Month: March 2020

Good morning 8th graders,

You have two items for your Literature To Do list and one item for general information:

• • • • Monologue practice (10 – 15 mintues)
      • Daily Reading (20 – 35 mintues)
      • Movie Talk sign-ups and schedule (for your information)

Remember, do what you can and give yourself space and time if you need it!

1. Monologue practice (10 -15 minutes)
   • Your performances are scheduled to begin next week, so you should be practicing your performance this week.
   • Seven of you have asked to practice with peers and I will set that up for this Thursday. If you signed up to practice with classmates, look for an email from me today or tomorrow with more details!
   • Please email me if you have questions about this assignment or concerns about your progress. The only way I can help and give you more time is if I know there is a problem!
2. Daily Reading (20 – 35 minutes)
   • Remember the direction from yesterday, if you’re feeling overwhelmed or you just need some extra time to yourself, read for 15 minutes!
   • When you finish reading, complete your daily reading log entry.
   • Contact me with any questions about reading logs, evidence, technical issues, what counts as reading, etc.
3. Movie Talk sign-ups and schedules
   • You can find the most up-to-date sig-up sheet here – please contact me as soon as you have chosen your film!
   • Here is the adjusted Distance Learning presentation schedule (based on your responses to the survey) – let me know if you have any questions!

Okay, that’s your work for now. On the optional Social-Emotional To Do list:

• • Take some time to just chill out
  • Spend some time with your pets, if you have them
  • Call a friend / classmate just to say hi
  • Hug your parent / guardian and tell them what you appreciate and why
  • Clean something up around the house without being asked
  • Listen to some music
  • Craft something that brings you joy (a picture, the perfect jump shot, a cake…whatever works for you)

Good morning 7th graders,

Now for today’s Literature / ELA To Do list – you have three to four items, depending on where you are in Tangerine:

• • • Studying for your fiery 🔥Pyro/Ignis 🔥 quiz on 4/1 (3 – 5 minutes)
    • Daily Journal (5 – 10 minutes)
    • Daily Reading (20 – 35 minutes)
    • Tangerine reading and discussion questions (20 – 30 minutes)

So, let’s get down to business!

1. Studying for your fiery 🔥Pyro/Ignis 🔥 quiz on 4/1 (3 – 5 minutes)
   • In case you were wondering, yes, I recently found the emoji key, and no, I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon...🥳
   • Review your roots in the method of your choosing. If you need some new study ideas, try:
     • • Creating your own quiz using all of the words, then study whatever you got wrong.
       • Making wacky sentences for each of the words.
       • Video chatting with a friend to quiz each other.
       • If possible, and safe, combining your current study practice with some exercise – doing jumping jacks, running, spinning in circles, cartwheels, practicing your jump shot, stretching, or whatever you like to do that gets your heart rate up.
       • Writing a poem that uses as many of the words as possible – bonus points if you can work in their meanings!
2. Daily Journal (5 – 10 minutes)
   • Distance Learning/Teaching is hard for all of us, but some of you are trying to make it fun – including pets and siblings in video chats, writing beautiful poetry about your surroundings, playing socially distant Battleship. One idea about how to positively shift your perspective has inspired today’s prompt (Thank you, most wonderful 7th grader – you know who you are!).
     • • Prompt: Instead of going through your Distance Learning day as normal, imagine/realize that you are a spy, and combing through the teacher pages and Teams to “find homework and lessons” is really how you collect your secret espionage orders from HQ. Here is the question – what is your spy name/code name? Why?
3. Daily Reading (20 – 35 minutes)
   • Remember the direction from yesterday – if you overwhelmed, read for 15 minutes!
   • After you finish your reading, complete your daily reading log entry
   • Please contact me if you have questions about reading logs, evidence, what counts as daily reading, etc.
4. Tangerine reading and discussion questions (20 – 30 minutes)
   • If you did not see it yesterday, please review the new reading and question schedule. Print out the bookmark I shared, or make your own!
   • If you are ahead in your reading and questions – you do not need to read today.
   • If you are behind in your reading and/or questions – take some time today to read and respond.
   • Your response to the Part 1 questions are due Thursday, April 2nd. You will submit them on Teams.

