  • Monday, April 10th, 11th, and 18th:  CMAS Science Testing during LA period.  No class.
  • Thursday, April 13th: Book reading complete!  We’ll begin work on our final project at this time.

Have a great week!  -JF