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:

 

Welcome to ELA7 for the 2022-23 School Year!

 

September 7, 2022

Dear families,

Welcome to English Language Arts on the Terra Cluster! My name is Mrs. Callum, and I am excited to be your teacher. I hope you and your family had a restful and restorative summer break. September always means school and the anticipation of new faces, experiences, and possibilities. I am looking forward to getting to know each of you. 

A bit about my background:

Let me share a few things about myself that will help you to get to know me better. I have been teaching seventh grade English at Boston Latin School for 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 and two daughters. 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. 

How to prepare for the year:

Bring to my classroom an open mind ready for learning. I will be reading various texts with you and helping with your writing and oral-speaking skills. 

To that end, here you can find the supply list to best support your work in my class:

• BPS Chromebook

• marble composition notebook 

• Pack of white-lined filler paper 

• ½ or 1-inch binder

• 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: Flying Lessons & Other Stories edited by Ellen Ho (See BLS library page for details)

• optional: print copies of the texts.

We have a Google Classroom, class blog, and a Bitmoji classroom! The Google Classroom is a portal where students and families can find daily assignments, digital handouts, student work, grades, and resources. I also supplement with my blog. This autumn I will try to launch a Bitmoji classroom. I will gradually introduce the students to these materials and help teach them how to navigate them. 

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. 

Sincerely,

~Mrs. Callum 

coccean@bostonpublicschools.org

https://callumcorner.blogspot.com/

Welcome to ELA 7 for the 2021-2022 School Year!

 

September 10, 2021

Dear families,

Welcome to English Language Arts on the Terra Cluster! My name is Mrs. Callum, and I am excited to be your teacher. I hope you and your family had a restful and restorative summer break. September always means school and the anticipation of new faces, experiences, and possibilities. This year I am excited to be back in the building, teaching our students in-person. My goal is to prioritize equitable student-learning, class community building, and partnership with you.

A bit about my background:

Let me share a few things about myself that will help you to get to know me better. 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 College. Shortly after that, I started teaching in Lexington, MA and helped with the track and field teams there. Eventually I made my way to Boston Latin School, where I have been teaching for the past fourteen years. I love teaching seventh grade and helping with Public Declamation, as the co-coordinator. In years past, I have also helped with the BLS track and field programs, so I often root for the team and enjoy supporting young student-athletes.

How to prepare for the year:

Last year was a challenge for us all. It provided me an opportunity to learn new teaching strategies that help increase student engagement. Best practices from last year will be incorporated into instruction this year. I will be reading various texts with your child and helping them with their writing and oral-speaking skills. 

To that end, here you can find the supply list to best support your child in my class:

• BPS Chromebook

• single subject spiral notebook 

• ½ or 1-inch binder

• pencils/pens/highlighters

• colored pencils or markers

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

• Summer reading requirement: Flying Lessons & Other Stories edited by Ellen Ho (See BLS library page)

• optional: print copies of the texts.

We have a Google Classroom (a Bitmoji classroom and class Google Site)! The Google Classroom is a portal where students and families can find daily assignments, digital handouts, student work, grades, and resources. We also supplement the Google Classroom with a Bitmoji classroom and site. I will gradually introduce the students to these materials and help teach them how to navigate them. 

• Feel free to check out the class website and the ELA7 Course Overview will be coming soon. 

Homework:

• Today students received their “All About Me ‘Art-Phone’ Template” assignment. It is a piece of cardstock that has three panels that resemble a smart phone. Students should brainstorm on draft paper what they may write and include on their “Art-Phone.” Once they finalize their ideas, they may work on decorating the cardstock. The “All About Me ‘Art-Phone’” template should be completely decorated and returned to class on Tuesday, September 14th.  We will do the finishing touches in class on Monday, i.e. cutting-out the Art-Phone, gluing the base. Students should bring the Art-Phone to class on Monday as well. See image:

  

• This weekend students should check their BPS emails to find my Google Classroom invitation to join.

• Over the summer all students were required to read Flying Lessons & Other Stories. During a few days in class over the next weeks we will read and review a few of the short stories from the text. Please check and ensure your child has read the text or is working on reading it via the instructions on the BLS.org library webpage. It would be beneficial to locate the text at home if you have a print copy. Your child can bring it to class.

• All supplies for school should be completed and brought to class on Wednesday, September 15th.

• Fostering a love of reading is very important. Please make certain that your child always has an independent reading book that they also bring to school. The school librarians are always adding current titles to their collection if your child may need recommendations.

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 and your students. Please do not hesitate to to contact me with any questions or concerns. My goal is to address issues and concerns proactively, and to work with you to support your child. I am looking forward to a wonderful seventh grade year working with your child. Enjoy the weekend. 

Sincerely,

~Mrs. Callum

coccean@bostonpublicschools.org

Corona Virus School Closure Prompts Online Learning--We've Met the Challenge

Dear students and families,

As COVID-19 has become our new reality, we have had to adapt to our new environment, finding a way to continue our learning as a community. This past week, I, along with many of the teachers at BLS, have been designing and crafting enriching and engaging learning activities for you to complete while at home. Some days will be more stressful than others. Sometimes you may feel scared. Some days you may find yourself bored beyond compare. Whatever each day may bring, I hope you can take solace in knowing there are activities here that can rest your mind, focus your attention away from the news and or boredom, and provide some routine and consistency in these uncharted times.

On SIS work will be graded on completion only. We want to provide you low stress but also keep you engaged and interested in learning during this time.

Make certain to try to make a goal for yourself to step outside at least once each day in order to get some fresh air. It is important to get some exercise. Please practice social-distancing when outside. Go for a walk, pick up the mail, take your pet for a walk, ride a bike, play a quick game with a family member in your home. Do yoga, follow a dancer on YouTube who is offering free lessons during this time. Make certain you do something AcTiVe for yourself each day.

I am thinking of each one of you. You and your family are in my thoughts.

Although I will update the assignments tab of this blog on a weekly basis, going forward please check Google Classroom regularly, as that will be the most informative location for all weekly assignments. Google Classroom will provide the most in-depth information about assignments, expectations, instructions, and due dates.


Be well and safe.

~Mrs. Callum

Things Are Falling Into Place This Autumn!

As an English teacher how can I resist a play on words! Do forgive me, if you are unamused by the title. Needless to say, this season we have had some great opportunities to mingle and get-to-know each other. Students finished presenting their summer reading posters to their classes. We have officially begun our first book of the year: Dragonwings by Laurence Yep. This week students completed a web-quest on Chinese Immigration and today are watching the TEDTalk "The Danger of a Single Story" in order to develop a deeper understanding of Moon Shadow, the protagonist, in the novel and his experience immigrating to America.

The rigor of the curriculum is picking up speed, and most students are gradually coming along and making progress. The term officially ends November 8th. Make certain to check SIS, take care of any outstanding questions or concerns before the term closes.

Despite the workload, we have also found some time to participate in events offered at school. From hosting Ms. Wilcox, vice president and associate publisher at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, who published Kwame Alexander's The Crossover, to visiting the Boston Museum of Science, we have been busy.

For professional development, I had an opportunity to attend the annual conference of the New England Association of Teachers of English, where I was able to listen to author Jerry Craft talk about his new graphic novel entitled New Kid, and was able to purchase a few more great YA reads for the classroom. Things as you can see, are definitely falling into place.