Technology + Homework = Stress + too much time with Chromebooks.

Dear parents,

It has come to my attention that some students are coming home and spending a LOT (way too much time) on homework especially around the use on their chromebooks. I would like to share some of my thoughts and beliefs around the subject of homework and technology.

It is my belief that math should take no more than 30 minutes (including any use with techology). 6th grade students are 10-12 year old children and it is my hope that they can find balance between school work and play time. Both are equally important. If at ANY TIME there are tears, too much stress, anger, frustration or any other negativity, PLEASE pull the plug, take the math away, and make them go play for a while. Please let me know what the problems are and I can take the stress and worry away from home and we can handle it here at school.

As for the technology, I have heard from some that this is a grand struggle.  I have told the classes that there is a variety of ways to do the work and it does NOT have to all be done on the computer. 

• There are some students who are amazingly talented with the electronic draw feature and can pop them out in seconds. So, I allow for this to be one opportunity. 
• Some students prefer to use paper and pencil and I allow for that as well. We don't use the computers much in class because I find so much value with math, graph paper, and tools. I encourage this as well. 
• Some students take pictures of their drawings and upload them.
• And some just give me the papers. 

As you can see, there is a variety of mediums to share their mathematical thinking/learning. I want to provide exposure and opportunities to all students. I don't want anyone to think that they have to do it all in one way. I am very flexible. I will be reiterating these opportunities as opportunities and not assignments.

I truly hope this helps. Just like you, I want what is best for all of our students and I am working so very hard to provide opportunities for learning, growth, challenge, support, and balance.

Namaste 

Week before Halloween

If no one has told you, math is everywhere. The students are now discovering this for themselves. I have heard numerous students share with me things like...

" While I was at my MMSC meeting, my coach was using RATIOS!"

"I was listening to the news, and the news guy was using ratios in his story"

In addition to these wonderful quotes, one of my students was making an observation on some math work being done by an adult. There was interesting conversations about the neatness and accuracy of this adult's math (a grad student). I was so excited to hear that our 6th grade student was concerned about this grad student's work and had asked his mom, "What would Mrs. Emory say?"

These examples are so exciting to hear about, because it tells me that our kids are thinking and making connections to what is happening in our classes and extending the learning into their world. ((SO AWESOME))

I have also asked students to share pictures with me for my blog. I would love to see more examples of math in our world.

In Language Arts we read the book "Boys in the Boat" by Daniel James Brown. This is such a wonderful book. Today the class presented their understanding of the book. The students needed to be able to identify a possible theme of the book, cite evidence to support their claim and provide a visual. We had an amazing share this morning and here are a few of the visuals that students made.

Math + Art + Baking + Ratios = Happiness😃

Here is a book I recently discovered. I am going to have to do some ordering at home. It combines multiple passions - Math + Art + Baking + Ratios (timely, don't you think?)

Week Ending October 21st

Over the last 2 weeks, we have been working on so much new learning.  In Math class, we have begun using Schoology as a new platform for educational delivery. We have been learning all about ratios and had a small design challenge based on gear ratios. Here is a video that we watched in class to first learn about gears. Thank goodness we have a 4 1/2 day weekend to regather, breath, and refresh!

Week ending on September 28th - The Last Day of Spetember

I didn't see any lions or tigers, but there were some "bears" in the ratio world. This week we are continuing the Ratio Story sage. We were reviewing ratios and tape diagrams for the quiz this week, and we were introduced to Double Number Lines. These number lines are used as a visual model for showing equivalent ratios. We found the bottom problem to be quite interesting.

We were looking at the ratio of volume of soda (ounces) and comparing it to the grams of sugar. On the Double Number Line and in the Ratio Table we can easily see the relationship between the size of a soft drink and the amount of sugar in it. (YIKES) In a 24oz bottle of regular cola, there are 80 grams of sugar. (Did you know that it recommended that women not consume more that 25 grams of sugar in a day and it is 35 grams for men - One soda is more than 3 times the daily allowance for a woman)

So we used the Double Number Line to show this information and then we needed to calculate and discover how to find other equivalent ratios that were not easily found on the number line.

