May 12

End of School Reflection

Dear Students,

Often we dwell on the negative things that happen but I challenge each student (including myself) to take time to do an end of school year reflection. I practice the discipline of meditation. A part of this discipline involves taking regular time for reflection. I’m posting some questions for you to reflect upon. Let’s celebrate the growth and the good that we’ve experienced this school year! Then let’s remember to thank the people in our lives who helped us, befriended us, believed in us, and loved us through this year.

  1. What is something we did this year that you think you will remember for the rest of your life?
  2. What is something you accomplished this year that you are proud of?
  3. What was the nicest thing someone in our class did for you this year?
  4. What was the most challenging part of this year for you?
  5. Where is your favorite place in our classroom (or school)? Why?
  6. If you could change one thing that happened this year, what would it be?
  7. What are three things you did this year to help your classmates?
  8. What are the three most important things you learned this year?
  9. What is something that was hard for you at the start of the year but is easy now?
  10. In what area do you feel you made your biggest improvements?
  11. What is your favorite part of the day in our class? Why?
  12. What is something you taught your teacher or classmates this year?
  13. Of the books you read this year, which was your favorite? Why?
  14. What was the best piece of writing that you did this year? Why do you think it is your best?
  15. What person at our school has made the biggest impact in your life this year? Why?
  16. What is something the teacher could have done to make this year better?
  17. What are six adjectives that best describe this school year?
  18. Knowing what you know now, if you could write a letter to yourself that would travel back in time so that you would receive it at the start of the school year, what advice would you give your younger self?
  19. When you consider the rest of your life, what percentage of what you learned this year do you think will be useful to you?
  20. What advice would you give students who will be in this class next year?

(Questions taken from minds-in-bloom.com)

May 9

Writing Well Matters

Shonda Rhimes is one of the most well-known and successful writers for TV producing shows such as Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, and The Catch. Currently, it’s been announced that she’ll be an Executive Producer of an upcoming TV series “Still Star-Crossed” adapted from Shakespeare’s infamous Romeo and Juliet. What we do in our classroom each day matters. Reading and writing matters. And writing well … could lead you to a highly successful and lucrative career.

If you haven’t heard of Shonda Rhimes, you’re probably watching one of her shows.  http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0722274/

May 1

Bell Schedule is Flipped 5/3 – 5/5

Parents, this is a reminder that our bell schedule will be flipped this Wednesday (5/3), Thurs. (5/4), and Fri. (5/5) due to EOC testing for American Literature and 9th Literature. Please note that students cannot be checked out during the tests.

The schedule will be as follows:

4th block: 8:20-10:00

2nd block:  10:05-11:45

3rd block:  11:50-2:05

1st block:  2:10-3:00