Thursday, December 20, 2012

Dynamic Dialogue 12/20/12


Happy Winter Break Dynamic Team!

Upcoming Events:           Winter Recess begins December 21st
                                          Students Return to class January 7th
                                          Grades will be mailed home January 11th

Important Information:         Students should take a few moments over break to clean out their binders and restock their school supplies (especially pencils).  Some students may need a few new spirals and to check the workability of their binders.
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English –


Susan Artkras – artkras.susan@wgmail.org


Math – 
Please check the parent portal to view the updated math grades. 
There is no mandatory homework over the break, however students can practice math skills on (khanacademy.com). Also, please check to make certain that your child has a working calculator.  We will need them in class and they will be able to use them during the MAP test.  Happy Holidays!
Wilma Slaughter – slaughter.wilma@wgmail.org

Science –
In Science this week we have stormed into our Weather unit! LOL You may want to ask your student "What does temperature measure?" They have begun understanding the kinetic theory and density as it relates to temperature and barometric pressure. Barometric pressure is the way meteorologists measure air density. As air cools off the density of the air increases creating higher pressures. The relationship between temperature and air pressure can also be stated as the temperature increases the air becomes less dense.

I wish you a refreshing holiday break and hope you have TONS of FUN SHARING LAUGHTER AND JOY WITH YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS!
The links for the course websites are listed below.
Course Websites:

If you have any questions or comments please let me know
Dynamic Systems Science – Coach Daniels daniels.mark@wgmail.org
314-918-4603

Social Studies –
During this abbreviated week we continued to look at Ancient Greece.  Early in the week we focused on the Minoan civilization and then moved to the development and types of governments in the Greek city-states.  When we return, we will continue with Ancient Greece.  We will explore the beginnings of democracy, Greek art and architecture, as well as Greek contributions in philosophy, literature, and science.  Students should remove all materials from their binders prior to Greece.  Have a wonderful Winter Break!
Grades have been posted on the Portal and some will be updated over the break.  I am available for after school help every Thursday until 4:00 p.m.
The links for the course websites are listed below.
Course Websites:

Lisa Pettid – pettid.lisa@wgmail.org
314-918-4602

Please visit the following links for more information:
Hixson home page - http://schools.webster.k12.mo.us/education/components/scrapbook/default.php?sectionid=7
Dr. Heisserer's blog - http://hixsonprincipal.wordpress.com/


Friday, December 14, 2012

Dynamic Dialogue 12/14/12

Good afternoon Dynamic Team,
Upcoming Events:          Last day of classes before Winter Break is 12/20/12
Important Information: Our Holiday fundraiser has ended.  In total we raised $313.48 and collected 64 cans. A special thanks to Coach Daniels and Mrs. Pettid for leading the fundraising initiative! (from your teammates and students.)
English –
With the end of the semester quickly approaching, students are busy revising assignments and taking care of any make-up work. As much as I hesitate about allowing this “Ketchup Time” in class, the conversations I’ve participated in and have overheard have been priceless. This time is promoting a review of just about everything we have studied this semester. Students are coaching one another and collaborating to resolve challenges in the writing and reading. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the conversations. The academic language—clauses, alliteration, run-on, synonym—is richer. The use of resources—dictionaries, thesaurus, digital devices—is increasing. Students are checking the Portal and advocating for their learning and academic responsibilities. The level of engagement is how I wish everyday could be!

In addition to “Ketchup Time,” we continued our work on parts of speech and sentence structures through sentence diagramming. The use of diagramming allows alternative access points, other than auditory and linguistic, into language for students. These access points include visual/spatial, analytical, and kinesthetic, even interpersonal as students work together to evaluate diagrams and correct them to deepen their understanding of parts of speech and sentence structures.

With temperatures dropping, we will take this opportunity to read, analyze, annotate and discuss a couple winter poems to continue working toward the curricular goals: 1) Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences; cite specific textual evidence to support conclusions drawn from the text, 2) Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in text, including figurative language and connotative meanings.
  • Students will be receiving a reading log for the winter break.

  • For English assignment details, documents and explanations, see the Portal.


Math – 
Wilma Slaughter – slaughter.wilma@wgmail.org
Science –

Dynamic Scientists this week took the Universe Motions Unit test on Thursday. Weather is our next unit and today the students completed the "What Do You Know about Weather?" Please ask your students about how they think they did on the Universe Motions test and the What Do You Know about Weather. Many of the students do not like answering questions which they feel so uncertain about even though in earlier grades they have studied weather and the water cycle. We will go full steam ahead into next week and laying the foundations for the Weather unit. 
Course Websites:
If you have any questions or comments please let me know.
Dynamic Systems Science – Coach Daniels
314-918-4603
Social Studies –
Students began their investigation of the Classical World this week with a focus on geography.  In the previous unit our focus was entirely on River Valley Civilizations – but now we have moved to the civilizations around the Mediterranean Sea.  With one exception, every area we study for the rest of the year will be focused on control of the Mediterranean, and students are currently being asked to analyze why that might be.  While studying Greece, we will not only look at the geography of the region, but also the tremendous impact of the Greeks on Western Civilization.  I will be asking your students to look for evidence of ancient Greece all around us.
Grades have been posted on the Portal.  If your child has a missing assignment, they are welcome to still turn it in.  I am available for after school help every Thursday until 4:00 p.m.
The links for the course websites are listed below.
Course Websites:
Lisa Pettid – pettid.lisa@wgmail.org
314-918-4602
Please visit the following links for more information:
Hixson home page - http://schools.webster.k12.mo.us/education/components/scrapbook/default.php?sectionid=7
Dr. Heisserer's blog - http://hixsonprincipal.wordpress.com/

Friday, December 7, 2012

Dynamic Dialogue 12/7/12


Happy Friday Dynamic Team,

Upcoming Events:            School Play, December 7th
                                         7th Grade Band Concert, December 11th
                                          Winter Recess Begins, December 20th    

Important Information:  We continue to collect money and canned goods for Webster-Rock Hill Ministries.  As of today, we have $238.13    , and 35 cans.

English –
December 6, 2012

This week students are reviewing and honing their skills of annotating text and of summarizing material. For our text this week, we worked with song lyrics on the topic of dress codes (last week we read an article about a public school district in Texas that is enforcing a rigid dress code.) After annotating the text of the lyrics, students discussed their thinking regarding the central or main ideas that the musician was conveying to his audience. Once each student has honed a main idea, the next step is to select text details to support that main idea and convey the overall context of the material. This work supports our curricular goal of:

Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite specific textual evidence to support conclusions drawn from the text.
1.     Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis.
2.     Determine two or more central ideas in a text and provide an objective summary of the text.

Also this week, students revisited the sentence combining activity “Street Smart.” We have already worked with the Street Smart clusters to develop compound and complex sentence structures, and this time, we concentrated on developing simple sentences.

Susan Artkras – artkras.susan@wgmail.org

Math – 
This week students finished the assessments on the (Variables & Patterns) unit; I was really please with the quality of their work.  Next week, we will start a new unit (Stretching and Shrinking).  In this unit students will learn how to:

*Identify similar figures by comparing corresponding parts
*Use scale factors and ratios to describe relationship among the side lengths on
  similar figures
*Construct similar polygons
*Draw shapes on coordinate grids and then use coordinate rules to stretch
  and shrink those shapes
*Predict the ways that stretching or shrinking a figure affects lengths, angle   
  measures, perimeters, and areas
*Use the properties of similarity to find distances and heights that you can’t
  measure

Wilma Slaughter – slaughter.wilma@wgmail.org

Science –
In Dynamic Science the students are finishing their unit on Universe Motions. They have their Universe Motions Unit Test on Thursday, 13 December 2012 which is next Thursday. They have their study guide and to be studying at least 15 minutes every day. This week the students investigated the relationships between the Moon and Earth which includes the Moon phases, eclipses, and Causes of Seasons.

Course Websites:
If you have any questions or comments please let me know.
Dynamic Systems Science – Coach Daniels
314-918-4603

Social Studies –
This week we finished The Ancient World.  On Monday and Tuesday, we went over the study guide; the answers were also posted on Edline.  On Wednesday, Students spent time with Mrs. Bodi for their Career Lessons.  The unit test was given on Thursday.  Students who did not finish their test have until next Thursday to come in and finish up.  On Friday, students began The Classical World unit with a look at the geography of Greece.
Grades have been posted on the Portal.  If your child has a missing assignment, they are welcome to still turn it in until December 14th .  I am available for after school help every Thursday until 4:00 p.m.
The links for the course websites are listed below.
Course Websites:

Lisa Pettid – pettid.lisa@wgmail.org
314-918-4602

Please visit the following links for more information:
Hixson home page - http://schools.webster.k12.mo.us/education/components/scrapbook/default.php?sectionid=7
Dr. Heisserer's blog - http://hixsonprincipal.wordpress.com/


