Welcome back - I know it's been two weeks...
but we have been very busy.  Here is a brief description of what's happening in our classes.

NEW INCENTIVE PROGRAM - We are trying something new...hopefully a little more manageable.  It's a ticket token system.  Each Monday, every student is given 10 tickets in each class period.  They will keep their tickets unless I have to have them pay me a ticket for:
            missing homework
            talking out in class
            being disrespectful
Each student may choose to use their tickets on Fridays to purchase items from the prize box.  The prize box contains items costing 10 tickets such as:
            pencils
            small piece of candy
            gum
            stickers
            coupon for a free smoothie
            pen
            one day late homework pass
            free quiz question
They may also choose to turn in 20 tickets for a pass to a scheduled Fun Friday.  Our first Fun Friday will be Jan. 22nd. 20 Tickets will also buy 5 extra credit points.

This system has worked well so far.  I will keep you updated as needed.

Class Updates
Social Studies 1st Period
      We are now studying Islam and it is quite interesting.  I am learning so much as I facilitate the learning of your children.  We did an overview of the geography of the Arabian Peninsula and discovered how the people there adapted to the different types of land in order to be successful and survive.  Next, we studied Mohammad: his life and the beginnings of Islam.  We did not test over this chapter, but had much class discussion to confirm understanding.  We are just finishing chapter 9 The Teachings of Islam and worked on groups to become experts on the 5 pillars of faith and the daily life of a Muslim.  We will be having a test tomorrow, Jan. 15th.  Chapter 10 will cover Muslim contributions to world civilization.  As I said, we have been very busy.

TCS
        We have completed the writing and illustrating portion of our children's books and have put the publishing part on hold due to some technical difficulties.  I am in the process of grading these and will have final grades entered by Friday, Jan. 22.  The students are now working in Literature groups, reading from a common book and rotating jobs such as Word Wizard, Quizzer, Artist, Summarizer, and Journalist.  Your student will have class time to share their job, discuss the reading selection, assign the next reading selection and jobs, and read aloud as a group.  They will often have reading and their lit group job to complete nightly.
         Second quarter TCS grades will be based on their Children's Book project, daily lit group assignments, and lit group final book project.


It's our last week of 2009!  Here's what is happening...

Social Studies - We are wrapping up Unit 1 and will begin studying Islam at the start of the new year.  The students have also been working hard on their personal alphabets which will be added to their "week in the life..." books.  They really have done a fabulous job.  PROGRESS REPORTS are still missing from a few students.  Please have them signed and returned ASAP.

TCS - We are getting to the final stages of our storybook writing.  Illustrations were due Mon. Dec. 14th, however I am still missing a majority of the finals.  We are working on scaning our pictures and have had a lesson in iphoto.  We will complete the publishing process when we return from break.  I have not sent home progress reports...everyone has an A as of now.  The book will be the final grade.

DECEMBER 4th  I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving break.  We are back into the swing of things in Social Studies and Enrichment. 

SS - Progress reports are coming home today.  They need to be signed by a parent and returned by Tues. Dec. 8th.  We are currently studying the events which contributed to the decline of feudalism, including, Magna Carta, the Bubonic Plague, and the Hundred Years War.  An extra credit opportunity will be sent home Monday.

TCS - We are finishing our final drafts of children's stories.  We will complete our illustrations next week and begin publishing using iphoto.

TCS 2nd quarter focus - Writing, illustrating, publishing, and sharing children's picture books

Social Studies 2nd quarter focus - ch. 4-6 Medieval Times ch. 7-10 Islam

Friday, Nov. 12 - YAY!!! The first quarter of seventh grade is over and everyone made through!  I am pleased by the changes I have seen many students make since conference time and goal-setting.  I am encouraged by their desire to do their best.  Others, however have fallen into a pattern of late/missing assignments.  Next quarter, I will be requiring students to come in at 7:30am to complete missing work or to attend homework club on Wed. and Thurs. after school until all homework is complete.  My job is to make sure my students succeed and I want to do all I can to set them up for success.

 

Monday, Nov. 2 - November is here and we are quickly approaching the end of the first quarter.  I want to let you know how much I am enjoying Marshall and the 7th graders in my classes.  It has been a great re-entry into teaching!

Please be sure to get progress reports signed and returned by TOMORROW, NOV. 3rd!  Any questions, please contact me via email...jwoods@osd.wednet.edu. 

 
Mon. Oct. 26 - Friendly Reminder!!! We are selling magazines for the school.  If you have any subscriptions to renew, this is a great opportunity to "be a part of it" at Marshall and help out our school.
PLEASE READ THIS!!!
LATE ASSIGNMENTS: In case you haven't been told, we have a new late assignment policy.  AN assignment is due at the beginning of the class period.  If it is not turned in at that time, it will be accepted late for 1/2 credit.  For example, if an assignment is worth 20 points and turned in after class begins and papers have been checked and collected, it will be worth 10 points if the students receives 100%.  If the student only earns 18 points out of 20, they will only receive 9 points out of 20.  Late assignments will only be accepted until the end of that chapter's test.  Once we have completed the chapter, I will not accept late homework.

Please understand, my purpose behind this new policy is to help the students become responsible for their work and teach them the importance of deadlines and time management.  I do not assign much homework and feel like I give them class time to do much of what is assigned.  There are still quite a few students turning in late work.  Let me know if I can assist in any way.

TCS
We have completed our first unit which consisted of groups working collaboratively to invent eco-friendly products, create print ads for that product, and to create commercials using imovie to sell the product.  We will have a brief wrap-up test Tuesday the 27th(tomorrow) and will begin our new unit studying and writing children's books.  I think this will be a fun project and I can't wait to see the final projects.  Who knows? We may just discover the next Dr. Seuss!