Newsletter A
September 15, 2012
Good morning:
I hope you all find time on this beautiful day to enjoy the weekend. I am writing my first newsletter of the year to say how much I am enjoying the year. I am constantly amazed at the brilliance of your children and want to simply say: hats off to you! You should all be very proud.
With that said, I also wanted to spend this first written letter running through a couple of things regarding class and this format. The items are as follows:
1. Contact Sheets
2. Volunteering Opportunities
3. Website Orientation and Update
4. Class Setups
5. Individual Class Updates
6. Hopes and Dreams
So let us begin:
1. Contact Sheets and Parental "Homework":
I'd like to thank all of you for turning in your contact sheets. I will look at your requests for communication preference and begin the process as of next week. For the "homework", I always encourage you to work with your child. As it is your child's growth that is the main concern, the suggested tasks functions only as a means for you to get involved if you wish and/or inform you of opportunities for gifted and/or academy students. From time to time, I will include pedegological readings that offers the theory behind a lessons. I will try my best to post upcoming events as well, including items that come from Parent Connections, testing schedules etc. Also, there will be a section dedicated to college planning, because, as we know, life moves fast and it can be hard to even be aware that an important deadline is approaching.
For communication purposes amongst yourself, I am offering a platform on wikispaces (see cohort under Newsletter).
Although much of this is in its infancy, the information on the site is a tool that you can use and, therefore, is as developed (or as underdeveloped) as your involvement.
Ultimately, there is no commitment, no dues, no expectations beyond the idea that there should be, can be, hopefully, will be, a one stop shop of information customized to your needs.
2. Volunteer opportunities:
I'd like to thank you again for completing the contact sheet in which many of you circled items regarding assisting either my class or the academy as a whole. This week, I have the goal of contacting you regarding your wants and availability. My first need is simple. I'd love suggestions / advice / editorship of this tab on www.demott.weebly.com . It could be a team in which one person gives overall suggestions, and another specifically collects meaningful information on colleges, for example. If interested, please feel free to contact me. As for academy volunteering, I will pass on your names to Ms. Gurley if you are interested in assisting in any way. Another quite beneficial way to assist is by joining the booster club. Again, I'll direct you to Ms. Gurley to point you in the right direction.
3. Website Orientation and Update
If anyone has not been following the changes to the website by signing in from time to time, that person might be surprised at the number of changes that took place. I am attempting to streamline information as best I can so that a parent and/or student can easily find out the homework due for the following class as well as the agenda that occurred in the most recent class. I've already attempted a couple of podcast (which will be included on this page), but I noted (alas, after the fact) that what I saw on my screen while recording was not the same as was being recorded. I will go back and revise the original orientation podcasts and try to keep them relatively short. Let's just call it a learning process.
Suffice it to say however, the website is set up so parents need only go to the newsletter tab, partners need only go to the collaboration tab, students need only go to their class tab (Media Analysis, English 9.5, Cre8tive Riting, respectively), and substitutes need only go to the sub tab. Please note that each tab has a "cover" site honoring various people. This serves a couple different purposes, one of them related to the Media Analysis class, another related to keeping updated on various events around the world. As best I can, I will attempt to update these covers based upon anniversaries and/or significance to course objectives. For anniversaries, the idea is to highlight something that took place within the month. For current events, the idea is to update the item by the start of the week.
On top of this, I would like to direct your attention to the updates tab (under newsletter) that should include any major changes that recently occurred on the site.
4. Class Set Ups:
After two weeks of class, I think students are getting used to a routine on how things operate in room 143b. All students have a WIP folder which they pick up at the start of class, and return at the end. All submissions that are typed go in this folder. If students have a different way to submit (perfectly acceptable, and in fact encouraged), they should write neatly on the folder itself the name of the assignment, the date of submission, and the place in which I can locate it. For example, if Judy emailed me an essay, I will do my best to respond with a short email. However, on the datedue, I ask that Judy also write the name, date and the word "emailed" on the folder. This will assist me in not having to remember who did what. Only when it is written do I consider it "turned in". Always in such cases, students should keep a copy elsewhere. Options for turning in include: paper copies (typed: Times New Roman, 12 font, double spaced, one inch margins), sharepointed versions (left in the students own inbox), emailed to me, put on a flashdrive and saved to the desktop by my desk (include assignment name, student name and block).
