Wednesday, June 1, 2016

A Letter to Team Prototype

B.D. Billinghurst Middle School
6685 Chesterfield Lane
Reno, NV 89523
(775) 746-5870
Fax:  (775) 746-5875

                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                                                      Sheri-Lyn Cutler, Principal
THE BILLINGHURST BIGHORNS                                                                                                      Lindsay Kendrick, Assistant Principal

                                                                                                                                                                     

June 1, 2016

Dear My Absolutely Favorite Students (and parents too!) of Team Prototype,

It is with both excitement and sadness that I announce I will be leaving the English classroom for the school’s biggest classroom, the Library Media Center.  I will no longer be a member of the Prototype core team, but I’ll be just down the hall as the new Teacher-Librarian (TL) for the Bighorn Nation.  The transfer to my new position will go into effect in August for the 2016-2017 school year. 

After 16 years as a secondary English teacher, I am excited to use my experience, in combination with my new Library Media Specialist endorsement from Central Washington University, to support students and teachers in information literacy and reading promotion.  I’m very nervous as I move into this second phase of my career in education, but I’m looking forward to working at a school-wide planning level.  My two biggest heartaches are leaving a team between two school years and leaving the relationships one can only develop while working so closely with students year after year.  I am grateful to have been a part of nearly 2,000 middle school lives during my years as a classroom teacher.

Mr. Tanner Zahrt will join team Prototype as the new English teacher for next school year.  He is a 3rd generation teacher in his family. He lives in northwest Reno and is looking forward to teaching in his neighborhood school.  Mr. Zahrt will be transferring from Spanish Springs High School, and he has prior middle school teaching experience.  In our meetings, Mr. Zahrt and I have reviewed your student portfolios and the curriculum we’ve covered so far, and discussed our team’s procedures, traditions, and culture.  He plans to maintain as much classroom routine as possible while introducing his own strategies and techniques. 

Although your core team will feel a bit different, I have no doubt that Mr. Kivi, Mrs. Campbell, and Mr. Zahrt will guide you through a rigorous, fun, and memorable 8th grade school year.  I will still be a part of your team in interdisciplinary planning and support, and I will have the opportunity for direct teaching and co-teaching in the Library Media Center.

I wish you a relaxing summer and a great start to your 8th grade year.  Be sure to visit me often, and if you’re interested in becoming a student assistant in the Library Media Center for a class period next year, I’ll give special preference to Team Prototype!

Love,


Mrs. Jennifer Rice, M.Ed., LMS (that’s new J)

Tuesday, May 31, 2016

8th Grade Composition Notebook - 4th Quarter

8th Grade Composition Book – 4th Quarter
Score 160 points possible  

Sacred Writing Time (SWT)
40 points   -  8 Entries, 5 pts. each (  6 entries should be ½ page or longer to earn credit)

Word Study
10 – CLUDE (includes root, meaning, word, say, spell, definition, activity 1-4)
10  - DUCT (activity = 1-5)
10   - EQUA
10 - PHIL

Notes and Activities
10  - “Conquering Europe” (9 answers)
10 – “Analyze It” (7 answers – may be on “Conquering Europe page”)
10 – “Jewish Ghettos” (2 paragraph answers)
30 – “Anne Frank questions” – (6 answers over several pages - short paragraphs)

20  - “Boy on the Wooden Box Foreshadow/Retrospect” (glued in, 8 boxes 100% complete)

7th Grade Composition Notebook Table of Contents - 4th Quarter


7th Grade Composition Book – 4th Quarter
Score  = 186 points possible

Sacred Writing Time (SWT)
50 points  - 10 Entries, 5 pts. each ( 8 entries should be ½ page or longer to earn credit)

Word Study
10 – CLUDE (includes root, meaning, word, say, spell, definition, activity 1-4)
10  - DUCT (activity = 1-5!)
10   - EQUA
10 - PHIL

Notes and Activities
10  - Civil Rights Movement Web (minimum of 10 circles)
10 – Judge a Book by Its Cover (who, what, when)
20 – “Figurative Language and Poetic Sound Devices Chart”

56 – “Pop Culture References and Allusions to Watsons novel” (2 points per question – 28 questions total)

Thursday, May 26, 2016

Week 8, Quarter 4 - 7th & 8th Grade English

Homework & Class Activities for 7th & 8th Grade English
Mrs. Rice
Week 8, Quarter 4



Monday 5/23– 7th Grade ( 1*)
·         SWT 5/20 – Things I worry/wonder about (text to self connection, Watsons ch 9)
·         Finish chapter 9 and complete pop culture/allusion questions in comp book

 Homework:  Complete pre-write packet using info from your completed chart on page 29.  Then, write or type (preferred) your argument essay using the essay guide attached to homework packet.  Staple both together.  Due Thurs 5/26 (6*) and Fri 5/27 (7*, 1*)
·          
Monday 5/23 – 8th Grade (2*, 3*, 4*)
·         Chapter 8 Literature Circle Activity
·         Chapter 9 – Group Read

Homework:  Finish reading chapter 9  - Due Tomorrow (Quiz!)

