Sunday, May 4, 2014

Week of May 5th

After a short week and a nice week-end, let's have a great week of rigorous learning.

6th grade students will continue to read their new novel, Pacific Crossing, by Gary Soto. As students read this book, they will deepen their vocabulary, journal, grow comprehension, and increase high order thinking skills by discussing the chapters of the novel in literature circles and as a class with the themes of it.

HOMEWORK:
Read and discuss the chapters of the novel

The 7th grade class will continue to read their novel, The Outsiders, by S.E. Hinton. Students will receive a new set of vocabulary words, journal, grow comprehension, and increase high order thinking skills by discussing the chapters of the novel in literature circles and as a class with the themes of it. Students will have a test covering chapters (1-5) on WEDNESDAY of the novel in order to measure their comprehension skills.

The 8th grade class will begin to learn what debate is and practice debating their fellow students covering different topics. Students will gather information from Internet sources to help with their stances and use teams to debate against each other.

Let's have a great week! Believing is Achieving!



Discovery Happenings

SPRING GENERAL ASSEMBLY - The General Assembly of parents will be held on Saturday, May 17, beginning at 9:00 a.m. in the Cafeteria. We are required to have a quorum of one-third of our parents present in order for the meeting to be considered legal and for any decisions made at the General Assembly to be binding. We have 325 parents listed as members of the school association, so we need to have at least 108 parents in attendance (although only one parent per family can vote, both parents can be counted for quorum). We need for YOU to attend! Your ideas and your votes are important for the school. The school will provide supervision and activities for children during the General Assembly (from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.) Dr. Jay Ketterer, Discovery School’s new Head of School will be present at the Assembly.

 
DISCOVERY GOES GREEN- Thank you for all of you who have participated in green activities during April. 

 
-Congratulations to the 2nd grade classes for bringing the most material for the Recycling Drive.  They will celebrate with the Environmental Science students by having a "earthly" snack on Tuesday. 

-Also, a large thank you goes out to all the families that sponsored plants for the Greening Our Campus activity.  The students had lots of fun getting dirty, using their "green thumbs" to plant.  We planted 65 bushes and more are to come in the next few weeks.  Our campus is definitely looking greener!

DPTO FUN RUN AND CARNIVAL – The DPTO will be hosting their traditional events this Saturday, May 10. The FUN RUN begins at 7:30 a.m. followed by the traditionalpancake breakfast, and the CARNIVAL will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. We hope all our school community will mark their calendars and support the DPTO by attending and having a great family time.

DISCOVERY ZONE – Our Summer camp is back! Join us and allow your children to have a fun-filled three weeks at the beginning of their summer. Spread the word among family and friends and get special discounts!

 


Sunday, April 27, 2014

Week of April 28th

After a short week and a nice week-end, let's have a great week of rigorous learning.
Parents please take note of early dismissal on Thursday and NO SCHOOL on Friday!

The 6th grade students have finally finished and presented their research of their topics. We will conclude the process by critiquing the work of their fellow students writings and presentations, and discuss their grades of them with a rubric. Most students represented themselves well with a thorough background of their topics.
Students will finish the week by beginning to read their new novel, Pacific Crossing, by Gary Soto.

The 7th grade class will continue to read their novel, The Outsiders, by S.E. Hinton. Students performed well on their vocabulary test on Friday, but miserably on the comprehension portion. We will re-discuss chapters one and two with the assistance of the author's purpose for writing in order to deepen student's understanding of the themes and increase the high order thinking that is needed to increase that awareness.
Students will journal, study vocabulary, read different chapters, and discuss the novel using questions in literature circles during the week.

The 8th grade class will begin to learn what debate is and practice debating their fellow students covering different topics. Students will gather information from Internet sources to help with their stances and use teams to debate against each other.

Let's have a great week! Believing is Achieving!




SPANISH WEEK – The Spanish department will be hosting a wax museum this Monday from 1:20 – 2:20 p.m., and as a culminating activity will have an assembly at 2:30 p.m. Parents are welcome to attend.

