October 2010
30 posts
Hay [sic] guys, lost cat. [27 Oct 2010]
This is the last homework post of the week. Have a productive Thursday and Friday.
Conferences: Student-parent-teacher conferences are this week. Check the schedule. Don’t forget to make the necessary adjustments to your self-evaluation and print a copy for your appointment.
Post-Conference: Once you have had your conference, make additional adjustments to your self-evaluation and send...
Picky Eaters
Here’s a quote from a recent segment on Morning Edition, “Stealth Health: Nudging Kids Toward A Better Diet”:
Hiding healthy stuff may be a good solution for the middle-school set. They’re notoriously picky eaters, and rejecting foods that adults insist are good for you is part of growing up.
Sound like anyone you know?
As I was in the car listening and thinking about...
Are You A Constitutional Scholar? →
Now on to something more serious… During our class conversations about the Political Compass and during the Blue Group’s discussions of the history book that they are reading, the topic of the U.S. Constitution has come up several times. Current events have the country talking about the Constitution too. See this article from NPR that includes a five question quiz at the end. How many of the...
WatchThis post is inspired by a chat with John. During his pre-conference, he mentioned that the older he gets, the faster time seems to go by. Well, there’s a neuroscientific explanation for that feeling as explained in this NPR piece by Robert Krulwich: “Why Does Time Fly By As You Get Older?” (Krulwich was mentioned on this blog last week.) The “Homer Every Day” video...
Tuesday Hump Day [26 Oct 2010]
Does that take you back to almost exactly two years ago?
Humanities: Work on your short story. The first draft is due next Tuesday.
Humanities Red: Read chapters fifteen and sixteen of A Patriot’s History of the United States by next Tuesday.
Humanities Blue: For next Tuesday read to the end of part one of A Young People’s History of the United States. Be prepared with points to...
David-ish [25 Oct 2010]
Contrary to what you may have read or heard elsewhere, the only days you have off this week are Thursday and Friday.
Humanities: Work on your short story. The first draft is due on Tuesday, November 2.
Humanities Red: Read chapter twenty-two and the conclusion of A Patriot’s History of the United States by tomorrow.
Humanities Blue: For tomorrow read chapters seven and eight of A Young...
WatchYou know those MUNI trains that, in part, made it possible for us to get around while in San Francisco? Well, sometimes the tracks need to be replaced. The process is not insignificant. Here you can see three and a half days condensed into a twelve minute video showing construction on the tracks at Church and 30th. The timelapse was put together by Ken Murphy.
(via Jason Kottke)
He needs a nose. [22 Oct 2010]
Great presentation this morning! All of the feedback that I have received on your behalf has been positive. The audience left both informed and entertained.
Humanities: Work on your short story. The first draft is due on Tuesday, November 2.
Humanities Red: Read chapter twenty-two and the conclusion of A Patriot’s History of the United States by Tuesday.
Humanities Blue: For Tuesday...
The daytime of the night [21 Oct 2010]
It has been a pleasure speaking with you individually in preparation for the upcoming conferences. I look forward to the rest of these chats.
Humanities: Work on your short story. The first draft is due on Tuesday, November 2.
Humanities Red: Read chapter four of A Patriot’s History of the United States by tomorrow.
Humanities Blue: Read chapters five and six of A Young People’s History...
Busy [20 Oct 2010]
No time for an intro today…
Humanities: Work on your short story. The first draft is due on Tuesday, November 2.
Humanities Red: Read chapter four of A Patriot’s History of the United States by Friday.
Update: Humanities Blue: Read chapters five and six of A Young People’s History of the United States by tomorrow. Please take notes and be prepared to discuss the content of the...
A note from Janie, our TCS Librarian
Every Friday an automated email comes from the library reminding friends of books that are checked out. These are not all OVERDUE books, but those that are out. The return dates are next to the titles. This helps parents know what materials are checked out to their children and when books need to be returned. Unfortunately it is a canned title in the software and I am not able to change it. I have...
To the construction site! [19 Oct 2010]
Thanks to Pacific Ridge School, Francis Parker School, La Jolla Country Day School, San Diego Jewish Academy, and The Bishop’s School for sharing more about your programs this morning.
Humanities: Work on your short story. The first draft is due on Tuesday, November 2.
Humanities Red: Read chapter four of A Patriot’s History of the United States by Friday.
Update: Humanities Blue: Read...
The Political Compass [18 Oct 2010]
Have you filled out the Political Compass test and saved your chart? Once everyone has finished a first round (answering the questions without explanation or discussion), we’ll go through each question on-by-one so you have a full understanding of what they are asking. Then, we’ll see how the results have changed.
Humanities: Work on your short story. The first draft is due on...
Billy la Bufanda [15 Oct 2010]
Today, as we went about planning how to share your San Francisco experience online, we spoke about photo releases and using names online. This is a reminder that our conversation is not enough to adequately cover the subject and that you are expected to discuss these topics with your parents until you have a full understanding of their comfort level and their permission for sharing online.
...
Mother Cake [14 Oct 2010]
It feels like we made some great progress today. Many cakes were baked and everyone got a chance to share their feelings about our trip and begin the process of deciding how the presentations and documentation will look.
Fall Conferences: Please remind your parents to email me to schedule your fall student-parent-teacher conference as soon as possible.
SF Presentation: Think about which themes...
Contraband Cookies [13 Oct 2010]
Come prepared tomorrow to help decide how the seventh and eighth grade presentation to Community Meeting will look on October 22. We’ll also need to decide on a digital format for sharing the media and reflections that were produced by the trip.
Fall Conferences: Please remind your parents to email me to schedule your fall student-parent-teacher conference as soon as possible.
...
Erika at TCS →
Erika is our new intern in the NMY. Are you following her blog? Did you read about her background? Have you seen her latest post sharing observations about the differences between schools in Japan and those here in the US?
Blue and Red [12 Oct 2010]
There are many announcements in the list today. If you don’t already, you might want to start using a calendar, Google or other, to keep track of the many events and activities taking place in the coming weeks.
Fall Conferences: Please remind your parents to email me to schedule your fall student-parent-teacher conference as soon as possible.
Humanities Blue: Read the first chapter of A...
NMY 7/8 Fall Conference Schedule 2010 →
Parents: This is a link to the schedule for the seventh and eighth grade fall conferences. Your son/daughter will be attending the conference with you. Please email me with your preferred time. As slots are filled I will update the post to reflect such by adding the student’s initials in the appropriate place.
It's not the cat's fault. [11 Oct 2010]
A few of your were not at school this morning. Please catch up with the rest of your groups by (a) writing a paragraph with your overall impression of the trip to San Francisco indicating whether you felt it was a positive or negative experiences; and (b) making a list suggesting changes to the trip structure and arrangements that are within our control and that would improve the overall...
Dramatic wax turkey burrito [1 Oct 2010]
Don’t forget that our trip begins Sunday morning. You should now have a digital copy of the information packet in your inbox. Pack wisely and carefully.
San Francisco Trip: Is there any planning that you promised your group that you would complete before we leave?
See you Sunday morning.
Social Curriculum 101
A note from Lisa A:
Parents, please come learn more about the TCS Social Curriculum. Rebecca Lindsay, Maria D’Orio and Lisa Attinasi will present in the NMY Common Room at 8:45 AM on October 7, 2010. Coffee will be served! Bring a friend!
