Second Semester Begins

Welcome Back everyone!! I hope that this semester is even better than the last and if there is anything I can do to improve my classes or communication please let me know!

First things first:
High School Language Arts began with a review of the requirements for a Five Paragraph Essay here is the worksheet that I explained:
5 PARAGRAPH ESSAY FORMAT
1ST PARAGRAPH
THESIS SENTENCE-WHAT YOUR ISSUE/TOPIC IS
3 REASONS/FACTS
TRANSISTION SENTENCE
2-4TH PARAGRAPHS
PRESENT ONE REASON IN EACH PARAGRAPH AND INCLUDE 3 FACTS FOR EACH PARAGRAPH
EACH PARAGRAPH SHOULD INCLUDE 5-7 SENTENCES TO FULLY EXPLAIN/PERSUADE
5TH PARAGRAPH
RESTATE YOUR EVIDENCE

This should help your student in no matter WHAT class they are writing for!
Students also checked out their Literature book in which they will have their weekly assignments in.

All students need a library book for class on Monday!!

For World Geography we reviewed parts of a map and I introduced them to the APEX quiz schedule!! You can find all of your student's work on http://www.apexvs.com/ . Students have their own username and password. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me!

Middle School History covered the major points in history and we talked about the different units that we will be covering. Students also selected an American that they wanted to learn more about and will be working on a PowerPoint presentation on them.
Homework: Students should bring in on Monday a 10 slide story board on the American they selected. This can be done either electronically or on paper.

Middle School Language Arts: Students reviewed the requirements for the Five Paragraph Essay (see above!). And interviewed someone in class. They will be working on interviewing different individuals in their lives and we will compile a HomeLink Biography Book that each will have!! The questions that they asked were: 1. What city were you born in? Describe your childhood home and where it was. 2. Where did you grow up and what was it like there? 3. As a child, did you have pets? Were any special to you? 4. What did you enjoy doing as a child? What was your favorite outdoor activity? 5. Did you attend church or religious services? What were your earliest memories? 6. Describe your parents. What were they like? What did they do? 7. Where did your father work? What is your strongest image of your father? 8. Did your mother have a job? What is your favorite memory of her? 9. Describe your grandparents. What did you enjoy the most about them? 10. Who were some of your friends growing up and did your parents like them? 11. Did your friends ever get you in trouble when you were younger? 12. What were some of your chores and did you get and allowance? 13. How old were you when you went on your first date? Where did you go? 14. What were some of your first jobs? How much did you make? 15. What did you like to do in your free time? What do you do now? 16. What were some of the crazy fads you or your friends went through? 17. Did you admire a famous person? What made them admirable? 18. What mischievous prank did you pull on someone and how did it affect you? 19. What were your family finances like growing up and how did that affect you? 20. How did you meet your husband/wife and what drew you to him/her? 21. What are some of your fondest memories with your husband/wife? 22. What are some favorites? ( color, food, ice cream, book, movie, song, sport, etc) 23. Is there something you wish you could do over again? 24. What things do you find yourself doing that you said you'd "never" do. 25. Tell me about a memorable moment in your life; a time you will never forget. 26. What are some of the changes in our society that you have seen in your lifetime? 27. What great historical events you have experienced in your lifetime? 28. What is something that you are really proud of and why? 29. What are the goals you are still working toward? 30. When people look back at your life, how do you want to be remembered?

These are the questions that we will be looking at when interviewing key people in our lives!

Cooking is off to a GREAT start! Thanks to Mike Elgin for sharing his "Pudding Cookie" recipe with our new students as our previous students worked on creating menus from a variety of food samples.
Each student signed up for a Kitchen Clean Up Day which means to you parents that your student will be washing, sterilizing and drying dishes. Putting all the kitchen equipment back, sweeping, mopping and cleaning all counters and cupboards. Plan on your student working until 3:30 on those days.
I truly hope to have Menus, Shopping Lists as well as a list of wants and needs by Monday for everyone!!

"Pudding Cookie" Recipe
2 1/4 cup flour
1 tsp Baking Soda
1 Box instant pudding any flavor you like
1/2 cup butter
1 tsp vanilla
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 bag chips of your choice

Pre Heat oven to 370 degrees
Mix sugars, eggs, vanilla, pudding, butter
Next mix flour and baking soda together
Next mix in chips
Spoon onto cookie sheet
Bake at 370b for 8-10 minutes

Only One Day Left!!

Yes, it is true that there is just one day left! So to wrap up the semester I wanted to let you know what major projects there are left!