Tuesday 5/24 – 7th Grade (6*, 7*, 1*) (I have a sub today)
·         6* and 7* = chapter 11 – Watsons
·         Finish Chapter 10 then move to 11
·         Class time to work on essay packet if needed

Homework:  Complete pre-write packet using info from your completed chart on page 29.  Then, write or type (preferred) your argument essay using the essay guide attached to homework packet.  Staple both together.  Due Thurs 5/26 (6*) and Fri 5/27 (7*, 1*)


Tuesday 5/24 – 8th Grade (2*, 3*) and Wednesday 5/25 (4*)
·         Chapter 9 Quiz
·         Read chapter 10 – whole class read
·         Complete 3rd column of retrospect/foreshadow chart glued into comp book (group)

Homework:  Science CRT on Thursday.  Be here.  Be ready J


Wednesday 5/25 – 7th Grade (6*, 7*, 1* crunch)
·         18 minute classes before lunch = Review comp book to be scored next week
·         Classes after lunch = iNevada Presentations!


Homework:  Complete pre-write packet using info from your completed chart on page 29.  Then, write or type (preferred) your argument essay using the essay guide attached to homework packet.  Staple both together.  Due Thurs 5/26 (6*) and Fri 5/27 (7*, 1*)

Thursday 5/26 – 8th Grade (2*, 3*, 4*)
·         Science SBAC testing – all 3 periods

Thursday 5/26 – 7th Grade (6*) and Friday 5/27 (7*, 1*)
·         Argument essay partner review
·         Chapter 11 pop culture questions/allusions and read chapter 12 (Watsons)

Homework:  Composition Notebooks scored next Wed 6/1 (6*, 7*) and Thurs 6/2 (1*)
All late/missing work due by next Thursday 6/2 for 4th quarter.  No exceptions beyond that date.

Friday 5/27  - 8th Grade (2*, 3*, 4*)
·         Review 4th Quarter Composition Notebook
·         Group discussion – foreshadowing/retrospect (from comp book)
·         Teacher-read Epilogue

Homework:  Composition Notebook scored next Thursday 6/2

All late/missing work due by next Thursday 6/2 for 4th quarter.  No exceptions beyond that date.

Thursday, May 19, 2016

Week 7, Quarter 4 - 7th & 8th Grade English

Homework & Class Activities for 7th & 8th Grade English
Mrs. Rice
Week 7, Quarter 4



Monday 5/16 – 7th Grade (6*, 7*, 1*)
·         Team Prototype Field Trip to Virginia City (see field trip info on this blog)

Homework:  Read Scope p. 28-29 and complete the chart on p. 29 directly in the magazine.  Due on Thursday

Monday 5/16 – 8th Grade (4*)
·         Chapter 2 Literature Circle Activity
·         Chapter 3 – Group Read

Homework:  Finish reading chapter 3  - Due Tomorrow

Tuesday 5/17 – 7th Grade (6*)
·         iNevada work day – Finish Top Ten Fact list and Bibliography.  Finish brainstorm sheet for project.

Homework:  same as Monday

Tuesday 5/17 – 8th Grade (2*, 3*, 4*)
·         Multi-media Review Presentation
·         Chapter 3 quick-quiz
·         Teacher Read – Chapter 4 and Literature Circle Activity
·         Start Chapter 5

Homework:  Finish reading chapter 5 – due tomorrow

Wednesday 5/18 – 7th Grade (6*, 7*, 1* crunch)
·         Multi-media Review Presentation
·         Finish Watsons Chapter 8
·         Watsons Pop Culture and Allusions – Questions 17-21 in comp book

Homework:  Read Scope p. 28-29 and complete the chart on p. 29 directly in the magazine.  Due Tomorrow

Wednesday 5/18 – 8th Grade (2*, 3*, 4*)
·         Chapter 5 – Literature Circle Jobs
·         Chapter 6 – Group Read

Homework:  Finish Chapter 6 and/or Review Chapter 6 (hint: quiz!)
Due tomorrow (2*) and Friday (3*, 4*)

Thursday 5/19 – 7th Grade (6*, 7*, 1* crunch)
·         Check off homework (completed chart on p. 29 of May Scope)
·         Hand out and review essay packet for argument essay (with notes and examples)
·         Start Watsons chapter 9

Homework:  Complete pre-write packet using info from your completed chart on page 29.  Then, write or type (preferred) your argument essay using the essay guide attached to homework packet.  Staple both together.  Due Thurs 5/26 (6*) and Fri 5/27 (7*, 1*)

Thursday 5/19 – 8th Grade (2*) and Friday 5/20 (3*, 4*)
·         Chapter 6 Quick-Quiz
·         Teacher-Read Chapter 7
·         Literature Circle Activity on Chapter 7

Homework:  Read all of chapter 8.  Due Monday 5/23

Friday 5/20 – 7th Grade (6*, 7*)
·         SWT 5/20 – Things I worry/wonder about (text to self connection, Watsons ch 9)
·         Finish chapter 9 and complete pop culture/allusion questions in comp book


