September 2010
1 post
Archived [7 Sept 2010]
This will be the final post here. From September 2008 through June 2010, this served as the class blog for tcsnmy6, the sixth grade at The Children’s School in La Jolla, California. The cryptic titles for many of the homework posts were meant as conversation seeds for students and their families at the end of the day.
The blog will remain online as an archive of my two years teaching sixth...
June 2010
23 posts
The Wikipedia Game →
Have any of you played The Wikipedia Game yet? The rules, as they appear on the front page, are simple:
You’re given a start Wikipedia article, like “Camera”
And a winning article, like “Oregon”
Now click as few links as possible to get from “Camera” to “Oregon”, as fast as you can!
I’ve enjoyed several rounds. All of you would...
WatchLooking for a summer poetry project? Maybe you’d like to try something like Austin Kleon’s Newspaper Blackout.
The end (of one chapter) [11 June 2010]
Thank you all for a wonderful school year. We wish you an exciting and/or relaxing summer vacation and will be looking forward to seeing you again in the fall or maybe even over the summer.
Arts: Don’t forget to upload your film projects and post them to your blogs.
Summer Reading: The summer reading list is now posted to this blog. TCS will also have a One Book, One School program...
WatchIn case you were curious about what was contained on the USB drives that the NMY students gave to the upcoming sixth graders this morning, wonder no more: How to survive NMY.
TCS One Book, One School 2010
TCS will have a One Book, One School program again, this time over the summer. Middle school students should read the original or young reader’s edition of Three Cups of Tea. A description of the three versions of the book, including one for younger children, can be found below.
Do you believe that we as individuals have the power to change the world?
Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission...
WatchWant a taste of this morning’s NMY film screening with Laure? Enjoy “The Even More Fantastic Four”.
Twitter / World Cup 2010 - What’s happening? →
For those of you who are excited about the World Cup, you might want to keep an eye on Twitter. There was no such thing as tweeting (in the 140 character sense of the word) four years ago, so it will be interesting to see how fans use the service for this year’s event. Start by taking a look at the Twitter page designed for World Cup 2010. You can read more about it here. Then read what our...
And then there was one... [10 June 2010]
Donut you like the end of year activities?
Volunteers: This is your reminder if you volunteered to speak tomorrow, to send out an invitation, to make a card, or to finish a video.
Arts: Don’t forget to upload your film projects and post them to your blogs.
Science: Please watch up to minute 140 (at least) of the video on Intelligent Design on Trial. We left off at minute 117. Be ready...
Seventh Grade Summer Reading 2010
Students (and Parents),
Although the school year hasn’t quite finished, it is time to start thinking about summer reading. This letter outlines expectations as you enter the seventh grade. The details should come as no surprise; back in April, the class had several discussions regarding the format and content for summer reading this year. You decided on a list of five books with the...
Final Screening Tomorrow →
As noted in the homework post for the past few nights, the final screening of work produced in film class will be held tomorrow. Have you seen Laure’s list of questions to consider? Are you impressed with all that you have learned in such a short time? Anyway, I can’t wait to see your films in the morning.
One, two, three... cricket [9 June 2010]
This list is getting shorter and shorter.
Appreciations: Spend some time this evening thinking about each of the students and teachers in NMY. What do you appreciate about them? What do they add to the group? What might you miss if they were gone? Be prepared to share something about each of your peers tomorrow.
Arts: The film finale will be held tomorrow morning from 8:00-9:30 AM.
Update:...
T minus 2.5 [8 June 2010]
You did a great job rehearsing today.
Pecha Kucha: The event is this evening. Are you ready?
Appreciations: Spend some time this afternoon and tonight thinking about each of the students and teachers in NMY. What do you appreciate about them? What do they add to the group? What might you miss if they were gone? Be prepared to share something about each of your peers.
Laptops: Summer laptop...
WatchTake a moment’s break from the evaluations that you are writing this evening and enjoy this musical and scientific interlude: “Bobby McFerrin Demonstrates the Power of the Pentatonic Scale” at the World Science Festival 2009.
Final days aboard the Mother Ship [7 June 2010]
Thanks to everyone who has volunteered to take on an extra role (HTSNMY video, PK introduction and conclusion, PK video crew, PK slideshow coordination and backup, fifth grade promotion remarks, NMYPE discussion leaders, etc.) this week as we make our way through the final activities and events of the school year. Don’t forget to prepare for these roles if you are one of the volunteers.
...
Two words that some of you might never have...