Hands On Hanford was able to on Thursday hear first hand from the Mayor ProTem of Richland, Ed Revell. Full of information and face to face interaction with a major leader was great!

Students should be putting the final touches on the following projects:
1. January Book Project
2. Writing Journals
3. Essay #3
4. The dreaded BQ!!

Please email me at johanna.davis@rsd.edu if you have ANY questions!!

Middle School Language Arts
Students for their final should bring in their rough draft or an outline as they will be required to write a complete 5 paragraph essay in class!!

Middle School History
They should be putting their final touches on their BQ. Here is a possilbe outline:
Introduction: Geography, Indians, Settlers, Indians, Missionaries and Industries. They should be review what they have learned in class NOT research this material!
Body: Their research on their selected topic.

Cooking Classes are having a throwdown competition between Middle School and High Schoolers. They each designed a menu as well as decorations! Please ask your students what they have volunteered to bring!

Thanks for a great semester and hope you have a restful weekend!!

Manic Monday!!

Today was the last Monday of first semester!!

Hands on Hanford:
For Language Arts we looked at Maya Angelou and two of her poems "I know why the caged bird sings" and "Million Man March" Students were to write a response as well as a 5 stanza poem to their own generation.

For History we watched a short film on the Kurds of Iraq and the students worked on their BQs.

Homework that is due: Writing Journals, Book Projects!! They should have a very busy week!!

Middle School:
We looked at Gettysburg Address as well as heard a reading of it. Students broke down the address in: birth, life, death, struggles and end result. We had a great conversation.
We also broke down possible WASL writing samples to see good, great and outstanding writing! Be sure to ask your student to show you and explain the difference!

History:
We watched an excellent video on the Columbia and Snake Rivers that included history of our great state!! Students had time to take notes and ask questions on how it impacted thier upcoming BQs!!

Bowling is officially over...now the students should be adding up their PE hours and getting ready to turn them in on the 22nd!!

Have a great week everyone!! Work Work Work !!

Whewwww Where is the time going?

Okay for HS Language Arts we continued talking about famous American poets. Today was Robert Frost and Walt Whitman. We read " A road not traveled" and "An open road" Students then answered some questions about the passages. Students would have homework if they did not complete this.

Their book reports are due on Thursday!

For History I went over the BQ requirements:
Due January 22nd
Length: n10-15 pages: including graphs, pictures as well as the written work
Typed, 12 point font and double spaced **This is Mandatory!!**

I. Intro to subject: background including key individuals, key events, changes
II. Thesis-Evidence, graphs, picutres, timeline *Students need to focus on the cause and effect of historical events
III. Conclusion-Impact on the future with the lasting effecto society and policy
IV. Work Cited "Bibliography"

Title page as well as content page would be great as well!!

Middle School LA
We covered their WASL practice packets, had a vocab test as well as peer reviewed their articles. Final drafts are due on Monday the 12th. Please email them to me!

Middle School History
Saw a power point of the devestation of W. Washington
Went over the BQ requirements. Similar to high school but are to be formated in a five paragraph essay

We're baaack!!

Welcome back everyone to what is sure to be a whirlwind of a conclusion to 2nd semester!!

Hands on Hanford was introduced to Mark Twain's "A Dog's Tale" today and need to answer the following questions: 1. Describe the traditional role of dogs according to Mark Twain.
2. What could a reader infer to Twain’s perspective of human’s relationship to dogs?
3. List the personification examples of the dog.
4. Write your own short story from an inanimate/animals’ point of view.

We also talked about Ronald Reagan and the fascinating 80's! Each student was given a year and the major events that occurred. They need to break up the activities in "cultural" and "political" categories as well as to select which one they think is the most important. Students should have a minimum of a paragraph to support their reasoning.

Middle School Language Arts
Vocabulary for the week:bicycle,address,disappear,exclaim,precaution,aisle,amateur, ambition,analyze,ancient
They also selected topics for January's paper: Snow, President-Elect Obama, Review of "Benjamin Button" and "Marley and Me", Classical music reviews, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, New Electives and the review of "Guitar Hero World Tour" (my personal favorite!!)

Their homework also consists of a WASL Reading practice so they should be VERY busy!!

Middle School History:
We went over their Classroom Based Assessment projects and had a great discussion. Not a bunch of homework as their LA assignments will take up a great deal of time if done right!

Today was walking in the snow to go bowling day!!

Also the Middle School will be in the kitchen making "Doggie Treats" as well as Olivia and Lauren will be performing their Macoroni and Cheese throwdown!!

What a week and It has just began!!