Monday, May 11th, 2020 – 7th grade work

Hello 7th graders,

I hope you had a fabulous weekend full of sun, relaxation, and fun! I spent the weekend gardening, eating, lesson planning, and sleeping. For Mother’s Day, I helped my mom prepare a garden bed  for veggies and rhubarb. I moved bricks, pitchforked the earth, pulled weeds, and generally made a mess while she made big glasses of bubbly ice water with lemon and mint and cheered me on from the shade. It was hard work, but it made my mom happy and soon we’ll have fresh vegetables and, more importantly, rhubarb for all the pies and tarts I want! (What would your Monday morning be without a random story from Ms. Rzegocki?)

Today, you have four items for your Literature / LA To Do List and two big reminders/announcements:

  • Favorite Journal Entry of Week 7 (3 – 5 minutes)
  • Sunglasses materials request (0 – 5 minutes)
  • Daily Journal (5 – 15 minutes)
  • Daily Reading (20 – 35 minutes)
  • ANNOUNCEMENT/REMINDER – Materials pick up tomorrow from 1-2pm
  • ANNOUNCEMENT/REMINDER – We have online class tomorrow!

Let’s jump right in!

  1. Favorite Journal Entry of Week 7 (3 – 5 minutes)
    • Pick your favorite journal entry from last week
    • Write a short explanation of why you want to share it / it’s your favorite
    • Submit both pieces on the Teams assignment
  2. Sunglasses materials request (0 – 5 minutes)
    • If it’s after 9am, you should have received an email with the names and details of the 8th grader(s)for whom you are making sunglasses
    • If it’s before 9am, please be patient!
    • You are picking up supplies (definitely tagboard, possibly more – template, tissue or construction paper – if you request it) tomorrow, May 12th
      • Rzegocki from 1- 1:30pm
      • Tice from 1:30 – 2pm
    • You are welcome to use a template for the shape of the glasses – here are some samples you might use
    • You will personalize the glasses for your 8th grader
    • If you want a printed template or additional supplies, please email me the file/picture you want to use and/or the supplies you are hoping for by 3pm today (Monday, May 11th)  – I need time to organize everything for the pick up 😎
  3. Daily Journal (5 – 15 minutes)
    • Write on your own prompt or use the one below.
    • Prompt: In honor of Mother’s Day, write down five things you love about your mom/mother figure. Why do you love those things?
  4. Daily Reading (20 – 35 minutes)
    • Read for 15 – 30 minutes, then complete your reading log entry
    • Contact me if you need some help with the evidence section!

ANNOUNCEMENT/REMINDER

  1. Materials pick up tomorrow from 1-2pm (Rzegocki HR for the first 30 minutes and Tice HR for the last 30 minutes)
    • I will send an email to your parents with all the details and instructions
    • If you want a template for sunglasses or additional crafting materials, email me the information before 3pm today.
  2. We have online class tomorrow!
    • Rzegockis will have class starting at 10:30am
    • Tices will have class starting at 9:45am
    • See you tomorrow (online and, maybe, in person!)

That’s everything for today. Contact me with any questions, and have a great day!

Friday, May 8th, 2020 – 7th and 8th grade Catch-up Day

Good morning 7th and 8th graders,

It’s Friday of Spirit Week – Virtual Field Day! Click the link for more information and have some fun!

7th graders – there will be a materials pick up (your new novel and sunglasses making supplies) on Tuesday, May 12th, 2020, from 1-2pm (1-1:30pm for Rzegocki HR and 1:30 – 2pm for Tice HR). I will email with directions and details soon!

Aside from your Field Day challenges, today should be used to catch up on anything that has slipped off your plate. If you’re struggling with an assignment or motivation, reach out and ask a teacher for help – it’s what we’re here for.

Have a great day and a wonderful weekend!

Thursday, May 7th, 2020 – 7th grade work

Good morning 7th graders,

Welcome to Thursday of Spirit Week – Educator Appreciation Day! I have a special favor to ask, and since I’m one of your educators, you can consider it your way of showing appreciation.

Here is it – give some love to your first and original educators – your parents/guardians!

