We are Thankful!

Right before our Thanksgiving break, my students and I read the Grimm's fairy tale of The Fisherman and his Wife."  Once we discussed how fairy tales are different from the other selections that we have read, we read the story and created our own "magical" fish.  In the story the fisherman's wife wants more and more wishes because she is very selfish and unsatisfied.  We discussed how the story made us feel and what wishes we would ask for if we came upon a "magical" fish.  The students made their fish out of paper that they had graffitied on and we discussed how together, we made some beautiful fish.  The students had to pick three wishes, one for themselves, one for someone else and one for the world.  They also had to tell what they were thankful for.  I really was surprised and delighted at what they wrote.  I have posted some pictures of their work.  I am thankful to have such great students!! Ms. Hale

Courage

Every week, my Language Arts classes have to write a paragraph about a topic.  Topics are decided upon by which letter of the alphabet we have gotten to.  The first topic was Attitude, the next one was Beautiful.  This past week's topic was Courage.  We brainstormed about all about Courage and the students were on their own.  There were two really good paragraphs and I am posting them below.  I hope you enjoy them!    Don't forget to check back next week when I'll post some paragraphs about Destiny.  Thanks - Ms. Hale

Courage

by 

E. Jones

Courage is embodied by my dad.  My dad has a little bit of courage.  He is not afraid of snakes or spiders.  But he is afraid of me growing up and graduating.  I believe  that my father is the embodiment of courage.

Courage

by

J. Hernandez

Courage is embodied by police officers because they have to arrest criminals and they are brave because they could get hurt.  And fire fighters are brave because they know that someones life is on the line and they are going to help them.  But soldiers are the bravest because they leave their family to be surrounded by weapons and fight for their country.

WTAC Training

This Monday, the teachers of Childress went to a training at the high school about technology.  It was very informative.  There were many teachers from other schools and they had lots to share with me.  I really had a great time!

Attitude

Attitude

This week my students are working on Attitude!!  They are brainstorming about what they think of when they hear the word attitude.  These kids have really put some thought into this assignment.  I can't wait to read everything that they have written.  This is the first lesson of a series of assignments.  Every week they will write about some topic that starts with a specific letter.  This week is "A"  next week will be "B" etc.  I hope their parents will talk with them about attitude and what it means and what they think of it!!  I'm posting some pictures of them brainstorming, creating and writing.  Don't they look very studious?!

Smart Board Savy

My 7th period and 8th period Language Arts classes had a blast working on my starboard.  For our lesson this week, we have been studying adjectives, what they our, how we should use them etc.  The classes divided up into two teams and the team that came up with the most adjectives won.  There were a couple a questionable adjectives and when the boys couldn't use it in a sentence correctly, the girls won!! In 8th period the A team won by default.  Emily J. unplugged the computer by accident and the other team couldn't finish before the bell rang!  All in all the students had so much fun using this new technology!.

Ms. Hale

Wow What a Great Pep Rally!

We had a great Pep Rally today to rally the students for the football game this afternoon.  Unfortunately K.P. and I really weren't ready to sit down and be too serious so she is working on her Science on Study Island and listening to a little soulja boi.  She is absolutely hysterical.  She's flashing signs to me and everything.  I think she's trying to teach me a thing or two!

Reminder

Our Open House will be on September 16, 2008.  There will be a short technology meeting for parents from 6:00 - 6:30 in the CJHS cafeteria.  From 6:30 to 7:15 I will be available in our classroom to visit.  I encourage everyone to come and find out how great our school is!

Crystal Experiment

B.A. and K.P. and I created crystals last week.  We disolved a little bit of rock salt (the kind you use for freezing ice cream) into a bit of warm water.  We poured this solution into a pie plate and placed  the pan in the hot Childress sun.  We had to wait a whole day for the water in our solution to evaporate and reveal the growth of our crystals.  It was very interesting to see the change in our solution into crystals.  

Read!! (Please!)

The first week of school was really good.  I think everyone has settled into old routines when it comes to coming back to school.  One routine that my students haven't settled into is the habit of reading.  Reading is so important in every aspect of our lives, from reading a menu to picking out clothes to texting our friends.  Reading is everywhere!! So parents help me help your children and read something either together or just sit close while they read you something.  I promise it will make a difference!

Ms. Hale

This is a post from A.V.  She is in the 8th period Language Arts class and this post is about her best day ever. 

My best day ever was when I was with my grandma and my cousins at the salt lake. We threw sand at each other and played with the water and we got home we got on the computer for awhile when everyone took a shower because of all the sand they had in there shorts and shoes.   A.V.

What a Great First Day of School!

The first day of school has come and gone.  Everything went very well and I was so pleased with everyone's attitude and behavior.  I really feel that this year is going to be awesome!!  I hope everyone was able to find their classes without any trouble and I know tomorrow will be even better than today.  Don't forget book reports are due on Friday and I am looking forward to some great reading!  

Blogging Training 101

This is my very first post. I have just learned about blogging. This week all the teachers are attending training in technology and one thing we learned about was blogging.  This was so much fun.  I can't wait to have my students use this in the classroom.  The possibilities are endless.  I hope everyone had a great summer.  This picture to the left is a pre-historic buffalo that my kids and I saw at the Panhandle Plains Historical Museum in Canyon, Texas.  I am looking forward to a great year with lots of new experiences.  Check back as often as you can for any updates!