10-28-2016

I hope everyone gives a welcome to Marisa Nichols who is our new teaching assistant.  She is an Evergreen and Benjamin(2001) alumni and among other things has worked teaching English in South Korea.  We are happy to have her on our team.

Meemic Foundation & Jan Stauber grants help Ben25 middle schoolers uncover Internet Mysteries w/ help of Sherlock Holmes' novels. Thanks Michelle F!


I can't wait for the 5/6 grade talent show today.  I know the kids, Lynette and Chris have worked very hard to put on a great show for everyone.  Also thanks to Danielle and Melissa for putting together and organizing the sound system.

Speaking of today's assembly, I know that we have had two author visits, the talent show and will have Veterans Day Assembly and the Red Ribbon Assembly packed in in a small period of time. I appreciate everyone's willingness to come together for these learning opportunities/shared experiences.  I know that we have to be respectful of learning time, but at the same time balance that with what the students are learning in the assemblies while still maintaining a schedule where students get all of their classes on a shortened schedule.  We have a pretty established schedule of assemblies and in the future I will try to provide any additional opportunities to grade levels with their input.  The second author visit is an example of something we don't normally have and could have been presented for certain grade levels and not the whole school.  Thank you for your patience and your commitment to academic excellence.

How Writing Novels expands Student expectations
https://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2016/10/21/how-writing-novels-expands-students-expectations-of-themselves/

Thanks to Bill Wadman, Danielle DeChristopher, Rich Feffer, Dan Baker, Cody Anderson and Matt Tylk for recognizing our student athletes at the Fall Awards night this past Wednesday.  The students really appreciate it.  Special thanks to Keriann Moore for organizing everything to run smoothly.

Kids can create their own Graphic Novels with this cool tool.
http://www.comicmaster.org.uk/


Thanks to Matthew Turek for securing two Timpani's (large drums for us non-band folks) from WCHS as well as securing a clarinet clinic at District 33. Both of these opportunities spawn from Mr. Turek's willingness to reach out and collaborate with other schools to help our students.



Thanks to Melissa L for bringing in Michael Miles, professional musician to play and teach our music classes.  I was able to sit in on the 8th grade lesson and was surprised to see the amount of questions they asked and their willingness to participate enthusiastically.  I know Melissa sends out an invite for teachers to come and sit down, next trimester give this some consideration as he is here all day.

A little humor.  How to be late for work video.  Not that we see any of these in the office.

10-21-2016

Mark, Colleen, Jim, Lauren, Jen, Alex, MJ, Bill and Rich were all doing a spectacular job of keeping our 6th grade students engaged and learning, all while the kids were having a blast at outdoor ed yesterday.  No wonder they all write about this trip as one of their best memories at the end of eighth grade year.  Special thanks to all the staff that is holding everything together in their absence, you guys are awesome!

Short animated videos on the history of ideas.

Lynette and Chris have been hard at work getting the 5th and 6th grade students ready for the upcoming talent show.  It will be nice to see the variety of acts the students have planned for us.

20 things that you can learn in ten minutes to be a better teacher,  Great list with links.
http://www.teachthought.com/pedagogy/20-things-you-can-learn-in-10-minutes-to-become-a-better-teacher/?utm_content=bufferc92fb&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

What impressive numbers Melissa and Danielle had for the musical audition clinic and the parent meeting that evening.  Word has spread, the theatrical production of Oklahoma is the place to be!

Tony Robbins, mastering the game of life.
http://www.inc.com/marli-guzzetta/tony-robbins-on-how-to-master-the-game-of-life.html?cid=sf01001&sr_share=twitter


I am looking forward to award winning author, Neil Shusterman who is coming in on Monday to talk to our students.  Thanks to Michelle for setting this up.

Strategies to Help Students ‘Go Deep’ When Reading Digitally
https://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2016/10/16/strategies-to-help-students-go-deep-when-reading-digitally/?utm_content=bufferaff3d&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer



In case you have been living under a rock for the past month and didn't hear, the Fall Fest is this Sunday from 1-4 right here at Benjamin.  If you have time try to stop by.  Thanks to everyone who has baked or volunteered.  Special thanks to Megan D for her efforts towards making this event a success.

California police buy bike for walk to work teen
http://www.cnn.com/2016/10/01/us/california-police-bike-teen-trnd/



Congratulations to the Varsity Girls VB team and Dan for winning the conference tournament last Saturday.  Three tough match-ups meant they had to earn every victory,  Great Job!




I want to thank everyone for the generous gift I received on Monday from the social committee.  I truly appreciate it.  Being able to come to work with a tremendous staff everyday, really makes my job easier.  Thank you for all you do to help me make this a great school.

10-14-2016

What a time to be alive: The @USNatArchives is now curating a collection of history GIFs:
http://giphy.com/usnationalarchives

Hat's off to Bill Wadman and Danielle DeChristopher for their hard work in building a great cross country team.  The kids did great yesterday at the conference meet, with girls taking 3rd and the boys 4th.  More importantly most of the team had their season best time!  Great Job!


