The Final Countdown!

It seems that all who attended our Celebration of Ancient Greece Showcase agreed that it was a huge success!  Students performed poetry, skits, and original music and all of their projects were on display for families, staff and students to enjoy.  

I've asked students to pass on to next year's Green Rev students a bit of themselves and their work.  Each student inscribed a raindrop bookmark with lines from their River of Words poem, and students next year will have the opportunity to pluck one from the bulletin board outside my room.  I've also asked students to consider submitting their poem to the River of Words contest; while there weren't many takers, I'm hoping to have a  bunch to mail off this summer.

While students are counting down these last few days, I'm also encouraging them to reflect on their achievements this year and to harness their intelligence and creativity for much more success in years to come.  Their insightful thinking, wit, and wisdom only a seventh grader can reveal was truly a gift to me as a teacher and person, and I thank each and every one for that!

I wish students and families a fun and relaxing summer!  

Homework:

Please return mythology and Giver books.  If books are not returned, the office staff will contact families regarding payment for lost books.

Winding Down...Sort Of!

It seems that we should be winding down, but we are still quite busy preparing for our Celebration of Ancient Greece Showcase on Thursday (see invite attached on last week's blog).  Today, we are all enjoying our first glimpse of projects--such creativity on display!  Students are rehearsing their poetry readings and performance projects, and finishing up miscellaneous in-class mini-projects which will be on display.

On Friday and next Monday, students will make raindrop book marks inscribed with lines from their River of Words verse.  To reflect the connection of all living things, next year's Green Rev students will each take a book mark at the start of the new school year.  

Homework:

Projects must be in by Wednesday!

Students should finish up any in-class mini-projects as needed by Wednesday.

Check Aspen--any missing work needs to be turned in ASAP!

The Home Stretch!

It has been so exciting to see students weaving together nature observations with Greek mythology to create vivid and imaginative poetry!  Today everyone is contributing their best line, then as a class they are arranging those lines into a stanza.  Ultimately, we will arrange each class stanza into an epic poem!  While eyeballs may roll when told they are going to write a poem, something magical happens when students are given the opportunity to look inward into their hearts and minds; they can paint pictures with words that express their thoughts and emotions, and they realize the power of precise and descriptive language to convey meaning.  Their poetry is amazing and inspiring!

Students are also wrapping up their mythology essays; final drafts will be turned in on Wednesday.  They will incorporate their essay into their project in creative fashion as well.  Students may bring in their project when it is ready--no later than 6/13.  We will be setting up the community room for the "Celebration of Ancient Greece" showcase on June 14 (invitation is attached and will be sent home with your student this week).

We are in the home stretch!  While there is still much to do in a couple of short weeks, I'm enjoying this time with students to be creative, recite choral poetry, and even kicki up our heels in some Greek dancing!

Homework:

Monday/Tuesday:  Finish essay; turn in final draft on Wed.

Ongoing:  Project (w/essay creatively incorporated) due 6/11.

Greek Showcase Invitation