In Chapter 15 of The Devil's Arithmetic, Leye explains that Rivka organized a ring for the blokova, allowing Hannah to have a decent job in the kitchens. Rivka and Hannah have an exchange regarding Leye's explanation in which Rivka essentially tells Hannah to "pay it forward," an idea that prompts people to do good for others. Please provide your feelings on the following excerpt, drawing connections to your own life or other areas of study in the Sixth Grade.
When Hannah tried to thank Rivka, the girl only smiled and shrugged away the thanks. "My mother, may she rest in peace, always said 'a nemer iz nisht keyn geber,' a taker is not a giver. And a giver is not a taker either. Keep your thanks. And hand it on." She said it gently, as if embarrassed.
Hannah understood her embarrassment and didn't mention it again, but she did try to pass it on....
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Monday, November 14, 2011
Science Final Challenge!
Science Students,
It's time for us to play a little 1st Trimester review game... Please provide one "Fun Fact" from our studies during the 1st Trimester of Earth Science. You may list one golden nugget from Chapters 1, 2, 6, or 13, but you may not provide the blog with a fun fact that a classmate has already posted (first come, first served).
You must also number your post. If you are the second student to log in, your entry might begin like this:
2) Alfred Wegener developed the Theory of Continental Drift.
Email or see me if you have any questions... Let the game begin!
It's time for us to play a little 1st Trimester review game... Please provide one "Fun Fact" from our studies during the 1st Trimester of Earth Science. You may list one golden nugget from Chapters 1, 2, 6, or 13, but you may not provide the blog with a fun fact that a classmate has already posted (first come, first served).
You must also number your post. If you are the second student to log in, your entry might begin like this:
2) Alfred Wegener developed the Theory of Continental Drift.
Email or see me if you have any questions... Let the game begin!
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Monday, October 3, 2011
Heqet-isms 2011
Students,
Please create your own Heqet-ism, a phrase that Ranofer's friend Heqet might say. Post your Heqet-ism below. Due Thursday, October 6, by 4 p.m.
Please create your own Heqet-ism, a phrase that Ranofer's friend Heqet might say. Post your Heqet-ism below. Due Thursday, October 6, by 4 p.m.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Eco-Haiku Selections, September 2011
Selected ecology haikus from the 6th Grade class following our three-day trip to Catalina...
"Together"
by Kiefer M.
Within clear water / A diverse population / They're all connected
"Dark Night Hikes"
by Ella A.
Stars shining brightly / Scary sounds in the dark night / Bats flying above
"The Power Rs"
by Katie L.
Reduce paper use / Reuse cool water bottles / Recycle plastic
"Taking a Peek in the Ocean Waters"
by Christine P.
Beautiful fish swim / Underneath the wide blue sea / In search of some food
"Going Up"
by Alina G.
Hiking up mountains / A warm breeze blows in my face / Cactus juice dribbling
"Lemonade Berries"
by Lindsey U.
The sweet sensation / of the lemonade berry / Trickling down your throat
"The Kelp Forests"
by Roland M.
Surrounded by kelp / Garibaldis, octopi / A home for sea life
"Snorkeling at Catalina"
by Olivia W.
Into the water / I glance at amazing fish / All swimming as one
"One Chinchilla's Waste Is Another Tree's Treasure"
by Andrew L.
No waste in nature / Even when a chinchilla / throws out old gross food
"Together"
by Kiefer M.
Within clear water / A diverse population / They're all connected
"Dark Night Hikes"
by Ella A.
Stars shining brightly / Scary sounds in the dark night / Bats flying above
"The Power Rs"
by Katie L.
Reduce paper use / Reuse cool water bottles / Recycle plastic
"Taking a Peek in the Ocean Waters"
by Christine P.
Beautiful fish swim / Underneath the wide blue sea / In search of some food
"Going Up"
by Alina G.
Hiking up mountains / A warm breeze blows in my face / Cactus juice dribbling
"Lemonade Berries"
by Lindsey U.
