By Julie Keys on 3/16/2008

Hello again!  Well, we're set to begin our second week of CSAP testing.  With CSAPs again taking up the majority of our time this week, theme time will be limited.  The limited amount of time we do have will be spent continuing our study of the Constitution.  Last week, we had time to begin an analysis of the goals of the Preamble.  This week, we will complete this task and introduce the Articles of the Constitution.  Any work to be completed will be done in class, so as to lessen any stress students may feel as a result of CSAP testing.  Students will also be assigned an independent project before the break.  This project - The Three Branches of Government Game Project - may be started over the break; however, there will be time to do work after the break, as the games will not be due until Monday, April 14.  Please see the documents section of my website later in the week for further information.

Wi ... Read More »

By Julie Keys on 3/9/2008

Hello to all once again!  This week sees the beginnings of CSAP.  In order to help ensure your student's success, please make sure that each student receives plenty of rest and that each is eating a good, hearty breakfast - a grumbling stomach can prove to be a real distraction (something I know from my own experiences!)  With CSAP on the schedule, our Theme class will be looking at a very light workload, which will focus on our study of the Constitution.  However, in light of the CSAP, and in the interest of not adding stress to an already tense situation, there will be no homework assigned during the next two weeks, and even the in-class workload will be kept light.  As always, if you have any questions, feel free to get in touch.  Otherwise, have a fantastic week!

By Julie Keys on 2/29/2008

Well, here we are entering the homestretch.  It's amazing how the year has flown by so quickly!  As always, we have a busy week ahead.  Unfortunately, circumstances will cause me to be out Monday and Tuesday.  On these days, we will begin our readings for our Building A New Nation unit.  Monday, two text packets will be distributed in class to provide the necessary background information for this unit, one that provides an overview of the era called Creating a New Government and one that provides more detailed information regarding the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution.  Each packet will also have corresponding activities - a reading guide for Creating a New Government, and two graphic organizers that go along with the Articles of Confederation and Constitutional Convention text.  Students will be given the full class period on Monday to complete these activities.  Any work not completed must be finished at home and ... Read More »

By Julie Keys on 2/24/2008

Hello again!  This week sees us finishing up with our Circulatory System Documentaries.  The students are doing an excellent job, and so far the results have been both educational and entertaining.  I will make every effort to edit these and get them all placed on a DVD, so that students may have a copy of their work for their portfolios.  Upon completion of this unit, we are off to explore the respiratory system.  As a part of this unit, students will be creating Respiratory System Illustrated Guide Books, which will take readers on a journey through the different organs of this system.  This will be an independent project, with the majority of work completed in class.  This booklet will be due on Friday, so whatever work has not been completed by then must be completed as homework.

On another exciting note, our blood typing experiment will be taking place this Friday.  If you have not already done so, please ... Read More »

By Julie Keys on 2/18/2008

Hello again!  What a week we just had!  Juggling our Circulatory unit with Valentine's Day and our field trip was definitely exhausting - we earned this three-day weekend.  First, a humongous thank you to the parents who created, as usual, a fun-filled, exciting Valentine's Day party!  To Mrs. Turner, Mrs. Schlundt, Mrs. Perriman, Mrs. Zaeske, and Mrs. Blecha, we appreciate all of your efforts on our behalf!

The museum was a huge success.  The students enjoyed wandering through the Hall of Life, as well as the opportunity to explore the other exhibits.  I know my group especially had fun in the South American Animals exhibit!  I am especially proud of the way the students on our team conducted themselves!  Bravo!

Now, on to what you are all really wondering about.  Our week in Theme will be dedicated to the creation of our documentaries on topics related t ... Read More »

By Julie Keys on 2/10/2008

Hello again!  Thank you all so very, very much for your support and your patience during this very difficult time in my life.  I am in the process of attempting to catch up with my work, which is proving quite challenging.  Nevertheless, I will soldier on.  Hopefully, this will be done within the next week or two.

Well, as it turns out, we have another busy week ahead!  With Valentine's Day this Thursday, and our field trip to the Hall of Life this Friday, our week in Theme will be hectic as all.  Thanks to Wanda Turner and all other parents involved in putting together our Valentine Day's party for this Thursday! we're all looking forward to fun and food.  On the topic of Valentine's Day, students are not required to bring cards for their classmates; however, if the individual student chooses to do so, that students must ensure that each one of their classmates receives one.  Also, students have been asked to ... Read More »

By Julie Keys on 2/4/2008

Hello everyone!  Over this past week, many issues arose regarding my grandmother, so I had to put off my return until Tuesday.  Please bear with me over the course of the next couple of weeks, as I will do my best to catch up on all that I have missed.  This will include, of course, grading the students' work. However, once I do return, we'll be able to get rolling again.  Our theme class will continue with its study of the Human Body, concluding our unit on the Circulatory System and then moving on to the Respiratory System.  There will be homework Monday night, and other homework will be posted on the calendar as we move through the week.

On another note, we are still looking for volunteers to help us with our class Valentine's Day party.  Please e-mail me at your earliest convenience if you'd like to volunteer!

I'm sure there will be another update later this week.  For now though, let me simply ... Read More »

By Julie Keys on 1/27/2008

Hello to all.  Due to my grandmother's death and the responsibilities that go with it, I will be out of school for the next week.  Students will be working on activities relating to the Circulatory System in class, with all work to be completed by the time I return on Monday, February 4.  Thank you for your understanding at this difficult time.

By Julie Keys on 1/23/2008

Hello again!  As many of you know, my grandmother took a turn for the worse this weekend.  As a result, most of my attention has been turned to dealing with whatever legal and medical issues have arisen.  I am still in the midst of looking over rough drafts of the newspaper article.  Once I have these returned (I am shooting for this Friday), students will be given a full week to make corrections and hand in the final copy.  Once again, I thank you for your understanding and support!

By Julie Keys on 1/18/2008

Hello again!  I'd like to begin by expressing my deepest gratitude to all of my students and parents for their kindness and understanding over the past couple of weeks.  I have been blessed to have had my grandmother, one of my very best friends, in my life for as long as I have had.  As a result of our close relationship, my grandmother put me in charge of her affairs, so when she became as ill as she did, my presence became a requirement.  Unfortunately, this created a situation where I was unable to choose my substitute.  Please understand that any difficulties the students experienced during this time will be resolved, and in no way will be held against them!  This includes any work students were unable to complete in the time I was away.  However, due to the important nature of the information found in the Declaration of Indpendence Critical Thinking Packet, as well as the American Revolution packet, completion of these activities is ... Read More »