Some of you might be surprised to think of them this way, but it’s true. Your parents/guardians were there to help you from the very beginning and have served as the most constant supportive presence in your life. Your school teachers educate you for a year, sometimes two, but your parents/guardians are for life. They cheer you on when you’re on top, dust you off when you’re low, help you learn from mistakes, and, most importantly, love you, no matter what.

That is some heavy duty work. Don’t get me wrong – it’s rewarding and I know your parents/guardians wouldn’t have it any other way. But, sometimes, it’s hard. Really hard. Seriously, absurdly, insanely hard. And, being middle schoolers, sometimes we forget to acknowledge all that they have done and continue to do to educate us about the world and ourselves. Sometimes, we might even be rude or actively ignore or reject the valuable support our parents/guardians provide. I know you know what I’m talking about🤨.

What’s amazing is that, despite these challenges, our parents/guardians keep going – keep forgiving, keep teaching, keep loving, keep supporting, keep helping us grow into the best version of ourselves.

So, today, on Educator Appreciation Day, do me a favor and celebrate your parents/guardians! Thank them for their support (emotional, financial, physical, academic, etc.). Make them a card or write them a poem. Do an interpretive dance or sing a song. You can help out around the house to make things easier for them, but make sure you actually say the words “thank” and “you” (preferably more than that – include specific details and some heartfelt emotions) at some point so they know you appreciate all of their hard work.

Okay, thank you for doing that. I really appreciate it! (see, it feels nice to be appreciated😊)

Now, here is the work for today – you have four items for your Literature / LA To Do List:

  • Review and turn in Tangerine Part 3 Discussion Questions (5 minutes)
  • Daily reading (20 – 35 minutes)
  • Daily Journal (5 – 15 minutes)
  • Appreciate your first educators – your parents/guardians (all day!)

Let’s get started!

  1. Review and turn in Tangerine Part 3 Discussion Questions (5 – 10 minutes)
    • Your Part 3 questions are due today on Teams (“Tangerine Part 3 Discussion Question Responses”)
    • If you want to earn full credit, BEFORE turning them in, please check that you have followed the directions:
      • All of your sentences are complete (capitals, punctuation, no sentences starting with “Because…” or “Yes,…”)
      • All responses use text evidence, quotes, from Tangerine to support your answers
      • All questions are thoughtfully and thoroughly answered
    • Once you have checked your work, go ahead and submit it on Teams!
  2. Daily reading (20 – 35 minutes)
    • You are finished with Tangerine so it’s all about your free reading/book talk books!
    • Read for 15 – 30 minutes, then complete your reading log entry
    • Your evidence column is where you practice different critical thinking skills every day – be sure to take your time and put thought and effort into your work.
    • Contact me with any questions or concerns!
  3. Daily Journal (5 – 15 minutes)
    • Write on whatever you wish or use the prompt below:
    • Prompt – Think about all of the different beings that have taught you something in your life. Think about the times you have taught somebody else. What are the qualities of a successful educator? Why are those qualities so important?
  4. Appreciate your first educators – your parents/guardians (all day!)
    • Formally acknowledge the work your parents have done and continue to do
    • Make a card, do a dance, sing a song, make a movie – do something where you clearly communicate the message “I appreciate all that you do! You do SO much for me and I want you to know that I see it and am forever grateful!”
    • If your heart overflows with appreciation – show some love for your other educators:
      • Friends
      • Pets
      • Coaches
      • Siblings
      • The tree outside that finally bloomed and taught you the value of patience
      • …but, seriously, make sure parents/guardians are first and the most heartfelt!

That’s everything!

Thank you for all of your hard work. I know that this situation isn’t easy, but I’m amazed by your persistence. When this is over, because it will end, I look forward to seeing you use all of the new skills and abilities you have gained during this period. For now, stay strong, ask for help, and keep in contact!

Have an erudite Educator Appreciation Day!

Wednesday, May 6th, 2020 – 7th grade work

Good morning 7th graders,

Welcome to Wednesday – with your last roots quiz of the year! It’s interesting to note that, despite our strange circumstances, you have learned more roots than any other 7th grade class I have taught at St. John. Round of applause!

