Thursday, March 26, 2020

Weekly Plans for March 30 - April 3, 2020

This week will be devoted to going over the vocabulary quiz # 17, diagramming practice and beginning the discussion on The Diary of Anne Frank.
As we have experienced, we're trying to get a lot of information in a short amount of time. Because the zoom meetings are kept to about 1/2 an hour, it is difficult to get deeply into any of the topics to discuss.
Therefore, it is up to all of you to do the required reading and assignments away from the zoom meetings. There are many different ways in which I will get the grades from you for the different assignments throughout the next couple of weeks. Like I have always said..."One day at a time".
So, as we move forward, I might be looking to all of you for some suggestions to make this "virtual classroom" experience more successful, and definitely, more educational.
I do want to mention, that, if for some reason, anyone would like to meet on a "one -on - one" zoom, or, even a small "group zoom", I am up for that. I know that when someone has had a difficulty, at school, I do offer some one-on-one consultation.
I, still, want all of you to know, I can do that, as well, on zoom. But, of course, the group meetings come first and if you want to meet, individually, I can schedule that, too.. Also, you can get some assistance from your friends who might help you further. Let's just play it by ear and see what happens.

Monday: Zoom meeting at 10:00am. Go over the vocabulary quiz #17. Each of you will have completed the quiz and will be graded. Again, time frame might cause us to use other zoom meetings to accomplish our goals for the day. Please have your quiz in front of you at the beginning of the zoom meeting.

Tuesday:  Please make sure your paragraphs from last week are complete. I will check these on Friday.

Wednesday:    Make sure you are finishing the reading of Anne Frank because we will start discussing the entire book on Monday, April, 6th. Remember...the book is supposed to be complete by Monday, April 6th.

Thursday:    Diagram practice. We might have a little competition.

Friday: Zoom meeting at 10:00am. We will discuss the week and go over any last-minute questions and information needed to "catch up", if necessary.

REMEMBER... THE DIARY OF  ANNE FRANK SHOULD BE COMPLETED BY MONDAY, APRIL 6TH!!!!   

Also, if anyone has any questions about ANYTHING, please, email me. Be Responsible!

Thursday, March 19, 2020

Weekly Plans for March 23 - 27, 2020

Well, we kinda made it through the first week of "virtual classroom." I hope everyone has been diligent and working to make sure you get the most out of ALL you classes. As I said, this is "unchartered territory" and we are all learning as we go. Hopefully, all of you have been on LMS regularly, and have continued to read The Diary of Anne Frank.  As you know, the first ZOOM meeting will take place on Wednesday, March 25th. We will be discussing Anne Frank , a little, and what led up to the Rise of Hitler and how this whole thing happened. So, in the meantime, please keep looking at LMS for any additional information and assignments. If any of you have any questions about ANYTHING, please email me on drifkin@davisacademy.org, or through LMS. Thank you! Remember...get into a schedule of some sorts which works best for you. Stay connected with me and your other teachers. You do not want to fall behind.

Monday: First Zoom meeting was changed to Wednesday. This will last about 30 -45minutes. Please make sure you have been reading Anne Frank and are prepared to ask and answer questions about the book. I will also give more information about when the book should be finished. Knowing some of you, some have, already, completed it. Right? We will, also, go over Vocabulary #17 words. I will give them to you on LMS on Monday. Stay tuned!

Tuesday: I will be putting on LMS some more diagrams for you to practice.

Wednesday: We will be having our Zoom meeting today instead of this past Monday. I will be discussing some questions relating to The Diary of Anne Frank, go over diagrammed sentences and  review for the vocabulary quiz, on Friday. Also, we will decide on how to get your Macy's essays and applications to me.

Thursday: Please write a paragraph, or two, about how there are two sides (personalities) of Anne. Include how she views herself and what she wishes about changing to the "better" Anne. This will be due to discuss on Friday, April 3rd.

Friday: We will have another Zoom meeting at 10:00. The link WILL be on the LMS in the news section of Friday's LMS.  Be ready and always check LMS daily.  GOOD LUCK! See you on Monday morning on Zoom at 10:00am. Today, we will take the vocabulary quiz#17, just like we do in class.

REMEMBER: We will be discussing this format when we are on Zoom meetings. I am learning, as you are. Please be patient, don't get upset, and always know I am here for you.

Thursday, March 12, 2020

Weekly Plans for March 16 - 20, 2020

     Students: Obviously, things have changed. We will be out of school for the next two (2) weeks due to the corona virus. Therefore, this blog will be the communication between you and me for at least, the next two (2) weeks.
      As you are aware, things might change. The good news is, we will be starting The Diary of Anne Frank. 

I have placed a "download" of the entire book on LMS. Click on the title of the book "The Diary of Anne Frank" and the electronic version of the book should open.

Also, I have included the reading schedule for the book on the bulletin board of LMS. 
 
   Obviously, procedures might be interrupted and/or modified at the last minute. All the necessary information will be communicated through LMS and students MUST CHECK WITH LMS Regularly. This might be the only communication we have in order to keep the instruction process flowing. For the most part, your responsibility is to read the book while at home.
     I am confident that, in spite of any "bumps in the road", all the necessary information will be sent appropriately and accurately. Please be patient, proactive and responsible during this uncertain time period. It will, all work out in the end.
 
REMEMBER: LMS will be the communicating device between you and me. As you should already know, my email is drifkin@davisacademy.org. If you have any question, please do not hesitate to contact me. I am, always here for you. You know that!

Just in case, my blog address is:

blog:mrrifkinsroom3.blogspot.com. All pertinent information will be on the bulletin board section.

***Basic Schedule for your weekly responsibilities:
Make sure you pace yourself by reading, EACH DAY. Use the reading schedule as a "guide". Some of you will complete the book earlier...that's okay! Others may take a little longer...that's okay. too!
Any other required work will be listed on the blog, as it happens.
Please understand, this is something we have to do, together. Take responsibility and do the work. I will do my best to make this experience as stress-free as possible.

As a reminder...if you have any difficulties in getting the information, get it from a friend, or e-mail me, and I will do my best to help you accomplish your goal. If you, already, have a copy of the book, you can use that, as well. Don't worry about ANYTHING! "This, too, shall pass"!

I will be adding things and changing the information to this blog as I feel necessary.

Enjoy your time, home, with your families. 




Thursday, March 5, 2020

Weekly Plans for March 9-12, 2020

This week will be devoted to the continuation of the Macy's project, including applications, persuasive essays and interview skills and techniques. In addition, we will continue with diagramming of sentences. Because Monday is Purim, it will be a day of celebration. There will be no regular classes. There is, also, a half-day (noon dismissal) on Friday for all students. There will NOT be a vocabulary quiz, as well.

Monday: Purim Celebration. (No Regular Classes)

Tuesday: (Blocks 2, 3 and 5) We will review diagramming of sentences, with the introduction of compound subjects and predicates, and compound direct objects. There will, also, be the introduction of how to place "indirect objects" in a diagrammed sentence.

Wednesday: (Blocks 2 and 3) Continue with diagramming and have some "mock interviews", as well. There may be time for students working on their essays /applications. (Block 6) same as Tuesday.

Thursday: (Blocks 5 and 6) Same as Wednesday.

Friday: There will be an all-school Kabbalat Shabbat at the Lower school until 11:30. Noon Dismissal.

REMINDER: THE MACY'S ESSAYS AND APPLICATIONS ARE DUE NEXT MONDAY, MARCH 16TH...NO EXCEPTIONS!!!!