Monday, January 25, 2010
Another Snow Day:(
Well, here it is - another snow day. The early dismissal today and missed days last week are really throwing us behind. Oh well, this is Iowa in the winter! All activities and practices have been cancelled for tonight; they hope to reschedule. Stay safe and warm-
Monday, January 18, 2010
Five Truths About Middle School Students
I came across this while reading some material sent to me by another teacher. I found it very interesting and very true. The material came from a book by Ruth Culham titled Traits of Writing: A Complete Guide for Middle School. See if you recognize your student (or another middle school age student):
Five Truths About Middle School Students
1. They have a hard time remembering things. They don't remember to put their names on their papers even though they did this automatically in elementary school. They don't remember where they put their papers, their backpacks, or that all-too-important permission slip. In fact, they remember hardly anything they consider mundane, no matter how desperately the adults in their lives wish they did. (You can apply this to home - "Where's my backpack? shoes? I was supposed to water the dog? I forgot!"
2. They don't like to do ordinary, repetitive tasks. They detest homework. They like to be occupied with work that matters to them. They like being active. (At home this could apply to doing the dishes, chores, etc.)
3. They must talk to learn. Talking is as essential to middle school students as breathing. Talking is how they process their world and make sense of it. (Are there days you wish they would just be quiet for 5 minutes? Other days when they don't talk at all except to friends?)
4. They adore technology. They "get it" in a way that we, as adults, never will. They will gladly show us what they know if given the opportunity to use computers, iPods, cell phones, interactive white boards, and on and on. (Do your children seem lost without their cell phones, iPods, computers, etc?? They can be a valuable tool if used correctly; however, we cannot just assume they know what is appropriate and what is not.)
5. They aren't high school students. Their strengths and weaknesses are different from older kids'. Yes, they have pasison and energy, but with these come moodiness and unbridled emotion. They should be taught for who they are now, what works for them now, what is meaningful now.
I know it seems that these Five Truths apply only to education, but I can see them also applying at home. Believe me, I have seen moody pre-teens at my house! All I can say is that it really is a fun age - enjoy them! They will be grown and gone before you know it!
Five Truths About Middle School Students
1. They have a hard time remembering things. They don't remember to put their names on their papers even though they did this automatically in elementary school. They don't remember where they put their papers, their backpacks, or that all-too-important permission slip. In fact, they remember hardly anything they consider mundane, no matter how desperately the adults in their lives wish they did. (You can apply this to home - "Where's my backpack? shoes? I was supposed to water the dog? I forgot!"
2. They don't like to do ordinary, repetitive tasks. They detest homework. They like to be occupied with work that matters to them. They like being active. (At home this could apply to doing the dishes, chores, etc.)
3. They must talk to learn. Talking is as essential to middle school students as breathing. Talking is how they process their world and make sense of it. (Are there days you wish they would just be quiet for 5 minutes? Other days when they don't talk at all except to friends?)
4. They adore technology. They "get it" in a way that we, as adults, never will. They will gladly show us what they know if given the opportunity to use computers, iPods, cell phones, interactive white boards, and on and on. (Do your children seem lost without their cell phones, iPods, computers, etc?? They can be a valuable tool if used correctly; however, we cannot just assume they know what is appropriate and what is not.)
5. They aren't high school students. Their strengths and weaknesses are different from older kids'. Yes, they have pasison and energy, but with these come moodiness and unbridled emotion. They should be taught for who they are now, what works for them now, what is meaningful now.
I know it seems that these Five Truths apply only to education, but I can see them also applying at home. Believe me, I have seen moody pre-teens at my house! All I can say is that it really is a fun age - enjoy them! They will be grown and gone before you know it!
Monday, January 11, 2010
Snow days...again!
Well, another two snow days behind us (or ahead of us, depending on how you look at it). Hopefully, we will be here all week this week. It seems we've been playing catch up since the middle of December. Oh well, that's Iowa weather for you!
This week we will try to finish up the novels we started and will begin working on an expository writing project. We have finished up nouns and will take the test Tuesday (it was supposed to be last Friday).
Other happenings include:
1/11 Girls BB at home against Albia at 4:15
Boys BB at Albia at 4:15
1/12 JH Wrestling
1/13 Young Writer's rough drafts due to Mrs. Bohlmann
1/14 Girls BB at home against Davis County at 4:15
Boys BB at Bloomfield at 4:15
This week we will try to finish up the novels we started and will begin working on an expository writing project. We have finished up nouns and will take the test Tuesday (it was supposed to be last Friday).
Other happenings include:
1/11 Girls BB at home against Albia at 4:15
Boys BB at Albia at 4:15
1/12 JH Wrestling
1/13 Young Writer's rough drafts due to Mrs. Bohlmann
1/14 Girls BB at home against Davis County at 4:15
Boys BB at Bloomfield at 4:15
Saturday, January 2, 2010
A New Year
Happy New Year!! I can't believe it is 2010 already, and we are half way through the school year! Be watching the mail - students will receive their report cards in the mail this quarter. They should be out approximately a week or so after we return to school.
The next quarter in Language Arts will focus on writing, writing and writing. We will be writing fiction and non-fiction items. We will finish the novels we have started and will begin a unit on myths, fairy tales and fables. Most students enjoy this unit. At the end, we will write our own original fairy tale or myth. We will also continue to work on grammar and vocabulary.
We will also start the new semester talking about keeping current on assignments and will discuss responsibility! Please stress to your student the importance of getting work completed (and turned in) on time. Many students have their assignment finished but "forget" to turn it in. I usually remind them once during class to turn in assignments. After that it is up to them - if not turned in it will be late!!
Upcoming events include:
January 5 Return to school; beginning of 2nd semester, 3rd quarter
Basketball - girls @ Twin Cedars 4:15
boys @ BAC against Twin Cedars 4:15
January 7 Basketball - girls @ BAC against Albia 4:15
boys @ Albia 4:15
January 8 Wrestling vs. Iowa Valley @ Marengo 4:15
The next quarter in Language Arts will focus on writing, writing and writing. We will be writing fiction and non-fiction items. We will finish the novels we have started and will begin a unit on myths, fairy tales and fables. Most students enjoy this unit. At the end, we will write our own original fairy tale or myth. We will also continue to work on grammar and vocabulary.
We will also start the new semester talking about keeping current on assignments and will discuss responsibility! Please stress to your student the importance of getting work completed (and turned in) on time. Many students have their assignment finished but "forget" to turn it in. I usually remind them once during class to turn in assignments. After that it is up to them - if not turned in it will be late!!
Upcoming events include:
January 5 Return to school; beginning of 2nd semester, 3rd quarter
Basketball - girls @ Twin Cedars 4:15
boys @ BAC against Twin Cedars 4:15
January 7 Basketball - girls @ BAC against Albia 4:15
boys @ Albia 4:15
January 8 Wrestling vs. Iowa Valley @ Marengo 4:15
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