Conferences Week! Week of January 9-13

Hello again!

I'm gearing up for another week of learning in Room #4...are you?

Here are some notes from the Discovery School Administration:

• Parent Workshop: Our school counselor, Ms. Ivonne Casco, will host a workshop for parents on Friday, January 20, at 1:30 p.m. Information will be posted on her blog.
• Report Cards and Conferences: Report Cards will be issued on Friday, January 13. This is an early dissmissal (AM Schedule) day for students. Conferences are on an ‘as-needed’ basis.
• Martin Luther King Jr Day: There will be no school on Monday, January 16, in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We want our students and parents to know that while we enjoy the holiday, we do not forget who this holiday is about. While the era of the 1960s is not really far enough in the past to be covered in my history classes, the contributions of Dr. King to the world are worth some independent research. Therefore, for your information, here is a link to the Nobel Prize website's biography of Dr. King: http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/1964/king-bio.html.
• Professional Development Wednesday: Our third Staff Development Wednesday will take place on Wednesday, January 18. Please note that we are meeting on the 18^th instead of the last Wednesday of the month. This is an early dismissal day (PM Schedule) for students.
• DPTO Fun Run: Our annual school Fun Run will take place on Saturday, January 28, beginning at 8:30 a.m. There will be the traditional run, games, and a complimentary pancake and fruit breakfast to follow. The pledge forms were sent before the Winter Holiday, however, if you would like an additional copy, please download it from the Area Administrators’ blogs.

Again, please don't forget that Friday is an early dismissal day...please arrive to pick your student up promptly at 11:45. Parents whose attendance is requested at conferences should receive a letter early in the week. If you do not receive a letter but wish to meet with me, please feel free to come on Friday afternoon, or send me an e-mail to schedule another time.

Also, if you want a sneak peek, your Quarter 2 and Semester 1 grades are on engrade!

Here's the plan for this week:
6th grade: This week you will continue your information gathering about the European Explorers during the Age of Exploration! By the end of the week you will have information in your notebooks (and for your timelines) on the Spanish, English, and French explorers. Monday you will see a PowerPoint, Tuesday you will have notes, and Wednesday you will be researching in the computer lab. Thursday you will complete your research in the classroom using the textbooks. And speaking of your timelines, I understand that some of you have questions about that project...I just want to say, DON'T WORRY! You will have plenty of in-class time to work on it, and I will give you all the information you need very soon! :) You will not have class on Friday due to Parent-Teacher Conferences.
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7th grade: I hope you are enjoying learning about Southwest Asia. On Monday you will have time to finish your textbook assignment that we started on Friday. Tuesday-Thursday you will have time in the computer lab to research for your country projects and play country games, and Friday will be the first Presentation Friday of this quarter! :)
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8th grade: Don't forget that this Monday is your debate! Be sure you come to class with your notes page! On Tuesday and Wednesday you will have time in the computer lab to research some questions about the Byzantine Empire, and on Thursday you will start researching the life of Charlemagne (the Great)! You will also be given your Letter to Charlemagne assignment on Friday.
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9th grade: I hope you are enjoying your introduction to Imperialism. You will continue delving deeper into the topic this week with a look the Spheres of Influence in China. You will have a lot of primary sources this week, everything from letters to edicts to a treaty...don't worry, it's better than it seems, and we'll go through it together. And, as an extra and added bonus, they're very interesting! :)
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So that's it...nothing to it. Another week gone...this year is flying by.

Have a great week!
KF