Naaktgeboren's Class Blog

Greetings Families, I hope you are enjoying the last weekend of the first quarter. One more week of hard work and then break. On Friday, my colleagues and I went to Talkingstick Arena (where the Suns play) to meet with Great Hearts employees from Arizona and to hear from the Great Hearts' leadership. One of the things that first inspired me about Great Hearts and that was rekindled in me yesterday was our pursuit for something greater than helping students become college and career. We do not believe that education's telios , or goal or chief end, is to make children utilitarian citizens. That is a part of education, but it is no the goal. Instead, education is about something far grander. Something far more beautiful and wonderful. Something we as teachers only do in part alongside the greater community your children dwell in and that you are endeavoring in and have been endeavoring in since their infancy. That is to make happy souls. Souls not simply satisfied by the fu...

Greetings Families, During most quarters, the last Friday of the second to last week is the final day to turn in all missing work for 80% of its value. Because there is no school on Friday, I'm moving that deadline back to Monday. Tomorrow, if necessary, your child will receive a packet including a grade report and all of his or her missing assignments that aren't Spalding assignments, math workbook pages, or found in the history, literature, or science notebooks. These are due by Monday. No missing work will be taken after Monday. Late Work - Due Monday, October 1 Best, Michael Naaktgeboren

Greetings Families, It is hard to believe that the quarter only has two more weeks. These next two weeks often present challenges for students because of their growing anxiety and excitement for the break. I ask that you keep a vigilant eye on homework completing and test preparation. I hate to see students who have learned how to be successful on assessments lose ground because of the upcoming time off. In addition, these upcoming weeks will present students with the opportunity to gain some lost ground and improve their grades if they weren't as diligent in the prior weeks.  Before I get into the lessons, I do have a few quick notes about other things. No School Friday Friday is a teacher in-service day, so there is no school for students on Friday. Homework Survey Upon reviewing the fourth-grade homework survey data, the majority of families are finding that homework is being completed within the suggested time (61%). About twenty percent of families...