DISCOVERY IDOL – Our annual talent show will take place on Thursday, May 1 at 10:30 a.m.
 
EARLY DISMISSAL FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT – We want to remind our parents that Thursday is an early dismissal day for students (11:45 a.m.). Our teachers will be devoting the afternoon for curriculum work.

DPTO NEWS – The DPTO asks our school communitiy to mark their calendars and support the followign events by attending with family and friends:

May 10 – Fun Run and Carnival

May 17 - Garage Sale

 

Monday, April 21, 2014

Week following Semana Santa

I hope that you have all had a relaxing, refreshing, and invigorating holiday! I look forward to seeing you all on Tuesday as we begin the final push to the end of the school year.

The 6th grade will finally conclude their research papers by completing the final draft and make any last minute adjustments to their outlines, bibliographies, and finishing their presentations. Students will make their presentations on Thursday and Friday of this week.

The 7th grade class will begin the week by completing a short essay detailing the events of their Semana Santa vacations. Also, students will begin to read their final novel, The Outsiders, by S.E. Hinton. Students will pre-read the novels jacket to draw conclusions and make predictions of the novel based on what they see and read. Also, student's will understand why they are reading the novel by understanding the themes of the novel, the author's purpose, and the author's point of view. Student's will have daily reading assignments, diagnose vocabulary, and discuss the chapters of the novel in small literature circles. Good luck, students!!

The 8th grade class will begin the week by completing a short essay detailing the events of their Semana Santa vacations. Also, the class will begin to read short stories from their Elements of Literature textbooks and increase HOTS by completing the Making Meanings questions at the end of the story and deepening the discussions of those stories.

Let's have a fabulous, yet rigorous week of learning!!







CHRONICLES OF DISCOVERY - The Discovery School Chronicles of Discovery Gala will take place at the school's gym on Friday, April 25, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.. It's a semi-formal event, with hors d'oeuvres and live entertainment. Tickets will be sold in the Main Office by Ms. Carolina. Regular admission is L.100 and Prime, the first two rows, is L.150.
 
The Chronicles of Discovery Literary and Art Magazine will debut that night and copies will be on sale. Only high quality literature and artwork are in the magazine, after a very critical submission process. Those works which made it into the magazine will then compete that same night to win, in their respective categories, the very prestigious award titled the "Flame of Knowledge".
 
DISCOVERY GOES GREEN  - APRIL / EARTH MONTH- CELEBRATION
Month-Long Activities:
 
Recycling Drive- Teachers are encouraging their students to recycle paper, glass, aluminum, and plastic. Students should bring materials from home, as well.  The class with the greatest amount of pounds/student will win a prize at the end of the month.   Environmental Science students will collect the materials from the homeroom classrooms twice a week.
 
Green Day- Each Friday wear green to celebrate and help us remember to take “green actions.”
 
Increasing our green space- In line with Discovery’s month long effort to “go green,” on Friday, April 25, Discovery students will have an opportunity to “green” our campus by planting plants around the school. Discovery families can sponsor a plant for only L400.  This will include the plant, soil ,fertilizer, and other materials need for the planting. Students can have the joy and experience of watching their plant grow over the years that they are here at Discovery. If you wish to sponsor a plant, please send L400 cash to your child’s homeroom teacher by Thursday, April 24th
 
SPANISH WEEK – The Spanish department has the honor to announce that the students and teachers will be involved in  a series of activities during the week of April 23 to April 28 such as: making sawdust carpets, drama, characterizations, language contests (“Bombas”, proverbs and tongue twisters, quick search and acrostics), living statues, Latin American writers wax museum and tri-folds,  door decorations, guests writers Rolando Kattán and Eduardo Sandoval. All these activities will be carried out to celebrate the Spanish week and will help our students improve and demonstrate their Spanish language skills. Some of the activities will take place during class time and others will be presented to students, teachers and parents who are our special guests.
 
