We’re Back!!

Welcome Back everyone!

We’re working hard to remember all of our systems and procedures.   One way we do this is by using a binder to keep track of our work.  The binder is split into sections for each class.   Different classes have different handouts that will be referred back to over the course of the year.    Part of  high school is being more independent, responsible and making goals for ourselves.  The students will participate in groups that will discuss ways to increase these areas and ensure that we are making realistic goals for ourselves.   One way to help with this is to encourage your child to use a wallet.

We are putting together a basket for the raffle at the LABBB Craft Fair (Dec. 2nd at LHS).   Our class voted on the theme of “Star Wars” we will be collecting any Star Wars items that you would like to donate or any monetary donations through mid-October. We will be planning a trip to go and purchase items that could be used in our basket in November.

Dates to remember: 

Wednesday September 20 –  Picture Day!  Dress snazzy and smile!

Thursday September 21st –  No School!!  Rosh Hashanah

Monday October 9th-  No School!  Columbus Day

Wednesday October 18th-  Open House!  Parents Only!!  Meet the staff… 6-8 pm

Thursday October 26th-  No School!  Professional Development for the teachers

 

Academics: 

ELA:   We are working on different types of skills good readers use while reading.  This includes: visualizing, making inferences, making connections, summarizing, and finding important information.    We made presentations about our summer vacations to the whole class using Google Slides.

MATH:   During math, we are reviewing skills needed to solve word problems including “Cubes” – circle key number words, underline the question, box math words, eliminate unneeded information, and solve.   Next we will begin geometry.

SCIENCE:  We are starting with our genes!  The students have been studying how heredity works, Punnet Squares, and making sense of why some of us can roll our tongues and some cannot.   We will continue with the Biology theme for the school year.

HISTORY/SOCIAL STUDIES:  This class offers both traditional history lessons (US History from 1865- present) and current events.  We started this year discussing various economic changes throughout different parts of the country:  Cattle Drives, Railroads, and we will be looking at big businesses, monopolies, and factories.

 

 

Summer fun

This summer we had the opportunity to travel to many fun sites in Boston and the surrounding area.   For the first time, we went to the Commonwealth Museum of Massachusetts, this museum is part of the National Archives.  Some fun facts:  they have a copper type plate from Paul Revere, they have many hands on activities to help history come alive, they want us to come back in the fall for a program about maps!

 We also helped out at car washes to support LABBB.  We helped raise over $700!! We picked a great weather day to go on the Swan Boats.  Everyone agreed it was a relaxing ride and great history lesson as we walked through the park and common.  We ate lunch in the shade by the Frog Pond, and some of us even put our feet in the cool water!

We went to the aquarium and learned all about Myrtle the Turtle.  We had a great time watching the seals and seeing the staff feeding the fish.

 

We traveled to Boston using the MBTA.  It was an adventure learning how to use the Charlie Cards!



November 2016

Just wanted to start this post with some uplifting and positive messages courtesy of room 822.  A student made this sign for a friend.  It started the day off on the right foot.

November News:  First, we are very pleased to announce a  new teaching assistant in our room, Ms. Magauran.

We also wanted to share our  visit from Jen and Joan Lester on Thursday, November 17th.  Joan Lester has done work with Native American tribes in New England for over 30 years.  She shared with the students that there are two sides to the Thanksgiving story: the one that we are familiar with from the Pilgrim’s perspective, and the story from the Wampanoag tribe’s perspective.  We learned new things; such as, there was a feast on Thanksgiving day, but the Native American people and the Pilgrims did not sit together. Woman and children were not even part of the feast. We also learned that this was not the Wampanoag’s first Thanksgiving.  They give thanks every morning and have 5 seasonal Thanksgiving celebrations a year.  The students truly enjoyed the presentation.  Thanks Joan and Jen!

December News: 

We have two projects going on in December.  One is in-conjunction with our ELA unit.  We are interviewing an older relative (i.e., a grandparent) about what life was like when they were younger.   We will be spending some time putting these projects together in class.

Our second project is our annual Secret Santa.  Every year, LABBB classrooms “adopt” children who are less fortunate and buy them gifts for the holidays.   This has been a great opportunity to talk about goodwill, empathy, compassion, and sharing with others.   The student will have the opportunity to go to the mall and buy gifts for the  child.   We will send home more information after Thanksgiving.

Important Dates:  November, December, January

11/23 half day,  11/24, 11/25 no school: Happy Thanksgiving                                                                 12/26-1/2  no school: December Break, Happy Holidays                                                                        1/12 half day: Professional Development                                                                                                     1/16 no school:  Martin Luther King Day

Curriculum Update:

ELA:  The students are finishing up a compare and contrast unit.  The culminating activity will be a research report.  Each student will write a three paragraph essay comparing and contrasting  two events,  two people or two animals.

