Mr. Fleischman

Mr. Fleischman
To smile is easier than to frown!

Friday, September 10, 2010

Reason to Celebrate All Things Merton

Hello All,

     Reflecting back upon the first two shortened weeks of learning here at Merton school, it's hard to miss the many positive changes taking place.  Teacher Advisory Group (TAG) is already fostering relationships between 7th and 8th grade students.  That started on the first day (Day 3 oddly enough) in my TAG.  Two 8th grade girls helping 7th grade students figure out their new schedules, without even being told to do so!  Students are also beginning to take ownership in their own learning because of the open-ended choices that teachers are providing.  Our school is buzzing with the excitement that a new school year brings.  Apprehension and nervous stomachs many times bring out the best in all of us:)  Please feel free to post your thoughts or stories from the beginning of this school year, wherever you may happen to be!
    

77 comments:

  1. The school year has been good so far, but there are some down falls. A lot of peeople, including me dont like eating with the 7th graders, because the line gets to long and you have no room to eat. Having tag with the 7th graders are fine but the 8th graders are doing everything with 7th graders and I dont really like it.

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  2. At the beginning of the school year most of the 8th graders sat with the other 8th grade and same with the 7th graders. The next day some 8th graders sat with 7th grader and Mr. Klink gave the people sitting with with the other grade. Now that the school has been in for a week we have all been sitting with the other grade and talking. So far I am likeing the TAG project.

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  3. Overall,a fine job, Devon. Watch your grammar,spelling, and punctuation (people, don't, too, is instead of are, use of commas. I understand your frustrations, but pretty much all of your classes are still with strictly 8th graders.

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  4. I sort of liked and didn't like coming back to school. I liked coming back because I was able to see all of my friends. But I did not like coming back because that meant homework and waking up early. Surprisingly, I haven't gotten that much homework because of project based learning (PBL). I really don't like PBL that much. Sometimes it is very hard to find a subject that is interesting but fits into the topic. Also I don't like the knew schedule. It is sort of wierd how we have ten days instead of just doing how we had the schedules last year. TAG also annoys me. I don't really like how it is almost a half-hour long and it seems like just another time of school to make, present and listen to projects. That is pretty much my story. Other than that, nothing else happened so far this school year that would be interesting.

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  5. Although this 7th and 8th grade integration has some ups and some downs. One of which is that there still is an undrawn line when lunch comes. Also when you do have the rooms to eat you are crammed into minimal spots. There are way too many people when it comes recess you are tripping over people when you are going in.

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  6. I also have noticed many good changes. Tag changes have stuck out to me as well. In Tag all the 7th and 8th graders are all as one now. Everyone talks and hangs out with everyone else not even having grade matter. The only thing I would wish to change would be that the 8th graders would be able to eat and go outside alone because having tag with the 7th graders is enough for the day.

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  7. I'm glad you're sitting together in TAG. That is something that I'm going to institute in my TAG. Mine is presently "segregated," eighth graders sit with eighth graders, and seventh graders sit with seventh graders:( Proofread before posting, you had a few grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. Otherwise, well done.

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  8. This school year has been going good so far, but there are some things that I don't like. I don't think that we should be forced to take special classes. Art, gym, and info tech should be optional to take because you dont actually learn anything. They should be there for people that like them, but we should not be forced to.

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  9. Alyssa---

    Just a few grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. Good insight. PBL and the many changes this year will take some getting used to. Hopefully, you will come to enjoy the many new choices that you have:)

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  10. The school made a lot of changes. Not all I believe are good. TAG is ok, but it really doesn't do much for me. Project based learning I believe is a huge step in the wrong direction. With the few grades could possibly destroy good students’ grades. It will be hard to readjust next year without a net book to use. This could be a make or break year for some people.

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  11. Sam--

    Sounds like you are not the only one who feels the "crunch" at lunch time and during recess. Perhaps that is something that I(or you and your peers) need to bring to the attention of Mr. Posick. Proofread your final copy before posting in the future.

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  12. I left Pakistan with a heavy heart and 3 hours on my hand. Finally I landed in Abu Dhabi (Saudi Arabia) and waited about 2 hours in the terminal; next off Chicago. After a long 18 hour flight I finally arrived in O'her. I waited 30 mins in line, another 20 mins to get my bags. The bus took about 10 mins to arrive. Another 1 hour drive to my stop and a 10 min drive to home. The next day I woke up and went to school. Talk about jet-lag.

