Back To School!

Posted on September 8, 2011 by downsk

Hopefully everyone had a nice and relaxing summer.  My summer flew by too fast.  I certainly didn’t get to everything I wanted although I did finish up my Masters program along with several training classes from the district.

The start of the school year always brings changes and this one was no different.  The altered schedule has everyone a little off these first few days.  With time, I’m sure we’ll adjust.

This year, I am teaching the 7th grade Social Studies Honors class.  Fortunately, this class does not conflict with the other honors classes so I will still be able to help out.  Also, with the demise of AFT, I will now be using Academic Advisory time to meet with students.  I’ve already started meeting with some students and should get to everyone within the next couple of weeks.

I hope to see everyone at Back-to-School night (whenever that may bee).

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My Summer Reading Program

Posted on May 31, 2011 by downsk

Summer is right around the corner and I can’t wait.  It’s not for the typical reasons.  Although I don’t object to the great weather, I really am excited about tackling that pile of books by my bed.   You see, I have a book problem.  I end up buying interesting books that I don’t have time to read during the school year.  Right now, the pile is at the angle of repose!  Summer is my time to get caught up.

By far, most of my books are historical but I do have fiction as well as youth literature (to keep current) mixed in the ‘to be read’ pile.   First on the list is a book on General Custer and the Battle at Little Bighorn.  After that, I plan on a healthy dose of John Adams followed by Mary, Queen of Scots.  In between, I might check out who this Percy Jackson guy is or read about the Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.  If I’m lucky, I might be able to even tackle another volume of Shelby Foote’s Civil War series.

Of course, we all have things going on in the summer.  Besides reading, I’m also taking a few classes and will be in to help with next year’s schedule. But I do hope that all of you take the time and sit down with a good book.  Maybe we can be members of the ‘clean shelf’ club together!

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Summertime Blues

Posted on May 23, 2011 by downsk

I always find the end the school year to be bittersweet.  I’m going to miss the 8th graders that are leaving but get excited at meeting the incoming students.

Last Thursday, we took 8th grade students up to Red Land to meet Mr. Rosen and tour the building.  It is a great chance for the students to get to know Mr. Rosen and become more comfortable with the high school environment.  I’m also meeting with the new students coming in from Fishing Creek and Red Mill.  We’re lucky to be able to have some of them visit Crossroads for their own customized tour.

Independent projects are finishing up in 6th grade – Math, 7th grade – Language Arts, and 8th grade – Language Arts & Science.

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May & June Events

Posted on May 5, 2011 by downsk

The end of the year always brings lots of activities.  There’s almost an event every day!

Independent Study Projects

We may have some students come out of 8th grade science for a short project.  We currently have some students working on the following independent study projects.

  • 7th Social Studies – Renaissance projects
  • 7th Language Arts – Enriched reading options (related to novel unit)

Upcoming Events

Math Prognosis Testing – Early May

Cumberland County Band Festival – 05/11

6th Grade Boating – 05/11

Empty Bowls/Jazz band – 05/12 from 5:30 t0 6:30

Band Spring Concert – 05/12 at 7:00

6th & 7th grade dance/social – 05/13

Cumberland Country Historical Society Visit – 05/16

7th grade science trip to Messiah – 05/17

Fall Sports meeting – 05/19

Walkathon – 05/20

Chorus and Orchestra Spring Concert – 05/23 at 7:00

Gettysburg Field Trip- 05/24 or 05/25

Jazz band tour to elementary schools – 05/26

8th grade Math and Language Arts finals - o5/26 & 05/27

8th grade Luau – 05/27

6th grade honors breakfast – 06/01

6th grade awards ceremony – 06/01

HersheyPark – 06/01

7th grade honors breakfast – 06/02

7th grade awards ceremony – 06/02

6th & 7th math finals – o6/02 & 06/03

8th grade honors breakfast – 06/03

8th grade awards ceremony – 06/03

Crossroads Talent Show – 06/07

Last day of school - 06/07


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Possible trip next year

Posted on April 25, 2011 by downsk

I was lucky enough to travel to Penn State and watch the State Geography Bee earlier this month.  Our entrant did very well and just missed on qualifying for the tie-breaker round into the finals.

Part of the visit included  tours of various departments from the Earth & Mineral Sciences College including Material Studies & Engineering, Geography, and Meteorology.  I really enjoyed the tours and started thinking that it’d be great to bring the gifted students up.  There is definitely a value in showing students the neat places they can go with their education.  You could really see students light up at the demonstrations!

So I’m starting to gather details on taking a group of interested gifted and, possibly, honors science students to visit a few departments at Penn State next year.  Of course, there is no budget money for this (or any other) trip so we would need to charge students for the bus costs.  I’m looking into ways to try and keep the costs down for trips like these.  As always, any trip like this would be voluntary.

It’s still in the early stages but I’ll post details as things take shape.

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Testing is Done!

Posted on April 15, 2011 by downsk

Well, the PSSAs are finally done and everyone is getting back to their regular schedules.  The only thing left are the Keystones for the 8th graders taking Intermediate Algebra.  This will take place in May.

