Monthly Archives: August 2017

Fast Food Nation launches Tuesday, September 5th

What does the food you eat reveal about a civilization?  This class will look at food (and eat a little too!) as a means to connect the history, geography, and culture of the Western Hemisphere.  We’ll also have a “newsy” focus to our studies.  Get ready to create video broadcasts from the time of the Aztecs, shoot advertisements of the Americas, and learn all sorts of cool concepts about the media along the way.  You know you’ve always wanted to be a TV star.  Prepare to be live in 3…2…1…

Fast Food Nation — Launching Tuesday, September 5th

What does the food you eat reveal about a civilization?  This class will look at food (and eat a little too!) as a means to connect the history, geography, and culture of the Western Hemisphere.  We’ll also have a “newsy” focus to our studies.  Get ready to create video broadcasts from the time of the Aztecs, shoot advertisements of the Americas, and learn all sorts of cool concepts about the media along the way.  You know you’ve always wanted to be a TV star.  Prepare to be live in 3…2…1…

LA Update 8/28/17

This week in LA, we’ll start to dive into the Beowulf story.  We’ll be exploring those strategies that “good” readers use to better understand text.  One of those strategies is asking questions.  How do “thin,” “thick,” “personal,” and “thematic” questions help us uncover a story’s teachings?  And what exactly does a 1500 year old story teach us anyways?!  (Parents — if you want to brush up on Beowulf yourself, here’s a link to the summary we’ll be reading in class.  No worries — it’s not in old English!)
A few other notes:
1) Students should be reading nightly.  They are welcome to “listen” to their choice novels, but I would highly recommend that they follow along with book in hand if they are doing so.  Students should all have completed book plans (which can change / evolve over time) and I’m always available for book recommendations.  Here’s a link to my book recommendation padlet as well.
2) Rambling Autobiography due via Google Classroom by Thursday at 8:30am.
3) Except for Wednesdays, I’m always available for extra help before school — students should just let me know.
4) I’m not perfect, but I’m pretty good abut using Infinite Campus   You (and your student) can check to see the status of assignments (and missing assignments) and by checking the “comments” area, you can see marks for scored assignments.  At CHOICE, we use 1-4 scale.  1 = Developing Proficiency.   2 = Partially Proficient.  3 = Proficient.  4 = Advanced Proficient.
Thank you for all your support.  Have a FANTASTIC week!  -JF

Co-Op Update: Week of 8/28

Upcoming dates of importance in Co-op

  1. Goals are due via Google Classroom on Wednesday.
  2. Kids should have a water-bottle at school.  It’s going to be a warm-weather week — and some of our classrooms are outrageously hot (including mine).  They will also need a water-bottle for the Regatta day.
  3. Eighth Graders will be building their (AWESOME!) boat on Thursday.  They need supplies and  they have spoken with the co-op about this.  7th/6th graders will be working on their costumes (they will tell you our theme — it’s a secret!). They too will need supplies.
  4. Fall Trip forms will come home this week.  Thank you for your help in returning these promptly.
  5. Integrated classes start after Labor Day.  Those should be posted to students by the end of the week.
  6. Regatta day is Friday.  Students should wear regular clothes during the day and then they will have time to change into costumes / swimsuits in the afternoon.  Here’s a quick tentative overview of Friday’s Regatta Timing if you want to join us.  (Please note — no dogs at the lake)
      1. 1:42 – end block 2 – 8th graders go put on swimsuits and go to co-op;  6th/ 7th go to co-op
      2. 2:00pm   8th graders at CHOICE Tree:  6th and 7th graders calmly put on costumes.
      3. 2:10pm   8th graders walk to Baseline lake
      4. 2:25pm   8th graders arrive/ safety talk/ set boats
      5. 2:30pm   6th and 7th graders walk to lake
      6. 2:50pm   Race Begins
      7. 3:10pm   Awards Ceremony
      8. 3:25pm   Start walking back to school
      9. 3:40pm   Arrive  back at School – 8th graders put life jackets to hang in the shed.

Have a great week!  -JF

LA Update 8/22/17

Quick update of upcoming due dates:
  • Ongoing reading:  You should be reading 30 minutes a night
  • Thursday, August 24th:  Don’t forget to bring your book to class.
  • Friday, August 25th by 8am: Reading Plan due via Google Classroom by 8am.  Don’t forget to press the “turn in” button.
  • Thursday, August 31st:  Rambling Autobiography due via Google Classroom by 8am
I’m excited to dive into Beowulf with everyone on Monday, August 28th.  Thanks for being awesome self-advocates!  -JF