August 29, 2005
Language Arts 7th grade
Build up for Set 27-2
Download file
Language Arts 6th grade
Build up for Set 3 columns C and D
Download file
Math 76 7th grade
Some of you have corrections to do.
Math 65 7th grade
Math 65 6th grade
Lesson 12 Number Lines
Social Studies
Complete student created study guides. QUIZ ON WEDNESDAY 8/31
Posted by Krodman at 03:22 PM
August 28, 2005
Two and a half weeks into the year, I find myself wanting to remind parents and students that success in school is greatest when study at home is being done as well. Many students have difficulty with the task of spelling especially when the words are randomly assembled in groups that don't relate to each other. Many teachers group words by content area. My approach is to group words with similar phonetic components. This allows students to see patterns in the words. When they learn the patterns and similarities, spelling the assigned group of words should be easier and will lead to generalization of this pattern in their everyday assignments. That is after all our goal...generalization of skills across the curriculum.
On Mondays, students are given the spelling list and assignments for the week. Thursday's assignment is always to study for the test on Friday; however, this cannot truly be the only day that study is done. Please encourage your son or daughter to spend 5 to 10 minutes each night on the spelling words. (Knowing how to read them and understanding them is important as well.)
Here are some tips for studying the words:
Write each word multiple times.
Trace the word on a textured surface like their pant leg, carpet, sandpaper, or table top.
Air write the words. Extend the writing arm straight out in front and place the opposite hand on the shoulder of the writing arm. Make large letters in the air.
Make up chants, cheers, or raps to help remember the most difficult words.
Say the words into a tape recorder and listen to them.
Use modeling clay to form the letters.
These study methods employ multi-sensory techniques which will help students remember the words. Muscle memory is the strongest type and will help students the most. After all, have you ever forgotten how to ride a bike even though it might have been years since you've done it?
Posted by Krodman at 10:04 AM
August 25, 2005
This is the entry that Dr. Tyson wrote to explain how to subscribe to the RSS feed for this blog or any other.
How to Subscribe to MabryOnline.org through RSS
If you feel clueless as to what this is all about, you should read:
1. this general overview of our site, and then
2. read this easy-to-understand post on blogs and RSS,
and finally, read this page. ( «Oh, those were links for you to click on and read first if you feel the need.»)
OK, we can do this. Really! First, let's all get on the same page.
Mac Users Start Here (Windows folks jump down to the section, "Windows Users (& Mac Users if you want to) Start Here")
If you are a Mac user using OS 10.4 this couldn't be any easier.
* Keep this window open (so you can read it), and open a new browser window (Go to [File] and down to "New Window") then navigate to http://MabryOnline.org
* In Safari, your browser, you see a little blue RSS icon on the right hand side of the MabryOnline.org URL. (If you don't see it, and you are on the main page for MabryOnline.org, then you are not using Safari on OS 10.4 (known as Tiger) and will have to go to the Firefox section of these instructions.)
Blue RSS Feed Indicator
* Scroll down to the bottom of the main MabryOnline.org page you just opened, and click on Dr. Tyson's Desk.
Tysonsdesk
* Once you arrive at my blog, click on the little blue RSS icon next the the http://mabryonline/blogs/tyson/ url. It looks just like the one pictured above.
* A new page appears that looks very different and has the URL: feed://mabryonline.org/blogs/tyson/atom.xml. Drag the icon just to the left of the word "feed" in the URL down to your toolbar.
* In the little window that appears, give it a name you will remember, like "Dr. Tyson's blog."
* You're done. To read my RSS feed in the future, just click on the name you assigned it in your toolbar. Do you see why I love a Mac?!
To view your RSS feeds, simply click on the name (in the tool bar) you assigned it. You can get fancy and organize them. It's easy. Let's do it.
Organize your Safari RSS Feeds:
Most people don't organize their bookmarks very well. HUGE mistake. Let's take just a couple of minutes now to save you time and frustration later.
* Click on the tiny open book icon on your tool bar.
* Click on Bookmarks Bar in the left hand column that appears.
* At the bottom of the page you see 2 plus signs, "+".
* Click on the one on the right. No, the other right.
* Name this folder "[your student's name]'s Teachers Blogs."
* In the list on the right of the window you see the name you assigned to my blog when you drug it's icon down to the toolbar. Drag the icon next to it (and each feed url that you put on your toolbar) into the folder with your child's name. Look at your toolbar. Nice, isn't it. Notice, it will even give you a total count in the toolbar of the new posts you have yet to read! Do you see why this is outrageously cool!
