Welcome to the last post!

Hello.

This is going to be my last post using this website for my blog. I'm going to begin using the blog system that is connected to the server in the district. One benefit of this will be that you will be able to subscribe to it and an email will be sent to you every time it is updated.

So...thanks for reading this...enjoy the summer!

Website Problems

Hello.

I would like to ask for you patience in working with my web page. The firewall is causing a number of issues with pbwiki (the site which hosts my page) so I'm having difficulty updating the page on a regular basis. The IT people have assured me that this will be taken care of ASAP so please check back often!

Thanks.

Welcome to the second semester!

Welome to the sedomd semester. Sorry I haven't updated this blog in a while. I met with the technology coordinator for the district and came away with the feeling that no one is actually reading this blog anyway. So let's test his theory. Please leave me a message on here.

Here's a quick update on classes.

World History Standard. I've "upped the ante" in world history class this semester. A number of students struggled with handing in assignments last semester. As a result, I've had to return to an old policy of giving academic detentions for work that is not handed in on time. Hopefully, this will help turn the semester around for some of the students who are struggling.

World History Honors. I am pleased with the second quarter grades and mid-term exams of both honors classes. There was a general trend of improvement which is common in the second quarter of freshman year. Now that everyone is settled in to the high school, I'm hoping that my students will continue to grow.

Psychology. Welcome to psychology class! We are currently learning about the history and formal approaches to psychology in an introductory unit. The first test should be in about a week.

Bye for now. I hope to hear from you soon.

A New Beginning...

The first quarter has ended and the second quarter is just beginning. Mr. Platt (my student teacher) has assumed teaching responsibilities in each of my classes and will have them until the Thanksgiving break. He has shown himself to be a competent teacher and is doing very well at this point.

I will be emphasizing the "New Beginning" in each of my classes. As a reminder students should take advantage of extra help, extra credit, and retakes in order to be successful.

Students should also be aware that I will begin deducting points on assignments for ommitting last names, poor spelling, and grammatical errors. I am trying to emphasize the need to become effective communicators and I feel that these steps will help them to become better students.

Here's a quick update on my courses.

World History Classes are currently covering the Roman Empire and will be doing this until the Thanksgiving break. On the 13th students will begin construction of wiki pages in order to complete family trees on line. Students will be given additional credit for getting family members to collaborate with them on this project.

Psychology: We are finishing Sensation and Perception tomorrow and are moving into Conditioning. Students have also begun working on a tic-tac-toe assignment. Students have a choice of assignments to complete on a tic-tac-toe grid. I will also be offering extra credit for observations done on "Black Friday." We will be discussing group behavior shortly.

End of Quarter 1

Hello.

We are less than two weeks away from the end of the first quarter. (I can't believe how fast it's gone bye!) Students should make sure that they have turned in all of their missing assignments. Here's a quick update on each class.

Psychology: Psychology classes are going well. The students are currently working on group presentations over the impact of drugs on consiousness. Presentations are scheduled for Wednesday (10/24). Students should also be keeping dream diaries for six days...these will be checked on Wednesday as well. The next test over biopsychology and altered states of consciousness is on Friday.

World History Standard: The class just took a test over Greece Part I on Friday. Students are reminded to retake tests on which they score below an 80. Greece part II begins tomorrow. Students will have a test over this at the end of next week.

Honors: The honors classes have a test over Greece Part I tomorrow. I have attached a review sheet to the assignment page for that class on my web site (ramscholars.pbwiki.com). There is an optional review session in my room today at 2:20. The students will have the test over Greece Part II on November 2.

Progress Reports

Progress Reports were filled out last week and mailed over the weekend. One of the nice things about these reports is that it provides parents and students with information regarding the student's grade before the end of the quarter. There is still plenty of time for your student to improve his/her grade. I suggest the following.

-Hand in missing assignments. Every missing assignment is averaged in to the student's grade as a zero...these can add up fast.

-Retake exams. (NOT AVAILABLE FOR HONORS CLASSES). I allow students who score below an 80 one week to retake exams. This is a great opportunity for student who have had difficulty on a test.

-See me for extra help. Although I am available each morning and most afternoons for extra help very few students take advantage of this opportunity.

Homecoming Week

Here is a quick update on each of my classes.

World History Standard: The class is getting ready for their first test over ancient civilizations on Friday. The students should study the neolithic revolution, the five characteristics of a civilization, Mesopotamia and Egypt. Although we will review the material in class on Wednesday, students will have to put in some study time if they want to do well.

World History Honors. Due to freshmen vision screening and school pictures, the test over ancient civilizations has been pushed back until Wednesday. Students should check my web page for a review sheet.

PSYCHOLOGY: Things are going well in psychology. We are currently studying child development. The students will have a mini-quiz on Thursday and test over this material at the end of next week.

Class of 2011: The students will vote for class King and Queen for Homecoming this week. There will also be a parade on Thursday at 5:30. The parade begins at Park St. school and goes toward the high school. Students wishing to ride in the parade should wear blue. If the students would like to pass out candy during the parade, they may do so.