Viewing: Class Updates
May 20, 2012
Avon Road Race
I hope any of you attending the Avon Road Race today have an outstanding time! I was planning on joining you, but I’m a bit “under the weather” today. If you go, feel free to log on afterwards and post a comment (below) to let us how how it was! See you tomorrow!
Posted in Class Updates|By Jon Moss
May 16, 2012
Thoughts about TBS
Today, we visited Thompson Brook School! Answer one or more of the following questions, and feel free to comment on other people’s responses in a kind, respectful way! Remember, no names!
- What are you most excited about and looking forward to at TBS? Explain why.
- What is one thing you learned about TBS today that surprised you. Explain.
- What concerns do you have about going to TBS? (I bet you’re not the only one! If you share, maybe you can help one another to feel better about this!)
Write your responses by clicking on the title of this article (where it says “Thoughts about TBS” above the top of the message) and then adding your comments at the bottom.
Enjoy! Remember, TUSS projects are due tomorrow with your program page!
Posted in Class Updates|By Jon Moss
May 15, 2012
TUSS Reminder
(The first in a series of student-written class updates!)
Our T.U.S.S. (Teach Us Something Somehow) project is due very soon! We all can’t wait to see your projects! We can’t wait to see what you have chosen for your topics and how you present it, it is going to be so much fun! Make sure your projects have tons of info so that we can understand what you are teaching us. Make sure you double check your work so that you don’t make any mistakes! Can’t wait till Thursday!
From 111 – 23 and 1112 – 10. 🙂
Posted in Class Updates|By Jon Moss
May 15, 2012
Symmetry Practice
Tomorrow, we will review our recent work about symmetry. To practice, try playing any 3 of these symmetry games. No need to print anything – the honor system works fine!
http://www.softschools.com/math/geometry/symmetry_game/
Click your mouse on one dot to start a line segment and on the next dot to end that line segment. Create the matching shape.
http://www.softschools.com/math/geometry/symmetry_game/draw_symmetry/
Try drawing a mirror image with your mouse.
http://www.innovationslearning.co.uk/subjects/maths/activities/year3/symmetry/shape_game.asp
How many lines of symmetry can you identify in each shape?
http://www.haelmedia.com/OnlineActivities_txh/mc_txh4_001.html
Try the “Create a Pattern” option to make a symmetrical image.
Posted in Class Updates|By Jon Moss
May 14, 2012
TUSS Home Stretch
Just a reminder: The TUSS projects are due on Thursday along with the program page. If you would like to download an editable copy of the program page to type in your responses, you can download one here. The final progress reports were due this morning. Please be in touch with me if there are any final questions. (I may not be able to reply to all messages if I receive a dozen all at once on Wednesday night.)
Posted in Class Updates|By Jon Moss
May 9, 2012
NTS: Wednesday’s Homework
Tonight, we have a new forum on our class website. First, log in. Then, click on the book cover of Number the Stars to the left of this post. This will take you to the forum page. Your assignment tonight is to comment on AT LEAST TWO DIFFERENT TOPICS. These comments should be your own ideas, not just reactions to other people. (It’s ok to add posts that comment on other people’s messages, but you ALSO need two posts that show your own thoughts.)
Posted in Class Updates|By Jon Moss
May 8, 2012
How do I login?
I have made an account on our website for each student. This will allow you to comment in our online discussions and have your ideas appear under your unique account. It’s also safer this way, because once everyone’s account is working, I will turn OFF the ability for people without accounts to comment on our site. That way, only we get to have these discussions.
Here’s how to remember your login information. Your username is “1112 – your class number” and your password is your last name LOWER CASE. So if we had a student named Mary Smith and she was #25, her username would be 1112 – 25 (notice that there are spaces before and after the dash) and her password would be smith. (Again, don’t capitalize any letters of your last name. If your last name has a space in it, enter it without any spaces.)
I know this means that you all can figure out how to log into each other’s accounts. The purpose it not to keep your accounts secure from each other, since I trust you all, it’s just to limit who can comment in our discussions. I’m trusting you to be honest and to login only as yourself. (I can see where people’s comments come from, so I’ll know if you’re using someone else’s login information!)
If you have any issues, please email me.
Posted in Class Updates|By Jon Moss
May 8, 2012
NTS: How would you feel?
