Getting to Know Our Fellow Super Friends

As part of our "Super Friends" program, the sixth graders recently interviewed each other within small groups and created placards for one another based on those interviews.  This is just one of the ways we've gotten to know and appreciate each other this year.  Below are some photos of this activity.

What We're Doing for the New Year

Hi 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade Folks,

For the new years, all my classes are starting new units.

For social studies, the 6th graders have started a unit on ancient Rome.  We'll be learning about Rome's rise to power, how Rome kept that power, and its lasting influence on the world.  We'll all do some fun projects along the way.  We'll start out by creating a travel brochure for ancient Rome (in conjunction with Computer Class), and we'll also be creating Roman architecture models.

For English, the 7th graders have begun their History Day projects.  They'll be researching a historical topic and then creating a webpage based on their research.  Several of these websites will then be submitted to the Minnesota History Day competition.

The 8th graders have also begun History Day projects for English class, but rather than create websites, they will be writing research papers.  It is a great chance to engage them in the research, writing, and editing processes which will benefit them so well once in high school, and of course, eventually college.

Obviously, we're going to be very busy!

Lisa Svoboda

Sixth Grade China Unit With Mr. Olson

China Unit With Mr. Olson

The sixth graders have almost finished their unit on China.  My student teacher, Jacob Olson, taught most of the unit, and thus the students could enjoy a different teaching style for a few weeks.  Mr. Olson was very informative and led some fantastic discussions and activities with them.  For this unit, the students also went to the Minneapolis Institute of Arts to see the Terra Cotta Warrior exhibit . 

Below you’ll see some photos of projects they created for the China unit and a morning Tai Chi lesson.  We’ll miss Mr. Olson, and we wish him good luck!

How Do Sixth Graders Study?

I asked the sixth graders recently what their favorite method of studying was.   An important part of sixth grade is learning HOW to study, so I was very interested to see what they'd say.   Below are some of their answers, along with visuals.

Creative Seventh Grade Writers

The seventh graders have been flexing their creative muscles in English class these past few weeks, writing fanciful expository pieces such as "My Dream Bathroom" and "Why I Would Like to Own a Sasquatch."  Besides being creative, they've also been practicing different paragraph structures.  Check out some samples of their writing below.   I think they should feel proud!

Sasquatch, Oh Sasquatch

       To have a Sasquatch would be one of the best things that ever happened to me. One reason is that he could be my best friend forever. We could do everything together, like play in the park or go swimming in the river then get large malts and burgers at the diner. The second reason I would love my Sasquatch is we could take pottery classes at the pottery studio by the mall. We could make wonderful pots, plates and bowls that we could display on the huge bookcase that we just bought from Ikea. The last, but not least, reason I would like to have a Sasquatch is he could make me a lunch everyday before school. He would make me the best lunches I could ever have with what ever I want, like spaghetti or pasta with freshly baked cookies. Those are just a few of the many reason it would be my honor to have a Sasquatch as a pet.

The Delight of Having a Sasquatch in My Life

It would be just dandy to have a Sasquatch as my pet. My first reason for wanting a Sasquatch for a pet is that he would like to do the same things I do. We could sneak up behind people and scare them, go tramping through the woods in search of anything awesome, or even have him hide in my sister's bed and scare her when she comes home at night. Another reason for wanting a Sasquatch is that I could feed him my food that I do not like when he is under the table. It works out for both of us that way because he gets his dinner and a treat, and I don't have to eat my squash, cabbage, or brussels sprouts. My final reason for wanting a Sasquatch is he would be a great guy to have on the football team. He would be really good at tackling people, but best of all he would scare the ball carrier so badly that the ball would just pop right out of the ball carrier's hands for a fumble. That is why a Sasquatch would be a spectacular pet for me.

My Dream Bathroom

        My dream bathroom would be so unbelievable it would the Willy Wonka factory of bathrooms. When you first walk into my bathroom you will notice a red carpet on the floor. If you walk along that carpet you will feel that it is heated. When you look around you will see high ceilings and many flat screen TVs.  At the end of the carpet you will see a bronze shinning elevator door and a big blue button. When you hit that button the elevator doors would open while in the elevator you would hear your favorite songs as elevator music. At the top you will enter a loft with TVs on the wall, all the video games you can think of, and a long orange board leading out over the tub.  As the colored haze of steam float in fronts of the tub, you can a dive into the soapy depths of the pool. If you decide to stay in the pool a long time, just dive down to the  bottom and watch TV!     So grab an oxygen tank, goggles and water-resistant headphones and dive back to enjoy a show. When you had you fill of underwater television you would get out of the pool and do one of two things. First, get in back into the elevator and hit a green button which will dry you off so you could do it all again. Second, walk back out the door and be dried by drying robots that walk with you. When you leave my bathroom the door will open on its  own accord to let you leave the unbelievable bathroom.  

