Shelfari

Mrs Foellmer has turned me on to an incredible website: www.shelfari.com

The site offers many interactive applications for readers. For example, members can create a virtual bookshelf to display the books they have read, the books they are currently reading, and the books they plan on reading. Additionally, the website encourages members to review and recommend books. I am currently working out a way to enhance the experience of reading by connecting my students to meaningful discussions of literature!

A word about grades...

In light of the high number of absences we're having here at Lakeview, I would like to take a moment to share what I'm doing with my gradebook.

Even if a student is absent, I will be putting zeros in for any missing work. This is so you are aware of graded assignments that your child is missing. I will not be penalizing students for work that is turned in late due to an absence. Adhering to the school grading policy, a student will receive however many days they were absent to make up new work.

JV Basketball Cheerleading and Mascot Information

Cheerleading:
Clinic: Monday, October 26, 2009 3-5 pm
Try-Out: Tuesday, October 27 3-4 pm

Mascot
Clinic: Monday, October 26, 2009 3-4 pm
Try-Out: Tuesday, October 27 3-4 pm

The JV Basketball Cheerleading and Mascot season is right around the corner. After waiting anxiously for the Winter Athletic Schedule to be published I am happy to announce the try-out information.

The cheerleading squad is open to any 6th or 7th grader who has a physical turned into the office by the try-out date. On Monday at the clinic, cheer candidates will learn a chant (short sideline), a cheer (longer routine), a proper toe-touch, and a short two-eight count dance. The girls will need to practice that night for the next day's try-out. The Try-out will be held from 3-4 pm. Scores will be tabulated as quickly as possible, and they should be posted by 6 pm on Tuesday night.

The Mascot position is open to any 6th, 7th, or 8th grader who is not afraid to get a crowd going. The clinic will be held from 3-4 pm on Monday. At this time, I will explain what a mascot does and what they will be required to do for the try-out. This will include various physical reactions/emotions and a short dance.

Important Reminders...

There are several things that you should be aware of:

1. All final drafts of the Personal Narrative Composition are due Tuesday. These drafts should be typed in Times New Roman, size 12 font.

2. The second book report project is due on October 23. Students are to create any type of greeting card as one character in their novel to another. There is also a writing component to this project. Students have been given a project description, rubric, and an example from which to work.

Have a delightful long weekend!

New Book Report! Due 10/23

As students continue to read their new "student-choice" books, I want them to begin thinking about their new book report.

Directions: Think about the characters in your novel. Imagine that one character is sending a card to another character. What kind of card would they character send and why?

Choices of cards: Birthday, Sympathy, Thank You, Get Well, Friendship, Anniversary, Retirement, New Baby, Valentine's Day, Miss You

Task: There are TWO parts to this project.
1. Create a card to one character in your novel to another character.

2. On a separate sheet of paper, include the following:
- The title and date of publication
- In one paragraph, explain why you created the card you did.
- In one paragraph, explain the importance of this choice and how the novel
would be different if the card had actually been sent.

Tableau

This week the advanced reading class demonstrated their comprehension of text using a non-traditional model known as Tableau. This is a dramatic freeze-frame performance that is motionless. Students started by selecting an important event. Then they recreated the scene in groups.

Tableau Benefits:
- Students learn how to express themselves with their body not their voice.
- Students gain confidence as they present to the class.
- Quiet students may be more willing to participate because there is no talking.
- Students will gain a better understanding of characters in a story.

Here are some of our examples:

Darzee, the bird, is singing loudly, and Rikki-Tikki is annoyed.

Nag, the evil snake, was finally shot in the bathroom...by the toilet.

Teddy and hi mother find an unconscious Rikki-Tikki in the grass on a roadside ditch.

Rikki-Tikki jumps on Nagina's back as Darzee and his wife watch in a tree.

MatheMagic!!!

On Thursday, October 29, the 6th grade will be taking a field trip to a performance called MatheMagic! Here, a magician will use magic, comedy, and storytelling to engage us in problem solving and exploration of ancient civilizations. The cost of the performance is $7. After the performance, we will be eating lunch at a fast-food restaurant. Therefore, students will also need to bring their own money to cover the cost of their lunch.

Please make checks payable to CCSD 66 or have exact change!