The 8th grade Honors Language Arts class had a good time at the play, Encore! I personally liked “The Necklace” of all the stories presented.

Most students who were out for projects mentioned in my prior post (April Events) have finished and are back in the regular classes.  We do have students working on new independent study projects in 7th Language Arts (out of the novel unit) and 7th grade Social Studies (out of the Middle Ages/Renaissance unit).  Two weeks left until Medieval Day!

Finally, we have seven students signed up for the Knowledge Master Open which takes place on 04/20/11

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More KMO info

Posted on April 6, 2011 by downsk

Here’s some more details about the 04/20/11 Knowledge Master Open contest. Permission slips will be distributed on 04/07 and due back by the 15th.

After the official contest, we can run the program again for ‘practice’.  Anyone interested in a parents contest?  Send me an email or comment below.

Category Question Count

American History    14
World History       15
Government     	    10
Recent Events        6
Economics & Law      8
Geography	    17
Literature	    22
English 	    12
Math    	    23
Physical Science    15
Biology 	    18
Earth Science	    15
Health & Psychology 12
Fine Arts	    11
Useless Trivia	     2
      Total     	      200
Cognitive Level of Questions

Level         Count   Percent
Knowledge	43	21.5
Comprehension	45	22.5
Application	49	24.5
Analysis	63	31.5
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April Events

Posted on March 29, 2011 by downsk

A quick update about current and upcoming events…

Independent Study Projects

We have students currently working on the following independent study projects.

  • 8th Science – Research Projects (tested out of the Atmosphere unit)
  • 8th Social Studies – John Adams/XYZ Affair multimedia production
  • 7th Social Studies – Roman Army multimedia production
  • 7th Language Arts – Enriched reading options (related to mythology unit)

Upcoming Events

PSSA Science Testing – 04/05 and 04/06

Honk!, Jr. (School Musical) – 04/08 & 04/09

Encore! - 04/11/11

On 4/11, the 8th grade honors Language Arts class is attending a play in Harrisburg.  The show covers the short stories, The Tell-Tale Heart, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, The Monkey’s Paw, The Necklace, The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County, and an excerpt from The Raven.  This is the same production company that produced Eureka!, the math play that the high school-level math students attended in December.

Knowledge Master Open - 04/20/11

Back for the second time this year!  Our volunteer team works together to answer 200 multiple-choice curriculum-based questions in two hours!  I keep this contest open to just gifted students to give them some time together.  Permission slips will be handed out in early April for the 04/20 contest.

KMO Website ==> http://www.greatauk.com/

National Junior Honors Society Induction Ceremony – 04/28/11 @ 7:00 pm

Medieval Day – 04/29 from 9:30 to 12:00

Have a happy Spring!

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Vanished

Posted on March 28, 2011 by downsk

Here’s a really cool, web-based, interactive science quest from Smithsonian and MIT.  It starts on April 1st but students can register now.  Parents can also register as an ‘observer’.   I’ve pasted the contest description below as well as links to the registration page and a Boston Globe article.

An environmental disaster has taken place on Planet Earth and we need your help.

Smithsonian and MIT Education arcade invite all scientists-in-training ages 10 ½ to 14 to log onto VANISHED and help decipher clues that unravel one of the world’s biggest mysteries.  An online/offline interactive event, VANISHED is an eight-week episodic quest that will transform you into principal scientific investigators who must collaborate to find the answers.  You will race against time as you solve games, puzzles, and other online challenges; visit real museums; collect samples from in and around your homes; and even partner with some of the Smithsonian’s world renowned scientists and investigators, to help unlock the  true secrets of this catastrophe—before it’s too late.

Participating in Vanished is free, and you can spend as much or as little time as you want.  Parents and educators can learn more on the About page.

Registration page

Boston Globe article


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Contest Results

Posted on March 23, 2011 by downsk

Well, I was going to post a short note about the computer fair results but realized our earlier contests should also get some praise.

  • First, our Academic Bowl competitions took place in early February.  7th and 8th grade both came in first and 6th grade finished third.  Gifted students participated in each grade level
  • Crossroads held its annual Spelling Bee in December.  Gifted students made it a 1-2 finish by capturing first and second places.
  • The National Geographic Bee occurred in January.  Six gifted students qualified and one snagged the championship.  But that’s not all =>  Our champion qualified for the state competition!!!  He is the third ever from Crossroads to reach this level and will join 99 other qualifiers at the April 1st competition in State College.
  • Yesterday, the Capital Area Intermediate Unit hosted the Regional Computer Fair.  Crossroads was well represented with 6 participants (one gifted & two in honors) with 7 entries.  (How much does Crossroads rock?  There was only one other student from the other three middle schools at the competition.)  Overall, the school scored a 2nd place in Graphic Design and THREE firsts!!!  (One each in Graphic Design, Desktop Publishing, and Multimedia Presentation.  The first place winners will move on to the state competition at Dickinson College on May 25th.

So much for a short note!  We have a few more activities coming up this year.  I’ll work on getting that info out soon.

Kevin

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