The sweet sensation / of the lemonade berry / Trickling down your throat
"The Kelp Forests"
by Roland M.
Surrounded by kelp / Garibaldis, octopi / A home for sea life
"Snorkeling at Catalina"
by Olivia W.
Into the water / I glance at amazing fish / All swimming as one
"One Chinchilla's Waste Is Another Tree's Treasure"
by Andrew L.
No waste in nature / Even when a chinchilla / throws out old gross food
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Come on, Irene!
As an Earth Scientist, I love to examine and explore the workings of our amazing planet - the push and pull of the tides, the grinding of tectonic plates, the formation of fossils, and the endless cycles of water, rocks, and life. However, as I sit here in my 8th-floor hotel room in New Haven, CT, at 1 a.m. on August 28, I am just a bit taken aback by the raw and amazing power of Mother Nature and how she can toy with air, land, and sea as if the three are simple playthings.
I am stuck in Connecticut after completing 5 days of tennis production for ESPN, and it seems that I won't be able to leave the state for another few days... all flights from the eastern seaboard cancelled and most mass transit suspended for the weekend. School's about to begin and there are tasks to be completed, but I am left to listen to the roaring of gale-force winds as Hurricane Irene brings the brunt of her anger into New York and Connecticut. As the morning hours crawl on, she will bring her lashing of wind and rain into the Long Island Sound and the southern coast of the Nutmeg State, where I sit waiting.
These are the times that I am reminded that Earth Science is studied and advanced in a living, breathing laboratory. This terrestrial lab is one of great power and awe in which no white lab coats or goggles are necessarily required. Here safety requirements may include extra D batteries, a few gallons of water, non-perishable rations, and limitless patience. (The patience is needed for multi-day airline delays and power outages, and the rest is required for survival.)
It seems this LA boy has become accustomed to the earthquakes, heat waves, wildfires, and flash floods of Southern California. Now, faced with his first hurricane, he would much rather be home on the west coast, cozied up in the 106-degree August days of the San Fernando Valley. As the wind and rain batter the windows of the Yale/New Haven Omni Hotel, this observer is once again awed by the power of the planet and the frailty of mankind and its habitats. We are no match for the magnificence of Earth's weather and physical strengths. We, like the elements, are simply playthings of our Mother.
As with all storms and various travails, this too shall pass. It's just a matter of waiting, battening down hatches, and - for me - taking notes on the brilliance of Earth's weather, whims, and wonders.
Signing out from the Constitution State and the path of Hurricane Irene... and hoping to see you back in sunny California very soon!
Mr. B
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
SHIRA NATTANA ULMER
In the earliest hours of April 23, 2011, we lost our dear friend and colleague, Shira Nattana Ulmer, an outstanding teacher, a guiding mentor, a loving mother, a devoted friend, and a beautiful human being. After a year of waging war against an aggressive barrage of cancer, Shira fell. She fought valiantly and never gave in; she never saw defeat as an option. Always optimistic that she would return to health and her profession, Shira stood strong, buoyed by the love of her family and friends… and her students. Despite Shira’s passing, she will always remain with us in spirit and memories.
Do not stand at my grave and weep
Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.
Mary E. Frye
Cancer is a cruel and bitter foe, but our Sixth Grade students and the faculty and staff of Crestview Prep are rallying to raise awareness and funds in the fight against this menace. On Saturday, May 7, our Revlon Run/Walk team, Crestview Crew, will converge on Exposition Park near the USC campus and the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Led by team captain Cameron Wu, the Crestview Crew is quickly gathering “womentum” and building its membership and donation totals. We thank you, the Crestview Community, for your support and enthusiasm as we enter our warm-up week, and we look forward to lacing it up early next Saturday morning… We’re walking for and with our beloved teacher and friend, Mrs. Shira Ulmer!
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Aeneas at Carthage Revisited
Students, please take a few minutes to analyze and comment on the following excerpt from “Aeneas at Carthage.” Note the author’s use of personification and descriptive language. Post your comments below.
