October 2023 Newsletter

 

October 22, 2023

Dear families,

I hope you had restful weekends and found time to unwind from the school week. This is my October newsletter, where I will share important information about English class. You should expect a newsletter from me each month. In this newsletter I will share what we have been studying in class, material that we will be covering as the term comes to a close, and important information and dates to remember. 

What we have been learning:

For the past month and a half, we have reviewed the essential parts of a story: characters, setting, plotline, conflict, and theme. We reviewed the summer reading book Crossover, toured the Keefe Library and equipped all students in the cluster with a Boston Public Library card and Hoopla account. Students made Artphones (see below) where they shared some goals.

What we are currently working on:

Currently, we are sharing the “Introducing Me” slide shows each student designed about themselves. We have been loving student presentations, as we get the opportunity to learn about each other, building classroom community. We are also reading the graphic novel New Kid by Jerry Craft, and Friday students submitted their independent reading book project for term 1. Hopefully your child shared their “Book Tok” inspired film with you to view. On Monday, students will have the chance to watch their classmates’ Book Toks. Hopefully, each student will walk away with a “TBR” To-be-read list, prepared with some titles to read for their term II independent reading book. 

What is coming:

We will be finishing our study of New Kid this week. The test on the book will take place on Thursday, November 2nd. It will include information from the story including plotline, characterization, conflict, and vocabulary. The binder check will also take place on November 2nd. Everything listed in the “Table of Contents” in the English binder will need to be organized in page order and made into a packet. I will check that all worksheets have been collated and completed. We organize our binders to practice executive functioning skills, to study the content for the unit test, and to clean out our binders to make space for the next term. Finally, I will be introducing class declamation next month. It is a 6-week process. The first two weeks involve finding a piece to declaim. Students will need to find a poem or passage from a story that is at least 225 words. I will share more details in early-November. 

Reminders:

• Please have your child bring pens and pencils. Many students are asking for these supplies.

• Tissues are still needed

• Some students still need to return the permission slip for the field trip to the BSO.

• We need chaperones for the field trip to the BSO. If interested, please contact Ms. Jacboson-Peregrino at rjacobsonperegrino@bostonpublicschools.org

End-of-Term I:

The end-of-the-term is November 9th. 

• Book Tok (independent reading book project) -- due Friday, October 20th

• Unit test on New Kid the graphic novel – Thursday, November 2nd

• Binder Packet due – Thursday, November 2nd

Upcoming Dates:

• Field trip to the Boston Symphony Orchestra –- October 25th

• BLS Halloween Costume Contest (optional) – October 31st                      

In partnership,

~Mrs. Callum   coccean@bostonpublicschools.org

  September 10, 2023

Dear families,

Welcome to English Language Arts on the Terra Cluster! My name is Mrs. Caroline Occean Callum, and I am excited to be your child’s teacher. Although the weather these first two days of school was quite oppressive, the children remained upbeat. It was a testament to their good spirits and excitement to start the year at BLS. I am looking forward to getting to know them. 

A bit about my background:

In class, I presented information in Google Slides about myself to help the students get to know me. Let me share a few things with you to help you get to know me better too. I have been teaching seventh grade English at Boston Latin School for over fifteen years. In years past I have helped with Public Declamation and the BLS track and field programs. I live in Milton, MA with my husband, two daughters, a puppy, and hamster. I grew up in Newton, Massachusetts, and then attended Boston University as a scholarship student-athlete in cross-country and track and field. I loved the experience B.U. provided and it holds a special place in my heart. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Communications, I went on to earn my Master of Arts in Teaching at Simmons University. Later this term, students will have the opportunity to design and present a similar slidedeck where they will introduce themselves to the class in order to build community in the classroom. It will be fun learning about everyone.

How to prepare for the year:

Your child should always bring to my classroom an open, respectful mind ready for learning. I will be reading various texts with the students, helping them with writing and oral-speaking skills. You can learn more about the course by clicking here and reading the course overview. A print or electronic signature is required by Thursday, September 15th. Please click here to sign.

Here you can find the supply list to best support your child in my class:

• ½ or 1-inch binder

• BPS Chromebook

• marble composition notebook 

• Pack of white-lined filler paper 

• Two tab dividers

• pencils/blue and black ink pens/highlighters

• Hoopla account (See class site or BLS library page for video tutorial)

• Dictionary ( an app on a Smart device is acceptable)

• Summer reading requirement: Crossover by Kwame Alexander  (See BLS library page for details)

• optional: print copies of the texts.

Upcoming Dates: 

Mon. 9/11:        Sixies have grade-level welcome assembly with administration

Tues. 9/12: Study guide for summer reading should be completed and brought to class

Wed.. 9/13:       Supply check– bring an independent reading book and all must-have supplies to class

Thurs. 9/14 & Fri. 9/15: MAP District testing

Mon. 9/18:        Quiz on Crossover - the summer reading book

I can’t wait to start the year, and look forward to building a solid partnership with you. Thank you for embarking on this journey with me. Please do not hesitate to to contact me with any questions or concerns. 

P.S. – Upcoming Event: In-person Back-to-School Night @BLS  on Thursday, September 21st. 

Sincerely,

~Mrs. Caroline Occean Callum 

coccean@bostonpublicschools.org

https://callumcorner.blogspot.com/

Summer Reads…

Dear students,

Summer is always a great opportunity to find time to discover a good book. Over the last couple of months, my favorite place to immerse myself into stories was sitting on my lawn chair, feeling the warmth of the sun. I am happy to share some of the books I read over the break. Recently I purchased some titles to bring to the classroom too. I'll share those titles in a future post. I look forward to hearing all about the good books you have read over the summer. 

My completed summer reading list

Currently reading: