Dynamic Dialogue 11/30/12

Good afternoon Dynamic Team,

Upcoming Events           Hixson Holiday House Tour, December 2^nd
                                         School Play, December 7^th
                                         7^th Grade Band Concert, December 11^th
                                        Winter Recess Begins, December 20^th
                                                                       

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:
4^th Period - http://www.edline.net/pages/Hixson/Classes/M330004
5^th Period - http://www.edline.net/pages/Hixson/Classes/M330001
6^th Period - http://www.edline.net/pages/Hixson/Classes/M330002
7^th 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 6^th.  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:
4^th Period - http://www.edline.net/pages/Hixson/Classes/M340001
5^th Period - http://www.edline.net/pages/Hixson/Classes/M340002
6^th Period - http://www.edline.net/pages/Hixson/Classes/M400002
7^th 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/

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!

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 21^st (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 Slaughter – slaughter.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.

https://docs.google.com/a/wgcloud.org/file/d/0B7lOsIXyNVFsMzg1bXZZd2ZqYU0/edit

Course Websites:

4^th Period - http://www.edline.net/pages/Hixson/Classes/M330004

5^th Period - http://www.edline.net/pages/Hixson/Classes/M330001

6^th Period - http://www.edline.net/pages/Hixson/Classes/M330002

7^th 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 –

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:

4^th Period - http://www.edline.net/pages/Hixson/Classes/M340001

5^th Period - http://www.edline.net/pages/Hixson/Classes/M340002

6^th Period - http://www.edline.net/pages/Hixson/Classes/M400002

7^th Period - http://www.edline.net/pages/Hixson/Classes/M400004

Lisa L. 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/

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 7^th 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!

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 7^th 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:

4^th Period - http://www.edline.net/pages/Hixson/Classes/M330004

5^th Period - http://www.edline.net/pages/Hixson/Classes/M330001

6^th Period - http://www.edline.net/pages/Hixson/Classes/M330002

7^th 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 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:

4^th Period - http://www.edline.net/pages/Hixson/Classes/M340001

5^th Period - http://www.edline.net/pages/Hixson/Classes/M340002

6^th Period - http://www.edline.net/pages/Hixson/Classes/M400002

7^th Period - http://www.edline.net/pages/Hixson/Classes/M400004

Lisa L. 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/

Dynamic Dialogue 11/2/12

Good afternoon Dynamic Team,

Upcoming Events:    Term 3 and Explo 2 begin on November 5^th

                                    Professional Development Day on November 6^th – No Student Attendance

                                    Grades mailed home on November 9^th

 

English –

This week students visited the library to browse the collection, check out books and read.

Sentence combining this week focused on compound sentences. Students are working with the FANBOYS (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) to join independent clauses in a way that makes sense and of course, punctuated correctly.

Our focus on literature has turned to figurative language—metaphors, similes, hyperboles and personification. Students are analyzing the ten poems we performed last week to find and identify the figurative language, explain the two things being compared, and then infer what the author’s intent was by including the figurative language.

Green reading logs are due on Monday. The Reflection piece of the log will be completed in class on Monday. Expectations for the personalized reading program:

·        Considerable evidence that the reader has an invested interest in setting "jus- right" personalized long-and short-term goals based on analysis of their reading data collected, self-interests, needs and readiness. Thoughtfully designates progress toward goals.

·        Reader has developed a detailed daily record of reading activities so as collect data directly related to their goals to monitor progress.

·        Reader summarizes experience, analyzes & evaluates the experience, constructs new learning about oneself as a reader with a commitment to application of the new learning

Susan Artkras – artkras.susan@wgmail.org

Math – 

In addition to learning the concepts in our math book (Variables & Patterns), I have also added a Geometry Enrichment Packet that will sometimes be assigned as homework. However, I encourage students to complete as many pages as possible in order to get a good understanding of middle school geometry.

Wilma Slaughter – slaughter.wilma@wgmail.org

Science –

In Dynamic Systems Science the students have diving into the “Final Frontier” – the Universe unit. They had 2 days of in-class time to research books or online resources their chosen inner and outer planets for their project. They should have completed the both of the Planet Profile sheets already. The students are creating a product: a poster, a pamphlet, a flyer, a digital presentation, a video, a song, etc.  I have been encouraging the students to develop their primary learning styles and intelligence types! The tail end of the week we have been working on goal # 2 “I am able to describe the characteristics a planet requires in order to support life.”

PLANET PROJECT IS DUE A WEEK FROM TODAY, Friday, 9 November 2012.

As we are talking about the composition of our atmosphere, we discussed the all-time record low barometric pressure from Hurricane Sandy at 943 millibars 25 miles to the southeast of Atlantic City on 29 October 2012 which beat the previous record set by the Long Island Express Hurricane in 1938 at 946 mb. I reminded them they could live the rest of their lives and not witness that low pressure again… they are living in historical times! 

Course Websites:

4^th Period - http://www.edline.net/pages/Hixson/Classes/M330004

5^th Period - http://www.edline.net/pages/Hixson/Classes/M330001

6^th Period - http://www.edline.net/pages/Hixson/Classes/M330002

7^th 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 in the process of wrapping up our look at Egypt.  Students turned in their Mummy Booklets on Wednesday, and many of them look really wonderful.  Students also voted in the National Mock-Election - which is leading to some interesting conversations comparing government in a democracy with that of an autocracy such as ancient Egypt.  Next Wednesday, students will have an open note quiz.  On Thursday we will begin India.

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:

4^th Period - http://www.edline.net/pages/Hixson/Classes/M340001

5^th Period - http://www.edline.net/pages/Hixson/Classes/M340002

6^th Period - http://www.edline.net/pages/Hixson/Classes/M400002

7^th 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/