Homecoming

Milestone Moments 9.24.15

As teachers, we are lucky that we get to be witnesses to many milestone moments in your children's lives: successes in the classroom, triumphs on the field, celebrations of the everyday.  Of course, those moments can include adolescence's tragedies too: friend fights, difficulty with grades, acne.  But I love being with your students through all of it.  Being with your children every day is the best part of my job.  I feel lucky that I get to, in a small way, share them with you.  You get them for a life time; I get them for, at best, four years.  Watching your children grow up over the course of high school is one of the greatest perks of my job.  Though it probably shouldn't amaze me year-after-year, I am always in awe of the student who grew a 5 inches in one summer, the student who has matured beyond belief, the student who once seemed lost, but now has found his way.  So, it is with great joy that I share one of my absolute favorite Milestone Moments--the removal of braces.  I have no idea why I love it so much when students get their braces off.  Perhaps it is because I remember the utter glee I experienced when I got mine off when I was a high school freshman.  I remember how I felt like it changed my entire face, and in a way, I suppose, it did.  This Milestone Moment happened today, and what made it extra special was that it happened for TWO students.  Look at those new, bright and shiny smiles!  In short, thank you for sharing your children with me.  I'm so glad I get to be a part of their lives--big moments and small.

Back to School Night 9.17.15

Parents, it was great to meet you last night!  Students, I loved meeting your parents!

Juniors/Junior Parents:
Here are some of the student-written Transcendental Poems I shared:

Appreciate the gift of life

It’s a rare and special gift

Appreciate life’s tiny gifts

A ray of sun or sea of water

Appreciate thoughtless gestures

A gleaming smile or subtle wave

Appreciate family

Don’t take them for granted

Appreciate friends

They’re the life vest when you’re drowning

Appreciate love

It’s a small yet beautiful thing

Appreciate honesty

Honesty is courageous

Appreciate the journey

Enjoy the view

Appreciate uniqueness

For no snowflake is alike

Appreciate the unknown

There’s light at the end of the tunnel

How can I be myself

If I worry about who I am?

If I ask too many questions

Will I ever understand?

When the clock will cease to tick

Will I worry about time?

When my choices are my outcome

Will I come to regret mine?

Don't we have some amazing, creative writers?  Your students have been impressing me through and through.  I can't wait to read their Credos.  Be sure to ask your student about his/her Credo.

Parents and Students,
I hope you take some time to discuss your Broncos Read book together.  Maybe you will inspire someone to read the book you selected.

Here is a photo from our Literacy Day with Taylor Mali:

Have a great weekend!

Welcome Back! 8.25.15

My, how quickly things are going!  We've already had a Senior Advisory; we've set classroom goals, and we've met so many new people.  I am thrilled to have you (or your student) in our class!  It's going to be a great year!

You can check here for the daily agenda.  It will tell you what happened in class and if there was any homework.  It's always a good idea to check google.classroom too!

The Penultimate Friday 5.29.15

Freshman College Prep Agenda

Friday: May 29, 2015

EQ:  How might one interpret a source material in a variety of ways?

                                                                                                                                  

ALL MISSING/MAKE-UP WORK DUE

Tech Expectations: Closed and put away

1.     Romeo + Juliet

a.     Take notes

b.     Scene selection

HW: none

Junior Honors Agenda

Friday: May 29, 2015

EQ: What should I most focus on practicing for the final exam?

What are my writing strengths and weaknesses?

Tech Expectations: Open and on

ALL MISSING/MAKE-UP WORK DUE

1.     Final exam practice:

a.     Article responses

b.     Determining strongest link

2.     Interest Inventory

HW: Prep for exam

Junior College Prep Agenda

Friday: May 29, 2015

  

EQ:  How do writers manipulate language for a particular effect?

Tech Expectations: Closed and put away

ALL MISSING/MAKE-UP WORK DUE

1.     Literary device practice for the final

2.     Article reliability practice

HW: None

Food for Thought Thursday 5.28.15

Freshman College Prep Agenda

Thursday: May 28, 2015

EQ:  How might one interpret a source material in a variety of ways?

ALL MISSING/MAKE-UP WORK DUE TOMORROW

Tech Expectations: Closed and put away

1.     Romeo + Juliet

a.     Take notes

b.     Scene selection

HW: none

ASK YOUR FRESHMAN:

1.  Do you have make up work to complete?

Junior Honors Agenda

Thursday: May 28, 2015

EQ: What should I most focus on practicing for the final exam?

What are my writing strengths and weaknesses?

Tech Expectations: Closed and put away

ALL MISSING/MAKE-UP WORK DUE TOMORROW

1.     Final exam practice:

a.     Finish film clips

b.     Responses

2.     Lit devices in songs practice

a.     Identify

b.     Explain

HW: Prep for exam

ASK YOUR HONORS JUNIOR:

1.  Do you have make up work to complete?

2.  What was the most difficult lit device to identify?

Junior College Prep Agenda

Thursday: May 28, 2015

  

EQ:  How do writers manipulate language for a particular effect?

Tech Expectations: Closed and put away

ALL MISSING/MAKE-UP WORK DUE TOMORROW

1.     Literary device practice for the final

HW: None

ASK YOUR JUNIOR:

1.  Do you have make up work to complete?