 Homework:  Complete pre-write packet using info from your completed chart on page 29.  Then, write or type (preferred) your argument essay using the essay guide attached to homework packet.  Staple both together.  Due Thurs 5/26 (6*) and Fri 5/27 (7*, 1*)

Thursday, May 12, 2016

Week 6, Quarter 4 - 7th & 8th Grade English

Homework & Class Activities for 7th & 8th Grade English
Mrs. Rice
Week 6, Quarter 4

7th Grade – Monday 5/9 (6*, 7*, 1* crunch)
·         Root-of-the-Week Bingo (review for test)
·         Multi-Media Presentation

Homework: Use study guide #6 and/or flashcards to study your final “Root of the Week” list – test = tomorrow
For the iNevada project, 10 notecards will be due tomorrow at the end of our 1st period meeting time.


8th Grade – Monday 5/9 (2*, 3*, 4*)
·         Root-of-the-Week Bingo (review for test
·         Multi-Media Review Presentation
·         Book check out and Literature Circle set-up

Homework: Use study guide #6 and/or flashcards to study your final “Root of the Week” list.  Test will be tomorrow 5/10 (2*) and Wed 5/11 (3*, 4*)

Frankbook project due Thurs 5/12 (this project may not be turned in for late credit)


7th Grade – Tuesday 5/10 (6*, 7*, 1* crunch before lunch, then iNevada group meeting after lunch)

·         Root of the Week, Spelling/Vocab Test #6

Homework: If you need to finish iNevada research cards, please have them ready for Friday.  Otherwise, consider typing your “Top 10 Facts” at home so your meeting time is freed up on Thursday.

8th Grade – Tuesday 5/10 (2*) and Wed 5/11 (3*, 4*)
·         Root of the Week, Spelling/Vocab Test #6
·         Read Prologue and start chapter 1

Homework: Finish chapter 1 (up to page 30) of The Boy on the Wooden Box
Frankbook project due Thurs 5/12 (this project may not be turned in for late credit)



7th Grade  - Wednesday 5/11 (6*, 7*, 1* crunch)
·         Score Root of the Week Spelling/Vocab Test #6
·         Read Watsons chapter 7

 Homework: If you need to finish iNevada research cards, please have them ready for Friday.  Otherwise, consider typing your “Top 10 Facts” at home so your meeting time is freed up on Thursday.


8th Grade – Thursday 5/12 (2*, 3*, 4*)
·         Frankbook Project Due (App. and Advertisement Justification Activity)
·         Chapter 1 Activity in Comp Book with Literature Group

Homework: Read Chapter 2 of The Boy on the Wooden Box (p. 30-49) – due tomorrow (2*, 3*) and Monday (4* only)


7th Grade – Thursday 5/12 (1*)
·         iNevada work period  - type Top 10 Fact List and Bibliography and complete project idea generator with partner

Homework: Need to finish Top 10 Fact List or Bibliography?  Have ready by next Tuesday 5/17


8th Grade – Friday 5/13 (2*, 3*)
·         Chapter 2 Literature Circle Activity
·         Chapter 3 Group Read

Homework: Finish Chapter 3 by Tuesday 5/17


7th Grade – Friday 5/13 (6*, 7*, 1*)
·         Hand out May Scope magazine and review debate piece
·         Complete Watsons Chapter 7 questions and start chapter 8

Homework: Read May Scope (summer break debate) pages 28-29 and complete the chart on p. 29 (write directly in the magazine).  Don’t forget to write your claim at the bottom. 

Due Thurs 5/19

7th Grade Field Trip Information - Team Prototype

Virginia City Field Trip Information – Team Prototype

Hello Students and Parents of Team Prototype,

This Monday, May 16th, you will take a step back in time as you explore the rich Nevada history of Virginia City.  When your first class of the day is over (4*), go to your locker and gather everything you will need for the field trip, then head directly to 6*.  Do not check in with your 5* teacher; an email has already been sent that you will be on a field trip.  You are responsible for any missed classwork and homework for your 5* class.

You will be in a pre-determined, chaperoned group.  You may not switch groups or leave your chaperone.  You will be responsible for completing a packet based on Virginia City’s historical landmarks.  You must carry a backpack with a pencil and a thin folder to write on.  Your COMPLETED packet will be collected as you get off the bus at Billinghurst.  Busses will return to school by 1:45 PM.

You also need to carry a sack lunch and water in your backpack. Your group may eat at any time. We will be touring the historic Fourth Ward School as part of our field trip, you are not allowed to eat any food in the museum.  You may bring extra spending money for treats if time allows.  Wear your team t-shirt and comfortable walking shoes.  Jeans or shorts are acceptable; pay attention to the weather and wear layers if necessary.  Consider sunscreen and sunglasses.  You must follow the school dress code (no hats) and keep in mind the Bighorn Attitude as you respectfully tour the sites.  We STRONGLY encourage you to leave your I-Pods, cell phones, and other electronics at home or in your locker at school. 

We look forward to an enriching experience as you tour “the town that built San Francisco”!

Mrs. Rice, Mr. Kivi, Mrs. Campbell