Happy 2007! I hope you made the most of your time off. I had a very relaxing time and I am ready to enjoy the rest of quarter two.
A few items of note: conferences were not completed before the break so if we didn't meet please don't feel left out. I am scheduling them this week (and next if necessary). I know schedules are tough, but it is a good time to really check in and ask a lot of questions and reflect on the start of this unusual year.
Also, I am going to ask all families in advising to take on the planning of ONE Friday activity for the class. I have found that over time it is difficult to have our outings be fun and interesting for the kids, educational, community-building, and fit within the budget when only one person (me) is doing all of the planning. There are some trips that we will certainly take for service learning experience (Dignity Village, Food Bank, Cycling Center, Humane Society etc.), but it would be wonderful to see what you folks can come up with...at least send me your ideas and I can do the footwork.
There are only 5 weeks left of the term! Projects are underway in advising and many things coming due this week in other classes - see list below - and please ask your students about what they are working on in advising. There is also an all-school project fair coming up in February. It would be nice to see some of the work of this quarter refined to show up on display for that event...more details soon.
That is it for now. Watch for emails, check this site, and feel free to ask anything as we go along.
Kirk
Tuesday, January 2, 2007
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
What's New?
Hello,
Conferences continue this week. I know that they are difficult to fit in and some may have to wait until after break (we have progress reports, test scores, independent projects and more that we could talk about). Quarter 2 is up and running and many students are settling into Trillium and the self-led, project-based model...but it takes time.
Some things coming up in my classes:
Writing = workshopping the first assignment continues and it will be due JAN. 2nd, 2007. Also Trent Retallack will come in this week and involve some middle school students with his class downstairs in the intermediate.
Modern Music = a discussion prompt assignment was due yesterday, and there is a chance to turn it in and continue the work on Wednesday. Project choices will be conference on this Wednesday.
Drama = scene work continues. Individual work throughs of every scene on Thursday. Due the week of our return (Jan. 4th)
Songwriting = First performance round this Wednesday!
MS literature = assignment has been given, all book choices due. In-class work happening now with an assignment to make rough draft of project due Jan. 3rd.
Graphic Novels = class is going great. Two assignments coming up. Rough draft of first due on Jan. 2nd.
Advising = Independent projects, class meetings, constitution review and current events taking up all our time! Due dates are individualized.
That is it for now. I will try to attach a newsletter to this site this month. Please email with any questions you might have: jkirke2001@yahoo.com
See ya soon,
Kirk
Conferences continue this week. I know that they are difficult to fit in and some may have to wait until after break (we have progress reports, test scores, independent projects and more that we could talk about). Quarter 2 is up and running and many students are settling into Trillium and the self-led, project-based model...but it takes time.
Some things coming up in my classes:
Writing = workshopping the first assignment continues and it will be due JAN. 2nd, 2007. Also Trent Retallack will come in this week and involve some middle school students with his class downstairs in the intermediate.
Modern Music = a discussion prompt assignment was due yesterday, and there is a chance to turn it in and continue the work on Wednesday. Project choices will be conference on this Wednesday.
Drama = scene work continues. Individual work throughs of every scene on Thursday. Due the week of our return (Jan. 4th)
Songwriting = First performance round this Wednesday!
MS literature = assignment has been given, all book choices due. In-class work happening now with an assignment to make rough draft of project due Jan. 3rd.
Graphic Novels = class is going great. Two assignments coming up. Rough draft of first due on Jan. 2nd.
Advising = Independent projects, class meetings, constitution review and current events taking up all our time! Due dates are individualized.
That is it for now. I will try to attach a newsletter to this site this month. Please email with any questions you might have: jkirke2001@yahoo.com
See ya soon,
Kirk
Sunday, December 3, 2006
Testing and More
Hello,
Testing begins this week and some of the class schedule will be modified to accommodate the big job. We decided to test English and writing in related class times, so the students will be in a familiar setting to that subject matter. All math and science testing is done in math and science class blocks leaving advising as a time to make up testing time.
Also, please contact me about a conference in the next two weeks before break. We will have progress reports and all of Q1 to reflect on, as well as talk about adjustments and hopes for the rest of the year. If all goes well we might have some test scores to look at...
Students have Monday to finalize their add/drop forms for their new Q2 schedules. I am requiring that the parents sign off on their choices. If you have not seen or approved your student's schedule, please let me know and I will pull it up for you. I would love to know that you had in on the choices and commitments they made for this term.
Look to the class section of this blog for added syllabi and even due dates and modifications as the quarter goes on. Talk more soon!
Kirk
Testing begins this week and some of the class schedule will be modified to accommodate the big job. We decided to test English and writing in related class times, so the students will be in a familiar setting to that subject matter. All math and science testing is done in math and science class blocks leaving advising as a time to make up testing time.
Also, please contact me about a conference in the next two weeks before break. We will have progress reports and all of Q1 to reflect on, as well as talk about adjustments and hopes for the rest of the year. If all goes well we might have some test scores to look at...
Students have Monday to finalize their add/drop forms for their new Q2 schedules. I am requiring that the parents sign off on their choices. If you have not seen or approved your student's schedule, please let me know and I will pull it up for you. I would love to know that you had in on the choices and commitments they made for this term.
Look to the class section of this blog for added syllabi and even due dates and modifications as the quarter goes on. Talk more soon!
Kirk
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