Almost Halfway There

Well, the start of the school year certainly has gone by quickly.  In fact, 2011 in general has flown by.  I still don't understand why as a kid time seemed to drag, and now that I am an adult it flies by.  This by far has been the quickest year I have ever experienced. 

The first half of the school year has brought about many of the same headaches as past years.  I seem to have less and less instructional time with my students.  There are still 35 students in my room 7th period.  The paperwork, not related to my teaching, continues to pile up.  These issues are not unique to me, my school, or my classroom.  I'm sure I could talk to any teacher and my complaints would be their complaints.  This is part of education and I know I just have to "grin and bear it."

But, despite the above headaches, the best part of my day is my time with my students.  I have enjoyed getting to know this group of students.  I think the best moment this year was one of my students making the basketball team.  He was really nervous, and not so confident, so to hear he made the team and to see the excitement on his face when he told me was priceless. 

There are big things happening in the 7th and 8th grade come January 2012 when we have a kick-off assembly for the 1st Annual "Dash for Dignity."  This will hopefully be a life changing experience for our students and their families.  Stay tuned for updates as we continue to plan and implement.

One Grade - One Book Update #4

The book project was a well received by the Roehm 8th grade students and their families.  I appreciated the fact that so many families were willing to participate in the reading of Touching Spirit Bear, and work through the packet to support and check their understanding of the novel.  Below are a couple of links from one of the 8th grade families reading time.

Family Reads #1

Family Reads #2

Once the book had been read we readied as a school to welcome author of Touching Spirit Bear, Ben Mikaelsen.  Mr. Mikaelsen talked to our students about becoming the author of their lives, and how to develop characters and be descriptive in their writing, during two writing workshop presentations. His author presentation talked about how he was bullied throughout his life and as a result became a bullying himself.  However, he described in detail for us what saved him from a life of bullying and harassment, both as a bully and target, his writing and his love for animals.  Overall, 300+ students had the opportunity to listen to and meet Mr. Mikaelsen.  He ended his day with us by signing the students copies of Touching Spirit Bear.  It was most certainly an exciting day for our students and staff. 

One Grade - One Book Update #3

We're past the half way point of our family literacy component for the One Grade, One Book project.  It's been a pleasure getting to know the families through the "Check Your Understanding" comprehension questions that the students turn in every week.  For example, one student went so far in one answer to record how each family member responded.  I appreciate the fact that the entire family is a part of this project, including the student, his mother and father, and his older brother.  What a great time spent together as a family.

As we approach the end of the family piece, we are beginning the classroom one.  Our students have been introduced to several databases to use for their research paper, and will begin researching early next week.  The final pieces to our project will come after testing week and will include a visit from the author of Touching Spirit Bear, Ben Mikaelsen; the creation of anti-bullying public service announcements; participating in "Challenge Day"; sponsoring a "PINK OUT"/anti-bullying pledge signing day; and creating a new committee at Roehm to make sure the progress they started will continue into the 2011-2012 school year.

Before spring break, the students packed a souvenir bag for Ellen DeGeneres, and WKYC, education reporter, Kim Wheeler and mailed them.  We are still waiting to hear back from them. 

Here are some pictures from our project.

Packing the souvenir bags

 Packing the bags #2

 The bag sent to Ellen

One Grade, One Book... Project Update #2

The 8th grade is less than a week away from kicking off our, One Grade, One Book Family Literacy/Project Based Learning Project.  It's hard to believe something that began in August, with the writing of a grant, is about to officially launch on March 14th.

The past couple of months have been spent securing the souvenir bags and its contents through the ordering of various commemorative items.  The bags will be stuffed with a personal copy of the novel, Touching Spirit Bear, by Ben Mikaelsen, a silicon bracelet with the project based learning project motto - "we're not gonna take it", and a packet of helpful notes and questions to guide the students and their families through the reading process.  There is an active Moodle page, devoted to this project for students and their families, and a Facebook group.  A couple of sample t-shirts for our "PINK OUT" culminating activity, have been ordered and delivered.

Finally, we present our project in its entirety to our 8th grade parents/guardians on Thursday, March 10 @ 7:00PM.  There is a sense of excitement amongst the staff as we work together to give our 8th grade students a memorable last year at Frederick Roehm Middle School.

One Grade - One Book Update #1

When I set out to begin blogging - I thought no problem I can put a couple new posts out a week and keep everyone in the loop about the happenings in Room 210.  HA - what a fool I was!  It's been a couple of months since my last post.  I guess it's not that easy once the school year picks up and shifts into high gear. 

I'm happy to report the year is flying by and as an 8th grade we are approaching some pretty exciting times.  The students turned in their high school course selection sheets on Friday.  Today we began our third week of the second semester, and the 8th grade is about to embark on a project based learning adventure.  Our 8th grade PBL includes a family literacy component, and multiple mini-research projects on a very important topic - bullying.  The ultimate goal/objective of this project is to have our current 8th grade students leave a little gift to next year's Roehm Raptors in the form of a board of education approved anti-bullying policy. 

Next year, Frederick Roehm Middle School will be a 5-8 building.  In order to ease the minds of parents/guardians who will be sending their child/children to Roehm, we have decided to take a proactive, hands-on approach to make sure our building is a welcoming environment where children can "achieve dreams they never imagined possible."

The first of several project presentations was given this morning to the 8th grade E/LA department, and Roehm's leadership team.  Tomorrow evening the project will be presented to Roehm's PTA, and Wednesday morning to the rest of the 8th grade team.  By the end of this week I hope all major participants are on board with this important and unique opportunity.  It is my plan to use this blog as place to post updates on the projects progress.  This will be a major learning opportunity for all participants.