Twin Oaks Tribune
Twin Oaks Middle School
Volume 7, Issue 6
Andrea Peterson to be honored!
http://www.presspubs.com/white_bear/sports/local/article_d129d4c2-8686-11e6-a63d-d3dbe1a7a519.html
Congratulations on this special recognition Andrea!
"From the eyes of a 7th Grader"
Mary Jo selected this particular piece as the best one. I thought it was quite an impressive work of art done by Aruna Acharya.
Classroom Highlights from the week
- In Laurie Friedges' classroom this week, the students were working on understanding idioms as a part of their social communications seminar class. An important part of this learning was the students understanding why this particular part of language development is so important in order to effectively communicate in our everyday environments. Have you ever thought of how prevalent various idioms are in our typical communications? Something to think about as we continue to need to ensure that our communication is clear to all of our students. Check out this posting.
http://www.smart-words.org/quotes-sayings/idioms-meaning.html
- In Nicole McMahon's 7th grade, Cook-Bake-Sew class, as a part of their nutrition unit, Nicole had the students preparing vegetables in class today. Additionally, at the request of one of her students, Nicole introduced the students to a "new fruit" that many of them had not previously tasted, a Jackfruit from Mexico. I had a chance to try some and it was pretty tasty. See Nicole's email if you are interested in trying it out yourself, but be forewarned, Nicole said it took who quite a while to cut up just a small portion of it...
- Brant Chalupsky had his 7th grade health students engaging in some data analysis this week, as they were reviewing the data from the 2013 MN Student Survey. Brant had them taking it a step further by completing a writing exercise entitled "10 reactions" in which students need to write about their interpretations of the data set, and what thoughts and concerns they had. Not only a great exercise in data analysis, but also developing the skills of articulating their findings in a coherent manner. Future data analysists...
- It was great to see all 3 of our computer labs in full use this afternoon for something other than administering tests. As our 8th graders were working on taking the writing process to the 'next level'.
Jackfruit from Mexico
All 3 Computers Labs in Use
Article on Growth
"Twinning" at Twin Oaks
Teachers of the Week
Todd Becker
Years in the district: 4
Years in education: 19
Alma mater: Mankato State University
Favorite middle school memory (good or bad): Mr. Wilke was my 'Industrial Arts' teacher who inspired me and let me help others with their woodworking projects, and I sort of became a teacher's aide without really knowing it!
Favorite Quote/Motto: "No matter who you are, there is some younger person who thinks you are perfect."
Favorite movie: "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" and "The Wedding Singer"
Favorite book: "Heaven is for Real" by Todd (& Colton) Burpo
Best gift ever received (can't be birth of child): My 1989 Pontiac Grand Am coupe...I loved my first car so much, I almost rubbed the paint off from washing it so much!
Anything else you would like to share: I am honored to be a full-time teacher now at Twin Oaks! I love teaching our students here, and working with such an awesome staff that is second to none!
Lisa Manders
Years in the district: 13
Years in education: 14
Alma mater: Drake University
Favorite middle school memory (good or bad): Playing in the jazz band
Favorite quote/motto: ""In matters of style, swim with the current; In maters of principle, stand like a rock." Thomas Jefferson
Favorite movie: The Shawshank Redemption
Favorite book: Into the Wild
Best gift ever received (can't be birth of child): My Grandma's piano
Staff Members of the Week
Mark Hunter
Years in the district: 6
Favorite middle school memory (good or bad): Playing soccer everyday at lunch time
Favorite quote/motto:Try your hardest
Favorite movie: Lord of the Rings - two towers
Favorite book: Walking drum by Louis l'amour
Best gift ever received (can't be birth of child): Our first chocolate lab "Calvin" was a great gift
Anything else you would like to share: Enjoy working with everyone at TOMS
DeAnn Nelson
Years in the district: 11
Favorite middle school memory (good or bad):I remember how it seemed so cool to be able to change classes every hour and see friends in the halls during passing times.
Favorite quote/motto: "Don't worry, be happy."
Favorite movie: Pirates of the Caribbean
Favorite book: Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon
Best gift ever received (can't be birth of child): My husband and I celebrated our 30th Anniversary with an Alaskan cruise and he surprised me with an awesome helicopter ride that landed on a glacier in Alaska. We were able to scoop and take a sip of the icy water that ran in a stream on top of the glacier.
Quote of the Week
"βIt is not the strongest species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the ones who are most responsive to change.β
β Unknown
The Week Ahead
Monday
- Grade Level Meetings, 2:15 PM
Tuesday
- Unity Day during Primetime
- Conferences, Team 3-4 PM, 'Arena Style' 4-7 PM
- EM Break
- EM Break
Friday
- EM Break