Tar Heel Teachers

Sunday, July 13, 2014

Explore the Common Core Writing Project (SVMS Summer Assignment)

South View Middle School has "graduated" our Summer Project to the next level.

Summer is finally here – a time for our kids to have a break from school and spend more time with family and friends. Studies show the summer is when our students are at risk to lose some of the skills they learned during the school year, so let’s make sure they can continue to focus on learning during this crucial period.

According to the Common Core State Standards, it is necessary to provide clear and consistent learning goals so students can prepare for college, career, and life. With students, parents, and teachers all on the same page and working together toward shared goals, we can ensure that students make progress each year and are prepared to graduate from high school, to succeed in college, career, and life.

South View Middle School is mandating that all students start the 2014-2015 Academic School Year prepared to succeed. The process will begin this summer with the Explore the Common Core Writing Project. Each student assigned to South View Middle School is required to submit an argumentative research paper. All papers will be based on a current issue throughout our global society.

The Informative YouTube Video below provides a comprehensive overview of the project.

The topics will align with one of the four core subjects or one of the elective courses:

Speak Out or Not? Do Bystanders Have a Responsibility to Intervene When There is Trouble? Is it alright to be a whistleblower?
Accompanying Article - http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/04/23/do-bystanders-have-a-responsibility-to-intervene-in-crimes/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0

Should Reading and Math Be Taught in Gym Class Too?
Accompanying Article - http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/02/20/should-reading-and-math-be-taught-in-gym-class-too

Should Scientists Try to Help People Beat Old Age So We Can Live Longer Lives?
Accompanying Article - http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/12/03/should-scientists-try-to-help-people-beat-old-age-so-we-can-live-radically-longer-lives/

What is More Important: Our Privacy or National Security?
Accompanying Article - http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/09/17/what-is-more-important-our-privacy-or-national-security/

Do you think a healthier school lunch program is a lost cause?
Accompanying Article - http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/10/10/do-you-think-a-healthier-school-lunch-program-is-a-lost-cause/

Do we need art in our lives? Should viewing art be part of every child’s education? Does it make us smarter or expose us to new ways of seeing the world?
Accompanying Article - http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/11/26/do-we-need-art-in-our-lives/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0

Are You Distracted by Technology?
Accompanying Article - http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/11/02/are-you-distracted-by-technology/

A full-fledged argumentative essay is the expected outcome. The students will be responsible for citing sources that were used while doing some background reading to become more familiar with the subject.

The process should resolve in a Seven Step System:

Choose A Topic from the List Above
Gather Information
Organize Information (Outline Optional)
Draft Essay (2 Pages plus Bibliography; Each student must cite at least 2 sources)
Peer/Parent Evaluation (Please refer to the Rubric on the back on this document)
Proofread
Publish/Present

An all-inclusive outline can be found at the following link: http://teacher.scholastic.com/scholasticnews/magazines/scope/pdfs/SCOPE-011011-REPRO-19.pdf

Here is the rubric that we will utilize for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders: http://svms.ccs.k12.nc.us/files/2014/06/Summer-Writing-Project-Rubric.pdf

Please visit Tar Heel Teachers (tarheelteachers.blogspot.com) for additional updates in the near future.

Friday, July 11, 2014

6th Graders Explore/Tour UNC-Chapel Hill!

My Alma Mater served as the location of our 6th Grade Trip!

Being a student at UNC-Chapel Hill was one of the most rewarding and challenging experiences of my entire life! I learned so much while I was in college. Therefore, I devised a field trip that would allow me to expose my 6th Graders to an important aspect of my past (making connections) all while planting the seeds for their future college careers (making preparations).

All year, we discussed college through various thematic units and projects, which provided a strong foundation for the trip. You can read about these initiatives by visiting these posts:

When we first arrived, we conducted a tour of the campus. It was actually a comprehensive scavenger hunt. This aspect of the trip allowed us to utilize various reasoning skills.

After the scavenger hunt, we traveled to The Carolina Basketball Museum. The students were very excited about this portion due to the renown reputation of Carolina's basketball team.

Next, we went to the Ram's Head Dining Hall for lunch. We had 100+ individuals in our party so we were not able to all seat together. I was so proud because the students handled themselves with an enormous amount of grace, and we received a great complement regarding student behavior. I was told that the food was better than Golden Corral's.

Lastly, we visited the Morehead Planetarium for a show. My students spent a fortunate at the gift shop. I should have worked out a deal to have a percentage donated back to our school! Next time!

