INSIGHTS Blog

Natural abilities are like natural plants; they need pruning by study. -Francis Bacon

Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

January 24th, 2012 by · No Comments · Helpful Information, Lessons for the Week

A brief update of the last few days in my class:

Last week, we completed several shared inquiry activities based on literature about the Civil Rights struggle in America. I believe students have a greater appreciation and understanding of the movement after these discussions.

Students were given an essay assignment in which they respond to a statement posted by me. The essay is a mixture of a persuasive and an analysis essay. Students are required to reference three articles/online documents in their essay. The essays are due on Friday.

This week, students have been presented a team challenge to move a golf ball from one point to another. The rules are strict and they must work together. The instructions can be found here. The team challenge is to be completed on Monday (not Friday) due to students being out one day for the Science Fair.

 

Have a wonderful week!

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Assignment and Classwork

January 10th, 2012 by · No Comments · Helpful Information, Lessons for the Week

Here is a LINK to the presentation from today. It includes instructions for the New Hampshire Primary assignment and today’s challenges.

Please remember that the optional New Hampshire Primary assignment is due NO LATER THAN 3:05 on Friday.

If you did not finish today’s challenges, they are due BEFORE the tardy bell for your class period.

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For those who didn’t finish today…

January 4th, 2012 by · No Comments · Uncategorized

Here is the PowerPoint from today.1.3.2012 Awesome

A new year brings new opportunities…

January 4th, 2012 by · No Comments · Helpful Information, Lessons for the Week

I hope all of you had a fantastic winter break! We started off our new year discussing how there is nothing about 2011 that we can change. The only thing we can change is the attitude we will have as we approach the surprises of the new year. The only thing we can control is how we respond to what happens to us.

We watched a video on Tuesday entitled, The 3 A’s of Awesome. The video is a TED Talk given by a young guy who found a positive way to deal with tough issues in life and, in the process, became a best-selling author.

Today, we responded to the video in a writing activity. On Thursday and Friday, we will turn our attention to the stop-motion video assignment that we started before the break.

We have cleaned out our binders and will be starting over. Please encourage your child to keep the binder organized!

Have a great week!

Neil Pasricha: The 3 A\’s of Awesome Video

 

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International Visitors from OHS Visit

December 7th, 2011 by · No Comments · Helpful Information

Today, we enjoyed a Lunch & Lecture visit from two international students who are attending OHS this school year. They are from Serbia and Moldova. They told us about their lives back home, traditions, holidays, and some of the differences between home and the United States.

The students wanted to teach our students a native dance, but time ran out. I was surprised that the boys were excited about learning the dance until the girls explained to me that the dance involves a kiss on the cheek…

Thanks to Mrs. Dorsey and the girls for sharing about your life with our students!

The girls share a slideshow about their native countries.

Mrs. Dorsey--the host for the foreign exchange students--introduces them to the group.

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Stop Motion Video Assignment & Semester Exams

December 7th, 2011 by · No Comments · Helpful Information, Lessons for the Week

This week in Mr. Burton’s room:

We will be starting an activity this week in which students will be expected to create stop motion videos. The videos will be an introductory video for CNN Student News. The students will vote on one video to send in to the show. All other videos will be uploaded to SchoolTube for parent/student viewing. The students will be expected to:

  • Gather and Learn–Students will spend some time observing other stop motion videos to come up with ideas for their project. They will also look up information on how to create the video.
  • Brainstorming–Students will work together to come up with the most interesting and exciting idea to create the introductory video.
  • Concept–Students will create a concept/storyboard for their video to show their idea for the video.
  • Developing/Planning–Students will prepare for the filming of the video.

SEMESTER EXAMS

Students were given their semester binder organization sheet today. The sheet details exactly what should be in the binder and where it should be in the binder. This should be easy for students to complete IF they have kept up with their work.

The test schedule is as follows:

Monday: Regular school day

Tuesday: 1st period exam (1:00-3:05)

Wednesday: 2nd period exam (7:50-9:25)

3rd period exam (9:30-10:55)

Thursday: 4th period exam (7:50-9:25)

5th period exam (9:30-10:55)

Friday: 6th period exam (7:50-9:45)

7th period exam (9:50-11:45)

 

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What’s new this week?

November 28th, 2011 by · No Comments · Helpful Information, Lessons for the Week

Dear Parents and Students,
I hope all of you had a fantastic Thanksgiving break!

This week in class, we will be taking a close look at political cartoons. Specifically, we will see how the cartoonist uses the following concepts to craft a message with his/her cartoon:

  • symbolism
  • exaggeration
  • labeling
  • analogy
  • irony

We will examine some current political cartoons to identify these elements and to recognize bias from the cartoonist.

Finally, towards the end of the week, we will begin creating our own political cartoons to convey a message about several different topics.

If we have inclement weather, expect a phone call to determine whether or not school will be in session.

Have a great week and stay safe (and warm)!

Neil Burton

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Today’s link…

November 9th, 2011 by · 2 Comments · Helpful Information

Click HERE for today’s link after you have researched the topic.

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Medieval Faire Field Trip!

November 8th, 2011 by · No Comments · Helpful Information

Dear Parents,

 

All of my classes will be participating in a walking field trip TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15th. We will walk to the high school in the morning to participate in the Medieval Faire. This field trip is an opportunity to learn more about life in the Middle Ages. Mrs. Drummond summarized it in this way:

 

This is a great way for the kids to gain understanding about European life in the Middle Ages (especially pertinent as we are studying other countries and their cultures this 9 weeks).  It’s also a way for them to see the importance of giving back to the school community—all of the volunteers are OHS students.  These older students enjoy teaching visitors about their areas of expertise and they are a great sources of knowledge as well as excellent examples of leadership.

 

We will then enjoy a SACK LUNCH followed by a tour/scavenger hunt at St. Peters Cemetery. The hunt is a respectful tour of Oxford’s past while solving complex problems (riddles) and learning more about our community.

 

If for some reason your child cannot participate, please contact me soon so that I can make arrangements for him/her to stay.

 

STUDENTS WILL NEED:

Layered clothing

2 drinks (at least—please mark them some way)

snacks

lunch

walking shoes

pencil/pen

 

If you would like to join us for the full day/part of the day/at lunch/etc., please let me know. We would love to have your help. You can comment below or let me know on the field trip form (I’m sending it home tomorrow).

Thanks and have a great week!

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HOMEWORK THIS WEEKEND!!!

October 28th, 2011 by · No Comments · Uncategorized

Please don’t forget your homework this weekend:

Fill a shoebox with items to create a machine that will be powered by a fan.

The only supplies you can use are those that you bring.

You MUST have CDs for the project. Try to find old, scratched CDs.

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