Okay, that’s your work for now. Let me know if you have questions, concerns, or ideas!

On the optional Social-Emotional To Do list:

• • Take some time to just chill out
  • Spend some time with your pets, if you have them
  • Call a friend / classmate just to say hi
  • Hug your parent / guardian and tell them what you appreciate and why
  • Clean something up around the house without being asked
  • Listen to some music
  • Craft something that brings you joy (a picture, the perfect jump shot, a cake…whatever works for you)

Good morning 8th graders,

I hope you had a restful and relaxing weekend. If not – or if you’re struggling to hold onto that sense of calm – I invite you to chill out on this beach for a couple of minutes (or however long you need) while taking some deep breaths. Remember that you are a loved, supported, and entirely capable individual, who is part of a larger community that can help with whatever you need.

Okay, now that we’ve reminded ourselves that we’re all in this together (I had to do it 😂), let’s take a look at our day. You have two items for your Literature To Do list:

• • • • Monologue practice survey (1-2 minutes)
      • Daily Reading (20 – 35 minutes)

Let’s get started…

1. Monologue practice survey (1-2 minutes)
   • Some of you have asked for opportunities to practice your monologue with classmates on Teams and I am happy to help!
   • I need to know who wants time to practice on Teams, so please fill out the one-question survey I posted on 8th grade Literature today.
   • Tomorrow morning I will collect the information and post a practice schedule.
   • Let me know if you have questions.
2. Daily Reading (20 – 35 minutes)
   • If your schedule is full or you are feeling overwhelmed – read for 15 minutes and reflect in your Reading Log.
   • If you have extra time and are not overwhelmed – read for 30 minutes and reflect in your Reading Log.
     • Side note: You can read and record your thoughts over the weekend, but it is NOT homework. I put the dates for weekends and Spring Break in the reading log to encourage you to read, but you are not required to fill those dates in. Let me know if you have questions!

That’s everything – have a marvelous Monday and let me know if you have questions!

Good morning 7th graders,

I hope you had a restful and relaxing weekend. If not – or if you’re struggling to hold onto that sense of calm – I invite you to chill out on this beach for a couple of minutes (or however long you need) while taking some deep breaths. Remember that you are a loved, supported, and entirely capable individual, who is part of a larger community that can help with whatever you need.

Okay, now that we’ve reminded ourselves that we’re all in this together (I had to do it 😂), let’s take a look at our day. You have three or four items for your Literature / ELA To Do list:

• • • • Daily Journal – required post and optional write (5 – 20 minutes)
      • Study for 🔥Pyro/Ignis 🔥 quiz (3 – 5 minutes)
      • Daily Reading (20 – 30 minutes)
      • Tangerine reading and discussion questions (20 – 30 minutes)

But first, an important notice…

🍊CHANGE IN TANGERINE DUE DATES 🍊

I have adjusted to reading schedule to give everyone more time. Please recycle the bookmark I gave you at school – those dates are now wrong!

You can download a new copy of the bookmark here and I have listed the dates below for reference:

3/23 – Beginning—Sept. 6

4/1 – Sept. 7—Sept. 15 (Part 1 questions due next day)

🌟4/2 – Part 1 questions due🌟

4/8 – Sept. 18—Sept. 29

4/22 – Oct. 2—Nov. 10 (Part 2 questions due next day)

🌟4/23 – Part 2 questions due🌟

4/29 – Nov. 20—Nov. 30

5/6 – Dec. 1—End of Book (Part 3 questions due next day)

🌟5/7 Part 3 questions due 🌟

Basically, you have a week to read each section and, if you got behind. an extra day after to finish up your discussion questions. If you are confused or have any questions about this, please let me know!