This is the program that will be followed:
 
1. Inauguration assembly – Wednesday, April 23 @ 8:00 a.m. in the gym (all school)
2. Recital of poems and acrostics breakfast – Friday, April 25 @ 8:00 a.m. (Kindergarten and Grade 1)
3. Wax Museum Exhibition – Monday, April 28 @ 1:20-2:30 (Follow the Schedule below)
Grade 2 A & B (1:20)           Grade 3 A& B (1:30)                4 A & B (1:40)                         Grade 6 A & B (1:50)          Grades 7 & 8( 2:00)       Grades 9  & 11 (2:10)   
Grade 10 A & B - 12 (2:20)
4. Closure – Monday, April 28 @ 2:30-3:00 p.m. in the gym (all school)
 
 
DISCOVERY IDOL - The time is here! Auditions will be held on Wednesday, April 23 in the music room. The secondary will audition during lunch at 11:45 a.m. The elementary will audition during recess at 12:45 p.m. Students should come ready to sing or dance their hearts out for the judges. The winners will be announced on Thursday, April 24 and the performance will take place on Thursday, May 1, at 10:15 a.m.
 
DPTO NEWS – The DPTO wishes to share the following dates for the activities that will take place before the end of the school year. Please mark your calendars, and support our DPTO by attending these events! More information will be provided as we get closer to the dates.
            Ø  April 27 - Movie at the Cinema! (Rio 2)     
            Ø  May 10 - Carnival and Fun Run
            Ø  May 17 - Garage Sale
-------------------

Sunday, April 6, 2014

Week of April 7th

Let's have a great week leading in our well- deserved Spring Break/Semana Santa vacations.

The 6th grade has finished conducting  all the research that is needed for their research papers. At this point, I feel that the 6th graders wasted a lot of their time by reading a lot of information in encyclopedias, books, and websites instead of writing and documenting their research in the form of notes. If they do not have the necessary information that will show an effective 6th grade writing, they will have to gather more research while at home and write the overall paper in the form of their first rough draft at the same time.
This week, we will use the research guidelines packet, the outline, all notes, and a packet of sentence starters, transitions, and other words to use to write their research papers paragraph by paragraph. Midweek, students and I will use stage (3) of the Writing Process to edit the first draft and by the end of the week, with a lot of hard work and determination, complete the second rough draft. Good luck, 6th grade students!!

The 7th grade class had a tremendous week of writing and listening to poetry. Most students completed excellent, creative pieces and read them with a lot of style and feeling. All poems were written with a different theme in mind and embodied a deep since of creativity and style based on the many elements studied while conducting the unit. I am happy with their enthusiasm and motivation.
Students will finish the unit by writing and reciting their poems and with a test covering the all the terms and information learned within the unit.

The 8th grade class have completed many assignments covering punctuation the last several weeks. They have used the Elements of Language textbook to deepen their learning of the usage of commas, quotation marks, exclamation marks, question marks, and capitalization when using them. Students will conclude this week by learning how to use hyphens, parenthesis, dashes, and brackets effectively in sentences. Good luck, 8th grade students!

Let's have a fabulous week of learning! Believing is Achieving!!

Sunday, March 30, 2014

Week of March- April


The 6th and 7th grade classes had a nice short week of learning in class, and the rest of the week on location at their respected field trips to Lago de Yohoa and Copan Ruinas. I am sure the trips were spectacular and the students had a great experience.

The 6th grade students will organize their notes and begin to write about their topics for their research papers. After one week in the library and at home gathering information, students will begin to place the information into paragraphs according to their outlines. Over a period covering this week and half of the next, students will use the Writing Process to write two rough drafts and follow guidelines to complete the final draft along with a poster or power point presentation of their findings. At the end of next week, students will present their essays and presentations to the class.

The 7th grade class will write a short essay of their field trip to Lago de Yohoa. After presenting their essays before their classmates, students will resume the unit covering poetry by writing different poems every day with a different theme and type of poem. At the end of next week, students will have a test covering the terms of poetry and close the unit.

