Can We Talk?

Adapted from an article "Can We Talk - Yes, you can bring back the art of family conversation and promote trust and respect at the same time." by Melody Warnick

1. Set ground rules - Consider these questions: Everyone believes there should be no put downs, but what will you do if this happens? How will you disagree? How will you bring up ideas?

2. Teach the graces - model the types of responses you would like to get.

3. Ask interesting questions.

4. Let bad grammar slide.

5. Pull the plug...on technology.

6. Share family stories. Share about your life before your children were in it! Marshall P. Duke, professor of clinical psychology, "When they hear family stories, children realize that they are part of a tale that goes back yo before they were born. That gives them a sense of security and stability."

7. Drop the platitudes...be REAL.

8. Learn together - Bring up topics that you'd like to learn more about. OR let your child teach you something that you truly didn't know before.

9. Let kids express their feelings. Ask them to elaborate on feelings...even if you wish they weren't having them!

10. Dig deeper. Ask quality questions that get you to deeper levels!

Games for conversation:

Food for Talk - collection of cards with questions and topic designed to take dinner-table conversation to the next level. (foodfortalk.net)

Table Topics - compelling conversation starters can be shared over dinner. Topics for family, teen, couples, and girls night out. (tabletopics.com)

4 Kinds of Secondary (any level?) Reader (learner?)

This is from Teaching Reading in the Middle School by Laura Robb

There are 4 kinds of Secondary Readers:

1. Struggling reader - This student avoids reading; s/he is often disfluent - meaning s/he reads word by word; s/he has a limited vocabulary due to a lack of reading. The goal is to teach word attack strategies and build prior knowledge for reading materials.
2. Reluctant reader - This student does not enjoy books - and never has. The goal is to find books that create personal connections. We should strive to find THAT book that turns this reluctant reader into a reader. The goal is to hear, "I couldn't put it down!" Think outside the usual genre with this reader!
3. Grade Level Reader - This student reads at grade level, but s/he is often balancing many different interests. Sports, school work, social life issues may take the place of reading. The goal for this read is to read more and continue to increase vocabulary. We don't want good reading strategies to allow vocabulary to stalemate.
4. Proficient Reader - This student understands and uses a lot of reading strategies. Goals for this reader are to think more deeply about mood, tone and theme. Deeper, more meaningful connections are also important to keeping him/her interested.
   

Summer Opportunities:

Summer reading program at Teton County Library: www.TCLib.org/teens.

Ishael Baeh visit and opportunities: August 1-7. If you are interested in being involved, email Michelle Rooks at mrooks@teton1.k12.wy.us

Teen Power Parking - Make $$ during the FAIR. If you are interested, email Michelle Rooks at mrooks@teton1.k12.wy.us.

Art Association Offerings: http://www.artassociation.org/education/childrens/index.html

(These two are for younger kids - but I think you could convince her to let you enroll if you were interested)
August 10 - 13 - WEST AFRICAN WORKSHOP: DRUM, DANCE AND ART MAKING
August 18 – 21 - MYTHS AND LEGENDS - good for next year?

Grades 6 - 9

June 29 – July 3 CREATIVE WRITING CAMP: THINKING LIKE A WRITER
July 20 – 24 DIGITAL ART CAMP: grades 6 & 7
August 10 – 14 FILMWORKS FILMMAKING

JHSC FREERIDE Program The Freeride Program summer schedule insludes freeride/downhill mountain biking and skateboarind programs. The program is designed for skaters of all abilities the cance to develop their skills and explore different skateparks both in and out of Jackson. If you are interested, contact Jeff Moran at jmoran@jhskiclub.org or call 307-733-6433 x107.

When? June 13 - September 1, Tuesday 3-6pm, Saturday 11 -5 pm
Full summer costs: $840
One month $315
or
Daily drop-ins: Tuesday $35 or Saturday $70.

Child Development

The great Greek philosopher Plato once mused, "You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation."

A great site for Child Development

Information about Erik Erikson and his work with Child Development.

Another great site about Child Development - lots of great ideas!

Parenting an adolescent! (Some faith based ideas)

NPR interview and Excerpt of the book: The Secret Life of Boys

Reading More!

Book Adventure Website

Helping BOYS find books they will love!  Another great reading site for boys....

The ultimate reading lists and ideas for TEENS.

School Success

How to Raise IQ - interesting NY Times article. Very practical ideas.

Harvard Study on Student Achievement - very interesting!

