Middle Age Research, Progress Reports...

This past week we have been working in the computer lab as students researched topics of their choice related to the middle ages. You can check out our work at http://www.middleagesmrt09.wikispaces.com. The process we used is similar to the way that students will conduct their social studies CBA (click here for more info) in the spring as part of the way Washington state evaluates subjects other then reading, writing and math. I wanted students to conduct research by selecting a topic, posing questions, making inferences, searching with key words, evaluating websites, summarizing and citing sources.

Also this past week we had our last 15 day progress check before the end of the trimester on November 25th. I updated grades and changed all of the asterisks "*" that students may have had to zero's. This way they get a truly accurate picture of what their grade would have been if the trimester had ended this week. The good thing is that students still have about 10 days or so to make up any work or redo any tests. Because I want to have the grades finalized before parent conferences begin on November 20th, I have decided to make November 18th the last day to turn in work in my class.

Regarding conferences, I look forward to meeting with families on 11/20, 11/23 and 11/24. Conferences will run from Noon-3pm on Friday, Monday and Tuesday. In addition, we'll be offering an evening time on Tuesday from 4:30-7:30. I do have a question for you. The other teachers on the 7th grade team and I have been wondering whether or not to print out a paper copy of student' grades. Does it matter to you if you get a hard copy or is the online access good enough? Respond by clicking here if you read this on your email or by using the comment box at the bottom of this post if you are reading this on my blog.