The 8th grade class will continue to cover various forms of punctuation in the guise of quotation marks, commas, exclamation and question marks. Students will use the textbooks and the exercises within it to deepen their learning and mastery of the forms in homework assignments.

Let's have fabulous week of learning! Achieving is Believing!
Michelle-obama




COMMUNITY SERVICE CLUB- This Tuesday, April 1st, there will be a Community Service Club meeting to plan April's visit to NPH.  The meeting will be held in Mrs. Agurcia's classroom (Rm. 7) at lunch.  All secondary students are welcome.

 
MARKETING DISCOVERY SCHOOL:  The Marketing Committee has been very active in developing ways to market the school. We have brochures and colorful signs that will let the public know more about us. If you have a business or organization that would like to display either a sign or brochures, please contact Karla Soto, Marketing Coordinator, at dsmarketing@discoveryschool.edu.hn  and we will provide those to you.

 
CHOIR MEETING – There will be a Choir meeting on Monday, March 31 at 3:15 p.m. in the school library. Important information will be discussed in this meeting. At least one parent for each student who is going to New York City must attend!

 

Sunday, March 23, 2014

Week of March 24th

Good Day!! I hope that all parents, teachers, and students benefited from the long week-end, and we begin the sprint to Semana Santa where, at the finish line, a longer vacation awaits!!

This week and part of the next, the 6th grade students will use the skills to find research for their topics in order to write their research papers. Even though students have learned about writing the research paper in-depth with the help of the textbook, students will use a document that will help them to focus their writing and place all the information in a proper context using the appropriate structure.
The 7th grade students will continue their scholastic journey of learning with a stop in the wonderful realm of poetry. In conjunction with the Chronicles of Discovery and the "Emerging Young Artists" category, students will start the unit early in order to discover any hidden talents. Students have learned the elements of poetry and read several poems by masters ,such as Edgar Allan Poe and Robert Frost. Now, they will begin to write their own masterpieces. Good luck, students!
 
The 8th grade students will focus their learning in the realm of punctuation and use the textbook to learn about italics and underlining, quotations marks, commas, hyphens, dashes, parenthesis, and dashes. Student will have homework assignments daily completing different exercises from the textbook and understand the information with Q & A before moving on to the next area of learning.
 
Let's have a great (short for some) week of learning!! Achieving is Believing!!
One of the most courageous things you can do is identify yourself, know who you are, what you believe in and where you want to go.” — Sheila Murray Bethel
 
 
 
 
HEAD OF SCHOOL CANDIDATE – Dr. Jay Ketterer and his wife will be visiting the school on Monday, March 24 and Tuesday, March 25. The agenda for his visits include the following activities. Please take note:
 
*Monday, March 24  Teachers’ Q&A                    3:15 to 4:30 p.m. (Library)
*Tuesday, March 25  Parents’ Q&A                      8:00 to 10:00 a.m. (Library)
*Tuesday, March 25  Lunch with Teachers        12:00 to 1:00 p.m. (Cafeteria)
*Tuesday, March 25  Student Assembly              2:00 to 3:00 p.m. (Gym)
 
CAYOS COCHINOS COMMUNITY SERVICE: As part of TES, Trabajo Educativo Social, the 11th graders will be going to Cayos Cochinos the 5th – 9th of April to assist the community of Cayo Mayor. The Alfonso Lacayo Public School is in need of school materials, so the Junior class has decided to conduct a voluntary school supply drive. They would appreciate any and all donations but wish to ask the following classes that each student contribute with the following:
 
1st & 2nd grade – 2 sharpeners
3rd & 4th grade – 1 pack of 12 colored pencils
5th grade – 2 scissors
6th – 8th grade – 2 normal sized composition notebooks
9th grade – black, red, and blue pens (one of each)
10th grade – 1 pack of 12 pencils and 2 erasers
12th grade – 4 UHU sticks
 
CHOIR MEETING – There will be a Choir meeting on Monday, March 31 at 3:15 p.m. in the school library. Important information will be discussed in this meeting. At least one parent for each student who is going to New York City must attend!
 
