I hope everyone had a restful and fun winter break. My family had a great break: lots of family, lots of video games, and lots of relaxing! Now that we are back, I am asking all of my humanities students to bring in their favorite childhood picture book to school by Thursday, January 8th.  I am planning a writing assignment and a visit to our own Avoca Community Preschool classroom.

I hope you all have a wonderful and relaxing winter vacation!

Keep reading! Everyone should have passed at least 1 Reading Counts quiz by Friday, December 19th. Stay warm!

Immigrant journals are due Friday, December 12. Students have been working hard on their journals, creating interesting and complex characters. Over the next few days we will be sharing our stories with the class. This weekend students should complete their “Fun with Homonyms” packet.  Stay warm and stay dry!

Plan on attending the Ellis Island Simulation Friday, December 5th. The starting time will be updated soon. The simulation will be taking place sometime  in the morning. It is an awesome experience for our 6th graders! Hope you can make it!

Students are busy working on their Immigrant Journals in Humanities. Immigrant Journals consist of three parts: The Decision, The Crossing, and Ellis Island. Each component will require a series of brainstorming questions, a rough draft, a self and peer edit, adult edit, and final draft. Please help your student with their journals. Final, completed journals will be due Thursday, December 11th. More information will be forthcoming.

With a landslide victory in both AM and PM Humanities, Obama wins for President! Thanks to my students for voting and watching student-created presidential ad campaigns. Encourage your parents to get out and vote tomorrow!

REMINDER: NO SCHOOL TOMORROW, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4TH DUE TO ELECTIONS AND TEACHER INSTITUTE.

See you all Wednesday!! GO AND VOTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here are some example pictures from the annual Ellis Island simulation-enjoy!

Howdy Partners! Students have chosen their presentation dates! Be sure to check in and make sure they are continuing their research and preparing their presentations. Have a good, loooong weekend!