African-American Poetry Culminating Project

1. Choose a poem from your packet.
2. Imagery is one of the backbones of poetry. So create a PowerPoint that combines your chosen poem and images you've found.
3. Have the last slide be an explanation of why you chose the poem. (Just because I liked it is not a thoughtful answer.) Picture below created at wordle.com using the Langston Hughes poems.

Poesía - Afroamericana Culminando el Proyecto
1. Escoja un poema de su paquete.
2. La imaginación es la columna vertebral de la poesía. Entonces cree un PowerPoint que combine su poema escogido e imágenes que ha encontrado.
3. La última diapositiva para hacer una explicación de por qué usted escogió el poema. (Sólo porque me gustó que no es una buena respuesta.) Imágenes debajo creó wordle.com usa Langston Hughes poems.

Please watch this video and make sure you can answer the following questions

Please take the time to do the following:

Explain to someone what Civil Rights means.

Who is Martin Luther King Junior, and why is he important?

What does "non-violent protest" mean? Can you give an example of one from the video?

What is segregation? What is integration? What is prejudice?

Do you judge people by the color of their skin or by the content of their character?

Por favor mire este video y asegúrese que usted puede contestar las preguntas siguientes

Por favor tome el tiempo para hacer lo siguiente: Explique a alguien eso que Civil Corrige los medios.

¿Quién el Martin Luther King Menor es, y por qué él es importante?

¿Qué la protesta" non-violenta significa?

¿Usted puede dar un ejemplo de uno del video?

¿Cuál es la segregación? ¿Cuál es la integración? ¿Cuál es el prejuicio?

¿Usted juzga a las personas por el color de su piel o por su personalidad?

Update

Technologically, the MAP test went much better today. It's a heavy load on the server, but the IT department is handling it well. The preliminary data for both reading and math show that the class is performing VERY well.

Thumbs Up for MAP Testing

The students handled the testing well! I'm proud of them. We dealt with a few technical difficulties - for example, Laura's computer kept shutting down. We learned a lot for next year, and I have lots of raw data that I'm trying to make sense of. I LOVE IT. Yeah, Pilot Class!

Pilot Testing for 5th Grade

I am so excited to be the pilot class for the MAP testing. I can't wait to get my hands on that data! That's when the fun begins. Below is the text of the letter to the parents from Mr. Morris.

- Sue Stevens

MAP Testing

April 15, 2009

Dear Grade Five Parents

During the week of April 27 your child will take tests called Measures of Academic Progress™ (MAP). MAP tests will be taken by all students in grades 2-10 next year and will replace the ITBS (IOWA) tests. We have chosen the grade five class to ‘pilot’ the testing and analysis procedures in preparation for next year’s testing. Throughout many International Schools MAP testing is quickly becoming the testing system of choice.

We give students MAP tests to determine your child’s instructional level and to measure academic growth throughout the school year, and from year to year in the areas of Math, Reading and Language. Your child will take the tests on a computer and results will be made available for the classroom teacher within 24 hours!

MAP tests are called ‘adaptive’ tests. MAP tests are unique in that they adapt to be appropriate for your child’s level of learning. As a student answers a test question on a computer, the program immediately analyzes the student’s response and, based on how well the student has answered previous questions, selects a question of appropriate difficulty to display next. As a result, each student has the same opportunity to succeed and maintain a positive attitude toward testing. And with MAP tests, we can administer shorter tests and use less class time while still receiving detailed, accurate information about your child’s growth. MAP tests use state-aligned standards. Your child will spend a total of approximately 150 minutes completing these tests (50 minutes per day).

Each school year, students at IA in grades two through ten take the tests in September, December and April. Following each testing period, you will receive a report showing your child’s growth.

We are very excited about introducing MAP testing into the school, as we will be more able to accurately identify each individual’s current level of instruction. By receiving instant feedback, along with a testing schedule of three times a year, teachers will be able to use detailed data to identify individual learning levels, and this is what quality instruction is all about.