4:05pm update: I figured out that the filter on the website that automatically blocks junk mail (called spam) was marking all your messages as spam. I’ve turned it off. However, for safety reasons, I changed the settings so that you cannot post WITHOUT logging in. Remember, your username is “1112 – #” (like 1112 – 21) and your password is your last name. If you are having issues with your login, use the backup account I just made. The username is “student” and the password is also “student”. But it seems that everyone’s login information seems to be working well! Huzzah! 😀
When Jaime came to visit us today, we talked about Ellen and Annemarie’s friendship. Jaime read an excerpt (a passage) from the book in which Ellen and Annemarie were playing outside. In groups, you made tableaus of their first day of school, the girls at a birthday party, the girls racing, Kirsti coming home from the hospital, and the school play. Clearly, these girls are the best of friends. BFFs! Toward the end of the activity, Jaime shared one other key detail: Ellen was Jewish, and Annemarie was not. You started to learn about how Jews were treated during the Holocaust. Knowing that, put yourself into Annmarie’s position to answer the following question:
If you were Annemarie, how would you feel about being friends with Ellen? Explain.
READ THIS CAREFULLY!
- Click on the name of this article: “NTS: How would you feel?”. It’s in a green box. That takes you to the page that shows you JUST this article.
- Below these directions, you should see a form called “Leave a Reply”. If you DON’T see it, click on “Add comment” in the orange box to the right of this article.
- If you are successfully logged in, you won’t need to enter your name or email address or website. If you are not logged in… Where it says “Name” put ONLY your class number. For privacy reasons, you MAY NOT post your actual name. If you do not follow these directions, your comment will be REMOVED. This is for your safety.
- If you are not logged in… Enter nothing in the “Mail” box.
- If you are not logged in… Enter nothing in the “Website” box.
- Type your prediction in the box and AFTER YOU HAVE PROOFREAD YOUR RESPONSE, click “Submit Comment.”
- In addition to sharing your prediction with everyone, consider commenting on someone else’s comment by submitting a NEW comment (steps 1-6 again) and referring to someone else by NUMBER. You can write something like “I like what you had to say, 25. I also think that being friends with Alf would be hard since he lives all the way on planet Melmac. I’m not sure my mom can give me a lift over!”
Posted in Class Updates|By Jon Moss
May 7, 2012
For Parents: Number the Stars
Parents, please click “Read the rest of this entry »” to read a message from Mr. Moss. Kids, NO PEEKING! It would spoil Number the Stars for you! Your homework is below this, in the next article.
Posted in Class Updates|By Jon Moss
May 7, 2012
Predictions about Ellen
Update at 4:53pm – Before posting your ideas, read what your classmates have already shared. Perhaps you’d rather comment on someone else’s ideas! We’re having a great discussion! I’m so proud of you all! I like that you’re being respectful of each other’s ideas!
Today, Jaime from The Hartford Stage came in to introduce us to Number the Stars. She pretended to be a character, Ellen, from the text. Based on how she dressed, walked, and talked, you were able to make some predictions about her character. Tonight, think about what you saw and heard, and create a Character Snapshot of Ellen. (We have Character Snapshots at our Writing Station.) Describe how you think Ellen looks and acts, and also think about what her personality traits and chatacteristics might be, based on Jaime’s portrayal. Here’s how! READ THIS CAREFULLY!
- Click on the name of this article: “Predictions about Ellen”. It’s in a green box. That takes you to the page that shows you JUST this article.
- Below these directions, you should see a form called “Leave a Reply”. If you DON’T see it, click on “Add comment” in the orange box to the right of this article.
- Where it says “Name” put ONLY your class number. For privacy reasons, you MAY NOT post your actual name. If you do not follow these directions, your comment will be REMOVED. This is for your safety.
- Enter nothing in the “Mail” box.
- Enter nothing in the “Website” box.
- Type your prediction in the box and AFTER YOU HAVE PROOFREAD YOUR RESPONSE, click “Submit Comment.”
- In addition to sharing your prediction with everyone, consider commenting on someone else’s comment by submitting a NEW comment (steps 1-6 again) and referring to someone else by NUMBER. You can write something like “I like what you had to say, 25. I think that Ellen might definitely be an alien from the planet Melmac and she might know Alf.”
Posted in Class Updates|By Jon Moss