Naaktgeboren's Class Blog

Greetings Families, WOW! Only one week of school is left. It's a big week, and I need your help. Often, students, when the break is right around the corner, start to lose focus. They forget to do their homework. They don't student for tests and quizzes. They are just so ready for a break that they start to break a week early. Please help them keep their focus this week as we try to finish strong. Grandparent's Day I want to say thank you to all of the families that were able to have some grandparents comes to our event on Friday. It was great having the time for our students to spend with their grandparents. At the same time, I know it can be hard for students who don't have grandparents there. My children lost their grandmother last March, my mom, and my wife's parents live in Kentucky. So I know that Grandparent's Day is a bitter/sweet kind of day for my students. Nonetheless, I'm thankful for the influence grandparents have in the lives of my stude...

Greetings Families, It is hard to believe, but there are only two weeks of the first quarter left. It is exciting to think of how far the students have come thus far. Though I'm still pressing them to become better scholars, it is amazing to see the improvements that have happened. For example, the averages on science and history quizzes have improved greatly. 4B Family Meet and Greet I hope you've seen the family meet and greet set up by our class moms. Here is the pertinent information. When: Friday, September 27th @ 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. Where: Cooley Station Communication Poor (3733 E. Leslie Dr., Gilbert, AZ 85296) BYOP: Bring Your Own Pizza Drinks and Treats: Click Here to Sign Up Grand Parent's Day Grade Parent's Day is this Friday. This was promoted on the school newsletter and a flyer was also sent home. I've already had questions about late registrations. I'm not really sure if grandparents can still be added. Here is what was in the ...

Greetings Families, Every week, students work on completers for Khan Academy, Typing Quest, and Xtra Math. Khan Academy and Xtra Math have tutorials and instructions given by voice. It is very important that students have a pair of headphones or earbuds during these important educational activities. If you would, please check your student's backpack to ensure that they have these. If they do not, please provide your child with headphones or earbuds. They may use whatever you provide, but I recommend inexpensive earbuds from the Dollar Tree. You might even purchase an extra pair for if they lose them or break them. Thank you for your support. Best, Michael Naaktgeboren

Greetings Families, I want to apologize for the nightly review homework from last night. I was not attentive to the fact that last nights homework required a skill I've not taught them yet. That makes it poor review homework. I've very proud of the students who asked for help last night, and many even told me they now know how to do it. Thank you for helping your child with something I've not taught them yet. For last nights homework, any student who did it is getting credit for the work they did. However, if students did not do it, the assignment will be excused. Furthermore, for the students who did it, the worksheet will not be graded for accuracy like it normally would be, but just for effort. I'll likely send the same worksheet home again once I've taught the material. I apologize for the inconvenience I caused. Thank you for your understanding. Best, Michael Naaktgeboren

Greetings Families, It is time to start the Europe research projects. This is one of the most fun and most difficult task your child will be expected to complete this year. The reason it is so much fun is that students get to learn about other countries and cultures--some that even have personal relevance. The reason it is so difficult is that it is work spread over many weeks and takes a great deal of responsibility. Nonetheless, most students do very well, and it is very exciting seeing them present.  The first thing many parents ask is what is the trifold board supposed to look like. Here are some examples of past Europe project poster boards. Your child's poster doesn't need to look like this, but I wanted to give you an idea of what some good ones have looked like. You will notice that the Norway flag is incorporated into the poster board while the Netherlands' flag is just glued to the board. The flag could also be on a separate poster or piece of paper to be ...

Greetings Families,                  NO SCHOOL MONDAY (9/16/2019) I hope you are enjoying the long weekend. Remember, there is no school tomorrow for students. I, unfortunately, have to work. I'm actually kidding. Tomorrow is our Summit. I actually like attending the Summit each year. It is a time for the important people of Great Hearts to express their hopes for the network and to give us a charge for the upcoming year. It is always easy to get bogged down by the day to day teaching and lose focus of our greater purpose-- to cultivate the hearts and minds of students through the pursuit of Truth, Goodness, and Beauty . I also want to let you know that I was out Friday, but got a good report about the students' behavior while I was gone. I heard they abused my bathroom policy while I was out, and the assistants who covered the classroom during my absence were likely too generous in letting students leave the room. However, as I told them...

Greetings Families, I have added an additional resource to the blog under the "Resources" tab. You will find the 2018-2019 Grammar Notebook that my students made last year. The notebook we are making this year will be different as we are trying to make improvements to our grammar/writing curriculum. Nonetheless, as questions arise, this may be beneficial. However, know you are always welcome to reach out to me with questions. Also, if you feel that a hardcopy of this would serve you better, please let me know. I am happy to print it out for your use. Best, Michael Naaktgeboren

Greetings Families,              Curriculum Q&A Workshop, Wednesday from 6:00-7:00 p.m. I hope you have had a great weekend. Here are the lessons for the week. Lessons History: Students will continue their study of the Middle Ages this week. This week students will learn about life on a manor and in a castle, and what it was like to become a knight. Students will receive their packets for the big history project this week. Literature: In literature, students will read chapters 20-22 this week. Math: Students will be taking their order of operations test today. They will then turn their attention to negative numbers. There is a test on Friday over negative numbers. Poem: This week, students will recite the poem, "Afternoon on a Hill." Greek and Latin Roots: Students will take a review check on roots 14-16 and will be taught roots 17-19 this week. Science: Having learned everything that will be on the upcoming science test, this week...