Class Lingo

Well I had a Bad “Hair” Day…

Mrs. Smith — Sun, 02 May 2010 00:54:21 +0000

I hate waking up in the morning having to do my hair or having a bad hair day. I wish I could invent a machine that would do my hair every morning so that I did not have to. My machine would wash my hair, dry it, and do it in any style I wanted it to.

If your could invent something (realistic or not) what would it be ? What exactly would your invention do?

Question Submitted by Dashaye.

Calling all Fantasy Characters

Mrs. Smith — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 01:35:58 +0000

I lot of people have favorite fantasy characters like Jacob Black, Pam the vampire, and Vivi Orunitia.

Whether you like reading about them, playing them on video games,watching them in movies, or drawing them, fantasy characters can really “stir” our imaginations.

My favorite fantasy character is Harry Potter.

Who is your favorite fantasy character? Why?

Question asked by Bryan H.

Winter Break “Book Recommendations”

Mrs. Smith — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 18:14:46 +0000

Winter Break is a Great Time for Reading! What novels have you read that you think other middle schoolstudents would also like? Instead of the traditional book report, use this blog to tell us about a good book that you have read. Make sure that you have capitalized the title of the book and the author’s name before you post. Do not forget to underline the title of the book.

November Great 8 #4

Mrs. Smith — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:27:19 +0000

Name one thing that pops into your head about November. EXPLAIN.

Mr. Steven Casey: Investing, Saving, and Philanthropy

Mrs. Smith — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 22:04:14 +0000

On Thursday October 29th, Mr. Steven Casey from the MacArthur Foundation, and one of New Sullivan School’s principals for the day, visited our classroom. During his visit he spoke to the students about investing and saving money, he also spoke to us about philanthropy.

According to The Chronicle of Philanthropy,The MacArthur Foundation) recently gave 24 individuals each $ 500,000 for five years. To spend as they wish—-”No Strings Attached.”

Please respond to at least two of the questions below:

What is philanthropy?

Why do you think a company, like the MacArthur Foundation, would have the primary purpose of giving away money?

Imagine that you had to select individuals to give money to (and poverty or lack of money could not be criteria,) what sort of individuals would you choose to receive the grants?

Heritage Travel

Mrs. Smith — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 07:01:24 +0000

In our last two reading selections the main characters have visited places to learn about their heritage. Marie G. Lee went to Korea for the first time at age 26, and R. A. Sasaki visited Japan at age 22.

In our Hispanic heritage research projects and “Facts of the Day” we have read about people from places like Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Cuba.

Where is the one place you would like to visit for the first time (or again) to learn about your heritage? Why? What would you hope to learn about?

Poem for Mrs. Bates

Mrs. Smith — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 12:04:11 +0000

If Tears Could…

If tears could build a stairway
And memories were a lane,
I would walk right up to heaven
To bring you home again.
No farewell words were spoken.
No time to say good-bye.
You were gone before we knew it,
And only God knows why.
My heart still aches in sadness
And secret tears still flow.
What it meant to lose you,
No one will ever know.

__Anonymous “The death of someone we know always reminds us that we are still alive – perhaps for some purpose which we ought to re-examine. ” ~Mignon McLaughlin.

Other than sadness this quote sort of sums up how I was feeling when I heard about the death of Mrs. Bates. Feel free to comment on the poem or quote, add a poem or quote that you like, or other words of inspiration.

Class of 2010: First Week

Mrs. Smith — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 08:39:54 +0000

We can all agree that this school year has started off a little differently than we expected. For some of you this is your first year at New Sullivan School, a few of you are even new to the City of Chicago. Nevertheless, you are all part of the Class of 2010. So as Wendy Williams likes to ask, “How you doing?”

How was your first week of 8th grade? Do not include your last name when you respond.

Social Studies Careers

Mrs. Smith — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 18:32:47 +0000

Some students like studying math and some enjoy learning about science. There are even students who like the studying of history, researching and geography that we do in Social Studies class.

What are some careers that would be good for students who like Social Studies?

These links will give you some suggestions: careers & more careers.

Thanksgiving

Mrs. Smith — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 16:25:28 +0000

It’s that time of year again! People all across America take time out to spend some time with family members and give thanks. What are you especially thankful for this year?

Barack Obama, 44th U.S. President

Mrs. Smith — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 18:26:13 +0000

Barack Obama won the presidential election on November 4th with over 300 electoral votes. How did you feel upon hearing that Obama was the new president elect.?

In his victory speech several times he said the words, “Yes, We Can!” What do you think he meant by those words?

Jennifer Hudson

Mrs. Smith — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 12:32:08 +0000

As you know by now, Jennifer Hudson recently lost her mother, brother and young nephew. Talented Jennifer won an academy award and recently sang the National Anthem at the Democratic National Convention. However, we feel a special closeness to her because she is one of our own . Jennifer not only grew up on the Southside of Chicago, she is also a CPS, Dunbar High School Alumni. Let’s use this space to send Jennifer our condolescences.

United Nations?

Mrs. Smith — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 17:43:46 +0000

What are some of the reasons it is a good idea for the United States to stay on good terms with Mexico and Canada?

Presidential Qualities

Mrs. Smith — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 20:59:38 +0000

According to our Constitution a president must be at least 35 years old and be a natural born U.S, citizen. What are three qualities that you think a United States president should have? WHY?

Social Studies:What have you learned?

Mrs. Smith — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 12:22:00 +0000

Wow, four weeks of school have gone by already. What did you learn during those first weeks?

First Day

Mrs. Smith — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 19:32:15 +0000

Write a brief reflection about your first day of school.

Favorite Quotes

Mrs. Smith — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:32:26 +0000

Here is one of my favorite quotes…“Insanity is doing the same thing and expecting to get different results.” by Albert Einstein.
To me this quote can be applied to the classroom, relationships, and just plain everyday life. What do you think? Feel free to comment on the quote or simply add a quote that you like.