Feeling overwhelmed or confused about direct instruction. There is no need to worry! It sounds scarier than it is. Really, it will be very simple once you get used to the new program. The resources below may help.
This is the school letter addressing direct instruction: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EZ-scAmAR2DJzxUVpo3YuZXmGijRk3ztG8PwBG8fJMs/edit?usp=sharing
Here is the transcript of a video I'm posting in our Google Classroom for students (or just go to Google Classroom and watch the video):
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1H-bGE2yDZ9C7_HR5YkWL-DVG-zgYsYQQQgTX3NOoea0/edit?usp=sharing
This is the email I sent to parents and students on April 22: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1J0Kw4_RbeE6-EJQxbTx160Isos5oLqNc3zlvbusoMTo/edit?usp=sharing
And don't forget all the resources in the Virtual Learning section on the class website. There is also a Resource/Help section under "Classwork" in our Google Classroom.
Remember, required direct instruction doesn't start until Monday, April 27. You won't be able to access Edgenuity until then.
If we'd continued the rest of the school year in the building with in-person classes, the 7th and 8th graders would have read some fantastic novels. Just because we aren't together doesn't mean you can't still read them yourself. Below are some excellent resources if you want to go ahead and read those books (optionally) for your own individual enrichment. Enjoy!
The Outsiders (grade 8)
The Giver (grade 8)
Tuck Everlasting (grade 7)
I'll continue to find resources as I find them, but the audio books will get you access to the text and the book connection resources will include oral readings, author interviews, vocabulary, chapter discussion questions, book trailers, etc. The family guide will tell you not only what the book is about, but will also list some discussion questions to guide parents in discussing the book with their kids and some themes to explore (in the Talk To Your Kids About section)
The 8th graders also would have had a unit introducing them to The Holocaust. Our primary text would have been a play version of The Diary of Anne Frank (the play is in the textbook and can be accessed with the online book). Below are some resources for that text.
I'm sure you've all gotten the school reach call letting you know that we'll continue offering enrichment opportunities despite schools being closed for the rest of the school year. I'm so glad I'm able to keep teaching you!
Remember that on Google Classroom each week Mr. Foreman and I are posting several educational materials. These range from articles to analyze to work sheets, videos, suggested Study Island and Brain Pop skills, book discussions, and Quizziz links. There's something for everyone. Just click the Classwork link for assignments, and scroll through the stream page for updates and class discussions.
We're also testing out various resources that students/families can explore at their own pace. These can be found further down in the News section. I also have links to them in the Virtual Learning section of this page.
Please feel free to email me any questions you may have. You can take pictures or screen shots of particular parts of your activities that are causing you confusion; you can also share Google docs with me. My email is kpost@nccsd.org. Mr. Foreman can be reached at bforeman@nccsd.org.
Have a great rest of this week and I look forward to working with you on Week 3 of our enrichment education when we return from Easter break!
We've made it through the first week of online enrichment and review activities. I'm looking forward to seeing what we can do during week 2!
Comments and materials from week 1 will be removed from our Google Classroom to make room for new content. However, if you scroll down through the News section of this website you'll see a list of skills practice sites including those I posted in our Classroom and additional suggestions for independent practice. You'll also find a list of free reading resources, including links to free ebooks.
Finally, in week 1 the following books were suggested as excellent reading material to try. You may want to consider downloading them from the school library or another source.
Book Suggestions:
Eragon series
Percy Jackson series
Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children series
First Test
Small Great Things
Waterless Mountain
Have a great week! I look forward to working with you!
Looking for some free ebooks? Not sure what to read next? Want to take a practice quiz on a book you're reading? You're in the right place! Take a look through these resources and you're sure to find some great ideas!
Free Book Sites
Below I'm providing a link to Project Gutenberg, a collection of free ebooks (mostly classics). This would be a good way to challenge yourselves as readers. I recommend finding an audio version on youtube to listen to while you read, as these will be difficult but interesting texts. As I come across additional reading resources, I'll post them here where everyone can use them.
Another resource for free ebooks is Mrs. Barron's page. The physical library may be closed, but the elibrary is still up and running! She's also planning on posting links to author readings and events. For example, Laurie Halse Anderson is reading Fever 1793 aloud online! The link to Mrs. Barron's page for ebooks and updates is below:
J.K.Rowling has even put out some free ebooks, audio books, and resources! Check out details below.
The MyOn site has free books and articles. I've posted log in information in our Google Classroom for now. Mrs. Barron also has a parent letter that I'll be happy to share upon request. The articles come with slide shows, videos, fun facts, etc. I just checked out the article about Patagonia and loved all the resources that came with it!
There is a National Emergency Library available during the Covid-19 situation. It's not super user friendly, but it does have a TON of free stuff, some of it really old.
OverDrive works with public libraries to provide free ebooks to check out. You'll need a library card. If you don't have one, email your local library to get a free card number and PIN. OverDrive has a lot of books, and I know my library system (Seneca Library District: Marienville Area Library) has a lot of young adult and children's books in their set of books. I recommend going to your library's webpage and navigating to OverDrive from there.
I've made a guide to help you navigate both the Emergency Library and Overdrive. I can share it with you upon request.
