From Armadillos to Aquifers: What's on your Texas Bucket List?

Hello 7th grade Students and Families,

Thank you for another great week in Texas History! We did have a setback, however. Ms. Oricchio has had substitute teachers all week. (Not gonna lie - I'm home right now writing this newsletter and recovering from Covid). Parents, I do hope to be back by Monday, negative, and I will be masked up for at least an additional week taking every precaution to shield your child per CDC guidelines and district recommendations. So if you get questions, these are the answers.

In the meantime, I absolutely refuse to let this throw a wet blanket onto a fun start of the year with our students. 7th grade, you are an awesome group of students and I've been so proud of how you've stepped up getting your work done and being respectful to our guest educators this past week. Yes, I know everything that goes on in that room - even when I'm not there and I'm hearing good things. 

Okay so lining our end of the hall, it's become a bit pink, I think. Both Ms. Oricchio's and Mr. Young's students had a fun teambuilding day earlier drawing one armadillo by 5-6 students on a timer. There was a lot of screaming and laughing and the results came out a lot better than I would have ever dreamed (I'd like to see six teachers pull that off at our next faculty meeting). 

Moving on.. next week.

For your agendas

Monday - What's on your Texas Bucket list? Where would you like to go most in Texas? How about some ideas?

Tuesday - Water and Texas: Rivers, Climate and an "Edwards Aquifer Smoothie Demo".

Wednesday - Texas Land Features: The Headbanz game

Thursday - Asynch on our Chromebooks with a lesson on Texas vegetation, natural resources and maps, maps, maps

Friday - Quiz on what we learned all week using our student created study guide and our own version of "In a Pickle - the Texas version of course. 

3 C's reminders: Chromebooks, Canvas and Composition Notebooks

Chromebooks - students need to bring them to class every day charged and ready. If there is an issue, please reach out to our AP, Mr. Underwood as soon as possible and get it addressed as soon as possible. This is essential for our learning now that the school year is in full swing.

Canvas - We had a day of digital organization on Friday. Everyone should know how to get to Canvas. Have your student show you our Canvas classroom! Again, if problems, please email Mr. Underwood for next steps.

Composition notebooks - Most of you have already brought in your composition notebook to designate for Texas History class. Ms. Oricchio's students - obviously, we didn't start using them this past week since I was out. But next week... make sure you have one ready to go. 

If you are having trouble getting a composition notebook through hardship or inconvenience, please reach out to your Texas history teacher and we will work with parents to figure something out. No spirals, please. Composition notebooks only. Thanks.

Last up.. Just want to thank all the parents who have been helping us chop down this Amazon Wishlist. We've been getting reward stickers, expo markers and hand puppets. Super excited! We are hoping to keep Texas history fresh and fun this year with some hands-on projects, crafts, games and yes, puppetry. We still need quite a bit more, as this is for all 360ish 7th graders! 

The QR codes for our Amazon wishlist and Donor's Choose project is on last week's post, if you would like to help out. Absolutely, not required.

Have a great weekend and get out and enjoy Texas with the family! 

Ms. Oricchio and Mr. Young