Friday, November 30, 2012

Dynamic Dialogue 11/30/12

Good afternoon Dynamic Team,

Upcoming Events           Hixson Holiday House Tour, December 2nd
                                         School Play, December 7th
                                         7th Grade Band Concert, December 11th
                                        Winter Recess Begins, December 20th
                                                                       
Imp                                Important Information:
We continue to collect money and canned goods for Webster-Rock Hill Ministries.  As of today, we have $177.88, and 28 cans

                                               Edline Activation Codes have been sent to all parents.  We would like to urge you to sign up as this will enable you to keep up with your student's assignments and activities. Please feel free to email Mrs. Pettid if you have any questions about the sign-up process.

English –
November 30, 2012

Students are enjoying our new course of study which focuses on Reading for Information and Expository/Narrative Writing. With authentic news articles, students are honing their annotation skills. We’re throwing our highlighters away in favor of pen or pencil because highlighting can actually distract a person from learning and lower comprehension. Highlighting leads students into passive reading. Our work emphasizes close, critical reading for information, so we are working on our skills of evaluating information in text and annotating with pens or pencils. To annotate text students stop to write down their thinking in their own words. When students annotate as they read, it keeps them focused and engaged. We will be using these skills for non-fiction, fiction and poetry.

Alongside this close reading of text, students are engaging in effective collaborative discussions which encourages and expects: being prepared, expressing ideas clearly and precisely, posing relevant questions, responding with relevant ideas, building on ideas, and critically important skill for future standardized test takers, referencing the text for support. Students will participate in a self-rating scale after each group discussion.

Pink reading logs are due on Monday. At that time, students will score their words per minute and graph their progress, and students will take time to reflect on their personalized reading goals and program. These reflections allow us time to practice writing summaries and cause and effect paragraphs.


Susan Artkras – artkras.susan@wgmail.org

Math – 

This week we finished the (Variable & Patterns) unit.  In this unit students learned how to make and interpret tables and graphs.  While we were studying this unit, students were also learning the same concepts in science.  Next week, we will review this unit and they will take the assessments over the unit.
Wilma Slaughter – slaughter.wilma@wgmail.org

Science

This week in Dynamic Science the students have started the Universe Motions Unit. All the Planet Research Project presentations have been finished. The students have reviewed their Universe Objects unit test and the goal scores are posted on the portal. Consider asking your scientist "Why do we only see one side of the moon?" Expect a response like "The moon's year and day are the same amount of time, 27 and 1/3 days. Since it revolves and rotates at the same speed, we only see one side of the moon from Earth."


Course Websites:
4th Period - http://www.edline.net/pages/Hixson/Classes/M330004
5th Period - http://www.edline.net/pages/Hixson/Classes/M330001
6th Period - http://www.edline.net/pages/Hixson/Classes/M330002
7th Period - http://www.edline.net/pages/Hixson/Classes/M330003
If you have any questions or comments please let me know.
Dynamic Systems Science – Coach Daniels
daniels.mark@wgmail.org
314-918-4603

Social Studies –
We are wrapping up the Ancient Civilizations Unit this week.  Students have been given their study guides and the test will be next Thursday, December 6th.  On Wednesday, Mrs. Bodi will join our class to do Career Lessons.  On Friday, we will begin the Classical World Unit with Ancient Greece.
 Grades have been posted on the Portal.  If your child has a missing assignment, they are welcome to still turn it in.  I am available for after school help every Thursday until 4:00 p.m.
The links for the course websites are listed below.
Course Websites:
4th Period - http://www.edline.net/pages/Hixson/Classes/M340001
5th Period - http://www.edline.net/pages/Hixson/Classes/M340002
6th Period - http://www.edline.net/pages/Hixson/Classes/M400002
7th Period - http://www.edline.net/pages/Hixson/Classes/M400004

Lisa Pettid – pettid.lisa@wgmail.org
314-918-4602

Please visit the following links for more information:
Hixson home page - http://schools.webster.k12.mo.us/education/components/scrapbook/default.php?sectionid=7
Dr. Heisserer's blog - http://hixsonprincipal.wordpress.com/



Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Dynamic Dialogue 11/21/12

Happy Thanksgiving Dynamic Team!