Next week we will be getting a new Math Magazine, our quizzes back, continue work with Double number lines, and then... creating equations with the data in our ratio tables. This is some sophisticated work for 11 year olds!!!

Additionally:

We had a Watermelon Social this afternoon. Mr. Smith brought in a HUGE watermelon from the Stowe Middle School Garden. At the end of our reading block this afternoon we all went outside and got to have a share of the watermelon. It was FANTASTIC! The flavor was perfect and to be able to see, taste, and share in something that our students grew in our garden was a perfect way to end a wonderful week of learning.

Have a WONDERFUL Weekend!

September 21st - Last Day of Summer

I can't believe it is already the last day of summer for 2016. In this short amount of time this school year, we have done so many things and this is still the beginning of 6th grade and the Middle School Years.

I am sure that you are going to have some fantastic conversations around the dinner table tonight. We just got back from a long day of learning. Once we arrived at the Rock of Ages Granite Quarry in Barre, VT students were given a fantastic view from the top of the quarry looking down. (The the view from the top was beautiful. We could easily see Camel's hump with the blue skies.

                                                   Johon, our guide giving us some amazing information

We are working so hard.                                    Peter is so excited!

                                                           On top of the world!

In addition to Rock of Ages, we also stopped at Ziemke Glass Blowing Studio.  Glenn does an amazing job not only with the glass, but also explaining how the minerals we are learning about in Science class is used to create his beautiful artwork.

Tuesday September 20th - Open House

Thank you all for coming out Tuesday. It was so nice to get to meet you and welcome you to 6th grade and Stowe Middle School. I hope you found the evening helpful. If there is anything that we can help you with, please contact your child's TA teacher and we can set up a time to sit down with you and help make the transition run smoother.  Sadly, we didn't get to talk with all of you, but our doors and emails are always open... please let us know how we can help.

The next Math Magazine should be coming out shortly. If you need any help, please check Google Classroom for videos, or send me an email and I will help in any ways that I can.

Until Next time 

Amazing First Week!

I am so tired and full of joy all at the same time. It has truly been a wonderful week making connections with new students! I have been so impressed with the attention, focus, participation, and rich conversations that we have had in classes this week. Here are a few quick shots of some of the learning that has begun.

 

In these two pictures, students were given one of the test questions to a future assessment. They were asked, "What are the skills and knowledge that you will need to be successful for this problem? you can write down vocabulary that you might need to know, ways to demonstrate your understanding... brainstorm the things that you don't know"

Well, these conversations were fantastic. The 6th grade students were talking and sharing math at a level that truly impressed and inspired me... GREAT WORK!

Additionally, I was super excited this morning when we went to the library to get our first book project books. I absolutely LOVED listening to the excitement that my students were voicing in regards to what they wanted to learn about.

Bottom line, I think this is going to be such a great year!!!

Just a little reminder: This coming week on Wednesday September 7th at 6:00pm I will be staying late and invite any parent who would like to learn about technology and how we are using it in 6th grade. This is totally optional, so don't feel that you need to come if you are comfortable with the technology. You can always make an appointment or send us an email if you have any questions or concerns in the future.... but I do hope to see you there, if you can make it.

This is the official blurb:

Wednesday September 7th Parent Tech Night

6:00-6:45pm

Dear 6th grade parents,

You are invited to come and spend a little time learning about the technology being used by your children. Come and see what they are doing and using as well as how you can have access to their digital learning.

Topics to cover:

Email

Google Classroom (Homework Calendar)

Schoology

Videos/resources

Where to find their homework assignments

Parent Portal to see grades (And not go crazy when you see them)

Digital Citizenship Class

Monday August 29th

WOW, we did it! The first day of school is under our belts! I think it went great! I saw so many smiling faces! There were many great questions, some people got a little lost, some were confused, some a little overwhelmed, but all did great! This week we are all learning so much, and we need to remember to take a deep breath, relax, stay happy, and believe that it will all work out in the end.