Okay, and now our to do list…

1. Daily Journal (5 – 20 minutes, 5 minutes to post and 10 – 15 to write)
   • Complete the “Favorite Journal Entry of Week 2” assignment on Teams.
     • • Post your favorite journal entry from last week and explain why you chose it.
       • Remember, your explanation should be brief (think sticky note size)
       • Contact me with questions!
   • Optional writing prompt (write only if it brings you joy or a sense of calm):
     • Look out a window and describe the weather without using typical weather words (sunny, windy, rainy, drizzle-y, etc.). If you’re stuck, try describing the impact of the weather, for example a gentle wind could look like “The trees are rocking back and forth as though listening to smooth jazz on headphones.”
2. Study for 🔥Pyro/Ignis 🔥 quiz (3 – 5 minutes)
   • Use whatever study method works for you
   • Contact me with questions
3. Daily Reading (20 – 35 minutes)
   • If your schedule is full or you are feeling overwhelmed – read for 15 minutes and reflect in your Reading Log.
   • If you have extra time and are not overwhelmed – read for 30 minutes and reflect in your Reading Log.
     • Side note: You can read and record your thoughts over the weekend, but it is NOT homework. I put the dates for weekends and Spring Break in the reading log to encourage you to read, but you are not required to fill those dates in. Let me know if you have questions!
4. Tangerine reading and discussion questions (20 – 30 minutes)
   • Using the new schedule, decide if you need to work on your reading and questions.
   • Contact me if you have questions!

That’s everything – have a marvelous Monday!

Happy Friday 7th graders (and parents!),

It’s here, the end of week 2. You made it (tiny dance party to celebrate)!

Here is your daily writing prompt for today and the weekend:

• • • Today: What’s the second song on your Stay-at-Home playlist? How does it make you feel? Why is it on your playlist? What kind of dancing/movement works best with it?
    • This weekend: Try to write down five things you are grateful for each day. You can explain why, if you want, but the main thing is to express gratitude for at least five different things each day.
      • You don’t have to do this, but you might be surprised at how you feel if you do.

Today is a Catch-up Day! (It can also be an early Ketchup Day, if you have the necessary supplies 😁)

But, seriously, if you’ve fallen behind during the week or you just need a moment to catch your breath – today is the day for you!

You can work on:

• • • reading
    • discussion questions
    • meditation
    • journal entries
    • math homework
    • dancing
    • science experiments
    • singing along with Mr. Thomas
    • anything else you feel needs to get done

Learning (and teaching) from home is hard. I have heard from some of you this week and I appreciate you reaching out for help! For those of you that are still struggling and are having trouble asking for help – we’re here for you and we want to help.

Final thought (and obvious ploy to insert one more tiny dance party), if you’ve had a tough week – one that made you want to tear up your notebooks and throw them out the window – take some time for you today. Take deep breaths, go on a walk, listen to your favorite music, talk to a friend, make some food, do a craft project, read a book, paint/draw a picture… do something that brings you joy.

And, give your parent/guardian a hug. Whether you see it or not, they’re working incredibly hard to support you, and they need extra love and support.

Have a great weekend and remember to reach out if you need help (or even if you just want to say “Hi”)!

Happy Friday 8th graders!

You did it – you made it to the end of week 2. Way to go!

Today is a catch-up day. Did you get behind on your reading? Use today to catch up! Slipped your mind to do your science? Use today to catch up! Did you put something/anything else to the side because you needed some extra time during the week? No problem – now is a time to work on that!

Movie Talks: I look forward to seeing movie talks from four of you today and eight of you on Monday.

Final thought (and obvious ploy to insert one more tiny dance party), if you’ve had a tough week – one that made you want to tear up your notebooks and throw them out the window – take some time for you today. Take deep breaths, go on a walk, listen to your favorite music, talk to a friend, make some food, do a craft project, read a book, paint/draw a picture… do something that brings you joy.

And, give your parent/guardian a hug. Whether you see it or not, they’re working incredibly hard to support you, and they need extra love and support.

Have a great weekend and remember to reach out if you need help (or even if you just want to say “Hi”)!

Hi 8th graders,

It’s Thursday, which – based on some cursory research – means the ‘day of thunder’ or ‘Thor’s day‘. To me, that means that every Thursday is full of awesome, cosmic potential. What a great day to do some reading and prep a monologue!

You have two items for your Literature To Do List:

• • • Daily Reading (30 – 35 minutes)
    • Monologue memorization and performance practice (10 – 15 minutes)

Alright, let’s do this!