In January the students will read the novel “Love Stargirl” by, Jerry Spinelli

Mathematics:   We are currently learning about how to write equations, using positive and negative symbols, and using algebra in “real life”.   We are going to begin working on exponents and solving practice problems for 10th grade MCAS.

Social Studies:  We’ve been studying the start of the groups of people in North America.   We’ve had opportunities to learn about different Native Americans and early explorers. We are beginning to learn more about the start of European Colonization.   We’re also continuing to follow current events.  We did a quick unit about the election and were able to utilize a game online that had us determining the important issues for the presidency.

Biology:  We studied viruses, bacteria, protists, fungi and lichen.  The group also practiced answering 10th grade MCAS questions that were related to the units we have covered.

Functional Reading:  The students used websites and store flyers to locate and comprehend the “fine print”in advertisements.  They also have worked on Emailing skills.

Functional Math:  The focus has been on MA sales tax.  The group learned about taxable items versus non-taxable items.  They calculated sales tax and practiced changing percents to decimals.  Lastly, the students rounded numbers with decimals to the nearest hundredth in order to add sales tax to prices.  They are beginning a unit on restaurant math, during which they will total bills, calculate sales tax and figure out tip.

Technology:   We are continuing through the Intro to Computer Science course (Code Combat) and learning the Python language.   The students are conquering many levels and able to solve problems.  Many of the students are now turning to other students to collaborate and help each other through levels.  It has been a great experience for us!

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 2016

Room 822 is off to a great start!  It is very hard to believe we are already heading into October.  First of all, we want to thank you all for getting school supplies and for making classroom donations.

Secondly, there a many holidays and events in October.  Here is the list:

10/3 –  No School, Rosh Hashanah

10/10- No School, Columbus Day

10/12 – No School,  Yom Kippur

10/19 – Open House @6:30* this is a change from the calendar

10/27 – No School, Professional Day (teachers only)

Lastly, we wanted to fill you in on things being learned in our classroom.

ELA – The students have been reading survival stories.   We have reviewed Active reading strategies (see acronym sheet in student’s binders).  The reading skill emphasized during this unit has been identifying the main idea versus details.  The students will begin writing a Main Idea and Details Essay next week.

Mathematics –   We are learning algebraic concepts this month including PEMDAS (order of operations), how to use variables, and working with with inequalities.  The concepts can be a little bit difficult especially with the more abstract concepts.  We are working hard and using phrases such as “is the same as” instead of saying “equals” this helps picture how an equation works on both sides of the equal sign.   We will be starting functions soon!

Biology – We started the school year covering food chains, which lead to food webs and energy pyramids.  The students are currently learning about symbiosis (the interdependent relationships of organisms in their environment).  The students will practice MCAS questions regarding the topics we just covered by the end of next week.

Social Studies –  We are learning about the history of the United States   We have discussed the migration routes of early settlers and Native Americans.   We have also learned about current events utilizing news articles and videos.   The students have had great insight during our discussions about these topics.  We will be starting the early settlers soon!

Technology – The students have made Quizlet accounts and have become more familiar with Biology vocabulary using the site (ask them if you can check out their account).  We have also worked on learning the coding language of Python.   The students have been solving problems using the program Code Combat.  They are doing a wonderful job with

Functional Reading- Topics covered this far during functional reading have been Internet Safety and Emailing.  The students are working on including: a greeting, a closing, and a question, as well as using proper spacing and punctuation when writing Emails.

Functional Math-  The focus has been on money math.  They have practiced counting money combinations, estimating the the total amounts of purchases using the whole dollar strategy and rounding up to make mock purchases.  Next, the students will review percents and practice computing  sales tax.

 

 

 

Wegmans and Bedford Farms

We went to Wegman’s for lunch.  Most of us were thrilled with all the different options and the price!    We also got ice cream at Bedford Farms.  It was fantastic. 

Busy Day! Car Wash and Stop and Shop Nutrition Tour

During the car wash we raised about $400!!!!!  This money will go to scholarships for students who need it in order to participate in LABBB activities.  At Stop and Shop, the students were shown where they can find healthy foods.  Some students got a chance to scan items and even get behind the register.

 

 

State House trip

Spirit Week: Favorite Character

Pick your favorite character or famous person to emulate

We saw a Red Sox player, John Cena, visitors from Hogwarts, a hippie, Michael Jackson, sonic and Olaf.

Spirit Week: LABBB Pride