Homework

Homework

Hey Team

I posted this article yesterday on my twitter page.  It is a blog talking about homework for students.  It asks if you are assigned too much homework and wonders if it actually hurts student achievement.

Read the article and then answer these questions:

1. Do you agree with the article? why provide a specific example?

2. Do you work as hard as the students mentioned in the article (staying up late everyday and waking up early to finish) 
- How much time do you spend on work
- How much do you read on a nightly basis

3. Could your parents handle the work load?

4. Respond to 2 other students and challenge their assumptions on homework. 



http://www.huffingtonpost.com/vicki-abeles/when-homework-does-more-harm-than-good_b_4021926.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000003&ir=Education

Leadership and Motivation

Leadership and Motivation 

Check out this playful video on leadership and motivation.  

Use your critical eye and evaluate this video for its effectiveness!

Does this video inspire you? why or why not? Give specific explanation and evidence. 

Next, find another student with a different opinion and try to convince that student to agree with your evaluation.

Rebound - Scott

Rebound - Scott

Scott is Sean's best friend from last year.  The two students had plenty of fun and plenty of trouble in grade 7.  

Sean wants a fresh start in grade 8 but Scott has turned to smoking and tongue rings they seem to be on different paths.

Do you like Scott? Why or why not?

Who is a bigger problem for Sean? David and his short temper or Scott and his smoking?

Will Scott and Sean remain friends like they were in grade 7 this year in grade 8? Make a prediction.

Post your responses and then engage in debate and dialogue with 2 other students.

Rebound - Meeting David

 

 

 

We have met and seen David.  He seems to have a variety of traits (anger and joy) and seems COMPLEX.

1.  What are your first impressions of David? Do you like him? Why or why not.

2. Could you be his friend? explain why or why not. 

Post your responses and pick 2 others to have discussion with about David. 

Rebound Chapter 2

Rebound Chapter 2 - The Punishment

Chapter 2 was a eye opener to how we make judgements, use our bias, and make moralist stands while sitting at our desk.   

at our school desks we can be exceptionally self righteous 

1. In the real world had closely to Mr McCulley would you have responded to the fight?
2. Sean commented that people will see it "wrong" what does that mean and is this true?

Answer the 2 questions but also respond to 2 other people by commenting on there posts.  Ask questions and challenge their positions.  This should generate dialogue and bring out the real value in blogging.

Welcome Grads of 2014

Welcome to the Blog.

Lets get started...

1. You have to set up a Gmail account (do this with your parents)

2. With that email post a response on this blog post.  Create a user profile (your first name) when prompted. 

3.  In your first post response share your top 3 goals for your graduating year at BHJMS (Things to consider BAC, Sports teams, Valedictorian, Graduation Awards)  

Lets Get Blogging... 

#80BEE

Writing

Writing 

1. Copy out your best or favorite journal response from the month of May.

2. Peer evaluate 2 other responses (comment on: use of vocabulary, paragraphs/organization, punctuation and use of evidence.)

3. comment on 3 peer evaluations towards other students that your found to be most productive and helpful and describe why you thought so. 

at the end you will have minimum 6 posts 

Simple Ideas

Simple Ideas and Scientific Discoveries

Hey Team watch the video and post your comments.

What were you surprised to learn?

What information will you share with a friend or parent and why? 

Predict that next great scientific discovery 

Thursday May 23

Thursday May 23

English and Math 

 

The Gold Book

I got this powdered water - now I don't know what to add.

Journal Response 

1. Imagine you wake up and you are no longer in your own bed at home. Instead you are freezing cold, lying on your back and gazing at the stars. Slowly you stand and notice you are on a large ocean liner; its funnels clear against the moonlight. You turn to read the name on one of the lifeboats and your heart lurches; 'HMS Titanic'. Describe what happens next.

Share your best idea from the story you wrote but highlight where you got the idea from a book, show, movie, own imagination.  

The key component is understanding how we use our previous knowledge and memory to construct our writing.

Respond to 3 other students as well and create some dialogue back and forth about the thigs that influenced your story.  

Tuesday May 21

Hey Team,

Welcome back to the blog.

use the net books in class today to repost and share your journal response.

Is fashion a good thing, or not? How does fashion effect BHJMS middle school? Explain your answer.