Home Redwood Middle School This Week This Month Email me
 		Homeroom Literature Page
 Language Page
 History Page
 Parents Corner
 Blog

Archived Newsletters

January 8, 2012
October 17, 2011
August 22, 2011

News from Mrs. Hinkle's Core

January 8, 2012  

Dear Parents,

The first semester is already over, and the second semester is beginning. Semester report cards will be mailed home next week. Meanwhile, please do monitor your child's work and grades by logging on to Power School. Missing and late work is also shown there. Unfortunately, Power School crashed during the holidays, so grades are not updated. However, repairs are expected Monday.

Friday, January 13, is a furlough day and there will be no school. Martin Luther King holiday will be observed Monday, January 16.


What We are Studying

In history we have been studying imperial China, and will soon continue with Japan.

In literature, we recently finished reading the fantasy hero tale The Hobbit by Tolkien. This week we will read nonfiction before starting our next historical novel, set in samurai-era Japan.   

The next independent book report is due January 25. Students checked out library books in December.

You can always find out what we are doing by going to This Week in Core. To view longer term, please see This Month in Core, a Google calendar to which you can subscribe. It shows the whole year.


Sniffles

Tissue is an item that is not supplied by the school.  If every student brings a box, we should have enough for the year. Thanks!		 Our Next Big Project in Core 

This week, we will begin a long-term research project about the effects of poverty in the lives of children around the world. The essential question is, "How would my life be different if I grew up in a poverty-stricken country?"  My goal for students is the understanding that world poverty is often the accident of geography and politics. Children born into poverty face challenges (health, education, opportunity) that are nearly insurmountable, compared to the resources we take for granted in industrialized countries. An overview of the project and rationale is here.

This project will build skills in researching, evaluating sources, and organizing information. It will continue over about six weeks, and will be done entirely in class, unless your child needs more time to catch up at home. The finished products, a video and a research report, will be posted on the blogs.

We are using Noodle Tools, an online service that guides students to make a bibliography, digital note cards, and outline, while allowing the teacher to view and comment on the students' work. Noodle Tools is integrated with Google Docs. This means that students can compose and access their work from any computer via their Google Apps for Education account.


Just a Quote 
 
"This country will not be a good place for any of us to live in unless we make it a good place for all of us to live in."
(Theodore Roosevelt)

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."
(Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.)  
back to top

News from Mrs. Hinkle's Core

October 17, 2011  

Redwood Middle School Home Page Parents Corner Archived Newsletters This Week in Core This Month in Core Email me Blog
Dear Parents,

We're off and running!  The students and I are getting to know each other and work together.  We have had several tests, and the students are developing their writing skills through frequent writing.   

Nine-week progress reports will be mailed home the last week of October.  Meanwhile, please do monitor your child's work and grades by logging on to Power School.  Missing and late work is also shown there.


What We are Studying

We began with skills assessments and worked right away to develop skills of organization, reading, and writing, as well as learning to work together in a cooperative classroom.

In history we are learning about the legacy of the Islamic culture. From early Muslim scientists, the world has learned much about science and mathematics. For history chapter tests, I publish a Study Guide.  The one for Islam is here.

In literature, we are reading Beowulf, the first major piece of English literature. Beowulf describes the heroics of a great Scandinavian warrior around the year 600. The hero defeats two dreaded monsters, only to meet his fate against a third monster in old age.  

The second book report is due October 19.

You can always find out what we are doing by going to This Week in Core. To view longer term, please see This Month in Core, a Google calendar to which you can subscribe. It shows the whole year.		 Project Cornerstone: Empowerment 

During September, Redwood focused on supportive assets for students: caring relationships, adult involvement and support. During October, we are focusing on the cluster of assets related to empowerment. This includes a sense that the young person's efforts are helpful, appreciated and effective, and feeling confident about being valued. We hope the student feels, "I am important to the people in my life. I feel capable. I know how to make decisions that affect my life. I have a bright future."

Suggestions from young people:
  • “Applaud my efforts and successes.”
  • “Help me learn to solve problems and change things for the better.”
  • “Let me take care of things when I think I can.”


Sniffles

Tissue is an item that is not supplied by the school.  If every student brings a box, we should have enough for the year. Thanks!


Just a Quote 
 
"This country will not be a good place for any of us to live in unless we make it a good place for all of us to live in."
(Theodore Roosevelt)

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."
(Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.)  
back to top

News from Mrs. Hinkle's Core

August  22, 2011  

Redwood Middle School Home Page Parents Corner Archived Newsletters This Week in Core This Month in Core Email me Blog
Dear Parents,

Welcome to 7th grade! Thank you for sharing your child with me. I look forward to getting to know your student. Back to School Night is set for this Thursday, August 25 -- I hope to see you then. Meanwhile, would you like to know more about core? You're in the right place, the class web site.

What We are Studying

We begin with skills assessments and work right away to develop skills of organization, reading, and writing, as well as learning to work together in a cooperative classroom.

In history we are learning about the legacy of the Roman Empire. From the Romans the world has learned about such achievements as the dome and the three branches of government.  I'm glad we adopted Greek rather thanRoman mathematics, though!

In literature, we are reading Anne Frank, Diary of a Young Girl, a book which reveals not only the the pain of prejudice and war, but also how much all teens have in common. 

You can always find out what we are doing by going to This Week in Core. To view longer term, please see This Month in Core, a Google calendar to which you can subscribe. It shows the whole year.

 Beginning the School Year

As the school year begins, students and parents may wonder what to expect and how to do their best.  Research suggests that parental involvement influences their student's success.  However, that doesn't mean you have to do your child's work for him.  Simply show an interest.  I encourage you to be aware of what your child knows and is able to do.  Grades are not the only measure of learning.  Students should just make their best effort and let the grades fall where they may.  Harvard will not ask for your 7th grade transcript.  Learning is a journey, not a destination.  Enjoy the trip!

The Student Blog

The blog is designed for students to exercise their 21st-century skills in a digitally connected world. Web 2.0 isn’t limited to RECEIVING information; it’s about INTERACTING with information. Students will post writing and projects on their own pages, respond to others in the class, and save trees by going paperless! They will have frequent assignments on the blog. To protect your child, the blog is hidden from search engines, and only registered users may write.  You are invited to follow the blog feed and to comment on the blog.

Just a Quote
 
earth "Within the character of the citizen lies the welfare of the nation."
(Cicero)

 "The truest test of civilization, culture and dignity is character, not clothing."
(Gandhi)
back to top