Debate Topic: Too Much Homework

Last week the kids and I studied an article from the Chicago Tribune about a school district in Illinois that is doing away with homework. The report questioned whether students in America are receiving too much homework and if there is any benefit to the homework.

I asked the kids what they thought prior to reading the article and to make their decisions based on their personal experiences as well as experiences with siblings and older friends.

This is what they had to say:

20% We receive too LITTLE HW.

45% We receive just the RIGHT amount of HW.

35% We receive too MUCH HW.

Opinions from kids:

Argument Too Little:

"Places like China and my cousins go to school year round and they get a lot and our scores are worse than theirs."

"We have to compete for jobs with others in America so we need more practice."

Argument Just Right:

"It's not a big deal. My brother in middle school is fine. He doesn't complain."

"Some nights we get a lot, sometimes not very much, so it balances out."

Argument Too Much:

"My sister is up till 1am sometimes. Once I went down into the basement and saw her working like at 1am."

"We're just kids and if we go to school that should be good enough, we don't need to do extra stuff after. My brother has SO much homework in high school."

Debate Topic: Bullying

Debate Topic: Bullying

Students were asked to write another persuasvive debate topic. In this case they were asked if law enforcement such as police and/or the courts should be involved in handling and punishing bullying matters that occur at the middle school and high school level:

NO: 23%

YES: 77%

Persuasive Points:

Against Law Enforcement Intervention:

"Only if there are people getting physically hurt-then the police should step in."

"It's not that big of a deal unless some one is emotionally disturbed by bullying."

For Law Enforcement Intervetion:

"Kids are afraid to go to school because of bullies."

"I've been bullied at school, at least once a month and it's a major problem."

"It's very serious-it can turn violent. I bet that shooter from Tuscon was bullied."

"Yes, especially in HS because it get can violent with shootings."

Important Dates and Reminders 2/14-2/18

Sunday, February 13th:

1. Blackboard Blog Posts due 11:59pm CST =) (For students who selected this option)

Monday, February 14th:

1. Robert Crown Fieldtrip. (Approx 10-1pm)
2. Valentine's Day Party in the afternoon.

Tuesday, February 15th:

1. Option to stay after school and finish movie maker project (3:35-4:35pm)
2. How to Papers are due.

Wednesday, February 16th:

1. Option to stay after school and finish movie maker project (3:35-4:35pm)
2. Robert Crown Health Museum presenters visit boy and girls for follow up meeting.
3. Unit 7 Math test for 5V

Thursday, February 17th:

1. Tentatively scheduled after school class climate meeting. (Time TBD/Subject to change)

Friday, February 18th:

1. Friday Math Quiz
2. Possible Week 1 Science quiz on stars
3. Book Review due for students who selected this option (due on 21st if emailing me)

Curricular Update 2/14-2/18

Hi! Check out what's happening in our curriculum next week:

Reading:

• The kids will be practicing essay writing skills which include writing with one focus, using evidence to support the answer, and interpreting the evidence.
• Students will also reinforce the meanings of vocabulary words through skits.
• The students will read their Folklore genre books for a purpose.
• Kids will practice test taking strategies in preparation for ISAT testing.

Writing:

• The students will study how to write persuasive essays.
• With the writing, students will research information that they can use to support their arguments.
• The kids will also continue their own self selected writing during workshop time. They will work through the process and confer with me to eventually publish their work.

Math:

• Students in math will practice writing math essays with the purpose of explaining how they got their answers.
• The kids will take the unit 7 test on Wednesday, February 16th.
• After chapter 7, students will get into chapter 9 and study graphing, coordinates, finding area and perimeter, as well as volume, and surface area. There will be formulas that we study with this.

Science:

• Well, we've just finished a very fun digestive unit.
• Now we study the solar system.
• Students are going to learn about the life cycle of a star, the parts of a star, constellations, and different types of galaxes, as well as an assortment of space facts.

Citizenship:

• This week we are practicing random acts of kindness.

Open House

Greetings 5V Families!

I am looking forward to seeing you at the Open House on Thursday night between 630pm and 830pm.

Unlike previous Open Houses, I am scaling things down a bit to focus on just a few different things. Here are some of the things that you can check out at our Open House:

1.) Student/Parent survey

2.) Student Alphabet book

3.) Writing samples from writer's workshop

4.) Movie maker project on the lap tops.

5.) Book Reviews on the Book Blog

6.) Try out the different math routines and earn money for your children.

7.) Try and win Caption of the Day

8.) See our "Stay Current" board.

9.) Read all of our "Captions of the Day"

10.) See our "Who's on Fire" board. (Just put up)

Hill's Math Super Bowl Bonanza!

Hill's Math Super Bowl Bonanza!

This is a fun evening over at Hill for you and your children. There will be football trivia, football toss, exponent ball, math art, and prizes!


When: Monday, January 31st from 6:00 – 7:30 PM
Where: Hill Middle School
Who: Hill students and family members
What: Math games, prizes, snacks, and FUN!

Hill's Math Super Bowl Bonanza!

This is a fun evening over at Hill for you and your children. There will be football trivia, football toss, exponent ball, math art, and prizes!

– 7:3

State of the Union Address-this Tuesday

Reminder:

President Obama's State of the Union Address is scheduled for:

Tuesday, January 25th, 2011 @ 8pm CST on most major networks.

Watch and fill out the extra credit form in order to earn 5 extra credit points.

The points will be added to Friday's science quiz.