Today is Wednesday of Spirit Week – Get Out There and Bike Day! So, grab you bike (AND your helmet – because I love you too much to let you hurt your brains) and go for a spin😁.

You have four items for your Literature / ELA To Do list today:

  • HYPNOS quiz (5 – 10 minutes)
  • Tangerine reading and discussion questions (20 – 30 minutes)
  • Daily Journal (5 – 15 minutes)
  • Daily Reading (20 – 35 minutes)

Let’s get started!

  1. HYPNOS quiz (5 – 10 minutes)
    • Complete the quiz on Teams
    • Pay attention to the part of speech clues I have given you
    • Enjoy a little break from roots!
  2. Tangerine reading and discussion questions (20 – 30 minutes)
    • Your Part 3 discussion questions are due tomorrow – hooray!
    • Review the comments from your Part 1 questions for tips to improve
    • Contact me with any questions or if you need a bit more time😁
  3. Daily Journal (5 – 15 minutes)
    • Write on your own prompt or use one of the two below:
    • Prompt(s):
      1. Share what you did for Tasty Tuesday yesterday – created a dish, followed a recipe, planned a menu, served as sous chef, something else? Whatever you did, tell me/your journal all about it! Feel free to include photos, drawings, and splatters of spaghetti sauce.
      2. Describe your bike ride for today’s spirit day – where did you go? What did you see? Who did you see? Did anything interesting/funny/surprising/ enjoyable/exciting happen? Tell me/your journal all about it! Feel free to include maps, pictures, drawings, checklists, and drops of rain/sunscreen.
  4. Daily Reading (20 – 35 minutes)
    • Read for 15 – 30 minutes and practice a new analysis skill by completing your log entry and putting extra effort into the evidence column
    • Let me know if you have any questions!

That’s everything for today. Next week, we will be starting a new text and working on a secret project for the 8th graders 😎. I will be sharing more information with you soon about picking up materials for both.

For now, have a great day and let me know if you have questions, concerns, or a suggested bike route!

Tuesday, May 5th, 2020 – 7th grade work

Good morning 7th graders,

I hope you had a marvelous Monday! If you’re having a rocky start to this week, take a moment to watch the latest episode of Some Good News – having something to smile about can’t hurt. If you’re having a great day – hooray! Try and spread some of that hope and joy to the people around you.

You have four tasks for your Literature/ LA To Do List:

  • Daily journal entry (5 – 15 minutes)
  • Daily reading (20 – 35 minutes)
  • Tangerine reading and discussion questions (15 – 20 minutes)
  • Study for HYPNOS quiz tomorrow (3 – 5 minutes)

Let’s get started!

  1. Daily journal entry (5 – 15 minutes)
    • Choose your own prompt or use the one below.
    • Prompt
      • We often find what we are looking for – a lost shoe, a missing stone on a ring, a fun-filled adventure – the list goes on. The same is true for our personal perspectives – if we feel worried / excited / anxious / hopeful / frustrated / calm / etc., we often find more evidence in the world to keep that feeling going, for better or for worse. That doesn’t mean you are stuck feeling bad, it just means you have to work to shift your perspective. So, that’s what we are going to do today.
      • For today’s prompt, I want you to take some time and identify at least five things in the world that give you hope. This could be anything – plants, news, people, messages, landscapes, literature, religion. Be specific and clear. You don’t have to stop at five, so if you have more keep recording!
  2. Daily reading (20 – 35 minutes)
    • Read for 15 – 30 minutes from your free reading book, article, magazine, newspaper, etc.
    • Reflect on your reading and complete your daily entry in your reading log
    • Pay particular attention to the Evidence column – change the type of evidence you use every day (no evidence repeats in a week) AND show the thought you put into your work
    • Contact me with any questions!
  3. Tangerine reading and discussion questions (15 – 20 minutes)
    • Your Part 3 Discussion questions are due on Thursday, May 7th.
    • Contact me with any questions.
  4. Study for HYPNOS quiz tomorrow (3 – 5 minutes)
    • Test yourself with a homemade quiz
    • Contact me with questions

That’s all for today. Contact me with any questions or concerns, or if you want to share where you find hope!

