Hope School District GATE Program

6^th Grade News and Pompeii Journal Updates

January 18, 2011

Dear Parents,

    Students set out in late November to research the Roman baths, daily life, and religion in ancient Pompeii during the time of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.  They  could choose to research additional topics about Pompeii to include in their personal journal and they are currently hard at work on this project.  They have one more month before the mid-February deadline approaches.  Please ask your student to share their Pompeii identity, what their occupation is and a few interesting research facts with you.

   After having taught at Piedmont Middle School and Castro Valley and San Leandro High Schools, I wanted to use my secondary education experience to help prepare 6^th graders for junior high.   Two  goals I've set for the 6^th graders this year involves planning and organization and we work on both together in GATE using the Pompeii Journal project.

    Students received a Green Handout on the first day of the Pompeii project which lists the requirements in detail.  It's designed as a check-off list to help students familiarize themselves with what they need to include in their journal.  We refer to this green sheet each day in class and discuss ways to “Look before you Leap.”  Students joke that they have almost memorized it in their sleep. 

   Students recently received a Blue Handout.  Although we sit down together to review their work individually, this sheet asks students to take an honest assessment of where they are to-date in their research.  We discussed how to make this blue sheet more personal.  Several students marked future dates to set goals for completing certain items and by doing so helps them to be aware of and focus on critical time limits (the blue sheet is attached).  The Pompeii journal assignment is self-directed and students have many choices as to what they want to work on and accomplish in class; researching, note taking, using a variety of class reference books, drawing, editing, and transcribing entries.

    We have several remaining GATE classes left to complete this project.  The 6^th grade classroom teachers have also allowed students time to work on their journals during the new Intervention/Enrichment portion of the day that the District established this year.

It's rewarding to see students' efforts in research and organization take shape.  Students and parents may contact me with questions about the ancient Pompeii journal project at:     

                       cgarner@hopeschooldistrict.org   or   call  # 967-1239 at Vieja

Remember:  La Colina Jr. High Open House for 6^th grade parents is Jan. 20 at 6:00 PM

Thank you too, for your help and support!