Aboard the Trojan ships, there was no time for panic. Sails were ripped from their masts; the decks were a riot of rigging, timber, torn wineskins belching their contents, all mingled with sea-water and blood. There was a tearing and slapping of wet fabric, and the scream and crack of wood bent beyond the limit of its length. The low, desperate babble of human confusion was broken now and then by the shriek of some poor creature crushed by a mast, or the shrill neighing of a horse swept overboard into the boiling sea.
Human wits and muscle could do nothing. Aeneas, his legs gripping a rocking ladder, raised his hands to the sky. “Why didn’t we die in Troy?” he cried, but the words of his prayer were lost in the gale; the whole ship seemed to be wailing the same lament.
Aboard the Trojan ships, there was no time for panic. Sails were ripped from their masts; the decks were a riot of rigging, timber, torn wineskins belching their contents, all mingled with sea-water and blood. There was a tearing and slapping of wet fabric, and the scream and crack of wood bent beyond the limit of its length. The low, desperate babble of human confusion was broken now and then by the shriek of some poor creature crushed by a mast, or the shrill neighing of a horse swept overboard into the boiling sea.
Human wits and muscle could do nothing. Aeneas, his legs gripping a rocking ladder, raised his hands to the sky. “Why didn’t we die in Troy?” he cried, but the words of his prayer were lost in the gale; the whole ship seemed to be wailing the same lament.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
The Pale Eyes of Depth
Students,
Please respond to the following passage from The Giver. Does this passage offer any descriptive language that draws you in? Does it foreshadow something that will be revealed about Jonas and/or The Giver? What does it tell you about most members of the community? What is meant by the Depth that Jonas speaks of in the light eyes? I look forward to enjoying your insight.
Mirrors were rare in the community; they weren't forbidden, but there was no need of them, and Jonas had simply never bothered to look at himself very often even when he found himself in a location where a mirror existed. Now, seeing the newchild and its expression, he was reminded that the light eyes were not only a rarity but gave the one who had them a certain look -- what was it? Depth, he decided; as if one were looking into the clear water of the river, down to the bottom, where things might lurk which hadn't been discovered yet. He felt self-conscious, realizing that he, too, had that look.
Please respond to the following passage from The Giver. Does this passage offer any descriptive language that draws you in? Does it foreshadow something that will be revealed about Jonas and/or The Giver? What does it tell you about most members of the community? What is meant by the Depth that Jonas speaks of in the light eyes? I look forward to enjoying your insight.
Mirrors were rare in the community; they weren't forbidden, but there was no need of them, and Jonas had simply never bothered to look at himself very often even when he found himself in a location where a mirror existed. Now, seeing the newchild and its expression, he was reminded that the light eyes were not only a rarity but gave the one who had them a certain look -- what was it? Depth, he decided; as if one were looking into the clear water of the river, down to the bottom, where things might lurk which hadn't been discovered yet. He felt self-conscious, realizing that he, too, had that look.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
March 11, 2011
As children (and adults) we are charmed by the simplicity and splendor of Disneyland’s iconic ride “It’s A Small World.” With its infectious song, colorful animatronic characters, and message of interconnectivity of all peoples, this particular keystone attraction of the Magic Kingdom inspires visitors of all ages to appreciate and respect diversity.
As technology expands, our small world seems to contract, getting smaller with each new social network and internet connection. Walt Disney and his Imagineers could not have possibly foreseen just how small our world could become between 1964 and today. Now, with the push of a button, we can video conference with the other side of the globe; we can make online connections with anyone, anywhere. In some ways the endearing dreamers of Fantasyland who inspired us to reach a greater cross-cultural understanding have inspired us to reach from our little world to other faraway lands. Despite the modern addition of Nemo, Woody, Stitch, and others, “It’s A Small World” remains a promoter for world peace and appreciation of world cultures. Today, because of modern technology and transportation, those of us willing to step out of the Magic Kingdom’s pristine, packaged world can easily find that a wealth of experience and rich cultures await us beyond our national borders.