Monday, May 4th, 2020 – 7th grade work

Good morning 7th graders,

May The 4th Be With You! Fun Star Wars Memes Darth Vader R2D2 ...

In case you didn’t know, the 4th of May is a very big day for fans of Star Wars, mostly because the date – May the 4th – sounds a lot like a common saying in that universe – “May the force be with you”. Whether you like Star Wars or not, word play is always fun.

I hope you all had a fun weekend and the plants around you are bursting with life after all the rain and wind. Today you have five items for your Literature / LA To Do List:

  • Favorite Journal Entry of Week 6 (2 – 5 minutes)
  • Daily journal entry (5 – 15 minutes)
  • Daily reading (20 – 35 minutes)
  • Tangerine reading and discussion questions (15 – 20 minutes)
  • Study for HYPNOS quiz on Wednesday (3 – 5 minutes)

And, we’re off!

  1. Favorite Journal Entry of Week 6 (2 – 5 minutes)
    • Choose your favorite entry from the previous week and make sure to include a short explanation of why you chose it
    • Submit your work on the Teams assignment
  2. Daily journal entry (5 – 15 minutes)
    • Choose your own prompt or use the one below:
    • Prompt: In honor of Star Wars day, take a moment to think about science fiction and fantasy stories you have read. If you could travel there right now, which sci-fi / fantasy world would you want to live in and why? Remember, you’re not just visiting, you would live there from now on.
  3. Daily reading (20 – 35 minutes)
    • Read for 15 – 30 minutes from your free reading book, article, magazine, newspaper, etc.
    • Reflect on your reading and complete your daily entry in your reading log
    • Pay particular attention to the Evidence column – change the type of evidence you use every day and no evidence repeats in a week
    • Contact me with any questions!
  4. Tangerine reading and discussion questions (15 – 20 minutes)
    • Your Part 3 Discussion questions are due on Thursday, May 7th.
    • Contact me with any questions.
  5. Study for HYPNOS quiz on Wednesday (3 – 5 minutes)
    • Use your favorite study method
    • Fight off the lure of Hynos (or Somnus, if you’re feeling Roman) and stay awake!

That’s all for today, except to say…

Did Disney+ Just Trademark "May the 4th?" | The Kingdom Insider

Thursday, April 30th, 2020 – 7th grade work

Good morning 7th graders,

Welcome to Thursday! The sun is coming out and the weekend approaches – that’s some excellent news to start the day. If that’s not enough, perhaps you’d enjoy learning about Clara Rockmore and how to play the theremin?

But, before you run off to start practicing “Good Vibrations” or the theme from “Star Trek” (both of which famously feature theremins), you’ve got four items for your Literature / LA To Do list:

        • Study 💤 HYPNOS (3 – 5 minutes)
        • Daily reading (20 – 35 minutes)
        • Daily journal (5 – 15 minutes)
        • Tangerine reading and discussion questions (20 – 30 minutes)

Let’s do this!

  1. Study 💤 HYPNOS (3 – 5 minutes)
    • Use your favorite (and most effective) study method
    • …and make sure to stay awake!
  2. Daily reading (20 – 35 minutes)
    • Free read for 15 – 30 minutes and then complete your daily reading entry
    • Pay attention to any comments I have made on your work
    • Vary the type of evidence you use every day – if you use a summary on Monday, you can’t use a summary again until the next week.
  3. Daily journal (5 – 15 minutes)
    • Write on your own prompt, or use the one below.
    • Prompt: If you had to be an animal, other human, what would you be and why?
  4. Tangerine reading and discussion questions (20 – 30 minutes)
    • Follow the reading schedule
    • Your Part 3 questions are due a week from today (May 7th)
    • Contact me if you have questions

That’s everything for today! I highly encourage you to take a walk, look at nature around you, roll down a grassy hill, or maybe try a cartwheel or two. I’m here if you need me, so please reach out and ask for help!

Wednesday, April 29th, 2020 – 7th grade work

Sunny morning 7th graders,

It’s Wednesday – the middle of the week, roots day, and, according to some speedy research, Odin’s day (Wodinsday…Wednesday – it makes some sense)!

