Studio Assignment Winter Break

This autumn's English theme has been Teens Change the World. We have read about teens who have made big changes or asked important questions to make the world a more peaceful and fair place for everyone. 

This is where we connect with the text. Each and every ORAA student has the ability to change the world through their talents, skills, and determination. 

Over the break (some students have already started their project as this has been discussed since Thanksgiving break), students are asked to make a change in their community in a way that feels great to them. Examples include: 

• volunteering for a shelter or orphanage
• serving meals to the homeless
• doing a beach cleanup
• making a water-saving plan for their family of five at home

It is by taking these first thoughtful steps that we really can change the world. 

The studio day assignment for January 5 is to document this action. Students can choose a powerpoint, poster, photo collage, a storybook, whichever way they choose. Grading will not only be based on the quality of the project and documentation in words and pictures, but also the ability to inspire friends to get out and do the same. 

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday break. I am so proud of the hard work and progress everyone has made this year. I can't wait to see the ways people have chosen to change the world over the next two weeks! 

Week of December 15-18

It's our last week of the calendar year together! I'm already missing everyone who has gone early to vacations or is missing class because of work or holiday productions!

We still have a busy week as we wrap up our unit on Teens Changing the World.

Tuesday: Reading Workshop. Students take the tests created by the other students and begin to make a study guide for Friday's test. Students may also continue reading their book to finish by Friday.

Wednesday: Students have reading time and a discussion over winter break/end of unit service learning project. Students are asked to go out to their community and change the world in one small way over the break. Some kids have already asked if their family can participate, such as making a family plan to save water in our drought. This is great! I'll send the instructions for documentation later this week. This is a generous, capable group of middle schoolers. I know they can make a positive impact on their community on their way to changing the world!

Wednesday night is also our Art Expo night! Please plan to attend from 5-7pm. There is a full roster of performances! 

Thursday: Finish reading book club book and final study groups. Students will get the opportunity to create story charts and timelines with classmates to check final understanding, comprehension, and themes across the books.

Friday: Book Club book test and party time! This is our first book we've read this year. After this test, students will have read some of the most important works of historical and contemporary writing. There is a lot to celebrate. The kids have been working extremely hard all year and it shows!

Even though this is our last week together this year, I look forward to growing and learning with everyone in 2016! This truly is a group of teens who are capable of changing the world!

A Kid Who's Changing the World

Here was a great article I read about a kid who has literally changed her community in a really important way!

http://www.upworthy.com/her-dad-thought-her-clean-energy-idea-was-just-a-kids-project-he-was-wrong

December 8- December 14

We are in the last two weeks of school for 2015, and I am getting rather excited for the end of our book club and beginning of our community projects!

The final exam for our book club book will be December 18. Please make sure you are reading at home for 20-30 minutes in addition to the reading we are doing in class. Most children, especially those who have acquired the book two weeks ago per my email, are almost done reading.

Tuesday: Reader's Workshop. Students read book club book and prepare a written interview with the main character about the important episodes in the book thus far. Interviews should be two to three pages long and address setting, plot, and major characters. Interviews must be written in the voice of the main character. Students will also be working on daily oral language and Iready.

Wednesday: Reader's Workshop. Students read book club book and prepare a written interview with the main character about the important episodes in the book thus far. Interviews should be two to three pages long and address setting, plot, and major characters. Interviews must be written in the voice of the main character. The interview assignment will be due at the end of the class period on Wednesday for grading. Students will also be working on daily oral language and Iready.

Thursday: Reader's Workshop. Students continue to read book club book and fill out either a story chart for the fiction books or a timeline for the autobiographies. Students will also be working on daily oral language and Iready.

Friday: Reader's Workshop. Students continue to read book and create a vocabulary test of ten story words and answer key. Students will also be working on daily oral language.

Studio Day Assignment: Read book club book and take notes for final exam on December 18.

We are full and busy this week! We also have our evening Art Presentation at 5pm on December 16. There are lots of great projects to share. We can't wait to see you there, too!