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  13. On the first day of school I was unsure about mixing 7th and 8th graders. Now I see that it will help make us a better school, prepare us for Arrowhead, and most importantly- make friends. I am also impressed by what Mr. Klink said about out of all the Arrowhead feeder schools; we are one of the most technologically advanced. And I also like not having as much homework and tests. Instead we use projects to learn instead of boring text books.

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  14. Jordan---

    Nice job with conventions. Just a few commas needed is all that I noticed:)

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  15. Connor--

    Quite a nice job with conventions. Just a couple of grammatical issues. Maybe it's just early in the year for "specials." I'm sure you'll gain some valuable knowledge from those classes in the near future.

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  16. I liked coming back to school, because it is nice to see everyone again and tell each other all about our summer vacations. But it also means homework, the weather gets colder and waking up in the morning. I like that the school has changed but it also stayed the same in some ways. TAG is ok, I'd say that it's neat that they wanted to do something different, but I don't like that they mixed us up, and have to do all these projecs. But some of the activities are alright. Another thing is the teachers don't teach all one subject, like one Soc. Studies teach and so on. But I think that's it. The school changed some stuff that I don't like, but otherwise that's it.

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  17. Brady---

    If it makes you feel any better, Arrowhead (at least some teachers)is going to PBL this year! Pretty good job with conventions:)Mostly, it was just commas that were needed in your post.

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  18. Arsal--

    Quite a start to the school year for you. Wow! I'll bet you had some amazing experiences in the Middle East though:) Nice job with conventions.

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  19. Allen--

    I agree that PBL is the write direction for the future of Merton. Look over your grammar, spelling, and punctuation before posting. A pretty good post overall though:)

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  20. This is my last school year here at Merton school, and so far it has been one of the best! The new technology that our school has now is incredible and is keeping all of us students up to date with technology. The new schedules are something that I will have to get used to this school year. It is different because we have to go on a ten day schedule, and it seems that I will have to carry my schedule around all year because I can’t memorize what specials I have each day. I also like the TAG because it is a mix of 7th and 8th graders. We get to interact with the 7th graders. PBL is something new this year, and I am curious to see how it works through the school year.

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  21. Caitlin---

    Make sure to proofread before posting. Pretty good insight about the changes here at Merton.

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  22. Julia---

    Fabulous insight and an amazing job with conventions!

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  23. The day were slow like always. I was kind of mad that we have to eat with the 7th graders because there isn't any room to sit and if you don't get to lunch fast you have to wait in a long line. Except for that it's been fine.

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  24. I think this school year is going good so far except for the 10 day thing, it confuses me very much. I wish there was just 5 days and if we had a day off of school we would just skip the day and go onto the next day. Another thing that doesn't bother me tat much but is still kind of weird is TAG. In TAG Mrs.Heeren doesn't give us a seating arrangement so we just sit my people we know which are people in our grade. We don't sit by people in 7th grade, so aybe if we worked on a project or had to do something with them we would get to know them better and maybe one day sit next to them.

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  25. I don't like how they made it a ten day schedule...it's a lot more difficult then just a normal schedule. I like how tag is mixed with 7th and 8th grades though and I like how they mixed up the lockers so they grades are mixed. I don't think i am going to like the PBL because that takes more grades off of our report cards so that means we will have to alot better on the less things we have.

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  26. To be honest, I wasn't too thrilled about the idea of sharing classes with seventh graders, I was expecting it to be like last year where we would get the freedom we thought we deserved. After the first day of school, I realized that it would be something good for all of us to mix and become closer. I've already made a lot of seventh grade friends with hopefully more to come. I'm also enjoying the freedom we have with technology and am still shocked we are one of the most advanced schools in technology around. With all the changes I think that this is going to be the best way to end my last year at Merton. :)

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  27. Alex M.--

    You raise some good points. Focus more on conventions before you post.

