A New Week

It is hard to believe that we are starting another new week. Our opening devotions included a passage from the Psalms about God as our shelter. To ease into the day, each student shared what he/she did this weekend. We also talked about what qualities we look for in a "good" teacher. Mrs. Grubisic came in to discuss with students the yearbook. She wants input from 8th grade students; this is"your" book. Students are to bring in baby pictures.
The new vocabulary words for the week were introduced: 10 words plus 3 bonus. Students then wrote for 10 minutes in their journals any thoughts that flowed through their minds (stream of consciousness). This paved the discussion for Hemingway's style of narrating the old man's thoughts in the boat. Students were surprised how busy their minds were in such a short period. One student noted the connection of her thinking: one thought sets off another thought. Students shared textual quotes that revealed the old man/fish growing relationship in The Old Man and The Sea. I also pointed out some passages that symbolize a christ-like figure in the old man. Students feel this book is not on their top 10 list. I expect as a teacher they will revisit this novel, and uncover new layers. One student did realize the writing was dense. Are you saying, a literary gold (or taconite) mine? Students were given questions to guide their reading as they complete this novel. They had about 30 minutes of time to read and/or work on vocabulary that is due on Friday.

6th Grade Math students were asked to rework problems from p. 23 that needed to be corrected. Also students were given a double-digit multiplication work sheet. Most students finished the majority of problems in class so they had the benefit of my support; the remainder needs to be done at home. Students are required to show their work. We are doing better with correct placement of numbers in the multiplication process.

7th grade students are working on charts to show the layers of the earth: crust, mantle, core. The other side of the chart will show the continents/countries and their placement. They were given classtime to work on this.

FYI: 6th grade World History students have one more day to complete their hunter/gathered visuals. Ask your student what he/she is doing. We have some good work to share on Wednesday.

"For He will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent, and he will set me high upon a rock." Ps. 27:5 Let us be encouraged and hold fast to His promises.