Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Monday, November 17, 2008
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Checking in
Good morning everyone,
I hope everyone's summer is going well. I've been spending a lot of time with Logan and my cats and doing some classes to get ready for the new school year which isn't too far away surprisingly enough!
What has everyone been doing? Has anyone read any good books or learned anything interesting?
Share it with us!
Speak to everyone soon,
Ms. S
I hope everyone's summer is going well. I've been spending a lot of time with Logan and my cats and doing some classes to get ready for the new school year which isn't too far away surprisingly enough!
What has everyone been doing? Has anyone read any good books or learned anything interesting?
Share it with us!
Speak to everyone soon,
Ms. S
Monday, July 7, 2008
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Friday, June 27, 2008
HeHeHeHe <333 =]
Hope everyone has a WONDERFUL summer!!!!!!! =] <333
Love you all xoxoxoxo =] muuuhhhaaazzz
Love you all xoxoxoxo =] muuuhhhaaazzz
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
To Sir With Love
So we watched an old movie in class today about a special teacher who helps his students understand what is really important in each of their lives... he teaches them to respect themselves and others...
What did everyone think of the movie? I hope you loved it as much as I do, but I suspect that it was a little too dated for a lot of you... curious to know what you think.
Ms. Sackstein
For class tomorrow, just bring your five dollars for the party on Thursday and nothing else... water if you would like... no other beverages.
What did everyone think of the movie? I hope you loved it as much as I do, but I suspect that it was a little too dated for a lot of you... curious to know what you think.
Ms. Sackstein
For class tomorrow, just bring your five dollars for the party on Thursday and nothing else... water if you would like... no other beverages.
Thursday, June 27th... the last day of school
You will report to school (don't forget to give in your 5 dollars no later than tomorrow - Wednesday, 6/26) for the 7th grade party.
The schedule for Thursday:
Period 2 - 8:10-8:40
Period 3 - 8:42 - 9:40
Period 4 - 9:42 - 11:00
Advisory- 11:00 - 12:03
Dismissal - 12:03
There will be no lunch
The schedule for Thursday:
Period 2 - 8:10-8:40
Period 3 - 8:42 - 9:40
Period 4 - 9:42 - 11:00
Advisory- 11:00 - 12:03
Dismissal - 12:03
There will be no lunch
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Portfolio Reminder
Please don't forget to bring your showcase portfolio (9 pieces with reflections and narratives for subject areas) to school tomorrow.
Make sure to have a pen too.
Bringing bottled water is always a good idea as I have no idea how hot school will be tomorrow.
Make sure to have a pen too.
Bringing bottled water is always a good idea as I have no idea how hot school will be tomorrow.
Friday, June 20, 2008
School Year Reflection/Musing
As I was watching each of you write your reflections over the past few days, it made me want to sit down and do some reflecting of my own. For me, this year started off a little bumpy. I got thrown a curve ball and my expectation wasn't met. I was hired to teach 10th grade English and ended up teaching 7th grade Humanities. At first, I only thought it was 7th grade English only to find out that it would be social studies too, the day before we had to report to classes. I found myself a little bitter and resentful because I wasn't prepared (and I like to be prepared).
So the first month was a challenge. I had an advisory and then I didn't. I was teaching too many classes and then I wasn't. Straddling the middle and high school was tough, but eventually I found my groove. The first high point for me was having the opportunity to do the Community Map project. I spent all day Sunday drawing my map and writing my stories to make a model for each of you only to ruin it before I got into class when I spilled my coffee on it. I was disappointed, but still proud of my work. I did my best to try and clean up the drips. Each of you responded to my sharing my work really well and I began to feel inspired to teach you despite how unqualified I felt to teach your age group.
Before the time I didn't feel like I was doing a good job. I could tell my vocabulary was tough for you and so many of you were afraid to ask me to explain myself which made me feel badly. But as we moved into the more social studies work with different group work assignments we had and I got to know each of you better, I really felt good about teaching our humanities class.
Once I hit my stride, you guys were doing projects and classwork well. But when we had that impromptu debate about the Boston Massacre, I really felt like I had made it. You were all asking such sophisticated questions and you were engaged and interested. There is no better feeling as a teacher to see all of your students involved.
Conferencing with each of you on writing, or having some of you in during the morning reading group also gave me an opportunity to get to know some of you more. You offered me the opportunity to push you and met me at challenge. I really enjoyed watching you learn.
The projects continually got more sophisticated and yes, everytime a new one was given we heard the usual chorus of "oohs and ahs" and "ah no, not another ones". Yet, your reflections were getting stronger and your writing better. You were reading primary sources and original documents and comparing them. But mostly you were doing it on your own even with the complaining.