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  28. The school year has been going pretty good for me. Still getting used to some of how the other teachers teach. What ive noticed is different is that we have to have lockers next to 7th graders. I dont like this very much because it makes no sense why we would change to this when we have been seperating them for 10 or more years now. The 8th graders should be back down where the 6th graders are right now and how it used to be when my sisters went to school. And then have the 7th and 6th upstairs. I think we also need for 8th grade this year that we more ceremonies and other stuff. Escpecially school spirit because i hardly see many kids who wear mustang colors.We only do school spirit like once a year and it brings down the spirit for the mustang! But the good side this year is that its the last one for me and i get to to expereience to be the big kids in the school! Ive always waited to be the bigger kids showing how awesome we 8th graders are! I am also kinda interested in tag. I got to know some knew 7th graders that i never knew. TAG is interesting but i just thinkit mightbe a waist because all we are doing is all about me. But i do like how just get to hang out and chat and get to knnow knew people! I think that its dumb though how we took out most of the library. Now its just like a small area with books. I always thought thats why we have the tech room. Because now people are having tech class in the library. The books are also narrowed down to very few now too. But oevrall i think that merton could have done better than this!

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  29. I love the last year here a Merton!It was weird at first having the 7th graders in tag and Math but now its kind of fun having little sevies in class with us. School has way more projects and and invloves technolgy more but im hoping that I will enjoy school the rest of the year.

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  30. I really liked coming back to school this year. Even though it means getting up early and having homework, it's fun to see friends and catch up with each other. Also I really liked coming back and seeing all the changes that have happened. One change that was a little hard to get use to first, but is fun now, was TAG. I think its a really neat thing that will help us become friends with the seventh graders and others in the school. One change I don't like is the ten day schedule. It will be hard to get use to, but after a few more weeks I think it will get easier. Because of all the changes that are happening in our school, I'm excited to see how the rest of the year will turn out.

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  31. Jordan--

    Maybe you could take it upon yourself to start "mixing it up" with the 7th graders. It would be a great opportunity for you to shine as an 8the grade role model. Be sure to pay careful attention to conventions in the future.

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  32. I think this school year is really easy. We dont even get alot of homework like last year. I dont like that in TAG 7th graders are in our classes. Playing football with the 7th graders is fun.

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  33. It doesn't sound like you are too worried about the changes, Jake. You've always been a "go with the flow" kind of guy like me. Be careful to proofread for conventions before you post in the future.

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  34. So we're back in school and at first I was thrilled to be back with my friends. But that thought was short lived. During summer I had heard many rumers as to changes a Merton School. Some of which were false but many of which were true. One was of the many was that Communications and Liturature had become Language Arts. This, unlike many of the other changes was alright with me. The subject are so close in nature that it was almost easier on eveyone. Another one of the changes that I don't mind is TAG. Although the stuff we will be doing in this is unknown to me, it is still better than my least favorite alteration. Many people, such as teachers and parent, believe this to be one of the best things ever to happen to Merton School. But many students dislike it. I have a project in all of my classes and a lot of teachers don't tell you how to do them. I would much rather read and complete worksheets than have a lot of projects.

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  35. My Eight-Grade year has been off to a good start. It was nice to come back and see friends and get back into the routine. I was surprised at all the changes that are happening at Merton School. Hopefully, they are for the better. At first, I was a little uncertain about the combination of 7th and 8th grade in TAG, but I guess I have to get used to it. Another thing is the project-based learning. This might put too much stress on some of the students, because of the self-direction. Everyone will definitely have to take responsibility of their own learning. I guess I would prefer the tests and quizzes. It may be too early to tell, so I guess I can’t say too much yet. I hope our last will be the best!

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  36. Maria--

    I'm glad that you were open-minded to the Merton changes. We are helping to lead the way with technology for the Arrowhead feeder schools. Nice job with conventions. Only a few commas were needed.

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  37. Aaron--

    You win the prize for the longest response! Unfortunately, your prize is the satisfaction you receive from having the longest response:) I understand that it's hard to get used to change sometimes, but I'm glad to see that you are enjoying at least a few of the changes. Please proofread your responses in the future. You had a number of errors:(

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  38. Cassie---

    I'm glad you enjoy the sevies. Perhaps both 7th and 8th graders can become the leaders here at Merton. You did a decent job with conventions.

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  39. Deanna--

    I too am looking forward to seeing the results of the many changes taking place this year! Nice job with conventions. Not too many errors:)

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  40. Austin--

    I'm glad that at least recess is working out for you and the 7th graders. Not too bad of a job with conventions:)

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  41. Jake K--

    Good insight. We,as a Merton staff, are trying to make you and your peers into creative problem solvers to get you ready for the world of work. That may be why you don't get much direction in some of your classes. Don't forget to proofread your responses before posting. There were some grammar, spelling,and punctuation errors.

