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.

We Are Underway for the School Year!

With September a distant memory, Adams cluster students have been busy at work, finishing up their summer reading requirements. The summer reading book project is due tomorrow, Wednesday, October 2nd. The next two weeks, we will wrap up our initial work, by reviewing The Pearl, The Friends, and Let the Circle Be Unbroken. Interested students will also have the opportunity to attend a talk in the library with Ms. Mary Wilcox, vice president and associate publisher at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, the same company that published Crossover, by Kwame Alexander. Crossover was one of the choice books students could have selected to read to complete their summer reading requirement. Interested students should click on the following link to the Google sign up form to attend the talk tomorrow: Oct. 2nd W-Block HMH Publisher Talk in the Library

Students will be happy to learn that Google Classroom codes are now available for ELA class. Please refer to the chart and enter the correct code. Please join the appropriate classroom.

Mrs. Callum’s ELA Class Section #s:	Google Classroom Code
Purple -Section 04	ewbiaye
Blue - Section 06	6rbw3ge
Green - Section 11	5cjffv
Red - Section 13	erhra0h
Yellow - Section 15	erlybe