My Amazing Bathroom 

My bathroom is the most amazing bathroom there is! Enter the door and you will be greeted by a diamond encrusted statues of dragons. Around these dragons is a water slide. When you go down the water slide you will experience some amazing twists and turns. Exit the water slide you will find yourself sitting down in an really relaxing bathtub. Up above the bathtub is a spectacular chandelier encrusted in a assortment of really valuable and beautiful gems. Diagonally bellow the chandelier is a 120 inch flat- screen T.V. This T.V has ever single channel in the world! straight across the T.V is a blue and red remote. Diagonally across is a inflatable slide. It goes so fast that you'll be able to dry off. After you exit the slide you will find yourself sitting in a throne like couch. Right in front of you there will be a Xbox 360,a controller, and a 290 inch flat screen T.V for play time after your shower of a life time. After you are done playing with the Xbox 360 go wash your hands in a amazing sink. Behind the T.V is a golden sink, just waiting to be used. Even farther behind sink is a diamond toilet, with a assortment of valuable of gems to gaze at. Indeed my bathroom is so fine that the king of the world (if there was one) would be honored to use my bathroom.

My Dream Bathroom

My dream bathroom is like walking into a state-of-the-art pirate’s chest full of gold and treasure. When you first walk into my bathroom, you will step through French doors and onto the red velvet carpet. If you keep walking a few feet forward, look to the left and right and you will notice the luxury pet facilities on either side of the carpet. The pet facilities include golden litter boxes and golden fire hydrants for any dogs or cats who may be with you. Continue walking forward past the pet facilities and you will encounter the beautifully cast golden toilet. The toilet is not only made of gold, but also comes equipped with a built in massager and bidet.  As you leave the toilet area, walk diagonally to the right and you will see the sinks. The sinks are accented with golden tile, have silver faucets,  automatic soap dispensers,  and silent blow-dryers.  Take the diagonal path back, passing the toilets and continuing a new diagonal path to the stunning bathtub.  The bathtub is a black pearl, eight person bathtub with adjustable water jets for personal comfort. Once you are finished with your bath tub experience, you can walk back out past the toilet, down the red velvet carpet, pick up your pet (if you brought one), and leave through the French doors.   My bathroom is complete with the beauty of precious metals as well as the comforts of modern bathroom technologies.  

Sixth Grade Ancient Egyptian Tombs

The sixth grade recently created Egyptian tomb dioramas.  The ancient Egyptians filled their tombs with things that they thought would be needed in the after life; thus, these tombs are an excellent representation of how they lived and what they believed.  If you'd like to see some examples of what our students did, check out the photos below.

8th Grade "Favorite Toy" Papers

Hi All,

The 8th graders wrote a paper for English a few weeks ago called "My Favorite Toy."  They had to choose a toy that was special to them when they were little tots, and explain in detail WHY the toy was special.  The paper required that they structure their ideas logically and create vivid descriptions for their toys, and they were great fun to read!   I have posted three samples below, with the names deleted for privacy's sake.

        

                                                                                                                 (a Highland Catholic 8th Grader)

                                              September 23, 2012

                                                                                                                  English 8-1

The Fabric of My Childhood

      Memories woven through the simple stitches, my Elephant Blankie has been with me forever.  This soft, cuddly blanket with an elephant image on it was passed down from both of my sisters, landing on and staying with me.  The fact that I was the third child to fall in love with it, made it all the more special, and I found that she really was meant for me.  To say that I was attached was an understatement.  "Ella" went with me everywhere, a comfort I didn't want to let go of because we had made many memories together.  

      For as long as I can remember, I've had Elephant Blankie.   I didn't know of the many tears shed, the tantrums thrown, and the wailing and pleading from my sisters to keep her.  I only knew that this perfect, snugly blanket was for me.  It had an ordinary cream color with an extraordinary elephant in the middle.  When I was three years old, I asked my dad what the machine washable tag said, and he replied, "This blanket was only made for the (girl’s name) of the world," and it truly was.  This blanket was meant for me, in every way possible.  When I received this, it was like a torch had been passed down through each of my sisters.  Every girl was swaddled and hugged in it, though I was the one with the real instant, lasting connection. 