Posted by Krodman at 03:48 PM
August 24, 2005
Missing addend problems tend to confuse students. Using the following self-talk will help students become more comfortable with this type of problem.
First, in an addition (or subtraction) problem, where is the largest number found? (In addition, it's on the bottom; in subtraction, it's on the top.)
Second, does the problem give me the biggest number?
Finally, if I have the biggest number, subtract. If I don't have the biggest number, add.
Rule to remember: Adding gives bigger numbers; subtraction gives smaller numbers.
Posted by Krodman at 02:51 PM
This activity is designed to give students experience with organizing data for scientific experimentation. It will be the last activity we do in our study of the use of science skills and the Scientific Method.
Posted by Krodman at 08:14 AM
August 22, 2005
Shurley Method rules! Any student in the sixth or seventh grade will be able to say that that sentence is an example of an exclamatory sentence. This week, we will review the jingles for sentence, verb, noun (6th and 7th), and adverb and adjective in 7th. We will begin to mark parts of speech in sentences also. Sixth graders will take the Performance Series tests on Tuesday and Wednesday. We have a busy week ahead.
Posted by Krodman at 02:06 PM
August 18, 2005
Now that we start school in the beginning of August, these initial days of learning aren't cool, calm and collected. So, at the beginning of each year, especially with sixth graders, it is always necessary to be mindful of body and body odor changes. Please be sure to bathe and wear deodorant each day, and be sure that clothes are clean and fresh. Also, as young ladies grow, it sometimes appears that clothing shrinks and tummies and backsides tend to show. Dr. Tyson has stressed that there is to be no midriff (on any side of the body) showing at any time. It might be a good idea to ask your child to bend over and raise her arms to be sure that she is properly covered. For boys, no boxers should be showing above the jean waistband.
Posted by Krodman at 02:37 PM
August 15, 2005
This week the math classes will get with off and running with pre-tests and placement tests behind us. Sixth graders started with sequencing numbers. This will "nimble" their reasoning skills as they recognize the relationships between a series of numbers. This week we take on place value, expanded numbers, and a review of the addition and subtraction algorithms. Most seventh graders completed testing and are ready to begin instruction for negative numbers.
Monday's Homework (6th grade):
Lessons 3 and 4
7th grade no homework
Posted by Krodman at 03:40 PM
Students are taking their time preparing their initial writing sample. They were instructed to use a planning web of their own design or one that was passed out. Their writing brains are trying to wake up! Monday at the end of the period, the samples will be turned in ready or not. We've got to keep on movin' on. This week previously learned jingles will be reviewed. This will benefit not only those students new to the Shurley Method program but those who learned them last year. Spelling activities begin this week. All the week's assignments are listed on the list enabling students to get ahead on homework if they have a busy week ahead. The list may be downloaded if the need arises. Mom, I swear she didn't pass it out :o)
Set 26
Download file
Vocabulary 26
Download file
Posted by Krodman at 09:00 AM
Not one, not two, but three of the Shurley Method jingles were introduced last week. They are: The sentence jingle, noun jingle, and the verb jingle. As we practice these jingles each day, before you know it students will have an understanding of the parts of a sentence and different types of nouns and verbs. This week, sentence types—declarative, imperative, exclamatory, and interrogative will be introduced.
Also, this will be the first week of spelling activities. List One will come home on Monday. The worksheet has the entire week's spelling activities listed. This will be helpful if a student has a busy evening by knowing what the assignments are in advance. Additionally, the list may be downloaded if for some reason it doesn't get home :o)
Download file
Posted by Krodman at 08:35 AM
August 14, 2005
Before someone can go anywhere, they must know where they are. Taking the social studies pre-test seemed a bit daunting to these new sixth graders. Reassuring them that they weren't supposed to know these things, seemed to help them somewhat. By Friday afternoon, they had in fact been exposed to at least two of the ideas that were on the pre-test.
Students received their textbooks and jumped right in. Concept mapping for geography vocabulary was introduced. Together, with my help, the class mapped the word geography finding its dictionary definition, citing ideas that are geography and ideas that are not (synonyms and antonyms,) writing a short scenario applying the meaning of the word, and drawing a picture to demonstrate their understanding.
This week, we will explore the five themes of geography.
