March 18, 2020

Hello students and parents!

The world changed dramatically in just the last few days.  However, since the beginning of time, human beings have been able to change and adapt in dramatic ways. The next couple of weeks will bring a sort of school experience that I never knew existed before. The road ahead may be steep, but we will be patient with one another. I have tried to make the process as streamlined and simple as possible. Please read ahead to understand the assignments your students will have in their Humanities class. In addition, I will be available Monday through Friday, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm.  Students may email questions or write questions on assignments in Google Classroom. My email is pangel@slcusd.org. Students need to check in to each of their classes every day, Monday through Friday.  In Humanities, they will check-in using a Google Form or Flipgrid on Google Classroom. Previously, I had used the blog to update any new information and detail everything in the Humanities class, but all assignments and announcements will be posted on Google Classroom, from now on.  If this sounds overwhelming right now, I understand.  However, I can (almost) promise that the students will be reading and writing and responding and Flipgridding like champions by this time next week.  However, if parents or students have any questions or concerns, please email me. If you would like to talk, send me an email with a good phone number to reach you and I will call you.

Living History Journal--Students, you are now a historian. Starting on Wednesday, March 18, you will be keeping a journal. Each day, you will detail what you are seeing in the news, how the world, how our nation, how your friends, neighbors, and family are responding to this pandemic.

You are creating a primary source that can be used by people in the future to learn about our lives during this crisis from your unique perspective.

Be authentic. Be honest. Be reflective. 

Short stories--Over the next couple of weeks we will be exploring the world of short stories. Each story will be accompanied by comprehension questions or a choice of writing a five-sentence paragraph reflecting on the story as a whole. Stories have been chosen because of their strong themes and / or their connection to what is happening in our world today.

Nat Geo and/or other history--Students will dive into the Americas (the New World) starting this week.  Sometimes, the assignment will be reading a page or two and taking notes. Other times, it will be watching a video and answering questions.  It could be taking Cornell notes on a topic the students are reading an article about or watching a documentary about.  

Book Club composition books--Students are accustomed to reading 30 minutes, four times a week in a choice book, and then choosing and writing about two different quotations, with a three-picture storyboard or three new words defined on Longman. That will continue to be the expectation. I will ask students to upload a photograph of their composition book entry for the week, each week, by Friday.  If students would like to transition to a digital version, they will be able to do this in the coming weeks. 

Flipgrid--This is a new, exciting, fun way for the students to connect with each other by making short videos on a variety of themes:  current events, reflections on short stories, sharing main points from their blogs, synthesizing ideas in history, or just simple check-ins. 

I know this is a lot of change, all of a sudden.  I have always been impressed with our incredible community here at LOMS.  In trying times, we know we are all in this together. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions, concerns, or needs.  

Sincerely,

Mr. A