Tag Archives: Newark NJ

Class Notes #10: Literary Salons, Veterans’ Day, & New Names

Posted on November 13, 2015 by lisakwinkler

The Literary Salons were a great success. Several administrators and teachers stopped in and gave their support. The highlight truly for all was when one 7th grader, a boy from Ghana who has been so shy he never spoke, read … Continue reading →

Posted in commentary, Education, teaching, teenagers, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Class Notes #9: President Obama, Songs, & Literary Salon

Posted on November 5, 2015 by lisakwinkler

Since the quarter ends next week, I decided each class would participate in a literary salon to share their writing with staff that may be free that period. Students selected their own work to read and then made invitations, cutting … Continue reading →

Posted in commentary, Education, teaching, teenagers | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Class notes #8 Inventions, Friends & Scary Stories

Posted on October 29, 2015 by lisakwinkler

Students this week wrote about what they’d invent to make the world a better place, about qualities of a good friend, and scary stories. The 7th graders spent a day in the woods, hiking and participating in cooperative games as … Continue reading →

Posted in commentary, Education, teaching, teenagers, Writing | Tagged , , , , | 12 Comments

Class Notes #7: What if President Obama invited you to….

Posted on October 23, 2015 by lisakwinkler

  The “Macbeth” bulletin is up, ready for an admissions open house and for a big donor tour next week. A couple 8th grade girls enjoyed designing it, and the chance to be out of class and given the responsibility.  … Continue reading →

Posted in commentary, Education, teaching | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Class Notes #6: Macbeth & World Records

Posted on October 16, 2015 by lisakwinkler

October is: pumpkins, leaves, apples, cider and of course, Halloween. The school doesn’t officially celebrate it, though the students have a fall dance. The art teacher has introduced Mexican skull and other autumn-themed painting. And I sneaked in a little … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, holidays, Reading, Shakespeare, teaching, teenagers, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Class Notes #5: Middle School Moods

Posted on October 9, 2015 by lisakwinkler

I’m getting to know the kids and enjoying the vagaries of middle schoolers’ moods.  One minute, happy and focused; the next ornery and distracted. And every emotional state in-between. It can be frustrating at times. The 8th graders tap their … Continue reading →

Posted in commentary, Education, exercise, teaching, teenagers, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , | 14 Comments

Class Notes #4: Odes, Superheroes & Fan Fiction

Posted on October 2, 2015 by lisakwinkler

It was a better week all around. The midpoint of the quarter is approaching in another week and every student receives a progress report with comments. So some are becoming mindful about accountability and focusing a bit more. The disciplinary … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, teaching, teenagers, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , | 7 Comments