Posted by Krodman at 10:30 AM
Before any good scientist can begin, he/she has to understand the scientific method. This week in science, we will begin exploring exactly what that means. Students will brainstorm what steps would be necessary to complete an experiment and, they hopefully will discover the following: Identify and state the problem, gather information, state a hypothesis, design an experiment, make observations and record data, organize and analyze data, and state a conclusion. Initially, students will need to memorize the steps and we will discuss mnemonic devices and develop one to ease memorization. Next, they will examine everyday scenarios they might experience at school and determine which step of the scientific method applies. Then, students will organize three sets of data. Finally, they will perform an easy experiment and write a lab report that includes the use of all the steps.
Posted by Krodman at 06:45 AM
August 10, 2005
Here we are beginning a new school year. There are many exciting things going on here at Mabry. This year will hopefully prove to be both challenging and rewarding, and this blog will be a great communication device that will benefit our academic team. That team consists of the parent(s), student, and me. My mission and Mabry's is to MAXIMIZE STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT. By working together, our "team" will be able to do just that. I hope you will join me in this Mission Possible!
Posted by Krodman at 08:57 AM
August 09, 2005
Periodically, I will post sites of interest to parents regarding child rearing, study skills, or other topics. Hopefully, you will find them useful. This place is also where you will find dates posted of upcoming Mabry events.
Posted by Krodman at 02:38 PM
Fun Brain (Games for all academic areas)
Federal Emergency Management Agency (weather games)
Posted by Krodman at 01:43 PM
“A sentence, sentence, sentence is complete, complete, complete when five simple rules it meets, meets, meets.” This is just a portion of one of the jingles that your son or daughter will soon be able to recite as The Shurley Method is employed to begin our study of grammar, mechanics, writing and literature (7th grade). This innovative method incorporates a child’s natural talent for rhythm and rhyme to teach sentence types, parts of speech, vocabulary, and written expression.
In addition to these skills, students will learn spelling through a program that I have developed borrowing theory from Dr. Jerome Rosner formerly a member of the faculty at the Learning Research and Development Center at the University of Pittsburgh. His book Helping Children Overcome Learning Difficulties inspired me to formulate a series of lists and activities that incorporate visual recognition of word chunks and specific multi-sensory activities that make learning spelling words challenging and fun. The lists and activities can be individualized for students, as words in each list range from three letter words to multi-syllabic words, i.e., for decoding unit —at: column A cat, column D catastrophe.
Posted by Krodman at 09:39 AM
Math in my class is intended to be meaningful for students. Each day’s class is started with a warm up problem that presents a meaningful situation for application of a math skill. Students attempt these problems independently or in pairs then present their solution to the group. The Saxon Math program is utilized for instruction. This program uses an incremental approach to math that cycles previously learned skills with each newly introduced concept. In this way, students are able to employ long-term memory as they practice math skills. Each day’s lesson introduces a new concept, has a practice component, and then presents twenty-five problems for students to do independently. Some of the problems cover the new concept, but most are practice of previously taught skills. Lessons are started in class and completed for homework. Saxon complements the new math standards being rolled out in Georgia this year while allowing students with math deficits to work on necessary remedial skills. Tests and hands-on applications will assess student achievement. FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION! Lessons and tests are corrected for half credit with additional instruction provided when it is needed.
Mabry is fortunate to have a wonderful program called Accelerated Math. Some of you may be familiar with the Accelerated Reading program; this is its charming sibling. Once a week, students will use this computer program that provides individual pacing according to the student’s needs and skill level. This allows students to work at their own pace on work that is meaningful to them. I build in an incentive program that the students really enjoy—I will buy them an ice cream at lunch for each ten objectives they master!
Posted by Krodman at 09:37 AM
Sixth grade social studies is instruction in learning as well as instruction in geography and history. Different types of note-taking strategies are taught as well as strategies for studying and writing. The year begins with a general study of the five themes of geography and pertinent concepts and vocabulary. Study then turns to North America and Canada, followed by Latin America. Europe and Russia round out the primary units of study. Generally, there is time for a fun unit on Australia to end the year.
Posted by Krodman at 09:35 AM
The Major Concepts/Skills covered in sixth grade Earth Science are:
• Meteorology: Impact of weather and climate on the Earth
• Oceanography
• Earth Materials: Composition and structure of the Earth
• Earth in Space
• Interactions: Human impact on the Earth
• Energy Sources
Instruction in science is done through a variety of methods including informational text, informative websites, and hands-on activities. Students will draw conclusions and write frequently to demonstrate their understanding of the concepts covered.
Posted by Krodman at 09:20 AM