1. Daily Reading (30 – 35 minutes: 25 – 30 minutes reading and 5 minutes reflection)
   • I am attempting to review all reading logs and putting reading points into PowerSchool today – please make sure your logs are up to date and complete.
   • Contact me with any questions!
2. Monologue memorization and performance practice (10 – 15 minutes)
   • Performance schedule: I will share the schedule of performances as soon as everyone has responded to the “Monologue Performance Preference” assignment in Teams – I am missing three students.
   • Memorization and practice:
     • Continue working through your monologue, memorizing it section by section. Challenge yourself to perform without your notes and see how far you get!
     • If you have memorized your monologue, try and practice with an audience and ask for feedback on your performance (sound, movement, etc.).
     • I know this is difficult, but here are some possible ideas:
       • • Ask a (age-appropriate) sibling
         • Perform it as dinner entertainment for your family
         • Use video chatting to have a friend / grandparent / aunt / uncle / cousin / classmate / coach watch your performance (if you use a classmate, you each perform your monologues and give one another feedback!)
         • Hop on Teams and check in with me – we can set up a small group practice if any of you are interested.
         • Record yourself (with your laptop, phone, video recorder, Flip camera, ummm…what else do you have?) and review the footage. This is probably the most effective strategy, even if it feels awkward to watch yourself.
         • Let me know if you come up with other ideas!

Please check in with me if you are feeling overwhelmed by the Literature work – it’s the only way I know there’s a problem and can start to help! I know that all of you are doing the best you can, but sometimes you feel like it still isn’t enough. Remember, as long as you are doing what you can with what you have, that’s all anyone can expect of you.

Our goal in Distance Learning is to continue your education during a difficult time, not cause you mind-melting stress. This is a new way of learning for all of us (teachers included), so it takes time to adjust and find what works best. Thank you for your patience, persistence, and kindness! 

One last note – I miss seeing all of you every day. Teaching online can’t compare to the experience of being in the classroom with all of you – the insights, jokes, mistakes, drawings, surprises, facial expressions, joy, frustration, laughter and more. I am grateful for the time I have had with you, and I look forward to the time we can all be back together.

Have a great Thursday!

 

Hi 7th graders,

It’s Thursday, which – based on some cursory research – means the ‘day of thunder’ or ‘Thor’s day‘. To me, that means that every Thursday is full of awesome, cosmic potential. What will you choose to do?

If you so choose, you have three items for your Literature / ELA To Do list:

• • • Daily Reading (30 – 35 minutes)
    • Daily Journal (10 -15 minutes)
    • Tangerine reading and discussion questions (20 – 30 minutes)

And so we begin…

1. Daily Reading (30 – 35 minutes: 25 – 30 minutes reading and 5 minutes reflection)
   • I am attempting to review all reading logs and putting reading points into PowerSchool today – please make sure your logs are up to date and complete.
   • Contact me with any questions!
2. Daily Journal (10 -15 minutes)
   • Prompt: What are the top three things that bring you joy right now? Why do you think they add so much positivity to your day?
3. Tangerine reading and discussion questions (20 – 30 minutes)
   • New reading schedule:
     • Thank you to those of you who completed the “Tangerine Reading and Discussion Question Feedback” assignment on Teams. It has been very helpful!
     • I’m still waiting to hear from 12 students, so please complete the quick survey as soon as possible.
     • I can’t give you the whole schedule yet, but I can tell you will have more time for reading and questions.
     • Your Part 1 questions are now due Wednesday, April 1, 2020.
       • This means you have five extra days to work on them – hooray!
       • If you are ahead, take it easy today.
       • If you are behind, use this time to catch up.
       • If you are melting in a puddle of stress and confusion – please reach out to us!

Thank you for all of your hard work, feedback, kindness, persistence, humor, struggles, and joy! Distance Teaching is hard, but all of you make it worth the effort and difficulties.

Have a great Thursday!

Hello 8-year-old graders…(uh oh)…Hello 80s graders…(that’s not right either, sorry, Distance Teaching can be tough)…let’s try this…

Good morning 8th graders,

Whew! Welcome to Wednesday – where we will willingly wonder at wild and wacky witterings, whilst wishing we were wandering with one another.

Or, in less alliterative terms: You have three items for your Literature To Do List:

• • • Movie Talk presentation question (1 minute or less)
    • Daily Reading (30 – 35 minutes)
    • Monologue memorization (10 – 15 minutes)

Here we go!