Book Suggestions Sites
You may also want to check out one of these websites for book suggestions, book discussion forums, practice quiz sites, etc.
Goodreads (this is a book-based social media platform used by people at all ages, all over the world; it provides book suggestions and quizzes and lets you track your reading on virtual bookshelves, but students who use it will need to do so responsibly)
Newberry Award Winners Newberry Info-graphic(Great suggestions for YA reading books)
Read Brightly (a list of highly anticipated YA books being published in 2020--this is a great list for students who want the newest, trendiest book picks)
Series Suggestions (a list of popular fantasy and adventure book series for students who like to read books in a series)
Empathy Books (a list of suggested books for students who enjoyed Wonder)
April Books (Goodreads sends me a monthly email recommending trending Young Adult literature books. This is the April list of suggestions)
May Books (Goodreads Movers and Shakers list of YA Lit books for May)
Book Practice Sites
Quizlet (practice quizzes for books you've read)
My New Favorite Resource: Book Connections (includes audio excerpts, author interview videos, book trailers, vocabulary lists, etc. The link provided should take you to The Giver, a book that we would have explored together in 8th grade had we still been in school this May. There are many, many other books in this site as well).
I'll keep adding to this list of book related enrichment resources as I come across them, Check back from time to time for new ideas!
Have fun reading! Use the discussion thread in your Google class to discuss the books you choose to read and to see what others are reading.
It's been an exciting day. I'm so proud of all the students who are joining Google Classroom or requesting packets from the office! Well done!
I know you are probably a bit overwhelmed right now, but remember--each teacher has posted a week's worth of content for you to explore at your own pace. Maybe today is a reading day for you and tomorrow is math. Or maybe you do 1 assignment in each class each day. Maybe you work during mornings and take afternoons off. You and your parents/guardians will find a routine that works well for you.
For now, just a few reminders:
- Google classroom invitations were sent to your student email account. There are also links and codes on the class website. Anyone who is not able to join us in Google Classroom can call the office to request packets of practice content (pretty much the same things, just saved in a Google Doc for the secretaries to print as needed).
- This News section of the class website has a set of independent practice resources and another page of reading links (free books, Mrs. Barron's ebooks, book suggestion and quizzing sites, etc.)
- You can email me at kpost@nccsd.org and Mr. Foreman at bforeman@nccsd.org as needed. Now, you could email me at midnight if you want, but I won't be answering you then, sorry. I will, however, get back to you as soon as I can.
That's it for now. Explore. Discuss. Practice. Enjoy!
Many online skills practice sites are currently offering free trial runs for students studying from home. Some of these sites I'll make optional activities for in our Google Classroom. Others you're welcome to explore on your own. I'll add to this list as I come across additional resources.
Moby Max--you have accounts set up through Mr. Jackson. Feel free to explore the skills on your own. The Reading Skills sections are aligned with my class.
Study Island--your username is your student number followed by .nc (ex: 123456.nc). Your password is your initials followed by the last 4 digits of your student number (Ex: kp3456). See our Google Classroom for suggested skills and feel free to explore others on your own. We'll occasionally have a game tournament on Google Classroom.
Brain Pop--you can set up your own accounts for this by selecting the Free Family Trial option. In our Google Classroom I've suggested some particular skills, but you can also explore others on your own. This site includes language arts, math, science, social studies, and other subjects. It's a really awesome resource! It's got videos, flashcards, practice questions, etc. and lets you pick how you want to learn.
IXL--Mr. Jackson made you accounts for this. You can explore these skills on your own. It is recommended that you aim for an 80% or higher on a skill (proficiency). Take your time. I tested out a context clue set of questions and it was actually really interesting! I may suggest a few skills in our Google Classroom, but this site is pretty user friendly and easy for you to explore.
Studyblue.com--you can practice roots, prefixes, and vocabulary skills with the virtual flashcards on this site. You can set up your own account and explore on your own.
Activelylearn.com--I believe you can set up your own free accounts for this. You'll be able to explore skills on your own.
Pearsonrealize.com--you're welcome to read any of the passages in your online textbook and do any practice questions for them. Remember that each unit has at least 1 video as well, and we usually don't get a chance to watch the video in class. Explore and enjoy!
You can also just Google Search a skill you want to work on. There are tons of youtube videos, practice games, worksheets, and other resources available for free online.
I haven't tried these myself, but they could also be great tools to explore:
Hey there! Looks like you got a 2 week vacation! Woohoo!
While you're out, please stay safe and healthy.
I'll see you again soon! Enjoy your time off.
In light of the 2 week break announced by the governor, due dates and assignments are currently on hold. Students do not have any assignments during this 2 week break, but are of course welcome to continue reading for pleasure.
These YA books are recommended by Goodreads for the month of March. Check some out and let me know how they are!
All Our Twisted Secrets by Diana Urban
Dread Nation by Justina Ireland
This is My Brain In Love by I.W. Gregorio
Parachutes by Kelly Yang
Airman by Eoin Colfer (author of Artemis Fowl)
Also, this book series is brand new:
March Madness is in the air, and I'm not just talking basketball. Students are participating in a bulletin board competition to determine the best book series of the year. This competition will continue through March, with round 2 ending on March 16.
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