Room 136 on the Web

Summer Suggestions

Mr. O'Neil — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 00:46:03 +0000

Greetings,

If you are looking for resources to minimize summer “brain drain” I suggest that you check out this web page at the Teachers First web site.

On another note, the Common Core State Standards for language arts require that sixth grade students be able to produce three pages of writing at a keyboard in one sitting. One online journaling site that I highly recommend is Penzu.

The default settings for this site absolutely locks down your writing. The only way others can read or comment on your student’s writing is if they change the privacy settings. Very private. Very safe.

Enjoy your summer!

Wednesday, June 12

Mr. O'Neil — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 21:45:22 +0000

The last day went by quickly and all were excited to begin their summer vacation. The last official word I heard was that report cards will be mailed out Thursday afternoon.

I hope everyone has a safe and restful break and that most of you will pop into the classroom next year to say Hi when you’re seventh graders.

Enjoy the summer!

Tuesday, June 11

Mr. O'Neil — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 00:11:16 +0000

We had an enjoyable morning running the annual Mega Relay, and as an added bonus, my first hour homeroom made it to the final heat this year. Alas, it was the “bad” luck of the draw that had us running two heats in a row. It was a tired group that had to compete in the final runoff. Very proud of the kids!

Social Studies – I have two maps that were handed in with NO NAMES. If your student handed in a map and their grade is showing NHI on the portal, they must see me first thing tomorrow morning! I will NOT be making adjustments to the grade book after 8:15 based on phone calls or e-mails.

Exploring Logic – We watched Part II of Searching for Bobby Fischer. We will wrap up the school year by watching the finale tomorrow.

Half day tomorrow! Hours 4, 5, and 6. Sixth graders who do NOT ride the bus are dismissed at 11:03. NO BACKPACKS! All handbags and baggy clothing will be searched at the doors on your way in. I’d go with simple shorts and a t-shirt for a hassle-free morning.

Monday, June 10

Mr. O'Neil — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 23:38:27 +0000

Social Studies – Class did not meet due to Barrymore’s trip, however, the Map of the Continents assignment was due this morning. This was explained in excruciating detail to all classes on Friday. Students had to bring the maps to my room before going to their first hour class.

Exploring Logic – Class did not meet due to Barrymore’s trip

Thursday, June 6

Mr. O'Neil — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 18:59:30 +0000

Social Studies – Our last assignment of the year is a map of the continents. We will work on this in class today and tomorrow. Anyone not finished by the end of class tomorrow can finish up over the weekend and hand it in on Monday. I made a short extra credit assignment available to the students. It is due at the beginning of class tomorrow.

Exploring Logic – A brief introduction to the movie Searching for Bobby Fischer. We will view the film over the next three class periods and that will finish out the year for us!

Monday, June 3

Mr. O'Neil — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 23:49:59 +0000

Social Studies – Took the Ch. 26 (Rise of Democracy) vocabulary quiz and started the note packet for Ch. 27 (Two City-states, Athens and Sparta). This will be our last chapter of the year and there will be no test. I still have to finish scoring the Geography Challenge for Ancient Greece and then grades will be final.

Exploring Logic – Last assignment is due on Wednesday and last week’s corrections are due tomorrow. We will look at some chess variants this week and begin viewing the movie, Searching for Bobby Fischer, on Friday.

Friday, May 31

Mr. O'Neil — Fri, 31 May 2013 22:16:03 +0000

Social Studies – A very disjointed day with disruptions for awards and the ice cream social. We managed to get the preview done for our next and final chapter on Athens and Sparta. Monday’s vocabulary quiz will be multiple choice. The only way to do poorly on this one would be to ignore preparation completely.

Exploring Logic – Chess set design and Mate-in-One assignments were collected. Free play Friday!

Thursday, May 30

Mr. O'Neil — Thu, 30 May 2013 19:40:01 +0000

Social Studies – Students took the information they created yesterday during the Processing activity and input it into an online form. Results can be viewed here, and by clicking the temporary link in the left sidebar. There will NOT be a test on this quick chapter, but the vocabulary quiz will be on Monday. Students will NOT have to write their own sentence. As always, students can use the Quizlet flashcards to help memorize definitions (see tab above).

Exploring Logic – Chess set designs and Mate-in-One assignments are both due tomorrow!

Thursday, May 23

Mr. O'Neil — Thu, 23 May 2013 13:48:49 +0000

Social Studies – Tests were returned and discussed. We have reached the point of the year where I pick and choose material to cover before we leave in June. We started the chapter on ancient Greek democracy. There will be no chapter test, but there will be a vocabulary quiz on a date to be determined. Students worked on vocabulary squares in class today. If they didn’t finish, the definitions are available on the Quizlet flash cards (see tab above).

Exploring Logic – As students have become more confident and familiar with the game of chess, it has allowed us to analyze game strategy more deeply. Today we examined chess positions to determine whether or not to exchange material.

Friday, May 17

Mr. O'Neil — Fri, 17 May 2013 19:25:58 +0000

Social Studies – Processing activity collected. We reviewed the student note packet in great detail, and students had ample opportunity to add to what they’d already included on their own. The Guide to Student Notes link has been posted, and the chapter test has been moved to Wednesday because I won’t be in the classroom on Monday (yes, more school improvement work). We’ll review in class on Tuesday and start the next chapter.

Exploring Logic – Challenging class as students had to combine writing down their moves with using a clock. A lot to juggle the first time you try it! Everyone did a fabulous job. Corrections were due.