Upcoming Events:  Fundraiser/Canned Food Drive for Webster-Rock Hill Ministries
                                  continues until December 15th

Important Dates:     November 22nd - 23rd, Thanksgiving Holiday
                                  No Student Attendance
                                  November 29th, Choir Concert 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
                                  December 2nd, Hixson Holiday House Tour

We continue to collect money and canned goods for Webster-Rock Hill Ministries.  As of today we have $128.88, and 20 cans. 
Edline activation codes have been sent to all parents.  We would like to urge you to sign up, as this will enable you to keep up with your student’s assignments and activities.  Please feel free to contact Mrs. Pettid if you have any questions regarding the sign-up process.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday!

Friday, November 16, 2012

Dynamic Dialogue 11/16/12

Good afternoon Dynamic Team,

Upcoming Events:    Webster-Rock Hill Ministries Collection
                                   Cash and canned goods

Important Dates:      November 20th - Sounds of Hixson, 7 - 9 p.m.
                                   November 22nd - 23rd - Thanksgiving Holiday, No School
                                   November 29th - Choir Concert 7 - 8:30 p.m.
English –

Students visited the library this week to browse the collection, check out books and some extra time to read. While at the library, Mrs. Williams presented a video of the Truman book nominees. The video is a collection of short excerpts from the books with actors role playing scene. The excerpts are much like movie trailers. This is a great way for students to taste books that they might decide to read.

Students are drafting and revising their final poem for our study of poetry. Their poem focuses on the various aspects of the topic of bullying. Within the poem, the writer is expected to embed figurative language, either as a mega-metaphor (or simile) or as a layered metaphor (simile or personification). The model for mega-metaphor that I encourage students to use is “Hope is a Thing with Feathers,” and the model for a layered metaphor is “Dreams.” Students are also expected to embed sensory details, concrete nouns and sound devices.

Next week, we will begin our unit on non-fiction reading and writing.

Susan Artkras artkras.susan@wgmail.org

Math – 
This week students continued learning how to make and interpret tables and graphs.   Also, I reminded them that the Enrichment Packet is due on November 21st (before the Thanksgiving break).  These packets are a total of 26 pages that they’ve had since first term and second term.  Basically, the packets are a practice of concepts that was learned from the math book, but sometimes at a higher level.   Some students are feeling a lot of stress because they haven’t been doing the packets and are rushing to get them done.  During the semester, I suggested that they complete at least one page a night.  However, if your student is not near page 26, don’t worry because the enrichment packets are not part of their grade.  I only use the enrichment packets to reinforce what was taught in class and to take the concepts to another level.  I know the packets are a challenge for some students, therefore I asked them to just do what they can, and to see me when they get stuck.

Mainly, I want the concepts in these Enrichment packets mastered before we go on Thanksgiving break, so when we return I will start on writing and solving equations.

I am so proud of the students, because I can see their confidence is really showing.  At the beginning of the year, some students would never raise their hand to answer a question, now they can’t wait to be called on to give the answer.

Wilma Slaughterslaughter.wilma@wgmail.org

Science –

This week in Dynamic Systems Science many of the students made their presentations on the Inner and Outer Planet projects. The students finished preparing for the Universe Objects Unit test which they took today. Our next unit is Universe Motions and the unit outline link is below.


Course Websites:
If you have any questions or comments please let me know.
Dynamic Systems Science – Coach Daniels
314-918-4603

Social Studies –
Last week students began their exploration of India with a focus on the geography of the region.  We discussed the common characteristics of River Valley civilizations and looked at the early Harrappans along the Indus River.  On Thursday, we switched gears and began looking at Hinduism.  This will take us into an exploration of the caste system, and later, Buddhism.  Our new learning goal will be "Students will be able to explain how cultural traditions in India affect people's behavior".


Grades have been posted on the Portal.  If your child has a missing assignment, they are welcome to still turn it in.  I am available for after school help every Thursday until 4:00 p.m.