You all have impressed and inspired me this year. I noticed it the most during the exit project presentations. Each of you took ownership of your hard work and proudly taught the class what you had done. For a second, or two, you had the opportunity to see what it is like to be in front of the class and know something so well that you could share it and answer questions. Thank you for making me proud, but more importantly know for yourself what a wonderful accomplishment this year has been. Your bodies of work are abundant and you should be proud of where you have come.
As a teacher, this year has given me so much. I wasn't prepared for it, but it tested my ability to be flexible. It forced me to remember why I teach. It's the amazing shimmer in each of your eyes when you get something for the first time. Or when you see your potential, the way I see it and all the pushing and all the work is worthwhile. I know I'm tough, but I try to do it with kindness and consistency. I try to treat everyone they way they deserve to be treated. I feel like a better teacher after this experience. Much like a lot of you, I dragged my feet in the beginning almost unwilling to accept where I was, only to discover that the opportunity would enrich me in a way I didn't know possible. (and each of you have a better vocabulary for it:-)
I enjoyed having the opportunity to brush up on so many things I haven't thought about in a really long time. It forced me to be a better citizen. In an election year, in particular, I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to be reminded of the amazing freedoms we have in our country. I mean, sure we have made a lot of mistakes as a country and may continue to do so, but who hasn't as an individual? Overall, we do a lot of things right and we celebrated that in our class. We also questioned what we didn't agree with and we can do that in our country too. That is another freedom we have, the ability to question our leaders and make a real difference.
Thank you for all the wonderful memories and moments. Although I won't be teaching middle school next year, I will still be around. I will come to fitness in the morning and I will keep the book club running. If any of you ever need me, I won't be far away. Never hesitate to ask for help.
A few highlights for me from the year:
Putting out 3 newspapers with some help from my seventh and eighth graders
Community Map presentations
Boston Massacre Debates
13 colony skits and scrapbook gallery walk
constitution presentations - and competition
Philadelphia Trip
Triangular Trade lesson
Revolutionary War Blogs
Many jigsaws
Reading your slavery poetry
working with Ms. G and watching you all work with Ms. G
Revision, revision, revision... watching your writing improve
Exit projects
Spirit Week - sports nights in particular (basketball and volleyball)
Fitness - kickball ... I love playing on my seventh grader team, we rock... unobstructed homeruns all the way... don't forget to push the "red button"
Reading your portfolio reflections...
Have a great summer.
So the first month was a challenge. I had an advisory and then I didn't. I was teaching too many classes and then I wasn't. Straddling the middle and high school was tough, but eventually I found my groove. The first high point for me was having the opportunity to do the Community Map project. I spent all day Sunday drawing my map and writing my stories to make a model for each of you only to ruin it before I got into class when I spilled my coffee on it. I was disappointed, but still proud of my work. I did my best to try and clean up the drips. Each of you responded to my sharing my work really well and I began to feel inspired to teach you despite how unqualified I felt to teach your age group.
Before the time I didn't feel like I was doing a good job. I could tell my vocabulary was tough for you and so many of you were afraid to ask me to explain myself which made me feel badly. But as we moved into the more social studies work with different group work assignments we had and I got to know each of you better, I really felt good about teaching our humanities class.
Once I hit my stride, you guys were doing projects and classwork well. But when we had that impromptu debate about the Boston Massacre, I really felt like I had made it. You were all asking such sophisticated questions and you were engaged and interested. There is no better feeling as a teacher to see all of your students involved.
Conferencing with each of you on writing, or having some of you in during the morning reading group also gave me an opportunity to get to know some of you more. You offered me the opportunity to push you and met me at challenge. I really enjoyed watching you learn.
The projects continually got more sophisticated and yes, everytime a new one was given we heard the usual chorus of "oohs and ahs" and "ah no, not another ones". Yet, your reflections were getting stronger and your writing better. You were reading primary sources and original documents and comparing them. But mostly you were doing it on your own even with the complaining.
You all have impressed and inspired me this year. I noticed it the most during the exit project presentations. Each of you took ownership of your hard work and proudly taught the class what you had done. For a second, or two, you had the opportunity to see what it is like to be in front of the class and know something so well that you could share it and answer questions. Thank you for making me proud, but more importantly know for yourself what a wonderful accomplishment this year has been. Your bodies of work are abundant and you should be proud of where you have come.