Before we begin full implementation of MAP testing in September you will be invited to attend an informational meeting at the beginning of next semester that fully explains the purposes of the tests and how we will use the information obtained to promote your child's learning.

We are truly excited to begin a new era that focuses on every child’s individual growth and achievement. Partnering to help all kids learn, parents and teachers can have a profound positive effect on the lives of our children.

For more information on resources for parents, download the Parent Toolkit at www.nwea.org >> Member Support >> Downloads >> Manuals.

Sincerely

Steve Morris
N-12 Principal.

Civil War Test

Please know:

The reasons the Civil War was fought

Important names for the North and South (generals, presidents, armies, etc.)

Role of women in the Civil War

Who won?

Invitation

We have seats for 12 - 15 parents to attend the movie La Tierra with the 1st - 8th grades on Wednesday. The cost is $3 and you can meet us at the movie theater at 9:15. If you are interested, please contact Sarah Valentine: svalentine@interamerican.edu.ec

April 20th - 24th

We've got a crazy week coming up! Stay on your toes.
Tuesday - Unity Day (fun and games for elementary) in the morning. Early release day.
Wednesday - Earth Day field trip
Thursday - Libro Leido

Internet Publishing Consent and Waiver Form

Please don't forget to sign and turn in this waiver if you give permission for us to publish your child's work and/or photograph on the school web site.
If you give permission, the sheet needs to be turned in by April 22nd.

Earth Day

Earth Day is celebrated on Wednesday, April 22 all around the world! At IA we will be celebrating in a couple of different ways! All students (N-12) are welcome to dress in green and blue on Earth Day to show their support for keeping our planet clean.

Grades 1-8 will be going on a field trip to see the new Disney Nature movie La Tierra at Rio Centro Supercines on Earth Day. The movie is from 9:30-11:00am. We will be leaving at 9:00 in busses from the school and returning at 11:15. Elementary Lunch will be shortened by 10 minutes and will take place from 11:15-11:45. Students are encouraged to bring a snack to eat on the bus as we will not be buying snacks at the theatre. The cost of the trip is $3 per students. Please return the signed waiver and $3 to the classroom teachers by Tuesday, April 21.

More information on www.planetpals.com/earthdayideas.html

Please don't forget to send in permission slips and money!

FYI

Parents, I won't be in school Wednesday the 15th or Thursday the 16th. I will be meeting with teams of teachers to score the 6-Traits Spring writing assessments. HOWEVER, I've carefully planned for the sub so we can continue forward.

No Newsflash this week

There won't be a Newsflash this week due to the short school week. Enjoy the holidays! Back to school on Tuesday, April 14th. We'll be starting our new language arts/social studies unit on Civil Rights/Poetry.

Ningún Newsflash esta semana
No habrá un Newsflash esta semana debido a la semana escolar corta. ¡Disfrute las fiestas! Regreso a la escuela el martes 14 de abril. Nosotros estaremos empezando una nueva unidad lectura/ Estudios sociales en Derechos civiles/poecía.

Important Important Important Important

Please make sure that your child checks out Voice Threads enough in advance of the due date of our assessment to make sure they can access the site and record their responses. I've told the students that they should have already tried to do this, so they know if they have to find another place to do their homework - like school or an Internet cafe. It is their responsibility to problem solve if there is a problem and get the assessment finished on time. THANKS!

Importante Importante Importante Importante
Por favor asegúrese que su niño revise "Voice Threads" lo suficiente y avance a la fecha de vencimiento de nuestra asignación, asegurarse que ellos pueden acceder el sitio y pueden grabar sus respuestas. Yo les he dicho a los estudiantes que ellos ya deben de haber intentado hacer esto, para que sepan por si tienen que encontrar otro lugar para hacer su tarea - como la escuela o en un ciber-café. Es su responsabilidad resolver el problema si hay alguno y conseguir que la asignación sea terminada a tiempo. ¡GRACIAS!