Before our studies of religion get to far behind us, I want to take a moment to point out that there are two words that have been used repeatedly over the past trimester that have additional applications of which you might not be aware.
The first word is religious. As defined at Answers.com, there are three meanings:
1. Having or showing belief in and reverence for God or a deity.
2. Of,...
Final weekend, final week [4 June 2010]
Many of you need to spend some time over the weekend preparing yourself for Tuesday night’s event.
Pecha Kucha: Practice your lines. The next Pecha Kucha rehearsal will be Monday morning.
HTSNMY: We will finish recording video Monday.
Math: Final day….concepts checklist…Monday.
Arts: If you are currently in film class, bring your abstract painting to school by Monday. These...
iRepellant [3 Jun 2010]
Take your time when reading this post. Notice that there are six items due or relating to tomorrow.
Know Your Classmates: Continue working on the nineteen student specific files. Your participation is expected there too.
Pecha Kucha: Your scripts should be complete and your slides should be shared with your group coordinator. The first Pecha Kucha rehearsal will be tomorrow morning. You will...
Puh [2 June 2010]
Enter.
NMYPE 2010: Spend some time working on the shared NMY Program Evaluation 2010 document. It is expected that everyone make significant contributions. Tomorrow we will finalize the questions.
Know Your Classmates: Continue working on the nineteen student specific files. Your participation is expected there too.
Pecha Kucha: You need to finish choosing images and writing your presentation...
Check your list [1 June 2010]
Welcome to June.
Humanities: Spend some time working on the following shared documents: HTSNMY, NMY Program Evaluation 2010, and nineteen student specific files.
Pecha Kucha: Tomorrow your group will need to decide which slides each member will be in charge of writing and presenting. Then you will need to choose images and begin writing. The first Pecha Kucha rehearsal will be on Friday.
...
May 2010
45 posts
Empathy
I’ve been thinking a lot about empathy lately. Maybe it started with Jeremy Rifkin’s talk on “The Empathic Civilization”. That was followed by some thoughts that I had about the “Don’t talk to strangers” rule that found me speculating on what the alternative should be, and ultimately if that would help eliminate bullying problems.
A couple of days ago, through Daniel Pink, I encountered an...
Truly's Travels →
For their religion project, Charmaine, Brianna, and Ruby wrote a travel journal by a fictional girl name Truly who takes a trip to Pakistan and India to learn about Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. In addition to the print version that they created, they’ve also shared the same content in a travel blog. You’ll need to scroll your way to the bottom of the second page and make your way...
Sound familiar?
Parents (and students):
Having second thoughts about enrolling your child in a progressive middle school or high school? Consider this:
It is interesting to note that for many children, middle school and high school becomes the place where school is no longer enjoyable. It is, of course, at that time that students traditionally have been subject to a shift from student-centered classroom to a...
A fortnight [28 May 2010]
Have you made contributions to the plethora of shared documents that we were working on in class today?
Humanities: If you have note already posted your updated reflection including the ffedback that you received from others, post it to your blog by the beginning of the school day on Tuesday.
Math: There will be a quiz on Tuesday, June 1 on concepts 10-4, 10-6, 11-1 to 11-6.
Math: Last day to...
CSL/LS Project Notes from Lisa A
Now that we have decided on our CSL project, it is time to kick it off! Our loose change drive to benefit the Monarch School will begin on Tuesday, June 1. Remember, we will need to really publicize it since we will wrap it up by June 14. Here are some things that you will need to do before our next class on Wednesday, June 2:
Host a lemonade or cookie stand in your neighborhood over the next...
Eye spy [27 May 2010]
What are your word crutches?
Humanities: Now that you have received feedback from others, update your reflection and post it to your blog by the beginning of the school day on Tuesday.
Science: We did our cow eye dissection today. Write a post about the
experience. What were your expectations? Where they met? What did you
notice? Was it worthwhile? Does this help your understanding of...
Don't forget to RSVP for Pecha Kucha Night. →
If you have not already done so, don’t forget to RSVP for Pecha Kucha Night. The announcement has all of the information you need, including an email address for RSVPing. It has also been updated to reflect the location—we’ll be holding the event in the “Studio”. That choice of venue is explained on the announcement.
Limonada [26 May 2010]
Apparently the pre-kindergarteners will continue serving lemonade for the rest of the week. No promises, but bring some more treasures!
Humanities: Send your classmates emails with feedback about their projects and presentations by the end of class tomorrow. To do so, you will need to spend some time tonight reading and viewing their work, and sending some of the emails. Send me a copy of those...
