Today our students will formally present the culmination of a over a month of work. They will have an audience of over 100+ people in the MPR which includes: the principal, vice-principals, counselors, psychologists, mainstream peers, family and friends. This is definitely a day to celebrate a great year. I just know you're all going to do great
May has arrived and our campus is going green. Usually that means being eco-friendly, but on our campus going green is about changing our school environment to proficiency (which is denoted by the color green on the data charts). Students are excited and nervous as the California Assessment approaches. I am looking forward to creating a streak as we will go year two of our students meeting their API goals. GO LOS ALISOS MIDDLE SCHOOL.
Can we be honest? I was so happy to be back to work. After the craziness of the holiday, Los Alisos Middle School brings back some sanity. This month we have started a program called "Quote of the Week". It is the brain child of Mr. Drew (para-educator) and myself. It is a writing project that introduces clever quotes that connect to the community, school, and students. The students really enjoy the higher thinking and learning about famous characters throughout the world. So far we have covered quotes by Martin Luther King, Jr., Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill, and even Manhandas Gandhi. Some samples of this project will be posted in early February.
"Play is the work of children. It is serious business.' Bob Keeshan Just got back from one of the best school events of the year. It is the the Winter Holiday Banquet. This school meal is hosted by the para-educators and teachers, but the real stars are the students. The banquet is held in order to give the students an opportunity to practice their social skills. To be more exact, they are to work on being polite and table manners. The students were dressed up. It's nice to see our boys in collared shirts, ties, and dress pants, but the girls took your breath away with flowing dresses, beautiful make-up, and curled hair. Nothing makes an instructor more proud than seeing the students growing in a positive direction. I couldn't have been more proud when I saw napkins on laps and chairs being pulled out for the girls. Smiles all around. What a great day for Los Alisos Middle School. Check out the slide show for some great pictures.
With Halloween done and the nightmare of having limited internet access is over, it's time to get back on track. This month students on logging on to Google Docs: (email: [email protected] / password: mrvernon). We are exploring the use of the word processing and presentation software. Surprisingly, the students catching on almost as fast as I learn and teach it. I love it when a plan comes together.
A computer with no internet is like having a house with no windows. There is nothing really to see. For most people, having no internet for a day is troublesome. ...for a week, a nuisance. It has been six, going on seven weeks and that is a definite challenge. Room 151 feeds on real-time current events to power the interest in writing projects. I believe we have managed well at half speed, but running at full speed brings power to our students writing and makes the subjects more relevant with our students, community and the world.
Wow!!! Last week was pretty hectic. Teaching the new 6th graders the new expectations for Los Alisos and my class was exhausting, but I believe they are catching on. Working with the new website program is simple enough, but I want something a little extra for all who are giving us a look. and that will take time. I am looking forward to implementing the some biography writing next month, tied in with inspirational quotes, and connections to the students lives. Students love stories and their are some amazing people to discover.
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