All of this was possible for the low price of $20 per student. I was adamant about keeping the costs reasonable and fair so we could have as many students to attend as possible. I knew that this trip could/would be a life-altering experience.

A takeaway from this trip is the need to have a student videographer for any field trip. This approach allows you to capture the field trip from the perspective of a student. Before you judge the footage, remember my videographer is only a 6th Grader!

Scroll down to check out photos and videos (6-Part Series) from our educational excursion! Wear your 3-D glasses when watching the videos:)

In the last video, you may have noticed that I was winded behind the camera. I had to temporarily leave the group in order to retrieve a tablet that one of my students had left in the Student Union. When I went back over 3 hours later, the tablet was still in the same spot! Thank goodness, and there is still good in humanity! I was out of breath because I was trying to catch up with everyone who had zoomed off in a bus while I had to trek across campus on foot...just like old times!

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

The Proctor War

A proctor is typically required during high-stakes testing.

A month before End of Grade Testing began, I created a new initiative at my school (South View Middle) entitled The Proctor War. In years past, we have had a tremendous amount of trouble securing proctors (individuals who help to monitor students and teachers during standardized testing). One year, we had to start our EOGs approximately two and half hours late because we did not have enough proctors! I knew that it was essential that we tackle our proctor issue from a very creative standpoint so I devised The Proctor War.

The Proctor War was a variation of the popular fundraising technique, The Penny War. My school had successfully implemented The Penny War when we were raising money for Reading Rocks (our local Walk-A-Thon to secure funds for books). Since the students were already familiar with the basic premise because of The Penny War, I knew that it would be an easy process to get them on board with The Proctor War.

The Proctor War was a grade-level competition to see which grade-level could secure the most proctors. The grade-level that delivered the most proctors would receive three nonuniform days after testing as well as an end of year celebration. These incentives were for students and teachers.

Since our school adheres to a uniform policy, we can get our students excited about almost any initiative if we dangle nonuniform days in their little faces. Plus, nonuniform days are CHEAP incentives! This outline encouraged students and teachers from each grade level to reach their goals by working in unison.

In an effort to reward the individual student who accumulated the most proctors, we offered a $25.00 Gift Card to Zaxby's. This added incentive energized some students who wanted to get their hands on that gift card!

For accounting purposes, we counted the number of days that an individual could proctor. For example, my grandmother would count as three proctors if she agreed to participate on the 5/28, 5/29, and 5/30. 6th Grade would receive three points. However, 6th Grade would only get one point if she only showed up on 5/28. We had verification forms/sign-up sheets on testing days in an effort to keep things legitimate.

I worked very hard to spread the word about The Proctor War. I made connect-ed calls to our parents, I made special announcements at our chorus & band concerts, and I provided weekly updates on our live broadcast to keep the students and staff informed. Additionally, I was able to mobilize the community by attracting several civic and church groups. As hard as I was working, the students and other staff members were working just as hard to get the job done!

After all of our hard work, my 6th Grade team won the competition! However, we were all winners because we were able to start our testing on-time each day because we had more than enough proctors!

Our 6th Graders received three nonuniform days, and we took them outside for an splendid ice cream social.

The 6th Graders teachers/counselor/administrator enjoyed a delicious catered meal from Zaxby's. This luncheon allowed us to connect before departing for summer vacation.

All in all, the process was very fun and rewarding. We probably would not have secured enough proctors if we did not turn the search into a competition. I am definitely looking forward to next's year's war!

Thursday, July 3, 2014

The Operation Inquiry Indoor Picnic

The program for the Operation Inquiry Indoor Picnic.

The Operation Inquiry Indoor Picnic was held on Thursday, April 3rd. The event was conceived to celebrate the Operation Inquiry Projects/Products. Each of my students (who presented) received two tickets to the event.

Mr. Chalmers McDougald (City Coucilman of Fayetteville - Representing District 4) kicked off the evening with a rousing charge to the students. His speech was well received by the attendees. I was so grateful that we were able to secure him!

After the city councilman's address, we listened to Mariah Carey's inspirational ballad, 100%. I wanted the students to hear this song because of the powerful lyrics. It is important that each of us give 100% in all endeavors.

Jason's Deli catered our event, and 100% of the catering costs were free to my school. The delicious restaurant donated 60 meals, and I had corporate sponsors for the other 170 meals needed!