Religion in The Simpsons →
You shouldn’t stop thinking about religion just because your religion projects are now complete. If you’re looking for some lighter-hearted references, The Simpsons always pulls through—check out this Wikipedia entry about “Religion in The Simpsons” and don’t miss the episode list that it contains.
Update: The Simpsons Archive has a very thorough page on the same...
Foofie [25 May 2010]
We’ll spend considerable time talking about the religion presentations tomorrow.
Humanities: Write the first draft of your religion project reflection (mentioning process, organization, presentation, content, expectations, etc.) for tomorrow. You will update it throughout the rest of the week as you receive feedback from others. The final reflection will be due on Tuesday.
Math: We did...
Seeing triangles [24 May 2010]
Watch out for the pointy corners.
Humanities: Your religion project is due tomorrow. See the virtual whiteboard for specific reminders. Both classes will present to each other in the morning.
Math: We looked at how to find the area of complex shapes. Breaking the shapes into smaller parts that you can put back together is vital. Homework is Skill Practice 11-6. Take care with recording and...
LS/CSL Call to Action 5
This assignment is from Lisa A and is due Wednesday, May 26. Please see or email her with questions.
Please draft at least two ideas for a homelessness and poverty project by our next class on Wednesday, May 26. Reflect on our last discussion and refer to the organizations that you have already researched. We will brainstorm in class this week and decide on:
A local organization
The type of...
Make It Snappy Film Notes →
Laure has been working with another group of students for the past two weeks. Go read the last pair of weekly reviews if you want to learn what they’ve been up to. You’ll see why Laure and filmmaking are a great fit for the NMY program—lots of mention of creativity, collaboration, conflict resolution, problem solving, and empathy.
In his natural environment... [21 May 2010]
Check your email for a reminder about Saturday’s get-together.
Humanities: Your religion project is due Tuesday. See the virtual whiteboard for specific reminders.
Logic Problem (Optional): You were given “Prom Dresses” a logic problem to complete. This is not required. You have until Monday to complete the puzzle.
Census: Your census infographic is due Tuesday, June 1. You...
Craig Venter creates synthetic life form →
File this under “holy carp!” Considering all of the studies you have been doing in science about life and genetics, this story should be of interest to you. While you’re reading the article, see if there are any names that you recognize. There should be. Right, Max? And, in case you didn’t know, the J. Craig Venter Institute is located just up the road.
Update:...
There's a hole in your eye!? [20 May 2010]
The TCS Fun Run and the League Championships Track Meet are both tomorrow.
Humanities: Your religion project is due Tuesday. Your final weekly project update is due by noon tomorrow.
Problem Solving: This week’s word problems are “Slip of the Eye” and “The Coat on Sale”. Please do all work on a separate piece of paper and show your thinking in a clear and...
Shoes [19 May 2010]
Hello.
Humanities: Your religion project is due Tuesday. There will be a reminder posted here each day. You are also expected to post a short update by noon each Friday about the progress that you are making and/or what you are learning.
Math: Quiz tomorrow. It will cover concepts 7-8, 10-1, 10-2, 10-4, 10-6 and 11-1.
Math: We spent a significant amount of time deriving pi. Why does pi have...
Presi Presi [18 May 2010]
Thanks for the fun this morning, Maxx.
Humanities: Your religion project is due next Tuesday, May 25. There will be a reminder posted here each day. You are also expected to post a short update by noon each Friday about the progress that you are making and/or what you are learning.
Math: Quiz on Thursday. It will cover concepts 7-8, 10-1, 10-2, 10-4, 10-6 and 11-1.
Math: We looked at how to...
Lotsha [17 May 2010]
The TCS Fun Run and the League Championship Track Meet are on Friday.
Humanities: Your religion project is due on Tuesday, May 25. There will be a reminder posted here each day. You are also expected to post a short update by noon each Friday about the progress that you are making and/or what you are learning.
Math: The class looked closely at the difference between perimeter and area,...
Some kind words from up north
Designer and educator Frank Chimero wrote some nice things about the tcsnmy6 blog last night:
This was found on Rob Greco’s blog for his 6th grade class. I love the fact that I can find things on a blog for 6th graders and share it with all of you and feel that it’s relevant. In sixth grade I was picking my nose, pulling hair, and throwing rocks and not thinking about how standard economic...
"I love how our writing sounds so far, and how we...
Charmaine is pleased with the way her group’s religion project is taking form. You can read Bri and Ruby’s perspectives too. I look forward to seeing the final project.