I am so excited for tomorrow! We will be working on getting ourselves organized, figuring out schedules, and understanding all the expectations. - We will all need naps come Thursday afternoon.

I wanted to make sure I spread the work that ALL STUDENTS and PARENTS really really REALLY need to sign the e-registration for technology. If BOTH the student and parent registration is not signed it will cause students to not be able to use the technology, especially being able to take home their Chromebooks. To get this done, please refer to the letter you received in the mail. It contains your login credentials for your students portal in Powerschool. Follow the directions to CREATE A NEW ACCOUNT to access the important beginning of school year required forms. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Elisabeth Ortiz.

Tomorrow is MY BIG DAY!

Here I am, in my dining room at home preparing for tomorrow - Monday August 22nd. That is MY BIG DAY Back to school. I have been planning and preparing for most of the summer as I get ready for all of you to join us at Stowe Middle School & 6th grade (Either for the first time or as a veteran)

I am so excited to see my colleagues and hear about all their adventures over the summer. We will jump right in Monday morning and will be working and planning to make this a fun, challenging, and engaging school year. Here is a pic from my last adventure to the Cape... I am missing those tides already.

With so many new things going on at SMS this year, I am going to begin with a Parent Technology night. With the help of Alex Minkof, our IT Guy, we are going to show you how you can help support your student(s) with the Chromebooks and Schoology. You should see the following in either the Raider Review or the weekly digital newsletter.

Wednesday September 7th Parent Tech Night

6:00-6:45pm

Dear 6th grade parents,

You are invited to come and spend a little time learning about the technology being used by your children. Come and see what they are doing and using as well as how you can have access to their digital learning.

Topics to cover:

Email

Google Classroom (Homework Calendar)

Schoology

Videos/resources

Where to find their homework assignments

Parent Portal to see grades (And not go crazy when you see them)

Digital Citizenship Class

Hope to see you... and if you have ANY questions, please feel free to email us - we are here for you and your students.

And to answer my first question of the year, "How can I help my student with their math? What can I do to support them?"

#3 & #4- Are the BEST ways to help reinforce what we are learning in class and for you to better understand what is going on at school.

It's not about correcting the answers, it is more about engaging in a conversation about what is going on and to make sense out of it.

I hope you enjoy your last week of summer! 

I'll see you real soon!

Do you want to know...

I have sent out notecards to the students in my TA... so if you are seeing this, then I guess you got my note. On the back, I made a suggestions... I truly would LOVE it if you would send me a postcard or a little note. You can tell me just one thing about your summer adventures or something that you would like to share. You can just mail it to me at school

Paige Emory

Stowe Middle School

413 Barrows Road

Stowe, VT 05672

I have also made a new sign for my classroom door... here is what you might see when you come for a visit or for when school begins.
See you soon.

Summer Work

Welcome to Stowe Middle School and Happy Summer

This school year, like all of them, will be filled with new and exciting experiences and challenges. I want to make sure that all students and families know that my door and email is always available for you to ask questions. Please send me an email and I will respond as quickly as I can. Yes, you can ask questions before school begins, evenings, and weekends. Like I said, I will answer as quickly as I can.

This summer I have been VERY busy getting ready for this upcoming school year. After school let out I attended a week of Curriculum Camp where we were making many plans across all grade levels for the changes and challenges for this year.

THEN, the next week, I was at the Middle Grades Institute where a team of us worked on developing an authentic learning experience to support the Personalized Learning Plans students will be required to do for this upcoming year.

THEN, on July 11th, I began a 3 day conference where I was learning about Schoology. This is a web based educational delivery system that is absolutely amazing. This system will allow for a much better way to communicate with students digitally. As a teacher, we will be able to easily provide differentiation for our students, timely and meaningful feedback, and a large array of options for various learning styles. I think that there is so much potential in this system to make learning so much more meaningful, exciting, and powerful for all students.

It is July 18th and I am still working hard and making plans for the upcoming school year. I am so very excited and I can't seem to turn my brain off. There are just so many wonderful things happening for this next year. Keep posted on all the changes, by following my blog.

Happy Summer!