The links for the course websites are listed below.
Course Websites:

Lisa L. Pettidpettid.lisa@wgmail.org
314-918-4602

Please visit the following links for more information:
Hixson home page - http://schools.webster.k12.mo.us/education/components/scrapbook/default.php?sectionid=7
Dr. Heisserer's blog - http://hixsonprincipal.wordpress.com/

Monday, November 12, 2012

A Special Message from Dynamic Team

Good morning,

Hixson and the Dynamic Team are helping our neighbors through Webster-Rock Hill Ministries, which is a local organization to help people in need of food and financial support during life crisis. The resources assist people who have a temporary need for help due to life events beyond a person’s control. Webster-Rock Hill Ministries has been a success since 1982 due to the fact that it is a local grassroots effort. Webster-Rock Hill Ministries attempts to give its clients a “hand-up” by helping them become more self-sufficient. They help single parents, grandparents raising grandchildren, even great grandparents raising great grandchildren and elderly people. You can show your support by making can goods or money donations to help them during this busy time of year. Students and their families who want to contribute to the support of the Webster-Rock Hill neighbors may make donations on Dynamic team any day while coming back to class from lunch. Mrs. Pettid and Coach Daniels will be accepting the donations. The students have incentives for reaching generous funding milestones:

1.     $   1 -   $100 Lecture on life when your teachers were in 7th grade
2.     $101 – $300 Presentation on how to solve pH problems using a quadratic equation formula
3.     $301 – $500 One class period of games
4.     $501 – $700 A movie
5.     $701 and above – a movie and students bring treats to share!

Friday, November 9, 2012

Dynamic Dialogue 11/9/12

Happy Friday Dynamic Team,


Important Dates:     November 9th - Term 2 Grades mailed home
                              

Upcoming Events:   November 20th -  Sounds of Hixson,  7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
                              November 22nd and 23rd - Thanksgiving Holiday
                              School Not in Session
                              November 29th - Choir Concert, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. 


English

Students are working to refine their personal reading goals to deepen or expand their reading interests and motivation. The reading goal/log document for the next two weeks (due on Nov. 19) is a blue tri-fold document. Student should track progress daily and record data in their log that demonstrates progress toward their goals.

This week students are role playing scenes about bullying and relational aggression in preparation for a writing project. After each skit, the class discusses the issues of bullying that were reflected in the scene. Students are thinking deeply about the topic and asking probing questions. The role play and discussions are preparing us for our final poetry writing which is to draft a poem with emphasis on figurative language—metaphors, similes, personification and hyperbole—to express their thinking about the topic.

A fitting quote for our work this week:
“You don’t see something until you have the right metaphor to let you perceive it.”-- Thomas Kuhn

The discussions are also allowing us to pursue a new learning goal: Engage effectively in collaborative discussions (one to one, group, class), building on others’ ideas and expressing your own clearly and precisely. Effective collaboration includes:
·         Be READY for the discussion by having read the study materials
·         Reference the text during discussion
·         RESPECTFULLY pose question that clarify and probe the topic
·         Respond to others’ questions with relevant ideas.
·         Acknowledge new information and viewpoints.

Missing assignments such as the poems can and should be turned in asap. Due to the nature of reading logs—daily tracking, late logs will not accepted.

Susan Artkras - artkras.susan@wgmail.org

Math

This week students learned how to use the on-line math program (www.khanacademy.org).  This program has video lessons and practice problems on math concepts from elementary school to high school (Calculus). Students will use this on-line program and the Algebra/Geometry Enrichment Packets for homework.  And they will complete the 7th grade math book lessons in class.

Wilma Slaughter - slaughter.wilma@wgmail.org

Science

In Dynamic Systems Science the students’ activities have been focused around learning goal #2: I am able to describe the planet characteristics required for life. Today the Dynamic Scientists should have turned in the product they created for and have done their presentation of their planet research. As a scientific community we are using the GoogleCloud (www.wgcloud.org) for sharing and collaboration of research. Please ask your scientist what are their primary intelligence types and learning styles.
Universe Objects Unit Test is on Friday, 16 November 2012.
The links for the course websites are listed below.
Course Websites:
If you have any questions or comments please let me know.
Dynamic Systems Science – Coach Daniels
314-918-4603
 

Social Studies –
We have begun looking at India!  Students have the following goal, "You will be able to explain the impact of geography on the development of civilization in India."  The current classwork is Geo Challenge 3 (plus QAR), Google Earth - India, Reading Notes 13 Map.  Copies of all will be posted on Edline and will be due on Tuesday.  If the activities are not finished in class they should be completed as homework.
Grades have been posted on the Portal.  If your child has a missing assignment, they are welcome to still turn it in.  I am available for after school help every Thursday until 4:00 p.m.
The links for the course websites are listed below.
Course Websites:

Lisa L. Pettidpettid.lisa@wgmail.org
314-918-4602

Please visit the following links for more information:
Hixson home page - http://schools.webster.k12.mo.us/education/components/scrapbook/default.php?sectionid=7
Dr. Heisserer's blog - http://hixsonprincipal.wordpress.com/