Conversation Starters

Do you ask your student "how was school today?' and usually get the response "fine"?  Sometimes it takes a little more finesse to get your student talking.  I find that asking specific questions typically helps.  This is a strategy I learned from my son's 1st grade teacher.  Fun fact: that teacher is his 3rd grade teacher this year.  You can check out her awesome blog at: mrsharadon.blogspot.com. One day during his first grade year, she and her teaching partner posted questions we could ask our student when he/she got home that day.  Having those questions really opened him up and got him talking (and let's admit--at least remembering)  about more parts of his day.  I was inspired to come up with conversation starters for my students' parents.

So, here we go: questions to ask your student today...

JUNIOR HONORS

1.  What questions do you still have about blended learning?
2.  What did you learn about your teacher or another classmate today?


STUDIES IN LITERATURE AND FILM

1.  What did you learn about the film industry? or about Oscar history?
2.  What do you think about Mrs. Schmitt's challenge she posed? (about Honors/College Prep)


I hope you have a great afternoon and enjoy some fruitful discussions with your students!

Back to School 2016-2017!

Welcome Back, Broncos!

I am so excited to start our year together on Monday!  I am really looking forward to seeing former students--and meeting all of the new ones!

Juniors, we are about to embark on a fun Blended Learning adventure!  I hope you are excited!  I am!

Seniors, I can't wait to hear about what films you watched this summer and to watch you grow as writers. 

And, of course, I am looking forward to all of the things we do outside of the classroom too!   #bronconation

Spring Break Reads!

Hello, Schmitt's Scholars!  Looking for something to read over break?  Check out these recommendations from your classmates!

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1nTJKEtkGK4m41BQafKZIrix9Cc-25NxzjFkSwU6grMw/edit#slide=id.p


https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1ZYqDza-yOUkz8RrQfNUzk3h1ejihwOA-91nNMsFMJZQ/edit#slide=id.g8403a61f0_9_5

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1ZYqDza-yOUkz8RrQfNUzk3h1ejihwOA-91nNMsFMJZQ/edit#slide=id.g8403a61f0_9_5

Let us know what you pick up!  And what you think!

New Year's Resolutions to Read More!

New Year's Resolution to Read more Books you say?  Check out these recommendations from our Bronco Readers:

Books Read in 2015 that students recommend:

Cinder

The Martian

Into the Wild

Girl on the Train

The Time Paradox

My Bloody Life

A Monster Calls

Don't Look Back

Books Students want to read in 2016: (maybe join the conversation and read one of these yourself?)

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?

Winter

Bad Feminist

Game of Thrones

Breakfast of Champions

Columbine

Divergent

Maze Runner

Wolf of Wall Street

Paper Towns

Tipping Point

1984

Dear Mr. You

The Secret Life of Bees

I Hunt Killers

What will YOU read?  

Check out this Book Challenge if you need further inspiration!

http://modernmrsdarcy.com/2016-reading-challenge/

Homecoming

Milestone Moments 9.24.15

As teachers, we are lucky that we get to be witnesses to many milestone moments in your children's lives: successes in the classroom, triumphs on the field, celebrations of the everyday.  Of course, those moments can include adolescence's tragedies too: friend fights, difficulty with grades, acne.  But I love being with your students through all of it.  Being with your children every day is the best part of my job.  I feel lucky that I get to, in a small way, share them with you.  You get them for a life time; I get them for, at best, four years.  Watching your children grow up over the course of high school is one of the greatest perks of my job.  Though it probably shouldn't amaze me year-after-year, I am always in awe of the student who grew a 5 inches in one summer, the student who has matured beyond belief, the student who once seemed lost, but now has found his way.  So, it is with great joy that I share one of my absolute favorite Milestone Moments--the removal of braces.  I have no idea why I love it so much when students get their braces off.  Perhaps it is because I remember the utter glee I experienced when I got mine off when I was a high school freshman.  I remember how I felt like it changed my entire face, and in a way, I suppose, it did.  This Milestone Moment happened today, and what made it extra special was that it happened for TWO students.  Look at those new, bright and shiny smiles!  In short, thank you for sharing your children with me.  I'm so glad I get to be a part of their lives--big moments and small.

Back to School Night 9.17.15

Parents, it was great to meet you last night!  Students, I loved meeting your parents!

Juniors/Junior Parents:
Here are some of the student-written Transcendental Poems I shared:

Appreciate the gift of life

It’s a rare and special gift

Appreciate life’s tiny gifts

A ray of sun or sea of water

Appreciate thoughtless gestures

A gleaming smile or subtle wave

Appreciate family

Don’t take them for granted

Appreciate friends

They’re the life vest when you’re drowning

Appreciate love

It’s a small yet beautiful thing

Appreciate honesty

Honesty is courageous

Appreciate the journey

Enjoy the view

Appreciate uniqueness

For no snowflake is alike

Appreciate the unknown

There’s light at the end of the tunnel

How can I be myself

If I worry about who I am?

If I ask too many questions

Will I ever understand?

When the clock will cease to tick

Will I worry about time?

When my choices are my outcome

Will I come to regret mine?

Don't we have some amazing, creative writers?  Your students have been impressing me through and through.  I can't wait to read their Credos.  Be sure to ask your student about his/her Credo.

Parents and Students,
I hope you take some time to discuss your Broncos Read book together.  Maybe you will inspire someone to read the book you selected.

Here is a photo from our Literacy Day with Taylor Mali:

Have a great weekend!