Grief Cycle

Coming to Terms with Death

Chances are you will not go through these stages in sync with each other. Dr. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross wrote a now famous book, On Death and Dying in the late 1960s, which broke new ground in our understanding of how people cope with dying and death. Through interviews and counseling of terminally ill patients, Dr. Ku[um]bler-Ross shared the following observations of five basic stages many people go through as they come to terms with dying:

1. Denial. At first, you simply can't believe it is true. The realization that life will end--even if you have lived a long life--is too much to absorb. Denial is the mind's shock absorber, giving you a chance to soak in the reality of dying. So if you and your family act like nothing has really changed, it's okay. At least for a while.
2. Anger. If you're on the receiving end anger, you might think this isn't such a great stage. However, anger means that person is past denying the death. He may be angry at a physician, the nurses, God, family members, friends, or he may be just angry at life itself. Let him express his anger. He'll need to go through this before he can move on to acceptance.
3. Bargaining. Ever secretly make a deal with God--or whatever higher power you believe in--that if you do a certain good thing, then you'll get something in return. Or you'll look for a "sign" to help you make a big decision? That's what the bargaining stage is essentially all about.
4. Depression. Once it becomes undeniably clear that all the bargaining in the world won't change the inevitable, yo will likely become depressed. You'll be mourning the loss of his life, of the things to come and the things he didn't get to do. Antidepressants and cheery conversation won't make it go away. Nor should it. It's a healthy response to the realization that life ends.
5. Acceptance. When you peacefully accepts the death. Chances are you aren't going to reach this stage at the same time as your parent. You, or perhaps one of your siblings, might be angry and want Mom to fight this by trying a new treatment therapy to buy more time. You'll need to respect where everyone is.

Perhaps being aware of the various stages that many people experience in response to the dying of a loved one may help you better understand your own feelings and those of your siblings and surviving parent. Each of you will handle your feelings differently; just stay focused on what your dying parent needs and most of the rest will fall into place.

Information adapted from a Family Education site.

How I got on the Honor Roll...

**I set goals at the beginning of 3rd quarter and followed them!

1.  I do my homework first - before I play.  I am careful to avoid distractions like video games and cell phones.

2.  I do my homework ASAP - before I forget.

3.  I do the assignment the night I get it.

4.  I do a little on BIG assignments every night.  I spread it out and don't wait until the night before it is due.

5.  I study at least 2 hours before science tests.

6.  My parents and I get emails from my teacher that remind me about my homework.  I email my teachers with questions.

7.  I check the blogs!

8.  I check Power School at least once a week.

9.  I always do whatever extra credit it offered...just in case I need the points some day.

10.  I do replacement assignments when I get a low grade - even if it doesn't count.

11.  I always do my make up work when I'm sick.  I remind my parents to call the school, they pick up the work, and then I REALLY do it!

12.  I always do my BEST...in class and on my homework.  I try to do more than what is expected!

13.  I think positive!  I try to see the positive in everything!

14.  I live by the motto:  Not turning in my homework is NOT an option.

Test Prep Sites

Below are some great test practice sites!

5th Grade Reading Test

6th grade Reading Test
7th Grade Reading Test
For a challenge, 8th grade Reading Test

Amazing place to practice many Language Arts skills (there are practice tests, too): Internet 4 Language Arts Practice

Try some of these Practice Tests - must be printed.

Want to practice Math Tests, too?

Remember, testing is just another GENRE of reading and writing. It's important to be familiar with this genre as testing doesn't just go away once you are finished with high school. Many careers have testing requirements. Once you know what to expect on tests, the rest is just a matter of time, effort, and confidence! You know the saying, PRACTICE makes PROFICIENT (or advanced!)! :)
Good luck!

Why Blog?

Research shows that student blogs contribute to academic success in a variety of ways.

1. Skills Development

* Students improve writing skills with features they enjoy, like interactive publishing.
* Students are encouraged to explore, express, critique, collaborate, and share.
* Educators can track student participation and achievement.
* Administrators can broaden the set of tools and techniques to gather, analyze, and interpret data throughout the school district.

2. Collaborative Learning Anywhere, Anytime

* Students are enabled to learn outside of school hours.
* Teachers can post homework assignments and classroom activities that are accessible after school hours.
* Instructors can easily manage, present, and store information.
* Teachers can collaborate on professional development.

3. Parental Involvement

* Parents can offer new insights into classroom activities.
* Parents are able to view scheduled school events, and access showcased student work and presentations, including photos, videos, and podcasts.
* Parents can view and approve permission slips and consent forms online. (goal for this to happen more in the future)
* Parents are actively engaged in the educational process, which improves student learning.

What do you think? How would you like to see Blogs used?

"The Secret to Better Grades" by Marcy Lovitch

This article was in the November 2008 Good Housekeeping magazine. There are 5 strategies provided to help any child excel.

1. ORGANIZATION skills. Using planners, scheduling TV and computer use, having a family calendar, creating schedules for the week/month...

2. Teach them to TUNE in. No multi-tasking - don't do homework in front of the TV, with cell phones on, iPods in, etc... Create and enforce a "distraction-free work zone!" A healthy diet, plenty of sleep, daily exercise, and a home free of squabbling help to create this distraction-free zone as well.

3. View school and school work as an opportunity instead of a "have to"! Get involved with what they are currently learning and seek to enhance their experience.

4. Unstuff your child's schedule.

5. Praise effort, not intellect. "Shifting the focus from labels ('you're a genius') to the thrill of meeting a challenge ('you worked really hard on that') can help give them the freedom they need in order to excel.

If you would like a copy, please let Ms. Rooks know.

Homework Help:

Need help understanding the "new math" of Everyday Math? Click here and then click on the "launch button" on Free Family Resources. Also, for online math manipulatives, click here!

Homework FAQ:

All about homework...

How to use PowerSchool most effectively...

Where do I study? Is it a good place?

How can you help me best at home?