As a teacher, this year has given me so much. I wasn't prepared for it, but it tested my ability to be flexible. It forced me to remember why I teach. It's the amazing shimmer in each of your eyes when you get something for the first time. Or when you see your potential, the way I see it and all the pushing and all the work is worthwhile. I know I'm tough, but I try to do it with kindness and consistency. I try to treat everyone they way they deserve to be treated. I feel like a better teacher after this experience. Much like a lot of you, I dragged my feet in the beginning almost unwilling to accept where I was, only to discover that the opportunity would enrich me in a way I didn't know possible. (and each of you have a better vocabulary for it:-)
I enjoyed having the opportunity to brush up on so many things I haven't thought about in a really long time. It forced me to be a better citizen. In an election year, in particular, I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to be reminded of the amazing freedoms we have in our country. I mean, sure we have made a lot of mistakes as a country and may continue to do so, but who hasn't as an individual? Overall, we do a lot of things right and we celebrated that in our class. We also questioned what we didn't agree with and we can do that in our country too. That is another freedom we have, the ability to question our leaders and make a real difference.
Thank you for all the wonderful memories and moments. Although I won't be teaching middle school next year, I will still be around. I will come to fitness in the morning and I will keep the book club running. If any of you ever need me, I won't be far away. Never hesitate to ask for help.
A few highlights for me from the year:
Putting out 3 newspapers with some help from my seventh and eighth graders
Community Map presentations
Boston Massacre Debates
13 colony skits and scrapbook gallery walk
constitution presentations - and competition
Philadelphia Trip
Triangular Trade lesson
Revolutionary War Blogs
Many jigsaws
Reading your slavery poetry
working with Ms. G and watching you all work with Ms. G
Revision, revision, revision... watching your writing improve
Exit projects
Spirit Week - sports nights in particular (basketball and volleyball)
Fitness - kickball ... I love playing on my seventh grader team, we rock... unobstructed homeruns all the way... don't forget to push the "red button"
Reading your portfolio reflections...
Have a great summer.
Last Day of School
Thursday is the last day of school. It will end after 4th period at 12:03.
Everything must be cleaned out of your lockers prior to that time.
All books must be returned.
Everything must be cleaned out of your lockers prior to that time.
All books must be returned.
For Monday:
Make sure to bring in your showcase portfolio (9 selected pieces from all subject areas with individual reflections, subject area narratives, overview/general narrative)
and a pen...
We will be doing gallery walks (taking time to celebrate each other's work by reading what we wrote and commenting on it) on Monday - Wednesday.
Looking forward to enjoying everyone's work
and a pen...
We will be doing gallery walks (taking time to celebrate each other's work by reading what we wrote and commenting on it) on Monday - Wednesday.
Looking forward to enjoying everyone's work
Thursday, June 19, 2008
I'm very sorry I didn't visit today as planned. I had a last minute doctors appointment that was only scheduled last night. I'm not sure when I can come but I probably will and will notify you sometime before. The doctors appointment went well. I'm going to have an MRI sometime next week. An MRI is a medical test. You lie down on a table that goes into a small surrounding cylinder tube. You have to stay very still. It take pictures of the inside of your body. Its very loud, small, and claustrophobic! It will be my 3rd one in 2 months! I really don't like having them. Luckily, you are allowed to take a stuffed animal in and wear a blindfold. You can sleep too. They are only supposed to take a half an hour or so, although if they have to take a lot of pictures it can take longer. My first one took 3 hours!!! Can you imagine lying still for that long in a small tube? They did give me some breaks while they would change my position though. My second one also took longer than planned. Instead of the 15 minutes they told me it was about 45. Lets hope this one is much shorter. I'll post the results of the MRI when I get them. It will probably be on Monday. If not I'll tell you when.
Olivia
Olivia
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Hey! I'm sorry it's been so long since I've last posted. I've been super busy! I'm visiting again tomorrow! Today I had my last checkup at the hospital! My doctors are really pleased with my progress and have scheduled one last test for some time next week. I just have to visit with my pediatrician. I now walk with a cane! You might remember that when I last visited I told you guys I hated my wheel chair and thought it was really ugly, so to make me happy my parents and sister got me a leopard print cane. It's really cool. Physical therapy is going... well. I'm still weak so it gets very tiring. Some other big news is that at the rate I'm going I should be able to go to sleep away camp. I go every summer and was very upset when I found out I might not be able to. My doctors say if I'm strong enough it would be great for me- mentally and physically. My parents have arranged for a physical therapist to visit me there 3 times a week. Thats really all for now...
- Olivia ;)
- Olivia ;)
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Treasure hunt quiz
Okay, I need to make this missing blog post up,
I don't check the blog everyday, so I was really supprised to find out we were having a quiz on the online treasure hunt. If I knew I would've studied, and I check the blog more often now.
I don't check the blog everyday, so I was really supprised to find out we were having a quiz on the online treasure hunt. If I knew I would've studied, and I check the blog more often now.
Monday, June 16, 2008
freedom of speech "]
hi every one . i was really thinking about 7O2 class freedom of speech talk about should kids have freedom of speech and i think they should becuase students know allot and kids have a right becuase they are humans ; they should have equal rights . and alon becuase adults can take advantege of a stsudents thinking and desions .
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