CONCERT - The Discovery School Music Department is inviting you to a Piano and Singing Recital . Tickets available with Ms. Norma and Ms. Pamela.

Sunday, March 16, 2014

Week of March 17th


I hope that all students had a pleasant week-end! Let's have a great, short week of rigorous learning!!
 
Last week, the 6th grade students learned about the research process. During that week, students learned what the research process is, how to brainstorm and select a topic, write for an audience, find and document sources, use the MLA format, create and use an outline, etc. This week and part of the next, students will use the skills to find research for their topics in order to write their research papers.
 
The 7th grade students will continue their scholastic journey of learning with a stop in the wonderful realm of poetry. In conjunction with the Chronicles of Discovery and the "Emerging Young Artists" category, students will start the unit early in order to discover any hidden talents. Students have learned the elements of poetry and read several poems by masters ,such as Edgar Allan Poe and Robert Frost. Now, they will begin to write their own masterpieces. Good luck, students!
 
The 8th grade class have used their focus and resolve to read their self- selected books that were from the reading list of Walter Dean Myers, the author and main character of their last novel, Bad Boy: A Memoir. Students will continue to read their novel in unison while writing about a subject who is an inspiration to them. Students used the week wisely to complete their essays and will present them to the class on Monday.

Let’s have a great ,short week of learning! Believing is Achieving!!
"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." ~ Eleanor Roosevelt; Former First Lady of the United States


CAYOS COCHINOS COMMUNITY SERVICE: As part of TES, Trabajo Educativo Social, the 11th graders will be going to Cayos Cochinos the 5th – 9th of April to assist the community of Cayo Mayor. The Alfonso Lacayo Public School is in need of school materials, so the Junior class has decided to conduct a voluntary school supply drive. They would appreciate any and all donations but wish to ask the following classes that each student contribute the following:

1st & 2nd grade – 2 sharpeners

3rd & 4th grade – 1 pack of 12 colored pencils

5th grade – 2 scissors

6th – 8th grade – 2 normal sized composition notebooks

9th grade – black, red, and blue pens (one of each)

10th grade – 1 pack of 12 pencils and 2 erasers

12th grade – 4 UHU sticks
 

BAKE SALE – On Wednesday, March 19, the Juniors will be having a bake sale during snack and lunch. The Juniors will also have a box where all students are welcomed to place their donations for Cayos Cochinos


CHOIR MEETING – There will be a Choir meeting on Monday, March 31 at 3:15 p.m. in the school library. Important information will be discussed in this meeting about the upcoming New York trip and performance. At least one parent for each Choir member must attend.


CONCERT - The Discovery School Music Department is inviting you to a Piano and Singing Recital . Tickets are available with Ms. Norma and Ms. Pamela.

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Week of March 10th


I hope that all students had a pleasant week-end!

This week, the 6th grade students will begin the research process. During this week, students will learn the research process, brainstorming and selecting a topic, writing for an audience, finding and documenting sources, using the MLA format, creating and using an outline, etc. After this process, students will present their findings to the class using a poster or powerpoint showing what they uncovered in their research.

The 7th grade students have been very attentive the last couple of months and I am enthusiastic about their motivation. They will continue their fabulous journey with a stop in the wonderful realm of poetry. In conjunction with the Chronicles of Discovery and the "Emerging Young Artists" category, students will start the unit early in order to discover any hidden talents. Students will learn the elements of poetry and in the next couple of weeks, write different poems using different themes.

The 8th grade class have used their focus and resolve to read their self- selected books that were from the reading list of Walter Dean Myers, the author and main character of their last novel, Bad Boy: A Memoir. Students will continue to read their novel in unison while writing about a subject who is an inspiration to them. Students will use the Writing Process in all of its stages to insure a high quality inspirational essay with student and peer editing and a rubric to insure that quality.

Good luck, students! Believing is Achieving! Celebrate Women's History Month!!
“My philosophy is that not only are you responsible for your life, but doing the best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment.” Oprah Winfrey,

LAST CHANCE TO ORDER YEARBOOK PICTURES - If you are interested and have not yet sent the order form for the yearbook pictures, please remember that Tuesday, March 11 is the last day to place them. Make sure to send your form back with the exact amount of money or a check.