Students also have assigned seats for a couple of different reasons beyond the quick and easy attendance that comes from it. Firstly, students are assigned into groups 1,2,3,4,5 - often with variations of assignments; secondly, students are in virtual cohorts on the wikispace site so that they can work with students beyond the classroom; thirdly, each seat is assigned a specific computer when we have laptops. All of this information is on the bulletin board by the door. Students should follow the advice on the technology pointers regarding the use of technology. This can be found on the home tabs for each class (sorry, as of right now, still a work in progress).
5. Individual Classes (Weeks 1 and 2)
GMA-
WIP folders set up
Discussed how we receive information (Cultural differences in individuals, cultural divisions using Hofstede's dimensions)
Assignments included a look at 9/11 coverage around the world
Re-examined the iceberg model
Behind the scenes, I'm working on gathering mentors for groups regarding various campaigns: launch date October 1st.
Eng 9.5
WIP folders set up
Reading Charles Dickens Great Expectations
Groups working on looking at different narrative aspects of the novel, including group 1: characters, group 2: plot, group 3: setting, group 4 themes, gropu 5 vocabulary
LMC orientation
Held mini-Socratic Seminar on Themes
First essay (Class Themed essay, so each block has different questions) due and turned in. Criteria for essay listed on homework pages.
Upcoming - end of month test
LionsRoar
Newspaper still under construction; launch date after I meet with administration on expectations
Creative Writing
2nd semester class
Other
I will be on professional development on Wednesday September 19; although still in the building. Always look to weebly for updates.
6. Hopes and Dreams: This week, my hopes and dreams are simple. Finish setting everything up as stated in this newsletter; fix the errors made on the podcasts by rebroadcasting, and hope that you all have patience with me as the program develops over the course of the year.
Thank you, and again, have a great weekend.
EDM
Good morning:
I hope you all find time on this beautiful day to enjoy the weekend. I am writing my first newsletter of the year to say how much I am enjoying the year. I am constantly amazed at the brilliance of your children and want to simply say: hats off to you! You should all be very proud.
With that said, I also wanted to spend this first written letter running through a couple of things regarding class and this format. The items are as follows:
1. Contact Sheets
2. Volunteering Opportunities
3. Website Orientation and Update
4. Class Setups
5. Individual Class Updates
6. Hopes and Dreams
So let us begin:
1. Contact Sheets and Parental "Homework":
I'd like to thank all of you for turning in your contact sheets. I will look at your requests for communication preference and begin the process as of next week. For the "homework", I always encourage you to work with your child. As it is your child's growth that is the main concern, the suggested tasks functions only as a means for you to get involved if you wish and/or inform you of opportunities for gifted and/or academy students. From time to time, I will include pedegological readings that offers the theory behind a lessons. I will try my best to post upcoming events as well, including items that come from Parent Connections, testing schedules etc. Also, there will be a section dedicated to college planning, because, as we know, life moves fast and it can be hard to even be aware that an important deadline is approaching.
For communication purposes amongst yourself, I am offering a platform on wikispaces (see cohort under Newsletter).
Although much of this is in its infancy, the information on the site is a tool that you can use and, therefore, is as developed (or as underdeveloped) as your involvement.
Ultimately, there is no commitment, no dues, no expectations beyond the idea that there should be, can be, hopefully, will be, a one stop shop of information customized to your needs.
2. Volunteer opportunities:
I'd like to thank you again for completing the contact sheet in which many of you circled items regarding assisting either my class or the academy as a whole. This week, I have the goal of contacting you regarding your wants and availability. My first need is simple. I'd love suggestions / advice / editorship of this tab on www.demott.weebly.com . It could be a team in which one person gives overall suggestions, and another specifically collects meaningful information on colleges, for example. If interested, please feel free to contact me. As for academy volunteering, I will pass on your names to Ms. Gurley if you are interested in assisting in any way. Another quite beneficial way to assist is by joining the booster club. Again, I'll direct you to Ms. Gurley to point you in the right direction.
