Hi All,
Pass the word around to anyone that has been in my classes-teach them how to BLOG. (Remember, no last names!) Let’s try to keep conversations and learning going this summer.

Suggested content for our BLOG: what we’re reading, new words we learn or “old” ones we see from vocabulary class, great movies, ways you’ve applied something we’ve learned in class, a unique vacation event, etc. I want the focus to be on cognition, learning and sharing. Learning doesn’t stop just because school is out. It’s just different. : ) Let’s experiment with cyber-sharing!

Think about joining “Twitter” and follow me (lisaheaton). It’s free. I want to try to send “Tweets” from Alaska. Channel 9 News is going to follow some of our experience, too. I’m on the cruise ship from June 16th-June 24th.

Okay, you’ve twisted my arm. This class has been amazing! I’ve LOVED listening to you as you dialogue about the characters, enthusiastically empathize with Sonny or Elsie, wonder about Homer (dad), and share your favorite happenings from each chapter. And launching rockets–what a BLAST!!! Hee Hee : )

I will TRULY miss you all! The level of our discussions is what one would expect in a high school classroom! You are all on a path to an interesting journey ahead. I’d love to hear where it takes you! Stay in touch!

This summer I will be in Alaska with Steve Spangler on a “SCIENCE AT SEA” cruise. I will be learning about the biology and botany, the geography and land forms, and the people and the culture of Alaska. I’m going to try to use my “Twitter” - my name to follow is: lisaheaton
I’ll also try to write on my blog what I’m learning about!

Tell your peers from Mrs. Heaton’s classes to check it out. I think a BLOG this summer would be great!

Now that it’s over, what was the best part of the October Sky class and why?

Pick a character from the book “October Sky” and write three (3) characteristics about that character and support them with evidence from the text. Be succinct.
If posts are up, read through and add another example of a trait someone else listed OR disagree using your own evidence that shows doubt of that characteristic. Shru2 and a few others will like this one.

Write a paragraph about your personal thoughts and feelings after having read Ch. 12. Do you have questions? Do you have emotions? Do you agree, disagree, wonder?

You’ve just read the chapter Rocket Candy. Think about and then share one of the following:
-an incident that you’ve experienced and learned from
-a time when being honest was hard
-thoughts that the chapter triggered in you as you read it
-ideas about Sonny’s dad
-questions stirred by the chapter
Try to be succinct. Then consider responding to entries from your classmates after you write your initial comment. Blog away

Miss Riley was a huge motivator to Sonny in continuing his pursuit of rocketry. As she demonstrated potassium chlorate and sugar, the boys’ minds were already making connections with rocket fuels. Share an incident or a person in your life that has influenced you to pursue something, keep trying, or has motivated you.

You’ve had an amazing opportunity to launch several paper rockets today. Think about:
1. How you felt?
2. What you did to adjust your rockets?
3. How you can could relate the experience to Sonny and the Rocket Boys in October Sky?
Write about any of these and respond to others

You’ve felt the sorrow and guilt of Sonny as he deals with Mr. Bykovski’s death in the mine. You’ve witnessed Sonny’s broken heart, his stupid choice to deal with it and his frustration about not being able to take the Calculus class he fought for. Discuss what happens in the next chapter…

You’ve made your theodolite. What did you measure and discover?