Mr. Morgan Room 113: Monday, 9/17

Okay, so after some think-tank discussions with some parents I decided to try and reshape my calendar.

One thing students need to realize is that that Mrs. Culp and I are two separate teachers and neither of us really know exactly what the other has assigned. We also have two different mediums. My assignments are on the web. Culp's assignments are on the board.

It can be confusing I realize, but imagine what next year will be like when they have a different teacher for every class.

So, here's the expectation-- All students are to journal assignments from Reading, Social Studies, and Writing (Culp), in their agenda at some point during BCO. Mrs. Culp will be posting her daily agenda items in my room every day. My assignments will be on this blog every day at the very beginning of the blog, under 'Academic Calendar'. Below 'Academic Calendar', I will have another calendar titled 'The 162/Hayes', where I will put all other school-related events.

As always with my calendar, I will use red font to show items coming up the next day.

If there is any confusion, PLEASE, do not hesitate to contact me via phone, email, or in-person. I try and remain as transparent and as accessible as possible because I believe it creates a great classroom culture when parents, students and teachers are a cohesive unit.

Academic Calendar

Math I and Math II:    Pearson Assessment due Thursday,
                                  9/20.
Writing (Morgan):      Wordstudy Packet #3 due Friday, 9/21
Writing (Morgan):      Wordstudy Test on Friday, 9/21
Science:                    Thursday 9/20 and Friday 9/21 Fed Ex
                                  Day Presentations!!

The 162/Hayes Calendar

9/18                Practice OAA in the morning
9/21                PTA Fundraiser ends.
9/24                Student Council Campaigns begin
9/24                Nickel War Week
9/27                Student of the Month Breakfast – 8:30 am –
                       Cafeteria
9/28                Student Council Speeches – 9:30 am - Gym
10/2                School Picture Day
10/2                Interim Reports go home with students

Last Week's Champions

The Champions for this week are: Nathan Cr., Morgan, Holly, and Riley from the PINK group.

For those who may not know, students work in groups weekly. To bring some fun and friendly competition to our day, we compete in groups for points. Points are awarded for many different things, such as, test scores, answering questions in class, working great with your group; etc.

Champions are allowed to bring in small snacks the following week and a drink that isn't water. Both the snacks and the drinks have to be healthy (not necessarily carrots and muscle milk...more like popcorn and vitamin water). The only rule is....see below.

Peanut-Free Room

We have a number of peanut allergies in both mine and Mrs. Culp's room this year. Therefore, it is imperative that we do not bring in ANYTHING made of or near peanuts.

I know a lot of kids bring in goodies on their birthday and such, so I ask that you please keep everything 'peanut-free'. If not, we'll have to put a ban on all snack (for champions) and treats (for birthdays/special occassions).

Thanks for understanding.

Pearson Assessment from Week 4

Math I:
  Still, nobody has made it to the ranks of light green or green
  Top Score of the Week:    Luke, Emma, and Gage
  Top Scorer on the Year:   Sam

Math II:
                             Green:    Calista and Nathn Cr.
                     Light Green:    Nathan Ca. , Raj, Andrew P.,
                                             Kurt, and Fiona
   Top Score of the Week:    Nathan Ca., Nathan M. ,
                                             Veronica, and Kaitlyn
   Top Scorer of the Year:    Calista

Wordstudy (Writing Morgan)

Our scores on last week;s Wordstudy test were not good. Here are 4 online games that will help you learn the words.

http://www.quia.com/jg/2466555.html

In Class Today....

Math OAA (Reading OAA for those in Culp's homeroom):

For the entire morning and then 40 minutes after gym, lunch, and recess, we took the school-wide Math OAA Practice Test. The purpose for these tests is to give us feedback as to what our collective and individual strengths are in Math. It also shows the kids where they currently stand (Advanced, Accelerated, Proficient, Basic, or Limited) and it allows them to get used to the format and feel for the test. During conferences I will go over the results of the test with parents and give them a complete diagnostic of what their child is strong, average and weak in.

Science:

We did a lab on microscopes. I went over the difference parts of a compound microscope and the protocol for using one. Students then looked at 5 different objects under the microscope. They took turns putting things under the lens and then using the coarse adjustment and fine adjustment knobs to focus in. Whatever they observed they had to journal on a lab worksheet and then turn in.

Also, everyone who attempted the Rocks and Minerals game for extra credit (in regards to a quiz bump) will get the full 5 -points. For some reason the reports I ran for it, didn't tell me how you scored, just how long you were on. Only 4 of you did it anyhow, so I don't feel all that bad. :)

Pebbles, salt, yeast (both dry and then activated)

A picture I took of salt under the microscope.

Dry Yeast under the microscope.

Newspaper under a microscope....notice the dots are only red, blue and yellow...yet, when you pul back you see a vast array of colors.

ZThe higher the lens objective the higher the degree of difficulty of getting a clear picture. Students could only handle a 4:1 objective, and some a 10:1....even I have a hard time with the 40:1 lens-- but here I did it!! A great look at active yeast!!

My Weekend

Had a great weekend with my family. Went up to Indian Lake, watched the game, fished, and then came back Sunday and took Tristan to a basketball clinic.

Erikia (my wife) and Brooklyn walking into the Moose at Indian Lake to watch the OSU game.

Tristan playing a game or watching video on his kindle. Brooklyn, trying to annoy him the best she can.

Cooper, completely content with his goldfish crackers.

Tristan with former OSU and Dallas Cowboys running back, Michael Wiley

Tristan with former OSU and 9-year NFL veteran, Defensive Lineman, James Cotton.

After the CLOSE Ohio State victory, I went fishing on Indian Lake.

Kid's waiting at the dock to see what daddy caught......which was nothing. :(

"Did you catch one THIS big, daddy?"

Got back on Sunday and took Tristan to his basketball instruction. His coach (tall dude on the right) is Luke Terwilliger, Matt Terwilliger's brother. Matt played basketball for Ohio State and was on the Greg Oden team that went to the National Championship game.