December 2010
32 posts
It works! [30 Nov 2010]
Busy weeks ahead…
Humanities: Projects are due at the beginning of class on Monday. How is yours coming along? Do you have something that you need to complete tonight?
Humanities Red: Read from the beginning of chapter two through to the end of chapter five of A Young People’s History of the United States by next Tuesday. You will need to read the entire book by Monday, January 3, 2011.
...
November 2010
54 posts
FSM [29 Nov 2010]
Several of you will be at the High Tech High tour on Friday morning, plan your week accordingly. Give special attention to coordinating your humanities and science projects with your classmates.
Humanities: Time is running out. How is your project coming along? Do you have something that you need to complete tonight?
Humanities Red: Read the introduction and chapter one of A Young People’s...
Blambot Comic Fonts and Lettering →
For their humanities project, Andrew and Taelon are creating a comic book about the Space Race. To help them with the lettering, I suggested that they take a look at Blambot, a source for comic fonts and lettering. I post it here in case anyone else is interested in using the same, many of which are available free of cost.
Lame Titles [23 Nov 2010]
We had a great performance, a great visit, and a great discussion today. Thank you for all of them.
Humanities: How is your project coming along? Do you have something that you need to complete over the break?
Humanities Red: Read the introduction and chapter one of A Young People’s History of the United States by Tuesday, November 30. You will need to read the entire book by Monday, January...
Discotheques are not restaurants. [22 Nov 2010]
Remembered that we will have a modified schedule tomorrow morning due to Grandparent and Special Friends Day.
GP&SFD: Practice your SF script for tomorrow’s performance.
Humanities: How is your project coming along? Do you have something that you need to complete tonight?
Humanities Red: Read chapter ten of A Patriot’s History of the United States by tomorrow.
Humanities Blue:...
TCS Book Fair
A note from Janie:
Come “Cozy Up With A Good Book” at our Annual Book Fair! Just in time for the Holidays, our Book Fair will be in the Library December 6-10 from 8:15 AM to 4:30 PM every day. Can’t make it during the day? On Wednesday, December 8 there will be an Evening Event from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM.
Parents: Volunteers are still needed to help with all shifts. Take a look...
Slapstick [19 Nov 2010]
Can you be trusted?
Practice your SF script for GF&SFD on Tuesday.
Humanities: How is your project coming along? Do you have something that you need to complete this weekend?
Humanities Red: Read chapter ten of A Patriot’s History of the United States by Tuesday.
Humanities Blue: Finish reading A Young People’s History of the United States by Tuesday. Be prepared to discuss what you have...
Another Round of Short Stories
This is an index of the short stories that the eighth graders wrote over the past few weeks. If you get a chance to the read them, please don’t hesitate to leave your comments — both kudos and constructive criticism. Enjoy!
“Murder of the Month” by TR
“The Tower of New Life” by MS
“The Maddening Tale of a Boy and a Girl” by TAB
“.50 Caliber”...
Ode to a Burrito
What lies within your tortilla roll?
Are there beans? Or beef? Or guacamole?
Is there cheese? Sour cream? Or pork?
Will you fall apart? Require a fork?
Are you of the variety that they sell up north?
Or of the local type that spills potatos forth?
Does it matter at all what you contain within?
Or if your juices run down my chin?
Who cares about a little mess?
My dear burrito, I must...
Blue Jobs [18 Nov 2010]
Don’t forget to resuscitate your SF script for tomorrow morning’s GF&SFD rehearsal.
Humanities: How is your project coming along? Do you have something that you need to complete tonight?
Humanities Red: Read chapter ten of A Patriot’s History of the United States by Tuesday.
Humanities Blue: Finish reading A Young People’s History of the United States by Tuesday. Be prepared...
Bearded Foot [17 Nov 2010]
Looking for a leader?
Humanities: How is your project coming along? Do you have something that you need to complete tonight?
Humanities Red: Read chapter ten of A Patriot’s History of the United States by Tuesday.
Humanities Blue: Finish reading A Young People’s History of the United States by Tuesday. Be prepared to discuss what you have read.
Math Challenge: Work on “How Many Fish in...
A Classroom Divided →
We watched the first seven minutes of A Classroom Divided today. Here’s a summary:
One day in 1968, Jane Elliott, a teacher in a small, all-white Iowa town, divided her third-grade class into blue-eyed and brown-eyed groups and gave them a daring lesson in discrimination. This is the story of that lesson, its lasting impact on the children, and its enduring power thirty years...
