Homework Reminders!!

We have too many students missing work currently in class.  This morning we went over the "offenders" list, so you all know who you are...

Remember, the primary assignments that people have missing, consequently diminishing overall scores are:

• 4Rs Essays 1 & 2
• 4Rs Rubrics
• China/Japan Projects
• A Samurai's Tale: Final Essay
• NOTE: I am no longer accepting these, as so much time has passed; to make it up, please select one of the four short pieces from the Junior Great Books that we have not yet read, and write a one-page response paper.  The paper should include your understandings of the piece; your reaction to it; your sense of what the piece "means."

IMPORTANT: THESE ARE LATE, LATE ASSIGNMENTS; YOU MUST HAVE THEM COMPLETE BY THIS FRIDAY, BEFORE YOU LEAVE FOR ASHLAND.  LATER PAPERS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

thanks,

your incredibly compassionate teacher.

$3.00 for Tomorrow's Presentation

Hi all--

Meg Mizutani will be coming tomorrow, so please bring your $3.00 contribution.  It is going to be fun!

This video from Vimeo relates to the presentation she will be giving, and one of my biggest passions: coffee.  I want to be friends with this guy!  View "Yoshi's Blend"

Science Fair Reports

***There have been CHANGES (I said no extensions, but CHANGES I never mentioned...) to the Science Fair Event/Due Dates.  Please Note:

Hey everyone!  Our school science fair will now be on May 28th.  Students have a report associated with this project that is due May 18th.  Follow this link if you need an extra copy of the assignment: Science Fair Report.

Now the report must include your research PLUS your data/results from the experiments. Presentation boards, etc. will be due on the day of the fair.  We will be talking more in class about what these steps entail.

Remember, kiddos (especially now!) : no, No, NO! extensions on these reports--we need to respect Sean's time and hard work for us; he has the other classes to help, too.  Late reports will not be accepted.  So get started early, ask questions early, and be Responsible!!  You can do it.

Projects

The Seventh Grade Ravens are presenting their research reports on China & Japan, plus a couple of very interesting independent study projects.  They are beyond incredible.  Check this post as I do my best to add digital means of viewing our students' work!

Spencer's Edinburgh Blog  He's a gigapanner's apprentice!
Selena's Tea Ceremony She's a movie star now!!
Check out Brandon's Junk!  It's a Chinese boat!
Check out David's Junk!  A nautical genius!
Sumi'i from Master Ben "Bamboo with a Pear"
Lily is giving Hokusai a Run for his Money!  Incredible grid-enlargement falconry!
Caleb is a Samurai Warrior!  Or at least an expert on them...!
Elani finally does this Hokusai justice! Elegant cherry blossoms and a birdie!
Ila accomplishes what Hokusai only dreamt of!  Contemplating on the banks of a river near Fuji...

STAR Week

Hello Students & Families.

Just a reminder that this is STAR testing week, so make sure to (1) come to school (2) get sleep and (3) eat healthy and substantial breakfasts all week long.  This way you'll be in your best form for the tests--we want your scores to reflect YOUR abilities, not a ZOMBIE'S!!!  See your there!

Work Cited for China/Japan Research

Here is a link to a page that gives guidance on how to format a works cited (bibliography) page in MLA format.

You should have at least 3 sources for these papers; I am anticipating that you will have more.  Please do your best to get the formatting right, as this will be a skill you need for the rest of your academic careers, and it also helps ensure that you don't plagiarize!

Keep up the good work!!

Rubrics ROCK!

Hi everyone!  Hope you are enjoying the long weekend; I know I certainly am!

Attached here is a blank rubric that I created with my rubistar account.  You can use them however you'd like, and you do not have to use this at all.  The rubric MAY be printed out, then handwritten on this template.  You can also download it and type directly into it, if you wish.

Some things to remember from our discussion about creating your own rubric:

• Have high, but fair, expectations for yourself (don't make yourself fail just because you misspelled one word, but create a rubric that will help guide you to write a high-level compilation that represents excellent 7th grade work).
• Look to the 6 traits of writing (you  do not have to include all of them, or any of them; this is your rubric!): IDEAS, VOICE, ORGANIZATION, WORD CHOICE, SENTENCE FLUENCY, & CONVENTIONS.  Ask yourself: Which of these is essential to this writing?
• Create row categories that are specific to this task, which is to write personal narratives about the 4Rs in your life.  Remember the example of "arguments and reasons" in the Persuasive Essay rubric as an analogous .
• I WILL use these rubrics to grade your final packets (final score will be a % of the total points that you determine possible).  I WILL use my own expectations (which don't think will be too different from for own!) as you hand in the individual essays so that I can guide you to any necessary revision.

Keep up the good work and keep writing!!