      Ella was always by my side.  Through trips, losses, and being tucked in each night,  I loved embracing the soft and comfy elephant. Every summer, this blanket would be squished into my tiny suitcase and flown 1,500 miles to my grandparents house. I forgot her there one year, and I cried so much that my mom had to have it sent back with first-class shipping.  Although I almost lost her to a fire from a space heater years ago, she is thankfully still here today. I also remember clinging on to Ella when my grandparents were sick.  She was always there for me, alleviating every situation from pain or hardship.  

      Looking back, I realize the important role my the blanket played in my childhood.  She still lies at the foot of my bed, protecting me and staying by my side, like she did when I was young.  I still give her a hug, and thank the inanimate object for all that she has done for me.  Elephant Blankie was wrapped around me as a newborn, was dragged throughout the house when I was a toddler, squeezed and played with as a child, and remains on my bed ever since.  I plan to pass down my incredible blanket to my children, so they can share in the love of Ella, and create enduring memories of their own.

(a Highland 8th Grader)

September 24, 2012

English 7-1

Nerf Guns

     From a well concealed position, the sound of gunfire shatters the silence. Darts explode from the muzzle of the gun and streak across the room, thudding into the target: my brother. These guns are good toys for many reasons. One is that the dart tips are soft, and they cannot break anything. Another thing is that we had many epic battles with them, all with different obstacles and challenges.

      There are many different kinds of play weapons, but the favorite kind of kids and parents alike are the dart guns from Nerf. If the darts hit someone, all they will feel is a little poke and they may be a little surprised. Once, I got hit in the eye, and the was a small flash in my eye and a bit of pain, but is faded away quickly. Some other brands have darts that hurt or are hard to control, but the Nerf brand has soft darts and accurate guns, so kids can shoot where they want. Also, if they accidentally hit something fragile, the dart won't break it, while a plastic light saber or axe would shatter anything in its path, including your child's bones.  Another reason they are great is that they are easy to clean up. If you take a shot, it is easy to track, so you can go and retrieve the dart quickly.

      In any environment you can have large battles. One time, we spent hours building a fort. It was made of blankets, chairs, nets, and cardboard. One person would attack, and one would defend. Usually, the defender would win, but one time, I was attacking, and I decided to hide. When my brother heard no gunshots and couldn't see me, he stuck his head out the window. That was when I blew him out of the water. We had many others, but that was probably the most amazing.

      Every time we went to a target store, my brother and I always wanted to go to the Nerf aisle. Those guns were our favorite play item. Now, we do not use them much, though we still have a bin of them. Sometimes we decide to use them, mostly on rainy days, and those occasions bring back vivid memories. 

                                                                                (a Hi-C 8th Grader)

                                                                                September 23, 2012

                                                                                English 8-1

                                           

                                                My Baby Cloth Doll

      "The simpler it is, the more beautiful it will become." --Wilhelm Backhaus, and what is simpler than a little cloth doll?  My favorite childhood toy was a little doll named Baby Doll.  She was my favorite because she was the first toy I can remember and she has stayed with me no matter what.  Also, even though some people might say a bitten off hand is repellent, it makes my doll all the more endearing to me.

      The memories of their first toy stay with many people forever.  My first and favorite toy has stayed with me too.  As long as I can remember, I have had my doll.  She stayed in my room, traveled with me, and even went to school with me a few times.  Sadly, I forgot her in the classroom one time and we had to wait until the next day before we could find each other.  Despite that, my one-handed doll stayed loyal to me.

      Many people do not like dolls that are missing hands, but I do.  Many years ago, when I had brought my doll downstairs, my dog, Cocoa, decided that he liked my doll too, as a chew toy.  So, when I was not watching, and Cocoa was pining for attention, he grabbed my doll.  Cocoa grabbed my doll and ran.  He went towards the living room, with me close behind, and when I finally got a hold on my doll, Cocoa struck.  He bit down hard.  Then, my poor doll fell limply into my hands, and I saw the full extent of her injury.  Her hand was torn off.  Some people might get rid of one-handed dolls, but not me.  I knew that when people get hurt, they need support.  So dolls do too.  Don't they? 

      Despite my close childhood with Baby doll, we no longer go places together.  She has had an early retirement, and now sits on a shelf.  She sits there with a few of her stuffed-animal friends and reminisces about our past.