“Astro”-nomical News!
F. Douglass 9th Grade March 2024
"Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories"
Write a thank-you note to the women in your life!
Grab some stationary, a glitter gel pen, and harness the power of gratitude.
Whether it’s your mom, your spouse, your sister, your best friend, or a teacher who inspired you years ago, write a heartfelt thank-you to a woman who has made a difference in your life.
Read books about women’s rights
- “Abolition. Feminism. Now.” by Angela Y. Davis, Gina Dent, Erica R. Meiners, and Beth Richie
- “Bad Feminist” by Roxane Gay
- “A Room of One’s Own” by Virginia Woolf
- “Feminism is for Everybody: Passionate Politics” by bell hooks
- “Know My Name: A Memoir” by Chanel Miller
- “Untamed” by Glennon Doyle
- “Whipping Girl: A Transsexual Woman on Sexism and the Scapegoating of Femininity” by Julia Serano
March 14 is Pi Day!
March Madness
Astros are invited to Paper’s March Madness Challenge, dedicated to supporting teachers and students throughout the test-prep season! Students will have two chances to win amazing prizes like Apple AirPods by scoring Paper Three-Pointers.
Challenge begins: March 1st, 2024 First Prize Draw: March 15th, 2024 Second Prize Draw: April 1st, 2024
How does the contest help with Test-Prep?
Use the new set of CCSS-aligned Paper Missions to prepare for the upcoming state assessments. (select Math, ELA, Vocabulary, or Test Prep practice problems.)
What does it take to score a Paper Three-Pointer?
To score a Paper Three-Pointer, Astros must complete a Paper activity on three separate days before each draw. The first round of prizes will be drawn on March 15th and the second on April 1st.
What qualifies as a Paper Activity?
Paper activities occur within the platform. Examples include:
Completing a Paper Mission or Reading exercise
Working through a problem or assignment in Live Help
Submitting a piece of writing to the Review Center
Only 15 Golden Tickets!
Please encourage your students to visit the Media Center and checkout some books. There are 15 Golden tickets hidden in books. The students who find them will be invited to 30 mins of free time in the Media Center to use the VR (virtual reality) goggles, snacks, and a token to our Book Vending machine.
Log your reading in Beanstack
The Mighty Astros are challenged to read 20 minutes each day, and log your minutes in Beanstack (accessed through MyBackPack). You may log comic books, eBooks, audiobooks, online articles, cookbooks, magazines, encyclopedias, and novels. Teachers, staff, parents, and Astro community members are also encouraged to read and log minutes in Beanstack. Parents and community members may register for an account at https://www.beanstack.com/race2read.
The student who logs the most minutes by May 17th will win a brand new Ipad.
Student login:
Username: MyBackpack username
Password: race2read
Teacher login:
Username: APS Email
Password: beanstackreads
Need a Brain Break or Fun Class Activity?
Teachers are welcome to sign up to bring their class in the Media Center for game hour. We have a good selection of board games for students to use and teachers are welcome to use our Boxlight board to play large group games.
Please remember that students will need a pass with the date, time and the reason for their visit. Students who are not following the Media Center rules will be sent back to class.
Use this link to reserve your space in the Media center.
SORA
Thousands of ebooks and audiobooks are free for APS students and families through Sora.
Access:
MyBackpack or download free app to your smart phone, iPad, or computer for easy reading and listening.
Click ADD LIBRARY and enter "Fulton County Library System."
Georgia Library Learning Online (GALILEO) is a virtual library operated by the University System of Georgia.
Students, faculty, and staff have free access to thousands of trustworthy digital resources making GALILEO an invaluable resource for scholars conducting research
Access GALILEO via MyBackpack.
APS STUDENTS Login to ClassPass Resources
Username: Network ID
PIN: lunch number
* Direct access to GALILEO from the web requires a password (health).
I am happy to provide any assistance and trainings on using digital resources located in MyBack Pack or others that you have heard about.
Class visits
- Email me within 24-48 hrs. prior to planned visit, include description of topics/focus areas that students will focus on. I'm happy to assist in any way possible.
- Only one class will be allowed to visit at a time unless approve by Mrs. Calhoun.
- Please complete the Media/Teacher collaboration form and submit it prior to your visit and wait for a confirmation email.
- Visits will be allowed on first come, first serve basis
Individual student visits during school session
- Only students with a yellow pass will be allowed to visit the media center during class time.
- If students are not working and not following the Media center rules, they will be sent back to class.
iPad/Mac Book Checkout
- A 15 minute training must be done prior to checkout. Please see Mrs. Calhoun or Ms. Stroud for training.
Technology accessories
- Wireless keyboards, wireless mouse, and clickers are available for checkout.