November 2011
40 posts
PoCo [31 Oct 2011]
So, conferences are now behind us. Make sure to take note of the most important points made, especially the goals that you set.
Math: Complete selected problems on 2-8. Please make sure that all work is done on a separate sheet of paper.
Science: Geological period projects are due Friday, November 18. See the Google Doc for shared questions. Don’t forget to include a timeline in your...
NaNoWriMo Young Writers Program →
During Maxx’s conference, I mentioned that November is National Novel Writing Month. If you are interested in participating, check out the NaNoWriMo website and the NaNoWriMo Young Writers Program website. And let me know if you have any questions!
October 2011
45 posts
Big Ocean Lake [28 Oct 2011]
There will be no class on Monday due to conferences. On Tuesday, we will be holding an optional, all-day Open Studio. You can arrive at whatever time you like, but we will begin preparing lunch at 11:00 AM.
Conferences: Have you finished your self-assessment for the upcoming conferences? You need to be ready by Monday.
Math: Complete selected problems on 2-8. Please make sure that all work is...
Free Music Archive →
Sometimes it’s unclear whether we can use some music for the videos or podcasts that we create and post online. Here’s one possible solution to that problem:
The Free Music Archive is an interactive library of high-quality, legal audio downloads. The Free Music Archive is directed by WFMU, the most renowned freeform radio station in America. Radio has always offered the public...
A Messy Little Thing Called Life [27 Oct 2011]
We’re off to Bishops, MCASD, and the La Jolla Public Library tomorrow morning. Some of you will be meeting us at Bishops and the rest of us will be departing at around 9:10 AM. All of us will walk back after our morning in the Village. Don’t forget to bring the following: (a) a lunch and (b) your San Diego Public Library card or a completed form to get one.
Conferences: Have you...
Trevor Sighting! [26 Oct 2011]
It was good to see our dear friend Trevor this afternoon, and Charlie and Sofia this morning. More bear hugs, please!
Conferences: Have you finished your self-assessment for the upcoming conferences?
Humanities: Come to class tomorrow with a specific suggestion for the next civilization project.
Math: Tonight is chance for you to catch up on any missing concepts in preparation for conferences...
Iconfactory : World of Aqua 3 →
Maybe Andrew would like to change some of the icons on his laptop. This set includes at least two 2001: A Space Odyssey references.
How big was the world's population when you were... →
For the record, here’s the website I was using in class yesterday. It calculates precisely what the title implies.
See World [25 Oct 2011]
We will depart for Grauer tomorrow morning at 8:30 AM.
Conferences: Work on your self-assessment for the upcoming conferences. See the Google Doc that I shared with you for prompts.
Humanities: Would you like to discuss any of your recent writing with me?
Humanities: Let’s try this again. What should we do next? Is there a civilization or topic that you propose the class investigate?...
Anthropocene: Age of Man →
From my research on the Anthropocene, an article in National Geographic:
It’s a new name for a new geologic epoch—one defined by our own massive impact on the planet. That mark will endure in the geologic record long after our cities have crumbled.
The sidebar also has links to related photography and an interactive graphic about human population reaching seven billion.
Red Pants + Blue Pants = Purple Pants [24 Oct...
We’ve got two high school visits this week: Grauer on Wednesday and Bishops on Friday.
Conferences: Work on your self-assessment for the upcoming conferences. See the Google Doc that I shared with you for prompts.
Humanities: Would you like to discuss any of your recent writing with me?
Humanities: What should we do next? Is there a civilization or topic that you propose the class...
Neon Rice [21 Oct 2011]
Next week, we will prepare for the upcoming student-parent-teacher conferences.
Humanities: (a) Update your reflections to include mention of the feedback that you received. (b) What should we do next? Bring your ideas and opinions on Monday.
Math: There will be a quiz on Tuesday on concepts 2-3 through 2-7. We went over percent of change. The homework for Tuesday is Practice 2-7.
Science:...
WatchOne more reference to this morning’s discussion: Anthropocene Mapping
Red-handed [20 Oct 2011]
Follow up with your parents regarding your family earthquake plan.
Humanities: We will finish project feedback tomorrow.
Math: Complete Practice 2-6 on ratios and proportions. If you are still struggling with Practice 2-5, do some more practice.
Science: Research the different periods in the earth’s history.
Español: La fecha de entrega para su Mandatos Proyecto es mañana, el 21 de...
Noteworthy and Not: Who is your dæmon? →
A reblog to point out Betty Ann Sloan as an honorary member of the TCS Class of 2012:
Students at The Children’s School are listening to The Golden Compass, by Philip Pullman and were asked to identify their dæmon. Wow, who is my dæmon?
Of course, had no answer because I didn’t know the creature existed until this morning and had someone mentioned weasel I would have nixed…
Click...
It's not you, it's me. [19 Oct 2011]
Did you get a good breakfast this morning?
Humanities: We will discuss your projects and share feedback tomorrow. Have your laptop read you your reflection tonight.
Math: Please complete five more problems on Practice 2-5. One of the must be a fraction problem.
Science: Research the different periods in the earth’s history.
Español: La fecha de entrega para su Mandatos Proyecto es el...
Sherif thinks he has a title. [18 Oct 2011]
Anyone else notice a lack of color and spunk in our day today? What might have caused that?
Humanities: (a) For tomorrow, post a reflection about your Sumeria project. Possible topics include: process, timeline, topic, format, presentation, etc. (b) Be prepared to give feedback to your classmates about their projects too.