CHOIR MEETING – There will be a Choir meeting on Monday, March 31 at 3:15 p.m. in the school library. Important information will be discussed in this meeting about the upcoming trip to New York City. At least one parent for each child who is going on the trip must attend!
THIRD GRADE MAYAN DRAMA - Come travel back in time with us! The third graders will be performing a drama to demonstrate what they have learned about the various contrasting aspects of Mayan culture to modern day. Please join us on Friday, March 14th. The schedule is listed below. Parents and other teachers are also welcome to stop by and watch.
9:00 Kinder-1st                      9:30 Grade 2                         10:00 Grades 4 and 5
CHRONICLES OF DISCOVERY SCHOOL - Each year at Discovery School we host the event "Chronicles of Discovery," destined to promote literature and art developed by our students and to reward those whose works excel in these areas. The event is organized by the students of the AP Literature and Composition class. Throughout the award ceremony, students conduct art exhibition, musical performance, and recitation, among other activities. There will also be live music and refreshments for everyone to enjoy.
We would like to invite you to Chronicles of Discovery and help us fund it. The event is sponsored by companies and donations from parents. Any sum of money is welcomed, and may be delivered to Mr. Fenn (high school building, room no. 3). Thank you for helping us promote the artistic school spirit. We hope to see you at the event, April 25

Sunday, March 2, 2014

Week of March 3rd

Most students had a great week of learning and if they choose to, we will have an even better week of learning and the creation of value.

The 6th grade class had a good week of learning and over this week-end, finished reading their novel, Hatchet, by Gary Paulsen. Students will discuss the conclusion of the novel, the author's purpose, and the themes of it. Also, students will discuss the skills learned from reading it.

The 7th grade class will read their persuasive essays and present their presentations of them by poster or power point. Also, students will answer questions from their peers and will be graded with the assistance of a rubric. Following the presentations, students will discuss the topics presented and state if the arguments presented within them will persuade the masses to action.

The 8th grade class will finish discussing the themes of their novel, Bad Boy: A Memoir, by Walter Dean Myers. Also, student will select and read a classic novel as mentioned by the main character, and read and discuss it with their peers. This week, students will learn what an inspirational essay is and begin to write one with the assistance of the textbook.

Let's have a great week of learning!

Sunday, February 23, 2014

Week of February 24th

Most students had an extremely good week of learning with various learning tools and strategies, and it is my hope that this week will be no exception!!

The 6th grade class is past the midpoint of their novel, Hatchet, by Gary Paulsen. Students are thoroughly entertained by the excellent writing of Mr. Paulsen and the various themes he conveys within the novel. Most students are elevating their high-order thinking skills as they try to draw conclusions and make predictions as to what Brian Robeson, the main character, will discover next about his predicament.

Students will continue to deepen their vocabularies with a new set of words for study, complete a vocabulary assignment, discuss the novels in Literature circles with student- driven questions, journal using various writing prompts, and reading. Students will conclude the week of a review of the themes from the various chapters and a vocabulary test.

The 7th grade class has used their time wisely to craft an issue to write about in a persuasive essay. Students will complete the rough draft of their essays on Monday night and on Tuesday, use the day to peer edit them. They will use the editing and ideas of their peers and use the Writing Process to rewrite their essays and peer edit and teacher edit them on Thursday. Students will make their presentations to their peers on Monday and Tuesday of next week.

The 8th grade is nearing the conclusion of their great novel, Bad Boy: A Memoir, by Walter Dean Myers. The class has enjoyed the novel thus far, enjoying the antics of their main character, and will possibly conclude it this week.

Students will continue to deepen their vocabularies with a new set of words for study, complete a vocabulary assignment, discuss the novels in Literature circles with student- driven questions, journal using various writing prompts, and reading. Students will conclude the week of a review of the themes from the various chapters and a vocabulary test.