Some of our students are well-travelled, and others are still looking forward to seeing the world. Regardless of how many frequent flyer miles we’ve racked up, each one of us deserves to experience the plethora of cultural, historical, geographical, and spiritual riches of other continents and countries. The expanding net of technology makes each and every one of us more connected citizens of the global community.
Our lives’ roads will lead each of us in new directions, some to distant lands and some just up the way a bit… Wherever the highways and byways take us, let us travel with respect for others, an appreciation for world cultures, a greater understanding of world geography, and a strengthened appreciation for our dear ‘ol United States of America. Safe travels to you, members of the global community!
We teachers are global travelers, visiting and living in such places as Italy, Japan, El Salvador, Greece, France, Germany, the Philippines, Chile, and Ecuador. As educators, we embrace the cultural and historical lessons offered through our travels. We celebrate architecture, artifacts, and the people of the world. There is so much to learn outside the walls of classrooms and the borders of our own homes that we can’t help but cheer the benefits of world travel.
As technology expands, our small world seems to contract, getting smaller with each new social network and internet connection. Walt Disney and his Imagineers could not have possibly foreseen just how small our world could become between 1964 and today. Now, with the push of a button, we can video conference with the other side of the globe; we can make online connections with anyone, anywhere. In some ways the endearing dreamers of Fantasyland who inspired us to reach a greater cross-cultural understanding have inspired us to reach from our little world to other faraway lands. Despite the modern addition of Nemo, Woody, Stitch, and others, “It’s A Small World” remains a promoter for world peace and appreciation of world cultures. Today, because of modern technology and transportation, those of us willing to step out of the Magic Kingdom’s pristine, packaged world can easily find that a wealth of experience and rich cultures await us beyond our national borders.
Some of our students are well-travelled, and others are still looking forward to seeing the world. Regardless of how many frequent flyer miles we’ve racked up, each one of us deserves to experience the plethora of cultural, historical, geographical, and spiritual riches of other continents and countries. The expanding net of technology makes each and every one of us more connected citizens of the global community.
Our lives’ roads will lead each of us in new directions, some to distant lands and some just up the way a bit… Wherever the highways and byways take us, let us travel with respect for others, an appreciation for world cultures, a greater understanding of world geography, and a strengthened appreciation for our dear ‘ol United States of America. Safe travels to you, members of the global community!
We teachers are global travelers, visiting and living in such places as Italy, Japan, El Salvador, Greece, France, Germany, the Philippines, Chile, and Ecuador. As educators, we embrace the cultural and historical lessons offered through our travels. We celebrate architecture, artifacts, and the people of the world. There is so much to learn outside the walls of classrooms and the borders of our own homes that we can’t help but cheer the benefits of world travel.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Lizzie, Turner, and the Sea Breeze
In Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy, Gary Schmidt brings the sea breeze to life through personification. For example:
"But then it fell panting in the hallway, gasping for breath." (p. 23)
"The sea breeze remembered that autumn wasn't far away and began to blow colder." (p. 212)
"The sea breeze found him and twisted around him." (p. 213)
Find other examples of how the sea breeze is brought to life as a character through personification. Provide two examples in your response to this blog post.
EXTRA CREDIT ASSIGNMENT:
Tell the story of Turner and the citizens of Phippsburg and Malaga Island from the viewpoint of the sea breeze, giving the sea breeze a definite characterization and motvation. Follow typing guidelines. Email Mr. B or submit a hard copy. Due Friday, February 11.
"But then it fell panting in the hallway, gasping for breath." (p. 23)
"The sea breeze remembered that autumn wasn't far away and began to blow colder." (p. 212)
"The sea breeze found him and twisted around him." (p. 213)
Find other examples of how the sea breeze is brought to life as a character through personification. Provide two examples in your response to this blog post.
EXTRA CREDIT ASSIGNMENT:
Tell the story of Turner and the citizens of Phippsburg and Malaga Island from the viewpoint of the sea breeze, giving the sea breeze a definite characterization and motvation. Follow typing guidelines. Email Mr. B or submit a hard copy. Due Friday, February 11.
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