7th Grade Parent Meeting 3/5/12
notes lovingly taken by Lily
Focus of Main Lesson Book: its Value: Thinking, Feeling, and Willing
Thinking: learn, read, essay form
outline: which they make or Robert makes..
Essay form: intro., supporting paragraphs, conclusion
for some assignments they can journal, sing, rap
Feeling: Artistic,(most of the class loves this part), learning techniques, now learning how to draw face on
they are also getting other art sources, paintings,
Heart of the Artistic
Willing: Finishing up, copy final addition, Can people read it? Finish it!
7th and 8th grade: Accountability, system of grading, point system
this system may be adjusted for each individual, knowing their abilities
Mr. Bucher says they are doing pretty good with their accountability
We, as parents, try to keep track and help encourage them.
Teaching them to Be Organized, Dont miss assignments!
Keep a planner, show Mr. Bucher, show us too, did they write it down? did they write down what their homework is? do they know what they are supp. to do?
Keep desk organized!
Grades at the end of each block.
Training them to get ready!!! for High School
MATH:
KHAN ACADEMY
Video and practice!
look it up, watch the video, it is good teaching, use it!!
The kids are getting assignments to look up on Khan A. (check web site)
They are supposed to look it up, watch the video, and then do it.
anytime they do not understand, look it up and relearn it
Math should be fascinating, interesting. up to 7th grade it is alive and magical!
the standards seem to take the magic out of it.
Mathematics a Human Endeaver is a HS book, concrete, but keeps it alive
Math should be rigorous, but kept alive
Mr. Bucher is doing math in am. using Khan A.
Lots of the kids are playing football at recess. They are enjoying it and running/moving their bodies. Only passing, no running to move the ball. 1st down 2 receptions.
7th graders: sometimes still innocent, or they think they know everything!
CONFERENCES:
next week! EARLY DISMISSAL EVERY DAY!!!
short conferences for everyone. only 10 min. check in. otherwise only 20 mins.
if can not make your assigned time: TRADE with someone if you can. let Robert know
other time will be used tutoring.... for star test.
practicing their lang. arts book for homework(also to prepare for start test.)
if homework is too much, please write a note for your child
AIDEN: he left based on his own decision, thinking it will be easier to get ready for HS to go to Altimira.
He was not upset with class. He did talk to Robert, and thanked him for being his teacher.
Mr. Bucher notices how their aura changes when they switch to a standard based school.
there is a different world view.
The Waldorf view: is a spiritual wisdom
Each child has a brilliance, bring it out, use art and other creative ways
CELLPHONES: OFF at school!! if on, goes to office and parent has to pick up.
SOCIALLY: class is ok. they are working things out.
8th GRADE TRIP(S)
should include sense of danger! (perceived risk), rite of passage!, should be in the spring, before they graduate
** Oregon Shakespeare Festival:
maybe in fall (we would want another trip in the spring) or go in spring
Stay in Dorms, experience they may never have again! high culture!
plays, prologues, wkshps, set design/costuming, lodging in dorms and meals in cafeteria, back stage, meet actors, play football on the quad
Tues. thru Friday
Price for Sept. 25th: $7,179 (aprox. $500/kid)
17 kids, 4 chaperones, 4 cars
**Thanx Rick, for doing the research and coming up with all the hard facts!!!
Rick has gone on this trip with his son, and fully recommends it!
**Catalina Island/Sailing Trip:
spring:
south cali, sail big ship to catalina is. 3 or 4 days
snorkeling, science, outdoors, ecosystem (approx. $500/kid)
What about Service Field Trip:
can even paint in city.
Headwaters, probably not happening...
we still owe 1,200$
Do we want kids input in decision making about 8th grade field trip/s?
FUNDRAISING:
HELP!!! We need YOU!!!!
We really need people to pick a fundraiser and take the bull by the horns and lead us to financial victory!!!
*Burrito sales, very low, and we only make 1$ per burrito. Next year pizzo.
*Car wash (can make about $900) Cheryl will head that
*Talent Night!!! Sounds like fun! Jamie will head it, Lily will help, Marika will check with council
$10 to $15/tix, maybe serve food, sell tix in community
*7th and 8th grade DANCES: one 7th and 8th grade share money
*DANCE in COMMUNITY! need DJ and space. (sounds like fun)
*Sell Flower Bulbs (8th grade)
*Sprites night
GRADUATION: $500!!
Yikes!!! NEED TO FUNDRAISE people!!!!
How do we carry this fundraising conversation forward? Ideas?
Coordinate with Andrea. Send her ideas and such. Please pick something to work on. Do with at least one other person!
(My thoughts are always how do we branch out into the community? wineries? etc., and not always nickel and dime our WS families. This way we can also look for bigger money!)
Wishing you all the BEST!!!
Lily
Thanx to all who showed up. We missed you if you were not there!!
7th Grade Parent Meeting 2011
notes lovingly taken by Lily
How are our kids taking care of their supplies in their desk? Supplies, we parents bought in our materials fee. How are they organized? How are they accountable? (For their supplies as well as other things in their lives?)
- If their items are not in their desk (and they cannot find), it is their responsibility to pay for/replace them.
MATH
Ok, we have had a lot of feedback about math from the kids…
Here is what Robert has to say:
Regina has a math handout about her curriculum and expectations of the kids. Did you get one? Nicole said she would try to scan it in and email for everyone.
