They are hard at work....RESEARCH!

We are two days into our time in the media center so that the students can collect research for their Multi-Genre Research papers.  So far the kids have only been allowed to research in books. They will have the opportunity to use the internet next week but I can't let go of book research, it's something I feel they will need.

It's a wonderful sight to see the kids huddled over their books, pens and pencils in hand, ipods plugged into their ears, learning about the influential people of the past.  BUT there was one boy who was so proud of how he was working he asked me to take a look...so a took a picture!

Have you ever seen a more organized library cubby?  Great job Ryan!

A Brand NEW Look

The last few days I've been obsessed with blogs - my own blog and the blogs of others.  Since I'm redoing our basement to make a playroom for our 15 month old son I've been subscribing to lots of DIY blogs.  While I was reading I came across this great website Shabbyblogs and was able to use their FREE and user friendly resources to update the look of my website. 

So from now on I think I'll be changing the look of my website often...FUN!

Blogging for myself

I just have to write that I originally decided to do this blog so that parents could check in and read about their child's class.  Now that I've been writing for a bit I'm realizing that I like to blog mostly because it gives me the opportunity to reflect on my teaching... and I like that!

So I'll continue to blog even if no one reads my posts - except for Pat - thanks Pat!

Multi Genre research papers

Every year my students seem to dread writing a research paper.  The task itself just seems so overwhelming and confusing to them.  This year I decided to try something different and my students are just beginning research for their "Multi Genre Research papers."  After introducing the assignment, I asked the kids if they felt this would be more interesting than writing a regular four or five page research paper and almost every hand went up.  That alone is a promising sign!

The multi genre research paper requires students to conduct research on a topic (this year they are researching influential people) and then they get to choose four different genres of writing where they will creatively use their research.  For example, they can write three, one page diary entries from the point of view of their influential person.  In these diary entries they must use facts that they find in their research as well as adding their own creative writing to the piece.  Any information that is paraphrased must be cited correctly.  Other choices are to write a newspaper article, a recipe, a poem, create an advertisement,  make a collage, create a political cartoon, write dialogue, or write  a "best" or "worst" memory.  The assignment is broken down into four sections that are worth 50, 30, 20, and 15 points depending on difficulty.  Citations must be correctly used throughout each piece.

In addition to the four genre pieces the students must write an introductory paragraph introducing their topics and explaining briefly why this person is or has been influential. The introductory paragraph is their thesis statement.  They must also have a notes page where they write why they choose each genre piece and how their choice helped them relay information about their topic.  The notes section gives the students an opportunity for a little self reflection.  Students must also have a table of contents page and a works cited page. 

The multi genre research paper requires students to meet all the same objectives as a traditional research paper such as understanding the difference between paraphrasing and plagiarism, learning how to use in text citations, learning how to use quotes, understanding how to research and take notes, and correctly using MLA format to write a works cited page. 

I'm really excited to see how the students progress as they work on their papers and I am in love with the idea of really and truly mixing research with creativity! This allows the students to incorporate their own writing voice into the pieces.

I'll post some great student examples from their papers once they are handed in!

Citation Machines

Coming soon to a connections classroom near you....the interesting...the dreaded...the necessary......

The Research Paper!

This year students will be researching a influential person in society.  However we will working on a "Multi - Genre research paper"  I think they're actually going to like this!!  We're starting this week so I'll let you know!

Student Led Confereces were a success!

Last week the Emerald team had student led conferences and they were a success!  The scheduling of the whole event was a bit tricky but it was certainly worth it after seeing my students interact with their parents in such a mature and professional manner.  Each parent came in for a 15 minute conference with their child.  No teachers were involved in the conference and the students were prepared to review their current progress in school with their parents.  The kids showed up dressed to impress in their suits, khakis, and skirts and the parents seemed pleasantly surprised when their children shook their hands, offered them a seat, and began to honestly discuss their successes and weaknesses in the classroom.  Almost every parent left with a smile and seemed happy to have had this opportunity with their kids.  Whew...I'm glad it's over and I'm glad it went well.  Since the first set of conferences went so well we're thinking of repeating the process in June so parents and students can take a look at their progression throughout the school year.  A few ideas to keep in mind for the next set of conferences are: 1) longer conference time  2) have more examples on hand to share with parents and 3) incorporate information from non core classes.  I have a google docs survey set up on my website for parents to give more feedback that will help us improve this process.

In addition to the wonderful conferences there was another amazing thing that happened during those two days.  We selected a group of 10 kids to serve as greeters at the door and check parents in and escort them up to the conference station where their child was waiting.  The greeters were amazing, innovative, and proved how wonderful 8th graders could be.  As a matter of fact we had many kids begging to be greeters the whole time!

It all started with the clipboard.  I chose one, very tall, very nice young man to be in charge of the clipboard and direct the other greeters.  He did a great job but the other greeters wanted to get in on the clipboard action too.  So, they held a meeting, on their own, and designated a time for each of them to be in charge of the clipboard.  Then they really starting putting their heads together!  They took over a white erase board and wrote a message just for parents coming to our conferences, which was the perfect greeting.  Then they noticed that parents were showing up early and were standing around waiting so they found nice comfortable chairs and set them up in the lobby so parents could sit and relax while they wanted to be escorted upstairs.  These 10 greeters were professional and thorough and knowing that they were in charge downstairs took a lot of pressure off of me and gave me the opportunity to do my job and monitor the conferences upstairs. 

These conferences proved that 8th grade students have the ability to be professional, think on their feet, and take charge when necessary.  Student led conferences gave them the opportunity to practice many skills that they will use over and over again as an adult.  I was impressed by their creativity and willingness to improve our original plan.  That was so amazing, the 10 greeters made spur of the moment changes that they KNEW would work.  They didn't ask a teacher if they could and they didn't think twice about it.  Those kids were confident enough to know that they were doing the right thing and they were so proud of themselves.  That was truly a proud moment in my Connections class!

Conferences

Happy Halloween!! As I sit here watching the leaves pile up on my yard and hearing the acorns pound onto the roof (I think it might be dangerous to trick or treat today) I'm thinking about next week. I know it's the weekend and I should just be focusing on the here and now but after seven years as a teacher I learned that in this profession where you are constantly planning ahead, it's impossible not to think of next week.

My students are excited and apprehensive for their Student Led conferences with their parents next week. Many of them are excited and I think that some are even a little nervous. I know that many kids talk to their parents about school but how often do you sit one on one with your children and have them give you detailed examples of how they are progressing in school, what their successes are, and what their struggles are in each class? Yesterday the students worked on their scripts and we talked about how to greet their parents when they come to the conference. The kids thought it was hysterical that they will be shaking their parent's hands when they come and offering them a seat and a snack. :)

I have a feeling that they are going to really enjoy the conferences and I hope that the parents also enjoy them. This is an opportunity for the kids to show their parents how they are growing and maturing as 8th grade students!