Pride in Heritage

My students have an advantage over most of the rest of us. They know where they are from, and they possess pride in their heritage. They know who they are, and have an idea of expectation, based on that knowledge. For those of us who were born here, or are from a long line of Something-Americans, we do not often think about the traditions of our ethnic heritage.

This is one of the reasons why I enjoy facilitating Multicultural Club. It gives students a chance to understand what heritage is, and the traditions of backgrounds other than their own. Up to this time, we have explored mainly foods, music, and folktales. Food has been the most popular!

So far, though, I have discovered that most of the African-American students in Multicultural Club do not appear to have a sense of history regarding their actual ancestry. Grandparents are from Georgia, or South Carolina. There has been no oral history, no something passed down prior to that. I fully acknowledge the terrible sins associated with slavery. This is not about that, but the proud traditions connected to clans, bands, tribes, brotherhoods, and other filial associations of blood relatives. The students do not know what country of Africa holds the key to their personal beauty or ancestry. Some students have knowledge of a mix with Native American or other ethnicity. That being established, the next two themes for Multicultural Club will be Native American and African. These themes are so broad, I am aware that I will not be able to explore a tenth of what the students deserve, but awareness of similarities and differences, based on region is a place to start. I welcome any parental input and assistance!

On the other hand, my Beginning-level students are steeped in their own culture and tradition, and only now are learning their new culture. My 5th grade students just asked me about the first Thanksgiving. I'm happy that my simplified version aligned with what one of their fathers told them! The project assignment (due Monday, 12/1) involves doing a little research (we did that in the school library, and in class) and assembling a poster project about their birth country. All the instructions and goals went home last Monday, with the point values for each of the required elements. It's so important for all children to know their heritage is valued, and to have a sense of joy in their history!

New Opportunities!

One thing I believe in wholeheartedly--we all have a purpose in life, and ultimately it involves doing something that serves others. It may be through work, our words, or just "being nice". Today, at a teachers' meeting, I learned of a new way to "be nice" and help those who need it.


When you finish reading this, go to http://www.freerice.com/. This website is sponsored by the United Nations, and they provide rice to people in Third World countries whenever you correctly answer a multiple choice question, 20 grains per answer. Not much, you might think, but it mounts up as you have fun answering questions, which get a bit harder as you go. You can clink on the link on the site, to see one location where many hundreds of pounds of rice have saved adults and children from starvation.


There are several subjects and languages to choose from. I was able to test a little of my Spanish vocabulary, as well as achieving Level 41 in English vocabulary. Wow, there are a LOT of words I didn't know! There are 60 levels, so I have a long way to go to complete this area! You can do Math questions, too.


I know you are encouraged to do Study Island to help improve your skills in Reading and Math. I'm asking that you also spend a little time regularly to help other children and their families. To boost your efforts, I plan to establish a "Free Rice" Word Wall, possibly right outside the classroom. Whenever you reach any level, please print out or handwrite the 2 hardest words (or Math problem) you just learned. Include the word and its meaning, along with your name. All the information will go on this Word Wall! Let's see how many words and how many people you could help!

Notoriety may be fleeting, and the rewards are intrinsic, but being nice feels good, too!

PS-Look up the words you don't know! ;-)

Making History!

My goal this week is to engage the students, especially 7th and 8th grades, in the immense significance of Barack Obama's election to the Presidency of the United States. This would have been an impossible dream only 40 years ago. Just in my lifetime, America has moved from Jim Crow laws, forced school busing, and segregation to having an African-American man elected to the government's highest office. WOW!
In light of this, the following project has been assigned. It is due next Wednesday, Nov. 12. The grade will depend on the quality of the finished work.
Here are the guidelines:
(the sample layouts will be presented in class, I don't know how to add them to this!

FOR 7TH-8TH GRADE ESOL STUDENTS-
Making History! Poster project
ESOL developing/expanding level

Objective- Students will compile news articles to capture and appreciate the historical significance of Barack Obama’s election!

Materials -

At least 2 English language newspapers
2 banner headlines
1 foreign language newspaper or magazine
4-6 pictures
4 news articles (minimum)
Optional- Internet commentary from other world leaders
Large poster board or tri-fold

“Editorial” comments-
In their own words, student will describe what the historical importance of this election means to them, the country, and the global community. Writing should reflect an understanding of the articles included with the project. Editorial should be centered on the board. Articles and pictures must be neatly cut and glued to the board.

The editorial must be in ink, preferably typed and SPELL-CHECKED.


Sample project layout-

Grading will be based on completion of all elements required, writing, and neatness.

Beginning-level

1 English-language newspaper, with banner headline
1 foreign-language newspaper or magazine, with headline

Students will select 1 article from each paper, with pictures.
Poster board

Editorial- Student will write about why Obama’s election is important to them as a newcomer to America. Basic understanding of the news articles should be reflected in the editorial.

Headlines, articles, and pictures will be neatly cut out and glued to the poster board or tri-fold. Student editorial should be typed, or in ink, and centered on the board.

Sample project layout

PLEASE contact me by phone or 'comment' with any questions or concerns!

You've Got the POWER!

Students- are you happy with your progress in class (my class or anyone else)? Are your parents bragging about your report cards, or just putting it in a drawer? Parents, do you want your children to enjoy the satifaction that comes with real understanding of learning?
There ARE choices you can make to change things for the better! first, there's the obvious: come to school each day, do all the required work, pay attention. Sometimes, however, you might need extra time or extra help. as a student, do you ASK the teacher if they could help you at lunch, after school, nor whatever? Do you ev er do homework with a friend who is really good at the thing you struggle with? Parents, are you hearing teacher's voices all the time, telling you about the struggle your child is having?

