Ms. Aviña - 8th Grade Core

In addition to the TCI textbook and the historical atlases in class, the assignment directions require you to use other maps.  Please check the "Moving West Info" maps section to use the links for the assignment.

Ok, my lovely sea-stars.  The search function is back--it was a new option that I had decided to try out this school year, but which I eventually removed because so many people were doing inappropriate or ineffective searches.  So many of you asked about it, that I've decided to give it another go.

It's back, but please be mindful in your searches:

Know the title of the item you're looking for...

• Searching for "study guide" will give you *every single one* on the site.
• Searching for inaccurate titles like "jackson poster" will not give you the results you want.
• After a couple of bad searches, don't immediately email me to ask me to send it to you.

Mrs. Vogel has been working for the past few weeks on organizing our latest Art Docent project.  The project is a wonderful dive into early American folk art!  Read more about the history and the project.

We are covered for helpers in all but one class--Core 2 from 10:30am to 12:00pm--and Mrs. Vogel has asked me to see if there are any other parents who might be available to participate in a supporting role.  Although it is short notice, if you are able to assist during that time, even for just 30-45 minutes, it would be a great help.

Please contact her at patpgv AT comcast.net

Mrs. Vogel is also requesting helpers for the pre-project prep session this Sunday afternoon at Nancy Rosenthal's house 18913 Hayfield Court at 2:00pm.

Again, we understand this is short notice, but would greatly appreciate any assistance you might be able to give.

Would you like to help out in future projects?  Please check out the landscape painting and Civil War photography activities at the Art Docent site.

From the recent listserv message:

Dear Redwood Families,

Attached is information about our Unity in Community projects that will begin in 2010.   There are  parent volunteer positions as well as non-profit organizations that homerooms have selected for your review.

Redwood wishes all of you a very restful and happy winter break.  School resumes on January 4th, 2010.

The attachment is available here.

EASY FUNDRAISING!!  Our homeroom has chosen to support the Special Olympics!  If you'd like to help out, please start by saving the "P&G Brand Saver" coupon section in your December 27th newspaper.  Over $88 in savings are available with the coupons, and Proctor & Gamble will donate 3 cents to Special Olympics for every coupon redeemed.  You can also sign up to receive their coupons electronically, but it's not clear yet if those also carry the Special Olympics Donation.

Looking for something new to do at lunch?  Come check out the drop-in embroidery club.  Starts next week!

Below are links to the suggestions all three classes came up with today, as well as a link to the ideas from last year's classes.

Enjoy!

2008 Ideas

2009 Ideas

If you're looking for the assignments for this unit or the outline for the Preamble Collage, take a look in the sidebar under "Constitution".  Each branch (legislative, executive, and judicial) will have its own folder, so be sure to take some time to explore.  Also available are info/links related to topics from the unit, as well as enrichment suggestions to start on early!

You may also want to check out the Five Freedoms Project.  Their focus is on First Amendment rights (speech, press, assembly, petition, and religion).  Take a look at their videos, too.

Even if you're only a casual user of Twitter, check out this article.  You could win money for college just for coming up with an amazing tweet!

from OpenEducation.net

Are you still new to the Twitter process? Ever wondered if that Tweet-texting your son or daughter was doing would ever amount to anything useful?

Well, now you just may see some possible value in what that college-age son or daughter has been up to. Given our love for all good things free, we could not help but point folks in the direction of CollegeScholarships where the site supporters are offering $14,014.00 in scholarships for the best in Tweeting.

Most people associate Labor Day with the end of the summer, patriotism, barbecue picnics, and family trips.  However lovely each of these may be, though, they have little to do with the actual history and meaning of Labor Day.  Check out the following links below to find out more.  If you're interested, try putting together an extra credit assignment of your own design based on what you find out.

Labor Day History:

• History from the Department of Labor
• Labor Day timeline
• May Day from Wikipedia
• May Day from the IWW
• History Channel info
• Origins according to About.com
• Origins according to PBS.org
• Images and info from the Library of Congress

Wearing White after Labor Day:

• Why not?
• ...according to Gossip Girl...
• Fashion faux pas?
• Rules for the rule
• Breaking the rule
• Other fashion rules to break

Labor Day Food Traditions:

• Recipes from the Food Network
• Labor Day Food Quiz
• Pinehurst, NC, festival
• Free food
• Thank you meal

Extra Credit?  You may recall that there are very few opportunities for extra credit.  However, you may want to consider making your own 50 States Notebook, which can be submitted for xc.

Thanks to everyone (all eight of you!) who brought in tissue last week.  As we near cold season, every little box helps!  Keep 'em coming :)

History textbook: Be sure to bring the brown TCI text to school each day.

Lockers: Get Core supplies/texts from your locker *before* coming to class--before school, at break, at the end of lunch.  Leaving during class to go to your locker can be a disruption, especially if many others need to do the same.  **This will negatively impact your conduct grade.**

Parent Questionnaire:  Please ask your parents to fill out the questionnaire.

• Click on the "Parent Questionnaire" link in the sidebar under "Forms & Useful Items"
• Complete the survey.  The information will be extremely helpful!