Welcome Back!

 

Nat'l Book Award Finalists 2016 YA

 

As the second full week of your child’s eighth grade year at Brielle Elementary School draws to a close, I wish to welcome you and invite you to participate in the ongoing adventure this year will hopefully provide by subscribing to our blog.  In two weeks, your child’s individual blog will be linked on the sidebar here.  I urge you to check in periodically, visiting and leaving comments—not only on your child’s blog but on the work of fellow students as well.

If you were unable to attend Back-to-School Night (I missed meeting you personally!), these are a few of the highlights:

  • This year each of the classes is informed about homework and more impromptu announcements through Google Classroom.  Ask your child to show you the webpage.
  • The class webpage associated with the Brielle school account has tips for writing, a link to this blog, and other information.
  • We will be utilizing several online tools for creation and curation.  These technological tools will facilitate learning for your child.  We have been, and will continue to be, discussing what it means to be a digital citizen.  A valuable resource in addition to Common Sense Media (linked on the sidebar) is InCtrl, a comprehensive program to address this most important topic.  Safety and Responsibility are at the heart of our approach.
  • Your child participated in an activity on Global Collaboration Day, September 16th, with other students from around the world through an international art exchange.  They used VoiceThread to comment and connect.  They will be participating in Blog Action Day on Friday, October 16th as well.
  • The essential question we will be considering throughout the year is:  What is justice?  The seventh and eighth graders will be reading books in mixed-grades book clubs that focus on different social justice issues.
  • Students will engage in an inquiry-based project of their choosing during the third marking period, related to an aspect of social justice and their personal interest.
  • They will participate in the Global Blog Challenge for ten weeks during the spring.
  • Please contact me by email or phone with any questions or concerns:  pemerson@brielle.k12.nj.us, 732.528.6400 x.124.

I will do my best to provide an update every month, sometimes more often if the circumstances warrant it, via this blog.

We are already on our way to a successful and happy school year; I can’t wait to see it unfold.  Thank you for sharing your children with me.

Mindfulness for International Peace Day

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On Monday, September 21, we will be observing International Peace Day.  As a part of our involvement, we have been considering the importance of mindfulness for creating inner peace.  A mindfulness trainer will visit and speak to the eighth graders about this practice and lead them in guided meditation and conscious breathing.  Any method that creates more personal peace—less stress—seems like a path to explore.