Turkey Brigade Reminder
The Turkey Brigade meets every year to deliver baskets with Thanksgiving food to needy families in the San Diego area. The group will meet this Sunday, November 21 at 9:00 AM at the Marriott Pavillion in Mission Valley (8757 Rio San Diego Dr, San Diego 92108) to package the baskets and will depart for delivery of the baskets at around 10:30 AM. The Brigade is looking for donations, shoppers, and...
Snickers, Snickers, Snickers, CRUNCH [16 Nov 2010]
Here are four items that came up during this morning’s meandering conversation about politics and governmental systems: (a) A Sentence Apart, “three intimate portraits exploring how the incarceration of a family member transforms the hopes and dreams of their loved ones”; (b) Examined Life, a documentary consisting of conversations with eighth contemporary philosophers; (c) moral...
Frodo's Notebook: A Journal of Teens, Literature,... →
“Frodo’s Notebook is the only magazine situated right where the up and coming generation of literary figures encounters each other and the established literary world. We’re unique; we stand out, and for good reason:
“We take art and writing by teenagers seriously. Thirteen to nineteen year-olds around the world are producing stunning material—original art and literature, as well as...
Creative Kids Magazine →
“Creative Kids magazine is the nation’s largest magazine by and for kids. The magazine bursts with games, stories, and opinions all by and for kids ages 8–14. […] Kids from all over the world read and contribute to Creative Kids. To submit your work to Creative Kids, be sure to read our Submission Guidelines first!”
Stone Soup →
There are several publications that are dedicated to publishing the work of people your age. Stone Soup is one of the best know. Consider this encouragement for you to submit your stories (or other creative work) for consideration.
High-Speed Chase [15 Nov 2010]
Back to normal. :)
Humanities: How is your project coming along? Do you have something that you need to complete tonight?
Humanities Red: Read chapters eighteen and twenty-one of A Patriot’s History of the United States by tomorrow.
Humanities Blue: For tomorrow read to the end of chapter twenty-two of A Young People’s History of the United States. Be prepared to discuss what you have read.
...
What Is iCivics? | iCivics →
Lest you think I’ve forgotten civics:
iCivics (formerly Our Courts) is a web-based education project designed to teach students civics and inspire them to be active participants in our democracy. iCivics is the vision of Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, who is concerned that students are not getting the information and tools they need for civic participation, and that civics teachers...
Mapping History →
The University of Oregon’s Mapping History website has a section devoted to American History.
National Atlas home page →
Need access to maps?
This is nationalatlas.gov, and it shows us where we are. It allows you to use your imagination and, by probing and questioning, to choose the facts that fit your needs as you explore the American story.
The website offers maps under the categories agriculture, biology, boundaries, climate, environment, geology, government, history, mapping, people, transportation, and...
A Biography of America →
From Annenberg Media:
A Biography of America is a telecourse and video series that presents American history as a living narrative. This series web site lets you delve further into the topics of the 26 video programs.
For each program you’ll find an interactive feature related to the subject or the time period of the program. In addition, you’ll find a listing of key events of...
Digital History →
Digital History, from a partnership led by the University of Houston, provides “[a]n interactive, multimedia history of the United States from the Revolution to the present.” The website contains a variety of quality resources for students and teachers including timelines, primary sources, maps, music, images, and video.
5 Nastiest U.S. Presidential Elections in History →
You all seem to be fascinated by elections, especially the attack ads they produce. So, what were the nastiest elections in US history? Here’s one answer.
America's Historical Documents →
Need access to the images of the original Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, the Louisiana Purchase Treaty, the check for the purchase of Alaska, the Apollo 11 flight plan? Another one of America’s historical documents?
The National Archives preserves and provides access to the records of the Federal Government […] from our most celebrated milestones to...
Historic Maps in K-12 Classrooms →
Here’s the next US History resource. I’m going to let a paragraph from the Newberry Library’s Historic Maps in K-12 Classrooms speak for itself:
This resource for K-12 teachers and students developed by the Hermon Dunlap Smith Center for the History of Cartography at the Newberry Library is designed to bring historically significant map documents into your classroom. Inside...
Zinn Education Project →
This is the first in a series of posts pointing to web resources about US history and civics. The Zinn Education Project is a companion to A Young People’s History of the United States by Howard Zinn. The website contains a variety of teaching materials sorted by them or sorted by time period. You don’t need to be a teacher to find them useful.
Update: The full text of Zinn’s A...
Budget Puzzle: You Fix the Budget →
Just like it says: “Today, you’re in charge of the nation’s finances. Some of your options have more short-term savings and some have more long-term savings. When you have closed the budget gaps for both 2015 and 2030, you are done. Make your own plan, then share it online.”