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  42. Logan---

    I don't doubt for a second that your last year here at Merton will be a blast! Pretty good job with conventions:)

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  43. oooo man the first day of school was hectic. from not being used to gettng up that early to trying to figure out my classes and all the familiar faces that i havent seen since the last day of school. Now me and all my classmates are the role models. This year is going to be a blast

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  44. Chase--

    You are right-you guys are role models. Those are big shoes to fill, but I know you are up to it. Proofread your responses before posting. There were a number of grammar, spelling,and punctuation errors:(

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  45. I like tag because I get donuts but don't like the 7th graders. I'm a little confused but other than that its pretty good.

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  46. Tony,

    Remember that your response needs to be at least a paragraph long. Not too many conventions errors though:)

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  47. I think this year is really fun so far. I don't mind being with the 7th graders, I think it's more fun, and it's a good chance to be the role model. I don't like eating with them though because the lines for lunch are way too long, and sometimes I don't get to sit with my friends because of it. I really like having TAG because it's super fun!

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  48. I don't really mind being with the 7th graders, they are all so nice and lots of them are really shy in my tag class. I don't like having so many kids in the hallway at once and it makes for a very crowed lunch time. I like being the oldest, but I do feel the pressure of constantly being a positive role model to the 7th graders. On the first day of school, I met this really shy 7th grader, that was new to Merton School. He was having trouble understanding his schedule and was also struggling to open his locker. I saw that no one was helping him, so I stepped in and showed him how it all worked.

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  49. When school began, summer ended, and all the freedom that came along with it. There was no more sleeping in until noon, carefree plans, and hot sun tan weather. Coming back to school took all of that away, but it did bring back some things I missed. I got to socialize with my friends, challenge my mind, and get back into a regular, human, schedule. From the first week of school, I could tell that there was going to be changes at Merton. Students will have to adapt to new technology, the new independent styles of reports, and the mixed classes of 7th and 8th grade. With the help of my friends, and the determination of my mind, I will overcome these obstacles, and make this year my best year at Merton.

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  50. Courtney--

    Nice job with conventions:) I only saw one run-on sentence in your response. I'm glad that you are enjoying being a role model for the younger kids!

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  51. Halie--

    Thank you for helping that shy 7th grader who was struggling with a new school. You shared some good insight in your post. Be sure to proofread carefully for conventions before posting.

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  52. Riley--

    Great, positive attitude! You've always been an amazing, hard working student in my classes. It's going to be a great year for you:)

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  53. I think that the first few weeksof school were good. I however did not like the TAG groups. But even though i did not like the tag groups, I have had a few laughs. The funniest time was when I was preseting my All about me project, and I shared that my dad works at Arrowhead. Then somebody was like does he work in the Cmc? I said yes, I think. They responded oh great I get to see him. Mrs. Seeboth was like you just dissed her father. hahaha

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  54. I feel that the first few weeks of school have been very good. I like the new way of things because to me its just easier. I also like it because we have homework, but not too much and we get a lot of time to work on everything in class. The schedules for me aren't too bad. I will just always have to have it to look at what specials I have on what day. I didn't like the TAG groups at first because of the 7th graders. I just felt like because it was our last year here it be nice just to have it with our own grade, but I really like the 7th graders in my TAG now and they aren't with us in every class so its ok.

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  55. Faith--

    Be sure to proofread your response before posting. It had a number of conventions errors. Funny story though:)

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  56. Hayley--

    Decent job with conventions, but there were still a few grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. Good ideas and content though:)

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  57. This year so far has been fun! I think that having the seventh graaders in our TAG groups is different, but it would be more fun if the TAG was longer. So far my classes are fun but there are to many kids in each class, especially the specials classes are to big. I like where my locker is and I like all my teachers. I hope that the rest of the year will be fun!
    -Emily Kolbow

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  58. These few weeks of school has been amazing! In our TAG class some of the 8th graders are sitting with the 7th graders. We are getting to know eachother. Others are just talking with their own grade and people like me are doing both but I am more creeping them out. I do not like this project base learning. It is not that bad but i do not like all these projects all at once. It is just too much for me. I am exited for what else is coming this school year.
    ~Rebecca Gilmore

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  59. The only thing i dont like about 8th grade is that when we were in 7th grade and we were excited to do all the stuff in 8th grade but when we got to 8th grade it was all changed and not as fun as we thought it would be. I like meeting the new teacheres. I'm really excited for science and the marine biology trip to Flordia! I thing over all its gonna be a fun year!

