Updates from vharris RSS
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04:39:49 pm on February 27, 2011 |
Week of February 28-March 4
The students had an amazing experience with our Veterans’ Recognition Day last Friday. All of the veterans expressed a message of hope and perseverance for future success.
This was such an impressive activity as we now begin our look at the Civil War this week.
Monday students will have an open note essay test over the Expansion of the West.
I hope to see many of our students and their parents at conferences this week on Tuesday and Thursday.
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02:31:25 pm on February 20, 2011 |
February 21-25
All parents should have received progress reports by e-mail last week. I really appreciate the parents who have some concerns and are checking on Pinnacle. Most missing work may be made up. Students simply need to do this after school so that we do not take other students’ class time with individual concerns.
On Friday, February 25, we will be having a celebration honoring veterans. We have veterans coming in to talk with students about their experiences in the military. I think students will find the day very rewarding.
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04:43:32 pm on February 13, 2011 |
February 14-18
We ended last week with pizza and pop for the entire 8th grade. The students all seemed really appreciative and we teachers enjoyed treating the students.
The fifth period class is now turning in their Lewis and Clark ABC books. The ones I graded this weekend are outstanding. These need to be completed as they are a double grade.
We enjoyed several versions of the Star Spangled Banner last week as we studied the War of 1812. This week we will learn about the Trail of Tears and get the Native American perspective of this tragic event.
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03:48:51 pm on February 6, 2011 |
Week of February 7-11
Students did a great job of finishing up their Lewis and Clark ABC books after the two snow days. I have enjoyed grading them this weekend. As one student said, “I have learned a lot of information by doing this project. ” Students were very actively involved.
This week we cover the War of 1812. Perhaps the most significant thing that came from this war is the song we heard at the opening of the Super Bowl!
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05:53:34 pm on January 30, 2011 |
January 31- February 4
The students have made a good transition to second semester. We have been working on Lewis and Clark. The students are finishing up this section by creating ABC books to demonstrate their knowledge. We enjoyed our time in the computer labs gathering information.
This week we will look at the War of 1812. Does anyone know what famous piece of music came from this war? We will all hear it sung at the Super Bowl this next weekend!
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05:11:57 pm on January 9, 2011 |
Week of January 10-14
Thank you to all the parents who are encouraging students to turn in all missing work. We still have several days this week to finish incomplete work.
Our geography bee will be held after school this Wednesday. We are looking forward to this.
We begin our study of Lewis and Clark with a fun activity on Monday. We will be analyzing items they might have taken on their journey.
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04:47:04 pm on January 2, 2011 |
Week of January 3-7
Welcome back ! I hope all of you had a great winter break. We have only nine days left in the second semester, so students should think about completing any incomplete work. Social Studies Learning Lab is a great place to do this. It is held every Wednesday in Mr. Ballinger’s room.
This week we will start the United States Expansion Unit. This includes Lewis and Clark, the California gold rush and the Alamo, just to name a few topics. Students usually enjoythis unit .
Twenty-one students have signed up for the first Mickle Geography Bee to be held Wednesday, January12. We have great prizes and treats for all participants. We again thank the Mickle Community Learning Center for sponsoring this activity.
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05:55:47 pm on December 19, 2010 |
Week of December 20-22
Students will have a very short week with a PLC Day on Tuesday! We will work with a primary source Monday in the form of a letter from Abigail Adams to her husband John Adams.
We will then finish up our unit on Establishing Government. As always it was a difficult one for students.
I hope you all have a peaceful and enjoyable winter break.
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09:43:38 pm on December 10, 2010 |
Week of December 13-17
Students spend a lot of time learning about political cartoons this week. They discovered they know quite a lot about today’s politics and had fun with the illustrations as they learned.
We will work a great deal this next week about the Constitutional Conventions and some basic information about our Constitution. We will have a short quiz near the end of the week.
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11:10:17 pm on December 3, 2010 |
Week of December 6-10
Parents should have received progress reports via e-mail this past Friday.
We will start the unit on government this week.
January 12 will be the date for the first Mickle Geographic Bee. Students may pick up a registration form in my room. This should be a fun activity for interested Mickle students.