Travis Roy, Katniss, and Changing Perspectives

So today we get to meet Travis Roy in our Lecture Hall from 12:40 to 2 pm. We've been learning a bit about Travis' experience and thinking about how his perspective must have changed about his life when he suddenly wasn't able to do all of the things he had planned. See his story here.

This idea ties in with what our students have been writing about Katniss Everdeen in Catching Fire. We are starting to see a difference side of our stubborn, hard-headed heroine, as being in the Hunger Games has changed her perspective on many things, especially when it comes to her relationships with the people around her.

People change throughout their lives, and their ideas on what or who is important changes, too. It isn't about being fake, it's about learning what is real and what is not, based on experiences that we have had or shared. Growing up isn't always just about getting older, sometimes it's about getting wiser, too.

We are writing a little bit about our point of view, and who and what can shape that perspective. Our students are on the verge of beginning what will be their grown up lives, and the experiences they have now will be the wisdom to make choices later in their lives. Changing perspective sometimes comes from hardship, and it isn't always easy. But if understanding and empathy and perseverance come out of those hardships, the experiences are well worth it.

Mrs. PHAIL-an.

Could I be worse?

So, in my eagerness to come see you guys after getting over my flu, I fell - FELL- down my icy front stairs, (you can laugh - feel free - I AM AN IDIOT-KLUTZ) and I am out of commission. AGAIN. For another day. I can't believe it, well, yes, I can. It hurts to move, to laugh, to cough, and that's about all I'm going to admit to.

I'll be in touch with Mrs. G and Mrs. Smith to keep you guys up to date, but we still need to do an Open Response, get through CF to Chapter 9 (MAYBE?), get Wordly Wise Lesson 5 done, Author's Purpose, an assembly about Travis Roy, and possibly a District Assessment before vacation. Can we do it?!

Maybe, if I can get my act together and not get hurt in some way or another. Okay, you can stop laughing at me, now.

Thursday is Open House, so I will make my way in there NO MATTER WHAT.

I miss you all. And I wrote back to everyone who wrote to me. Most of them are on my desk if you want to grab them, except for Ismael Diaz's, because it was in his vocabulary book.

-Mrs. P

Back and better than ever!

So after a little Thanksgiving turkey and some much needed rest, our students are back and better than ever. We recup'ed our day without me last Tuesday with a retake of the Wordly Wise Test for Lesson 3 & 4, so many students told me today how they prefer taking that test online, despite some tech difficulties with our dear old computers. I hope I see a definite raise in scores!

Do not forget that Wordly Wise Lessons are also online here:Starts you on Lesson One but check out the lefthand menu.

As part of my RETELL class, I have been looking at different types of Can Do statements for my ELL students and I thought I should post them - here is the link if you want to see some Can Do statements for ELL students in the progression of their learning. ELL Can Do Language Objectives

Also, we are going to start doing some work with some informal writing in the form of journals. This will become almost a daily practice as we work on creating excellent opening paragraphs, using sensory language, creating similes and metaphors, and improving our sentences.

Over the break, a bunch of students went out to see Mockingjay, Part One. Some were upset by how it left off for the next movie. I went with my son and daughter and we were shocked - SHOCKED - at what happened. I'm not saying anything to give anything away but...

OH MY GOODNESS.

Can't wait to start Chapter Three for Catching Fire!