Identity Chart Reflections

Hi All,

We remain at different stages between the 7th and 8th grades as we explore our identities.

7th graders will continue work on their identity charts in class on Wednesday. 8th graders shared their identities in small groups today, and reflected on what they heard from each of their peers:
1. What was the most surprising thing about.....?
2. What is something you have in common with.......?
3. What is the coolest thing you heard about.....?
4. What is one thing you want to ask.......?

No homework for either grade tonight.

Identity Chart Categories

Hi All,

To begin this week, we are at slightly different points in the 7th and 8th grades in exploring our identities.

For the 7th grade, we will be asking clarifying questions to one another based on the five key words that you all chose to express about yourselves. We will then be moving into developing more elaborate identity charts about yourselves. NO HOMEWORK.

For the 8th grade, FOR HOMEWORK, DUE MONDAY, 9/27, you are to complete your identity charts using at least 13 of the following 24 categories:

Identity chart categories
1. Religion
2. Economic status
3. Future aspirations
4. Language(s)
5. Family
6. Friends
7. Social groups
8. Arts
9. Political beliefs
10. Your history
11. Activities
12. Birth
13. Ethnicity/nationality
14. Education
15. Gender
16. Age
17. Likes
18. Dislikes
19. Diet
20. Physical traits
21. Personality
22. Location
23. Role models
24. Learning styles

One dollar wonders and course description

Hi All,

Thank you for sharing your one-dollar wonders in class yesterday. The 8th graders also received their course descriptions and the 7th graders will receive theirs tomorrow.

The homework is:
8th grade: Get your course descriptions read and signed by a parent by Thursday, September 16th.

7th grade: You will receive your course descriptions in class on Wednesday. Get them read and signed by a parent by Friday, September 17th.

By the end of the week, we will be looking at identity as we begin to explore the effects that individuals can have on others.

Green Backs

Hi All,

Impressive seeing, thinking, and wondering using the dollar bill today.

For homework, due Monday, September 13th, choose one of your wonders and answer it. This should be written in your notebook. We will share our discoveries to help each other understand the symbolism and value of the dollar bill more deeply.

Community Agreements

Congratulations to the 6th,7th, and 8th graders for developing this year's community agreements. The following agreements were ratified yesterday afternoon by all of the students in the middle school.

We agree to......
* Respect ourselves and the community.
* Be open-minded, responsible, and positively engaged.
* Try our BEST.
Behave
Exceed expectations
Succeed
Take risks


These are the agreements that will help to guide us all as we strive for success this school year.

Welcome to an exciting new year!

Hi All,

Welcome to the 2010-11 Cultural Studies Blog for the 7th and 8th grades.

In this first week, we are discussing contracts and social contracts, while developing our middle school community agreements. These agreements, developed through a consensus process, will lay the foundation for individual and community success during the school year. I encourage students to share this process with their parents.

I have decided to jump right into the development of these agreements, and will orient the students to the year's throughlines, content units, and learning goals next week. Stay tuned for those details......