Native American Sign Language

Video from Smithsonian

Language Arts Updates

In class, we've been reading a variety of American Indian star myths, using They Dance in the Sky.  As we've read, students have taken notes of common themes and patterns in the stories and are now writing their own American Indian style myths based on constellations.  We will present these in class next week and finish this unit with a field trip to the planetarium at the Science Museum of Western Va on Thursday, October 7th.  We will leave campus at 9:00am and return before lunch. 

This week's Small Writing style is Expository.  Students should have rough drafts that are ready to be edited today.  Better drafts are due on Thursday. 

What does it mean?

I found a great article on National Geographic's website to share with you about Native American words. Follow this link and find out what "Roanoke" means!


First person with the correct answer to comment wins a treat from next week's Bake Sale!

Scholastic Book Orders!

Middle school students will continue to have the opportunity to order books from Scholastic again this year. It's an affordable way to fill your child's library with great reads and help fill our classroom with high-interest books. Scholastic has made it even easier to order online.
It’s so simple! Here’s how it works:

SIGN UP at www.scholastic.com/bookclubs. On the parent page, register by clicking click the “Don’t have a user name or password?” link. When prompted, enter the one-time Class Activation Code: H2CNC. This unique code ensures that your order is sent to me.


SELECT the books you’d like to order—choose from thousands of titles—many more than in our monthly flyers.


SEND your order to me online by the due date and your child’s books will be delivered directly to my classroom.

Here are some titles that we may read in class this year:
Chasing Lincoln's Killer, James Swanson
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate, Jacqueline Kelly
The Legend of Bass Reeves, Gary Paulsen
War Horse, Michael Morpurgo
Riot, Walter Dean Meyers
Chains, Laurie Halse Anderson

Welcome Back!

September is here and it's time to begin a new school year! We have lots of great books to read, fun field trips to go on and exciting days planned. I hope everyone gets a good night's sleep and a filling breakfast tomorrow morning. We'll see you in the morning!