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  60. The few weeks of school have been really enjoyable, so far. I think that sharing a TAG class with 7th graders can be annoying at some times. I think that TAG is a good idea in general but having homeroom seemed like a better idea, because you can get to work in class right away with out have to change you classes right away in the morning. I guees it's not all bad, considering that fact that it's our last year at Merton and we should make it a good one.

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  61. Emily--

    A few "conventions" errors in your response, but overall, a pretty good job, especially with "Ideas and Content."

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  62. Rebecca--

    Pay careful attention to "conventions" before you post a response. You had a number of grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. Eventually, you'll get the hang of Project Based Learning and develop a system that works for you. Don't worry!

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  63. Madalyn--

    Be sure to pay attention to "conventions" and proofread before posting future responses. Now, with Project-Based Learning,you have more choices when it comes to the school day than ever before. Don't despair, it's still going to be a great year!

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  64. Jayne--

    Be sure to proofread your response for "conventions" before posting. I hope that as the year goes on, you'll grow to enjoy TAG more.

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  65. The first week of school was fun with tons of new ideas. First there is project based learning. I don't like it. It's not how I learn, but I do like the 21 century learning. It's a brand knew idea and involves more technology. Also I liked Comm and Lit much more than just LA.

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  66. The first couple of weeks of school were great. I dont like the schedules that much though. it realy isn't that great hard to read. over all it went good.

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  67. Erin--

    You were gone for a few days, so I'm not going to consider your post late:)Just a few errors with "conventions," but overall, you did a fine job.

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  68. Michael--

    Keep an eye on the edmodo calendar for due dates. Your post was due on Monday:( Proofread your response before posting in the future. I'm glad you've taken an interest in creating your own blog site:)

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  69. The first weeks of school were only complicated cause of the new schedaule. After the next week i think everyone got the hang of it. Besides that everything else was fine.

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  70. Josh--

    Keep an eye on the edmodo calendar, so that you don't lose points for turning things in late. Pay attention to "conventions" in your writing before you post in the future. I'm glad that you got accustomed to the new schedule quickly.

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  71. The first 2 weeks were OK. Mixing in with the 7th graders at homeroom is working out. But lunch i would rather have alone because the lunch lines are huge and it's to crowded. So far this year I don't like the project based learning at all. just about every class has these projects. there is to many at one time and i'm not learning enough. Also after figured out how to use the new schedule and it works better I think.

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  72. Blaise--

    Pay attention to conventions in your writing. You had a number of grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. You'll get the hang of juggling the PBL projects. Find an organizational system that works for you and take ownership in your learning. It will pay you dividends in the long run!

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  73. I think that school has been going really good this year. I like the new project base learning but I think we have a to much projects.I like seeing my friends everyday but i also don't like waking up a 7:00 everyday. I love the teachers that i have this year and hopefully it will end up to be a fantastic year.

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  74. Colin--

    I'm glad you enjoy your teachers this year. Pay attention to "conventions" when responding to a post. Proofreading is important.

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  75. This year is going great so far, but i have noticed some changes. Some good and some bad.The good ones are the new technology which I think is great. The things I dislike is the 7th and 8th grade mixed. TAG is alright its kind of cool meeting some 7th graders, I do not like lunch with them. I dont like it because i feel like i have to sprint downstairs so I dont have to wait 10 min. in line. Anything besides that everything is going great especially the teachers.

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  76. Bryant--

    I'm glad you are enjoying your teachers. Pay closer attention to "conventions" in your written work before posting a response. Many of your peers have said the same thing as you--they don't mind being mixed with the 7th graders:)

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  77. This year is going great so far and I love my classes and teachers! I think the only change that I don't like is the 7th graders being mixed with the 8th graders, even though it's good to make new friends in lower grades, it gets a little crowded. I really like the new schedule, even though people thought that it was confusing I think that it makes sense and is easy to understand! I hope they don't change anything this year cause I like most all of it.

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