Good Luck to our Boys soccer and Girls Volleyball team as they compete today and into the weekend in the end of season tournaments.  Dan, Matt and Rich have put a lot of effort into making this a great season for all of the athletes.

Please read this interesting article:  The emotional Weight of Being Graded.
https://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2016/10/13/the-emotional-weight-of-being-graded-for-better-or-worse/


In band news, the Band kids and Matt did a great job at the West Chicago High School football game last Friday.  The parents that I was sitting with were very proud of their kids.  Also Matt helped recognize former Benjamin Student, Luke Madden at the board meeting Tuesday night for his unbelieveable contribution of the instrument cabinets he built for the band room.

Bob Dylan just won a Pulitzer Prize
Click this link to read his thoughts on the Unconscious Mind, and How to Cultivate the Perfect Environment for Creative Work
https://www.brainpickings.org/2014/05/21/bob-dylan-songwriters-on-songwriting-interview/
and then
 Click below to hear 74 tracks of him playing with the Grateful Dead for Free.  Groovy Man!
http://www.openculture.com/2012/08/bob_dylan_and_the_grateful_dead_rehearse_together_in_summer_1987_listen_to_74_tracks.html


Don't forget about the Foundation Fall Fest on October 23rd, volunteers and bake sale items are needed!

Lots of Educational Grant Opportunities
http://www.edutopia.org/grants-and-resources



How literary fiction teaches us to be human.
https://medium.com/@penguinrandomus/this-is-how-literary-fiction-teaches-us-to-be-human-53d468dba179#.f71ncx911

Thanks to Keriann, Marcia and Jignasa for trying out a new system for tryouts with the Bengal Cards.  Also thanks to Jignasa and Marcia for putting out all the fires small(the I'm not feeling well) and large ones (concussion paperwork hedaches(pun intended) and phone calls)  to get kids back to class or home to recover from illness.  we appreciate your hard work!

Watch this 5 minute video.  Embracing Failure;  Building a growth mindset through the Arts.

We have been able to secure grant funds to send some of the team leaders and other teachers to the National Learning and the Brain Conference in February.  This is a great opportunity to bring valuable information back to us to improve student learning and engagement.

10-14-2016

What a time to be alive: The @USNatArchives is now curating a collection of history GIFs:
http://giphy.com/usnationalarchives

Hat's off to Bill Wadman and Danielle DeChristopher for their hard work in building a great cross country team.  The kids did great yesterday at the conference meet, with girls taking 3rd and the boys 4th.  More importantly most of the team had their season best time!  Great Job!


Good Luck to our Boys soccer and Girls Volleyball team as they compete today and into the weekend in the end of season tournaments.  Dan, Matt and Rich have put a lot of effort into making this a great season for all of the athletes.

Please read this interesting article:  The emotional Weight of Being Graded.
https://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2016/10/13/the-emotional-weight-of-being-graded-for-better-or-worse/


In band news, the Band kids and Matt did a great job at the West Chicago High School football game last Friday.  The parents that I was sitting woith were very proud of their kids.  Also Matt helped recognize former Benjamin Student, Luke Madden at the board meeting Tuesday night for his unbelieveable contribution of the instrument cabinets he built for the band room.

Bob Dylan just won a Pulitzer Prize
Click this link to read his thoughts on the Unconscious Mind, and How to Cultivate the Perfect Environment for Creative Work
https://www.brainpickings.org/2014/05/21/bob-dylan-songwriters-on-songwriting-interview/
and then
 Click below to hear 74 tracks of him playing with the Grateful Dead for Free.  Groovy Man!
http://www.openculture.com/2012/08/bob_dylan_and_the_grateful_dead_rehearse_together_in_summer_1987_listen_to_74_tracks.html


Don't forget about the Foundation Fall Fest on October 23rd, volunteers and bake sale items are needed!

Lots of Educational Grant Opportunities
http://www.edutopia.org/grants-and-resources



How literary fiction teaches us to be human.
https://medium.com/@penguinrandomus/this-is-how-literary-fiction-teaches-us-to-be-human-53d468dba179#.f71ncx911

Thanks to Keriann, Marcia and Jignasa for trying out a new system for tryouts with the Bengal Cards.  Also thanks to Jignasa and Marcia for putting out all the fires small(the I'm not feeling well) and large ones (concussion paperwork hedaches(pun intended) and phone calls)  to get kids back to class or home to recover from illness.  we appreciate your hard work!

Watch this 5 minute video.  Embracing Failure;  Building a growth mindset through the Arts.

We have been able to secure grant funds to send some of the team leaders and other teachers to the National Learning and the Brain Conference in February.  This is a great opportunity to bring valuable information back to us to improve student learning and engagement.