OK, let's be serious. ..there IS something we can do! POWER HOUR!! An "extended day" may offer the extra time your child needs. Small groups, focused instruction. If your child scored BASIC on either Reading or Math, they SHOULD be in Power Hour. If they scored "below basic', they MUST attend, or they will fall further behind.

I am strongly encouraging some of my developing-level students to sign up. Parents, if your child is not being successful, please contact the school for the form, if your child has not brought one home already. Few things are as joyful and less stressful as a child who is successful in school!

Limits, Deadlines, and Due Dates

This message is (mostly) for parents...



We all have rules and restrictions in everyday life--speed limits, comfortable room temperatures, bill payments, when we need to be at work, etc. Some limits we don't like or agree with, but we need to operate within them, or deal with consequences we don't like! What mom has had a pregnancy go well past her due-date, and has dealt with different types of fallout, results, and reactions? (We don't want to go there!)

So it is with school assignments, from routine homework to longer-range projects and writing reports and such. Work is DUE on a specific date. Penalties exist for delinquent work. Excuses don't cut it! (Sorry, officer, I didn't realize a residential neighborhood had a 25 mph speed limit.) I know "I forgot it/left it home/lost it" means "It's not done." Not acceptable-period.

My 7th grade class has a biography writing project we have worked on since Tuesday. The due date for the complete, final copy is Monday!
From past experience, I know I can expect the following results-some beautiful projects, some good, and a few, poor quality or MIA. Students have a somewhat revised rubric, which closely resembles the one in a previous blog. They know what do, and how to do it correctly. The limits have been established.

Yes, there are limits. There must be boundaries for students and children for discipline, safety, and to prepare them for the rules and limits of life as future adults. As adults, we should expect RESPECT for what we know, do, and teach our children. We want to keep them safe, and teach them responsibility. We want them to be proud of their accomplishments, and not try to "sneak around" the rules, because that will diminish their personal effort and growth. As adults, we know that the most self-satisfaction is knowing we did our best, whatever the task.

Let's work together to get the best from our students!

"Clubbing!"

This message is all about the clubs!



Science Club for 4th and 5th grades-

We will meet every other Tuesday , beginning tomorrow, October 21. Meeting time is 3:15 to 4:15 pm. I plan to have as much hands-on activities and fun as we can. Full 100% attention from the students is going to be the key to how much we can accomplish each week. Once we get more settled, I will try to print up some of the experiments, so you can do them at home. Additionally, we will eventually write some basic lab reports, reporting our observations. This valuable skill will come in handy when test time rolls around!



Our first few meetings will focus on Kitchen Chemistry--using items found at home. I do not expect to be using "chemistry set" materials. SAFETY is the first concern, fun is second! Your child will be bringing home a "safety contract" for both of you to read, sign, and return to me. this is the first time a Science Club has been offered, and I'd like to make it a tradition!



NEEDED--colorless water and soda bottles, all sizes, but especially 1 liter and smaller . Please wash them out first, so any leftover juice or soda doesn't attract "little critters"! ;-)





MULTICULTURAL CLUB!

This is a club focused on learning the many parts of cultural traditions, and enjoying as many as possible! We will make crafts, food, and appreciate the musical and literary heritage of different countries and tribes around the world. If you have any unused craft or art materials (beads, twine, buttons, etc.) PLEASE send them along! If you have a skill you can teach (weaving, for example), I hope you are able to share this gift and teach us! That would be an amazing blessing!

Also, I would love to add to the classroom/club collection of folktales from around the world. If you have any you would like to donate or share, they may be dropped off any time. Either send them with your child, or if you are at school, drop by room 316. Thanks in advance!



Parents--none of these clubs can happen without your support and encouragement of your child to pursue the joys of learning new things! THANKS!

For Your Information-- Parents of 6th and 7th graders!!

Seventh grade is the year high schools will be looking at when they determine if your child is eligible for any special programs or specific admission qualifications. Parents of 6th graders, this is a "heads-up", so you can help your son or daughter begin to form better habits, in academics, or possibly behavior. Seventh-grade parents, I want to urge you more than ever to encourage your child in academic pursuits, or in the arts, mechanical, or whatever their particular strength may be.

Philadelphia has a great number of excellent public high schools, from the "special admissions" (strong academic, performing arts, or perhaps admission by lottery), to academic/vocational programs.

I encourage students (especially in 7th grade) to start thinking about what kind of work they want to do as adults, that could benefit others. I get many different answers including doctor, football player, veterinarian, artist, and mechanic. We often write about the things we are good at doing, and that make us happy. Sometimes they change their minds about their original dream!

When the high school applications are given out in 8th grade, we research the students' visions for the future, and the type of preparation (apprenticeships, college, etc.) certain careers require. This is a fairly extensive project, using a graphic organizer to address different areas. When the time comes, you will see the rubric!

I am aware that many families move to the States for education and job opportunities, and so their children can have "a better life". Although these children are still very young, it's never too soon to help them to realize their potential as happy, productive individuals!

Teaching them to communicate effectively, orally, or writing, is so important, whatever they choose--

It is a privilege for me to be able to help guide your child!