You have four items for your Literature To Do list today:

  • 🌊AQUA Quiz 🌊 (5 – 10 minutes)
  • Notes on new 🥱😴💤 (and last) root (10 – 15 minutes)
  • Tangerine /Reading log (20 – 35 minutes)
  • Daily Journal (5 – 15 minutes)

And so we begin…

  1. 🌊AQUA Quiz 🌊 (5 – 10 minutes)
    • The quiz is posted on Teams
    • Follow the directions and, if you want to draw, send me a picture of your answer for the challenge question!
  2. Notes on new 🥱😴💤 (and last) root (10 – 15 minutes)
    • Your new root is…(did anyone get it from the emoji clues?)… Hypnos!
    • The PowerPoint is in the Files section of our Team and you can download another copy here
    • I will do an online presentation shortly and the video will post on our Team
    • Next week we will start prepping for our end of year roots assessment!
  3. Tangerine /Reading log (20 – 35 minutes)
    • Follow your posted reading schedule and contact me if you have questions
    • Your Part 3 Questions are due on May 7th
  4. Daily Journal (5 – 15 minutes)

That’s it for today. As always, contact me if you need any help! If you’re like Thor and you’re without a phone, you could always send a raven…

IDont Have APhone Send ARaven Thor GIF - IDontHaveAPhoneSendARaven Thor Team GIFs

Tuesday, April 28th, 2020 – 7th grade work

Good morning 7th graders,

How are you this fine Tuesday? Maybe you feel a little like the weather – bits of sunshine working to peek through the clouds. Or maybe you feel more like this episode of Some Good News – full of flavors, feelings, and, at times, tears. Perhaps you feel most like one of these puppies (it’s a live stream, so I have no idea what they will be doing when you view this…much like I have no idea what each day will bring when you enter the classroom🤪🥳🤔).

Or, you might just feel like yourself, which is pretty great, if you ask me, your teacher who loves you and, as a result, might be considered slightly biased but whose opinion is no less valuable. However you feel, you’re here and I’m happy to (virtually) see you!

Today you have four items for your Literature / ELA To Do list:

      • Daily journal entry (5 – 15 minutes)
      • Daily Reading (20 – 35 minutes)
      • Tangerine reading and discussion questions (15 – 20 minutes)
      • Study for AQUA quiz on Wednesday AKA tomorrow (3 – 5 minutes)
  1. Daily Journal entry (5 -15 minutes)
    • Write on your own prompt or use the one below!
    • Prompt: Think about the last line of our mission statement “courage to act for the common good” – what are you doing at home to contribute to the common good?
      • This could be the common good of your home – washing dishes, playing with siblings, weeding in the garden, caring for a pet, making meals, writing/drawing thank you cards for family members, doing what you’re asked to do the first time
      • Could be the common good of the wider community – making masks, running a food drive, making inspirational posters, creating a fun display in your window, having a outdoor concert to cheer up neighbors, sitting on your lawn and greeting people from afar, drawing chalk art, and so much more
      • What are you doing? How do you feel when you do it? What else could you do to positively impact the common good?
  2. Daily Reading (20 – 35 minutes)
    • I reviewed your reading logs yesterday and have entered the points you earned in PowerSchool. If you update your reading logs to receive additional credit, you need to email me to let me know you’ve made changes.
    • Read for 15 – 30 minutes from your free reading material, reflect for five minutes, then fill out your reading log, paying special attention to the evidence column.
    • Contact me if you have questions!
  3. Tangerine reading and discussion questions (15 – 20 minutes)
    • According to the schedule you are reading the entries from Nov. 20 – Nov. 30 right now
    • Your Part 3 questions are due Thursday, May 7th (nine days from now)
    • Please contact me with any questions about the text or your assignments
  4. Study for AQUA quiz on Wednesday (3-5 minutes)
    • Pop quiz!
    • What are these?
        • Meet The Quiver - The Airbnb Of Surfboard Rentals
    • What word is this picture? (Bonus points for identifying where it is in the diagram)
        • Eye Anatomy Quiz - Review
    • Can you come up with your own picture quiz?

And, that’s everything for today! Contact me with questions – or strong Connect 4 strategies. Or, if you just want to say “Hi!”