3. Website Orientation and Update
If anyone has not been following the changes to the website by signing in from time to time, that person might be surprised at the number of changes that took place. I am attempting to streamline information as best I can so that a parent and/or student can easily find out the homework due for the following class as well as the agenda that occurred in the most recent class. I've already attempted a couple of podcast (which will be included on this page), but I noted (alas, after the fact) that what I saw on my screen while recording was not the same as was being recorded. I will go back and revise the original orientation podcasts and try to keep them relatively short. Let's just call it a learning process.
Suffice it to say however, the website is set up so parents need only go to the newsletter tab, partners need only go to the collaboration tab, students need only go to their class tab (Media Analysis, English 9.5, Cre8tive Riting, respectively), and substitutes need only go to the sub tab. Please note that each tab has a "cover" site honoring various people. This serves a couple different purposes, one of them related to the Media Analysis class, another related to keeping updated on various events around the world. As best I can, I will attempt to update these covers based upon anniversaries and/or significance to course objectives. For anniversaries, the idea is to highlight something that took place within the month. For current events, the idea is to update the item by the start of the week.
On top of this, I would like to direct your attention to the updates tab (under newsletter) that should include any major changes that recently occurred on the site.
4. Class Set Ups:
After two weeks of class, I think students are getting used to a routine on how things operate in room 143b. All students have a WIP folder which they pick up at the start of class, and return at the end. All submissions that are typed go in this folder. If students have a different way to submit (perfectly acceptable, and in fact encouraged), they should write neatly on the folder itself the name of the assignment, the date of submission, and the place in which I can locate it. For example, if Judy emailed me an essay, I will do my best to respond with a short email. However, on the datedue, I ask that Judy also write the name, date and the word "emailed" on the folder. This will assist me in not having to remember who did what. Only when it is written do I consider it "turned in". Always in such cases, students should keep a copy elsewhere. Options for turning in include: paper copies (typed: Times New Roman, 12 font, double spaced, one inch margins), sharepointed versions (left in the students own inbox), emailed to me, put on a flashdrive and saved to the desktop by my desk (include assignment name, student name and block).
Students also have assigned seats for a couple of different reasons beyond the quick and easy attendance that comes from it. Firstly, students are assigned into groups 1,2,3,4,5 - often with variations of assignments; secondly, students are in virtual cohorts on the wikispace site so that they can work with students beyond the classroom; thirdly, each seat is assigned a specific computer when we have laptops. All of this information is on the bulletin board by the door. Students should follow the advice on the technology pointers regarding the use of technology. This can be found on the home tabs for each class (sorry, as of right now, still a work in progress).
5. Individual Classes (Weeks 1 and 2)
GMA-
WIP folders set up
Discussed how we receive information (Cultural differences in individuals, cultural divisions using Hofstede's dimensions)
Assignments included a look at 9/11 coverage around the world
Re-examined the iceberg model
Behind the scenes, I'm working on gathering mentors for groups regarding various campaigns: launch date October 1st.
Eng 9.5
WIP folders set up
Reading Charles Dickens Great Expectations
Groups working on looking at different narrative aspects of the novel, including group 1: characters, group 2: plot, group 3: setting, group 4 themes, gropu 5 vocabulary
LMC orientation
Held mini-Socratic Seminar on Themes
First essay (Class Themed essay, so each block has different questions) due and turned in. Criteria for essay listed on homework pages.
Upcoming - end of month test
LionsRoar
Newspaper still under construction; launch date after I meet with administration on expectations
Creative Writing
2nd semester class
Other
I will be on professional development on Wednesday September 19; although still in the building. Always look to weebly for updates.
6. Hopes and Dreams: This week, my hopes and dreams are simple. Finish setting everything up as stated in this newsletter; fix the errors made on the podcasts by rebroadcasting, and hope that you all have patience with me as the program develops over the course of the year.
Thank you, and again, have a great weekend.
EDM
Newsletter 3(Recorded September 14, 2012 )
Newsletter 2Navigating the Technology: Focus Weebly
(Recorded September 6, 2012 / 12:55) https://connect.odu.edu/p55qqkfq47i/ Newsletter 1 |
The Parent Connection |