Conferences on Wednesday only!

Just a reminder that I am available for conferences on Wednesday only. I will be at school from 8am to 8pm with a lunch break from 11:30am to 12:30pm and a dinner break from 5pm to 6pm.

Students:  Your final writing assignment for Nothing But the Truth  (Final Writing Assignment: NBtTruth) is due on Monday, October 26th. Please PRINT it BEFORE you arrive to class.  Your chapter questions that I've stamped along the way are also due on Monday.  If you haven't fully answered the questions, with examples from the text when required, then please add on to your responses before turning them on the 26th! I expect complete sentences and full answers.

Be sure to spend time reading your next book for your novel project! You should be done with your book by Thursday, October 29th!!

Enjoy your time off. I'm looking forward to meeting your parents and guardians at conferences!

Conferences next week on Wednesday, October 21st!

Last week, students participated in the first Socratic Seminar of the school year on our novel, Nothing But the Truth.  In a Socratic Seminar students are in charge of facilitating the discussion. They did a great job!  I was so impressed by their level of engagement as well as their ability to make sure everyone had a chance to speak.  No hands were raised, students politely took turns sharing in the discussion, and my role was only to listen and observe.

This week, we are doing a Webquest Research Presentation. In groups, students will be examining one of two topics from the book -- How is the first amendment right to free speech applied in public school settings? or What is the role of truth in journalism? Documents for the Webquest can be accessed in your Google Classroom.

Each group will create a Google Slideshow about their research findings as well as their connections back to the novel.

Next week is conference week.  It is important for families to know that because I am a part-time teacher, I am available to conference all day on Wednesday only. I will not be there on Thursday.  As most of you know, middle school conferences are "arena" style so you do not need to schedule a time.

Week of October 6

Last week we had an interesting presentation on banned books from the Mult. County Library School Corp.  We were all surprised by some of the books that have been challenged or banned.

This week we are continuing our short novel, Nothing But the Truth, and discussing both the First Amendment rights of students in schools and the role of truth and honesty in journalism.

Upcoming due dates are on the calendar to the right of this post.