Let's have a great week! Achieving is Believing!
Like an unchecked cancer, hate corrodes the personality and eats away its vital unity. Hate destroys a man's sense of values and his objectivity. It causes him to describe the beautiful as ugly and the ugly as beautiful, and to confuse the true with the false and the false with the true.
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Martin Luther King Jr.



Monday, February 17, 2014

Week of February 18th

Happy President's Day!!

Celebrate Black History Month by viewing the bulletin board in the Secondary wing commemorating the accomplishments and contributions of African-Americans to US and World history.

I hope that all students, teachers, and parents where able to enjoy the extra day off and are ready for a fun, but rigorous week of learning!!

The 6th grade class will begin the week studying chapters (1- 5) of their novel, Hatchet, by Gary Paulsen. Students have enjoyed reading the novel so far, and discussing the subsequent chapters in their Literature circles. Students will demonstrate how effective those discussions are with a formal test this week covering those chapters. After, students will diagnose other chapters in those circles and journal using prompts.

7th grade students will begin their week taking photos. The next day, we will begin discussing what a persuasive essay is and how it can be used to effect change, not only in their lives, but the lives of their communities and the world at large using examples from the world and the assistance of the Elements of Language textbook. Students will use the week to brainstorm their topics using the CPS method, write their essays using a rubric, the Writing Process, and the 6+1 Traits of Writing.

The 8th grade class will use the week to deepen their learning of vocabulary with a new list of words, journal with and without a writing prompt, create non-linguistic representations of different chapters, and discuss chapters of their novel in Literature circles. Also, students will conduct a one act play to demonstrate comprehension of chapters (6- 10) of their novel, Bad Boy: A Memoir, by Walter Dean Myers.

Let's have a great week of learning! Achieving is Believing!!
“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”
Martin Luther King, Jr.

Sunday, February 9, 2014

Week of February 10th

Please visit the new Discovery School website for all news, and while your there, check- out all the new cool photos!!

The 6th grade class will begin reading their new novel, Hatchet, by Gary Paulsen. Students will pre- read the novel by understanding the author's purpose for writing, his point of view, and the themes to be explored while reading the novel. Students will deepen their workability within Literature circles and enhance their existing high- order thinking skills by answering and developing those type of questions. Also, students will deepen their vocabulary and increase their writing abilities by journal writing as they read and discuss the events in the chapters of the book.

In the 7th grade class, students will watch the movie, The Island, starring Ewen McGregor and Scarlette Johansen. Students will compare the movie to their recently finished novel, The Giver, by Lois Lowry, which both feature a Utopian society and how the main characters are trying to find themselves in the unknown confines of them. After the movies, students will communicate collaboratively in their Literature circles discussing the similarities and differences of the two communities, their characters, settings, plot, problems, solutions, main ideas, and themes.

The 8th grade class will continue to read their novel, Bad Boy: A Memoir, by Walter Dean Myers. Students will discuss chapters (1- 5) with the assistance of a worksheet of high- order thinking skill type questions, and test their levels of comprehension on a test on Tuesday. Students will discuss the results of their test on Wednesday and continue to read, discuss, cover vocabulary, and increase high- order thinking skills in Literature with self- created questions as the week progresses.

Let's have a fabulous week of learning! Achieving is Believing!
"There is no passion found to be playing small in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living."   Nelson Mandela

Monday, February 3, 2014

Week of February 3

Congratulations to all Seattle Seahawks fans for a great win and the Denver Broncos for a good season!

Celebrate Black History Month by honoring the accomplishments of African- Americans and how those accomplishments help shape the Unites States and the world!! Parents and students, please stop by the bulletin board in the secondary and read about these proud moments of our lifetime and history.

In all grades, students will have a lively, informative, and fun discussion about the socio -economic impact the Super Bowl has on the world.

The 6th grade class will close the week by reviewing the parts of speech and learning the differences between the types of sentences in preparation to read their next novel, Hatchet, by Gary Paulsen.

