Good morning 8th grade,
I know that the past weeks have been difficult for many of us, and I want to take a moment to say how grateful I am to be your teacher. Every day, when I see examples of your kindness, compassion, persistence, strength, and resilience, I am reminded of why I love my job. In many different ways, every one of you has shown me how powerful the human spirit is – and that motivates me, and all of the teachers, to keep doing whatever I/we can to support all of you.
From delivering a fantastic, one-sided movie talk (unable to hear any teacher directions) to reaching out to see if a friend/classmate/teacher is doing okay, you show your adaptability and compassion. You have self-advocated by asking questions and for help. You have been patient with my replies and new and strange technological difficulties. Each day, you continue to try your best, to do what you can, even when it’s really hard.
Perhaps most impressive is the resilience you have demonstrated. All of us have failed somehow – with communication, technology, organization, follow through, kindness, persistence, patience, and more. But, each time we failed, we took a moment to regroup, and then tried again. Instead of giving up, you have all chosen to keep trying. That is amazing! It is also exhausting – trust me, I know. So, remember, although you are working distantly, you are not alone. Whenever you have trouble regrouping, reach out for some support – we are here for you! Okay, that’s the end of my Tuesday pep talk.
We are continuing to use Literature time to deeply engage with Holy Week. So, your work is very similar (some might say identical) to yesterday – two items for your Literature To Do list and one, highly encouraged, optional item for your Being a Good Person list:
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- Religion Reflection / Daily Reading (20 – 35 minutes)
- Monologue Preparation/practice (10 – 15 minutes)
- Encouraging Message Poster for first responders (optional / highly encouraged / can be used for past reading log credit)
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Here we go!
- Religion Reflection / Daily Reading (20 – 35 minutes)
- Use your reading time to review Mrs. Mansfield’s daily reflection on Teams, think about it, and respond.
- Copy and paste your response for today in to your reading log entry for 4/7
- Contact me with questions!
- Monologue Preparation/practice (10 – 15 minutes)
- Continue to practice your monologue (perhaps outside to give your family a break 🙄)
- Contact me if you would like extra practice or feedback
- Remember that your performance will be graded on your tone, gestures, and delivery – and how well they fit with your chosen monologue.
- Encouraging Message Poster for first responders (optional / highly encouraged / can be used for past reading log credit)
- Please review my post from yesterday for more details and consider making a poster (or two or three or…)
- Remember that posters can be dropped off, laminated or not, at the flagpole outside of school today, 4/7, and Wednesday, 4/8, from 12:30 – 1pm.
- Contact me if you have questions – or if you need construction paper! Seriously, I’m happy to drop it off on your doorstep if it will help us support first responders 😁.
And, that’s everything for today – unless you like Hamilton, or just want a boost of good news.