We needed a math teacher because Robert is teaching a garden block with the other middle school classes. Biodynamics/GMO/farming… important stuff.
Robert has been sacrificing some of his time to sit in the math class, which is Tues and Thurs. and are a double period (agonizing for the kids). But they do get a break. Robert will talk to her about bathroom breaks (I am sure you have heard your kid complaining of that… but Robert also says no one asks much in the other classes)
The kids have taken ADVANTAGE of Regina, and have been working her over like a pack of Wolves! Robert has begun to attend the classes to monitor their behavior. Once they have decided to be against her, there is no room for learning.
Robert says she is a good teacher! She drops it down a level when they do not understand it. She does go over all of it in class. (Contrary to what your kids may be saying!) they are goofing off and not paying attention, but this last week with Robert in there it has gotten better.
Robert is ready to implement more serious consequences… to hold them accountable for their actions. First time for disrupting is a note home with a behavior report. Second time… Robert is ready for serious… (suspension? Clean classroom on the weekend (that may have more weight!), and hopefully a consequence at home.
Regina wants them to do their homework, show their work (or be able to explain it). If they get a low score on their tests they are able to redo them to raise their grade, but more importantly… learn the info!
*As a side note: I personally spoke to Regina and it was great to touch base! She was very helpful and has agreed to send a copy of the failed test home, so I can practice with Ilana and help her get ready to retake it in school. I recommend reaching out and connecting with her if you are feeling stressed about this situation.
Tutoring: Robert offers Thursdays after school.
And I (Lily) am offering Tuesdays after school.
Tuesdays Math Club/Tutoring at Ilanas house:
Kids who are interested and need help, bring your math homework. Everyone can walk with Ilana and Xochi to our house and I will help them with their homework and try to do a mini lesson in explaining whats going on. (I am setting this up as a trial to see how it goes. Everyone from the class who needs help is invited, but please remind your kid that they are expected to listen and work, be present and respectful. (not that I doubt your kids, but a reminder is helpful to me. Also, anyone who can not do that, will not be invited to come back))
This will start this Tuesday, 15th… walk home. Lesson is from 3:30 until 4:30. Pick up your child at 4:45 or 5. Maybe you can send your kid with a little after school snack.
(Nicole wanted us to know for next summer (between 8th and 9th grade) there is an algebra Boot Camp, for 3 weeks. Apparently it has really helped kids get ready for High School math. }
Every morning before Main Lesson Robert is setting up the kids with 15 minutes of review math, to do on their own. Once a week a diff. kid gets to be the helper and walk around and answer questions. He has geared it for their different levels and abilities.
Many kids need extra help to succeed!
Many kids need YOUR help at home!
HOLD ON TO YOUR KIDS this is not just a reminder, but a GREAT book, being read by the faculty at the school and Robert recommends it for us. (It is 10$ or so on Amazon, used). It may be available at the library as well.
It is a WORTHWHILE book!
It tells a history of how our culture has shifted, from a culture of elders directing our teens, to a culture of peers directing our teens.
This is the CORE issue of many things wrong with the world today. It greatly affects the social issues and how children grown into their own understanding, values, etc.
How do we influence our kids? How do we teach them how to behave, right from wrong, ethics, how to be popular.
How do we establish parent authority? As well as keep that attachment bond, and continue to build and grow that closeness with them? Strengthen our bond with them. Guide them.
8th Grade FIELD TRIPS
1. Headwaters: Our plan has been to go 3 years and continue building what life skills and empowerment we have begun. They are still writing about their experiences there. Most of them start with it was hard… I was terrified… But, they are facing challenges and pushing through. They are facing themselves, and becoming stronger.
Of course the kids do not want to be challenged more. Tim holds them there, he sees each kid for who they are and their strengths and limitations and meets them where they are, and then pushes them to walk their edge. To push through, to rise to the occasion, to face their fears! All amazing gifts to take with you into the world!
We could go rafting first for a few days, then go to HW for our rites of passage.
2. Oregon Shakespeare Festival: Ashland, stay in the college dorms, see college kids and what the atmosphere is like.
Culture, Theatre, costume design, workshops..
Culture vs. Nature… Can we do both? Can we fundraise for both? (If we do, we would have to skip the rafting part of HW).
The Dream: to go to Shakespeare Festival in the Fall, and feel the buzz of school, learning, culture. Itll be fun!
And in the Spring: Headwaters for the Rites of Passage, and the kids take their experience with them, as the class separates and moves on to High School. (wow!)
BRAINSTORMING FUNDRAISING IDEAS! Please think about and voice any and all ideas. Nothing is too ridiculous! (ok, it might be)
Mistletoe bundles for the holidays?
We are selling burritos now and will add quesadillas next week.
Next year we sell pizza, which raises a good bit of money.
Nicole is in touch with a couple and is asking them to see if they may have an event where each couple sponsers a kid for a big field trip.
We made $600 with the raffle. WE ROCKED IT! We got lots of help and participation. We are an awesome class!
Reminder: Sat. Romeo and Juliet at Comm. Cntr. Matinee discount!!
Rick sent an email.
As a last note: Something we did not discuss at the meeting, but has been on my mind, and I am sure yours as well:
HIGH SCHOOL… What are our options? What does each school offer? What is going on at Credo? (there is a news letter). Can we work together and share info? Will we be carpooling if we go out of town? Lets share info.
Many Love and Blessings!!
Lily