The 7th grade will continue to read their novel, The Giver, by Lois Lowry. While reading this novel, students have participated in literature circles to discuss the elements of comprehension and other HOTS, journal- ed using writing prompts, create non- linguistic representations of the chapters they have read, and study vocabulary with different partners. Students have had fun discussing this novel of a Utopian society and understanding the fundamental differences of it and their current realities. We will end the novel at the end of the week and test covering all the remaining chapters at the beginning of next week.

The 8th grade class will begin their new novel, Bad Boy: A Memoir, by Walter Dean Myers. The class will learn the overall themes of the novel, the author's purpose for writing, and the author's point of view.  Also, while reading their novel, students will participate in literature circles to discuss the elements of comprehension and other HOTS, journal using writing prompts, create non- linguistic representations of the chapters they have read, and study vocabulary with different partners.

Let's have a great week of learning! Achieving is Believing!!

"Darkness cannot drive- out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive- out hatred; only love can do that."       Martin Luther King, Jr.

                                                                 Discovery School News

Nutrition Talk - presented by Mónica Mourra- Wednesday, February 12th  from 1:00 to 2:00 pm for grades 5-8.



PICTURES FOR THE YEARBOOK – The individual and class pictures for the 2013-2014  yearbook will be taken from Wednesday, February 12 to Wednesday, February 19. Melissa Durón from Merlin Pictures will be taking the photos and will be offering different packets of our students’ pictures at a very convenient price for parents to buy. We encourage parents to make sure their child is in school and nicely dressed the day assigned for the photos.

 

Assigned dates will be posted on the Monday Memo and the teachers’ blogs.The schedule for the times for each grade is below. Please be accommodating and patient if we need to make any last minute adjustments to the schedule:

 

 
Wednesday  February, 12
Thursday February, 13
Friday February, 14

Tuesday February, 18

Wednesday February, 19
Period 1
KA
2nd grade A
4th grade B
7th grade
11th grade
Period 2
Pre Kinder
2nd grade B
5th grade A
8th grade
12th grade
Period 3
Nursery
3rd grade A
5th grade B
9th grade
Make up
Period 4
Kinder B
3rd grade B
6th grade A
10th grade A
Make up
Period 5
1st grade
 
4th grade A
 
6th grade B
10th grade B
Make up
 
Period 6
 
 
 
 
Make up
Period 7
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

INFORMATION FOR YOUR BLOG POSTS – Please include the following information on your blogs:

 

MAP TESTING – This is week three (the final week) of our second MAP testing session for this school year. Reports will be sent home along with the Midterm Progress Reports on Friday, Febrary 14.

 

PICTURES FOR THE YEARBOOK – The individual and class pictures for the 2013-2014  yearbook will be taken from Tuesday, February 11 to Wednesday, February 19. The specific day and time for each grade will be posted next week.

 

CHOIR PARENTS – On Monday, February 3, at 3:15 p.m., there will be a mandatory meeting in the school Library for parents of all Choir students who are planning to travel to New York City in June 2014 to perform at the prestigious Carnegie Hall. Information will be given concerning the trip and payments needed, and Important decisions about the trip will be made. We need at least one parent for each Choir student to attend this meeting.

 

SCHOLASTIC BOOKS! - This month your child(ren) will have the opportunity to purchase books through the International Scholastic Book Clubs.  This is an optional activity offered by the school, in case you want to motivate your child to read at home and to increase their own library.  With your purchase, our library will accumulate points to redeem for more books for the benefit of your children in our school. Order forms and catalogues were sent home previously. The final date to purchase the books online is February 10. The books will arrive at the school in one single delivery, and we will distribute them to the students according to their orders, approximately three weeks after the purchase due date. Please email Ms. Marilis (mzambrana@discoveryschool.edu.hn ) if you have any questions.

 

FROM THE DPTO – PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS – The DPTO has been organized the traditional Movie Event for Discovery School families. This year, it will take place at NOVACENTRO on Sunday, February 9 at 11:00 a.m. for the presentation of THE LEGO MOVIE