The Story of Electronics →
As promised back in March, here’s the latest from The Story of Stuff Project — “The Story of Electronics”. Check that old post for links to its predecessors.
WatchThe topic of micronations has popped up in discussions several times (documented two times) over the past couple of years. I’ve been asked about them this year too, so here’s something interesting and beautiful on the topic: A History of Libertarian Countries at Sea by Jason Sussberg.
The Economics of Seinfeld →
Our discussions of The Political Compass required us to also cover some economics. This is a new topic for many of you, but it also seems to have become the focus of some of the projects that you started last week. So, since I know at least a certain brother and sister will find this entertaining, I can’t help but share The Economics of Seinfeld. It tackles some more specific concepts that...
Angry eighth graders and giant pandas [10 Nov...
Someone is going to need to explain that title to me. Once again, I find myself on the outside.
Humanities: How is your project coming along? Is there something that you should be working on over the long weekend?
Humanities: The final version of your story is due next Wednesday.
Humanities Red: Read chapters eighteen and twenty-one of A Patriot’s History of the United States by Tuesday.
...
Probarse [9 Nov 2010]
Insert explanation here — apparently something interesting happened in Spanish today.
Humanities: How is your project planning (expectations, description, and timeline) coming along?
Humanities: When is the final version of your story is due? We need to set a date tomorrow.
Humanities Red: Read chapters eighteen and twenty-one of A Patriot’s History of the United States by next Tuesday.
...
A vampire-less game of Vampire [8 Nov 2010]
Remember that there is no school on Thursday and Friday this week.
Humanities: How is your project planning (expectations, description, and timeline) coming along?
Humanities: The final round of story discussions will take place tomorrow.
Humanities Red: Read chapter seventeen of A Patriot’s History of the United States by tomorrow.
Humanities Blue: For tomorrow read to the end of chapter...
Writing Prompts →
Luke Neff has created a great Tumblr with a variety of thought-provoking writing prompts. If you find yourself struggling to find something to write about, it would be a great place to start. Since it’s a Tumblr, you can add it to your dashboard to easily see whenever a new prompt appears.
Gotta-take-a-bosh [5 Nov 2010]
If you are wondering about that title, don’t ask me — I cannot explain it, but John assures me that you will all understand.
Humanities: How is your project planning (expectations, description, and timeline) coming along?
Humanities: By Monday you need to have read all of your classmates stories and have written feedback for the authors.
Humanities Red: Read chapter seventeen of A...
Self Publishing
A few of you have expressed interest in publishing books with some of your writing, photography, and art. Years ago, such an endeavor required ordering many copies or making compromises on the quality of the publication. But now, there are many services (Magcloud, Blurb, Lulu, etc.) that allow you to order high-quality books and magazines one at a time. This is another example of why I...
TCS Parent Education Workshop
A note from Lisa A:
Please mark your calendars for November 17 at 9:00 AM. Susie Walton, parent educator and founder of Indigo Village, will be our guest following the PA meeting. Susie’s presentation will focus on “The Art of Appreciation”. Parents are encouraged to join us for the PA meeting and then stay for an insightful discussion on how to encourage appreciation and...
Open House at TCS →
From the admissions office:
Please invite your friends to TCS’s upcoming Toddler-4th grade Open House on Tuesday, November 9, 2010 at 6:00 PM. Click through for more information.
Blank [4 Nov 2010]
Blank.
Humanities: Read three or four more stories from members of your class by tomorrow. You should have written feedback for the authors.
Humanities Red: Consult with your classmates.
Humanities Blue: For Tuesday read to the end of chapter sixteen of A Young People’s History of the United States. Be prepared with points to discuss.
Humanities Project: Consult with your classmates.
Herd...
Motion Experiments →
Interested in what’s been happening in science? Carwai has compiled an index of the seventh and eighth grade reflections on their motion experiments.
DISUNION →
Here’s something that might come in handy or inspire a project for your studies of American history this year:
One-hundred-and-fifty years ago, Americans went to war with themselves. Disunion revisits and reconsiders America’s most perilous period — using contemporary accounts, diaries, images and historical assessments to follow the Civil War as it unfolded.
As I told...
Español NMY →
You’re following the Español NMY blog, right? If not, you’ve missed Crystals updates about recetas, ofrendas y búsquedas de tesoro.
Gimme that hose! [3 Nov 2010]
We had some valuable conversations about the first draft of your stories and the results of the election today. I look forward to tomorrow’s discussions.
Humanities: Read three or four more stories from members of your class by tomorrow. You should have written feedback for the authors.
Humanities Red: Read chapters fifteen and sixteen of A Patriot’s History of the United States by...
