Wow!  The end of the year is fast approaching.  We are in the middle of our Wax Museum Project, last one of the year.  I’m enjoying watching the students research in the library and computer lab.  They are already finding graphics for their posters and creating text to support their wax museum presentations on May 21.  Third hour students will present from 9:35 to 10:05.  Period four will present from 10:15 until 10:50.  Ask your student for the time of their presentation.  They should get a slip on May 17 reminding them of the time.

I have just purchased with a wonderful PTSA grant the book, Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortensen.  It is about his work establishing schools, especially for girls, in the mountainous outback of Pakistan.  It is an amazing and inspiring story of adventure and courage.  I will be inviting students who want to read the book to come in during lunch for a weekly discussion of one quarter of the book. 

Please feel free to add your comments below about books you are reading.

This week I am posting the schedule for the remainder of the year.  Students have many exciting end-of-year events to look forward to. 

Friday:  April 23:  Students wil receive their Wax Museum assignment with a packet.  They will Review Legends, Folk Tales, Fairy Tales and Extended Responses to prepare for the district test.  They will also view the video made by author See Lan Samantha Chang on her folk literature.

Monday:  April 26:  Students should return the Wax Museum assignment signed by their parents and sign up for their top 3 choices.  They will review briefly for the district assessment and then take half of the district test.

Tuesday:  April 27:  Students will review for the test and write in the library.  If they finish their testing early, they can browse for new books about the Twentieth Century figure which they are presenting for the Wax Museum, or find other books of interest.

Wednesday:  April 28:  Students will take notes over research techniques, receive an excerpt from their summer reading assignment and be assigned their Wax Museum person.

Thursday:  April 29:  Students will be researching in the library.  This is the first of three days, so students should start by jotting down a K/W/L to clearly state what they need to know about their personalitly for the Wax Museum.

Friday:  April 30:  Institute Day – No School for Students

Monday:  May 3:  Research in the Library

Tuesday:  May 4:  Research in the Library (3 pages of notes are due)

Wednesday:  May 5:  Research in the computer lab (2 sources required)

Thursday:  May 6:  Research and composition in the computer lab.

(Status of the class check for 5 pages of notes on the required note paper. Samples of this page are in the packet for the Wax Museum.)

Friday:  May 7:  Students will begin composing their posters for Wax Museum.  See the sample in the packet.

Monday:  May 10:  Continue poster composition in class.  Write the speech for the Wax Museum presentation and begin memorizing it.

Tuesday:  May 11:  Continue poster composition and speech practice in class.  Students who complete these tasks may be enjoying their independent reading or helping other students.

Wednesday:  May 12:  Half Day SIP Day  Students may take the Explore Test on this day.

Thursday: May 13: Students will continue poster composition and 3-4 students may present their speeches and posters to the class.

Friday:  May 14:  Six Flags Trip  6:15-9:30 p.m.

Monday:  May 17:  Complete posters, speeches and request costume help as needed.  A few students may be ready to present to the class for a final grade.

Tuesday:  May 18:  Students present to their classmates, their speeches, their posters and costumes if available.

Wednesday:  May 19:  Complete poster presentations and speeches.

Thursday:  May 20:  Dress Rehearsal during Periods 3 and 4.  All students should have their props and/or costumes ready and in class. Students in reading class 1, 2 and 6 will be assigned to Periods 3 or 4 for presentations.

Friday:  May 21:  Students will present their Wax Museum for the school and parents during Periods 3 and 4.

Monday:  May 24:  Half Day SIP Day  Awards Day Ceremonies- students will receive various awards for their accomplishments.

Tuesday:  May 25:  Students may bring an autograph album or their yearbook for signing.  On team for 2 periods and the entire 8th Grade signing will occur later in the day.

Wednesday:  May 26:  Hessel Park Picnic and Games Day.  Students walk to Hessel Park with sack lunches.  Promotion Practice in the afternoon during periods 8 or 9.  (The exact schedule may be subject to change.)

Thursday:  May 27:  Promotion at 9 a.m. in the Edison Auditorium