1. Movie Talk presentation question (1 minute or less)
   • I want to give you some flexibility in your schedule (and give you more work time if you need it).
   • Please answer the question I posted on Teams about your presentation date. You have three options:
     1. move it one day early
     2. keep it the same
     3. push it to the following Monday
   • All options are equal in my eyes (you will not get extra credit for going early, nor will you be penalized for going later). I want you to pick the option that works best for you.
   • If you are struggling to finish up your Movie Talk, with everything else you have to manage, contact me directly and we can talk about adjusting your schedule.
2. Daily Reading (30 – 35 minutes)
   • Continue to follow the directions (read for 30 minutes and complete your reading log)
   • A note about completing your daily reading before bed:
     • Go for it! It’s a great way to calm your mind and relax.
     • Please fill out your Reading Log first thing in the morning, instead of at night. Looking at screens before bed messes with your sleep – and that’s not good for anyone.
     • For those of you reading on screens (phones, tablets, etc.), I recommend switching to a paper book or reading sometime other than right before bed.
3. Monologue Memorization (10-15 minutes)
   • Continue to memorize and practice – doing a little bit every day allows your brain to move your monologue from your short term/working memory into your (much more reliable) long term memory. Hooray!
   • Try to perform as much of your monologue as you can without your notes, then start your work wherever you start to forget words, tone, or gestures.
   • Contact me with any questions.

That’s all, folks!

Good morning 7th graders,

What day is it today?

(echoing across the city, over 50 voices shout in reply, “ROOTS DAY!”)

Indeed, it is Roots Day! That means you have four items for your Literature / ELA To Do List:

• • • Book Talk date preference (1 minute or less)
    • Pes / Pedis Quiz and new root notes (20 – 35 minutes)
    • Daily Reading (30 – 35 minutes)
    • Daily Journal (10 – 15 minutes)

Important note:

No Tangerine reading and discussion questions today (unless it brings you joy to do so / catch up). I am creating a new reading schedule based on your responses on Teams and will release it to you tomorrow.

Here we go!

1. Book Talk date preference (1 minute or less)
   • I want to give you some flexibility in your schedule (and give you more work time if you need it).
   • Please answer the question I posted on Teams about your presentation date. You have three options:
     1. 1. move it one day early
        2. keep it the same
        3. push it to the following Monday
   • All options are equal in my eyes (you will not get extra credit for going early, nor will you be penalized for going later). I want you to pick the option that works best for you.
   • If you are struggling to finish up your Book Talk, with everything else you have to manage, contact me directly and we can talk about adjusting your schedule.
2. Pes / Pedis Quiz and new root notes (20 – 35 minutes: 5 – 15 minutes for quiz and 15 – 20 minutes for the fiery, new root)
   • Complete your Pes / Pedis quiz on Teams – contact me directly if you can’t access it!
   • I am recording the new presentation right after this and will post it in Teams and put a link here.
     • If you join in to watch/participate, please:
       • turn off your camera
       • mute your microphone
       • use the chat feature to ask me questions about the presentation (including possible Ruler of Research questions!)
       • and remember that you are being recorded
   • You can also review the toasty, new Powerpoint here.
   • Contact me with any questions!
3. Daily Reading (30 – 35 minutes)
   • Continue to follow the directions (read for 30 minutes and complete your reading log)
   • A note about completing your daily reading before bed:
     • Go for it! It’s a great way to calm your mind and relax.
     • Please fill out your Reading Log first thing in the morning, instead of at night. Looking at screens before bed messes with your sleep – and that’s not good for anyone.
     • For those of you reading on screens (phones, tablets, etc.), I recommend switching to a paper book or reading sometime other than right before bed.
4. Daily Journal (10 – 15 minutes)
   • Prompt: It’s hard to be separated from everybody. What do you miss about in person, face-to-face interactions? How are you staying in contact with the people you care about? What do you like about this form of contact? How else can you reach out during this time to let people know you care, and, in return, know that you are cared for?

That’s everything for today! Have a great day and remember to wear a raincoat during your daily walk (she wrote, desperately hoping the children were going on socially distanced walks – 6 feet, people! – and looking at the world around them)!