Daily Archives: August 26, 2018

LA Update — Week of 8/27/18

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We’ll be diving into Beowulf this week.  Students will be creating visual maps of the story as we learn strategies for determining importance as readers.  If time allows, we’ll also begin unpacking the Hero’s Journey.  (More about that next week!)  We will also be layering in talk about sentence structure, questioning, alliteration, and more…
At this point, students should have completed their reading plan. 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).  I’ll leave most feedback in the projects themselves, but if you check the “comments” area in IC, 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. For most assignments, students are welcomed and encouraged to revise if they would like.  They should just conference with me first and then resubmit within seven days of the initial due date. Except for Wednesdays, I’m always available for extra help before school — students should just let me know.  
Upcoming due dates:
  • Rambling Autobiography due via Google Classroom by 8am on Thursday.  (Although students are welcome to turn it in earlier)
  • Reading: 30 minutes/night.
  • Bring writing utensil to class every day and choice novel to class on Friday.
Have a fantastic week!  -JF

Co-op Update — Week of 8/27/18

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Lots of questions, so here goes…
Q) What about back-to-school night?  
A) It’s Tuesday.  If you are a 6th grade parent, you might enjoy coming to our new parent orientation at 5:30pm.  Otherwise, Back to School night starts at 6:30pm.  If you join us, you’ll have a chance to go through a mini-schedule of your student’s classes.  It’s also a great time if you want to get fingerprinted so you can join us as a volunteer.
Q) Goals?  Goal-Setting Conferences?
A) Students will continue to develop their goals in co-op this week.  Once they’ve done so, they’ll need to submit them via Google Classroom.  I’ll give feedback (and I’ve done so for a few students already), they’ll make edits/adjustments, print them out, and then put them in the goals section of the portfolio.  PARENTS — IF YOU HAVE NOT SIGNED UP FOR A STUDENT-LED CONFERENCE, PLEASE DO SO HERE.
Q) When do Integrated classes start?
A) They will start on Tuesday, September 4th during Block 3.  We were able to give every student at least one of their first choices.  Students will find out their integrated classes tomorrow (Monday)
Q) What/When is the Regatta?
A) On Friday, August 31st, the entire CHOICE program will walk to Baseline Reservoir to cheer on the 8th graders in a “boat” race on the lake.  It’s quite a scene and you are welcome to join us and watch the proceedings beginning at 2pm.  In co-op this week, 8th graders will be building their boats, while 6th and 7th graders develop costumes, cheers, songs, etc in support.  We already have our theme this year, ask your student for details.  In any event, students may be requesting unusual supplies for this endeavor.
Q) What about community service?
A) As part of our CHOICE portfolio requirement, students are asked to complete community service.  Sixth graders are expected to perform 20 hours of community service, 7th graders — 30 hours, and 8th graders — 40 hours.  We’ll be talking about what that looks like in co-op this week (hopefully!)
Q) Fall Trip?
A) We’ll be headed to 100 Elk on September 26th through September 28th for various programming and community building.  If you wish to join us for three days of adventure, we love parent chaperones.  Just let me know.  Fall Trip permission forms (paper copy required) will be headed home this week.  Look for them.
Thank you for all your support!