Español: La fecha de entrega para su Mandatos Proyecto es el viernes, 21...
Spongy Homework [17 Oct 2011]
It’s good to be back — nice to have the heat turned down, even better to be with you all again.
Humanities: Sumerian projects are due tomorrow.
Math: We talked about “solving equations with the variable on each side.” Complete Practice 2-5.
Math Challenge: We will revisit the “Four Fours” problem tomorrow.
Science: We will be discussing the next step in our science...
Cicisbeo [12 Oct 2011]
Note that this blog will go dormant until Monday. You’re on your own for the rest of the week, as far as reminders are concerned.
Humanities: Sumerian projects are due Tuesday.
Math: Complete Practice 2-4. There will be a quiz on Friday covering concepts 1-9 to 2-4.
Math Challenge: Keep working on the “Four Fours” problem.
Science: Think about the next step for your science...
NMY 8 Fall Conference Schedule 2011
Parents,
Below is the schedule for the 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 this post to reflect such by adding the student’s initials in the appropriate place.
Thanks,
Rob
Friday, October 28
7:15 TR
Monday, October 31
7:45 CH
8:30 RL
9:15 AB
10:45 MC...
The Tube [11 Oct 2011]
Nothing here.
Humanities: Sumerian projects are due Tuesday, October 18.
Math: We are working on solving equations with multiplication and division. Complete Practice 2-3.
Math Challenge: Keep working on the “Four Fours” problem.
Science: Think about the next step for your science investigations.
Español: Haz los ejercicios “Practicamos Mandatos Informales” que les...
Gases and Moons [10 Oct 2011]
School pictures are tomorrow at 8:15 AM.
Reflection: Ahemm… Did you post your reflection about our visit to UCSD?
Humanities: Sumerian projects are due Tuesday, October 18.
Math: We reviewed the issues from Quiz 2. Please complete the Extra Practice 1-8 that was presented in class and do any additional work on the concepts still outstanding. You will have an opportunity to take the reboot...
“Sculptures in this area often showed long beards on the peoples [sic] faces. The...”
– Mesopotamian Art Lesson [Beard power!]
Handwriting Is History →
I was searching through my bookmarks for anything relating to Sumeria and an article by Anne Trubeck that argues against teaching handwriting popped up. Here’s the passage that applies:
About 6,000 years ago, the Sumerians created the first schools, called tablet houses, to teach writing. They trained children in Sumerian cuneiform by having them copy the symbols on one half of a soft...
Internet Ancient History Sourcebook →
Fordham University has a wonderful guide to online sources of information for ancient history. You could find this useful for several topics during the school year, starting with your current studies of Sumeria.
Nukes rule! [7 Oct 2011]
Explain that title to your parents!
Reflection: Did you post your reflection about our visit to UCSD?
Humanities: Sumerian projects are due Tuesday, October 18.
Math Challenge: Keep working on the “Four Fours” problem. We will check in soon.
Science: The rest of the planet projects will be presented on Monday. If you need to expand your scope of information, this weekend presents...
Tour Guide [6 Oct 2011]
We’re having a potluck tomorrow. Do you know what you’re bringing?
Reflection: Post something (video, audio, text, etc.) to your blog reflecting on the planning for and our visit to UCSD today. Make sure to include mention of what you experienced, what went well, what could have gone better, what should be done differently next time.
Humanities: Sumerian projects are due Tuesday,...
Potluck? [5 Oct 2011]
It was good to see Sydney and Tobin this afternoon. Thanks for the visit! You know our doors are always open!
Humanities: After today’s discussion, does anyone want to reconsider their dæmon and/or make updates to their post?
Humanities: Sumerian projects are due Tuesday, October 18.
Math Challenge: Work on the “Four Fours” problem. We will check in Friday.
Science: Planet...
Planetary mnemonic →
In case you want to explore further, you now have a link to the Wikipedia entry for planetary mnemonic.
WatchSomething fun for those of you up late (or up early tomorrow), from theatlanticvideo:
A History of Lyrics That Aren’t Lyrics
Shalalalalalala la la la la ti da! This ingenius mashup combines all the catchiest non-word lyrics from 26 hit songs that span over 49 years — from the Beatles’ “Hey Jude” to Hansen’s “MMMBop!”
The song is directed by viral video virtuoso Joe Sabia and performed...
Hide and Seek [4 Oct 2011]
Come out, come out wherever you are!
Humanities: For tomorrow, post a photo and name for the dæmon that you think you would have. Also give reasons for choosing that dæmon.
Humanities: Sumerian projects are due Tuesday, October 18.
Math: For tomorrow, complete Practice 2-2 on solving equations with addition and subtraction. Tomorrow, we will have a quiz covering 1-1 to 2-2.
Math Challenge:...
Sumer →
Just a reminder that the civilization we are looking at first and that you will be investigating over the next couple of weeks is Sumer. Here’s a link to the Wikipedia entry to get you started.
The Storm Before the Calm [3 Oct 2011]
Photo envelopes are due as soon as possible. Pictures will be taken Tuesday and Wednesday of next week.
Humanities: Bring your expectations for and a description of your Sumeria project tomorrow. The project will be due Tuesday, October 18.
Math: For tomorrow, complete Practice 2-1 on writing equations. On Thursday, we will have a quiz covering 1-1 to 2-3.
Math Challenge: Work on the...
