Greetings!
This site was created as an online resource for students involved with my social studies classes and their parents/guardians. On this site you will find a large number of resources related to our classroom. I invite you to take a look around by using the various links at the top and sides of the page. I am excited that you have taken the time to access our classroom's online community. Over the coming weeks I plan to expand this site to include all sorts of useful information and classroom resources to better our learning community — so visit often and look for updates!
Kindest Regards,
-Mr. Walker (2009)
Can't Hide That Viking Pride!
Announcements!
12/8/09
Dear students and parents. Just a quick reminder. Midterm reports for the second marking period are coming up soon. The students will be receiving a large amount of graded work back, as well as an approximated value of the grade as of Mid-December. This update will be issued in class and will be reflected on Engrade at some point over the next week. I apologize if this update on student performance is late. I assure you it is coming within this next week.
Best,Mr. Walker
Greetings!
Just a reminder to all of my faithful students and parents, report cards were given to the students today. With the exception of all of those students who did not pay outstanding debts/fees to NEHS all students were given their report cards during advisory period this morning.
I must have said it a million times today to my students, but I will restate it a final time for this web announcement. I did not "give" out any grades to my students for first marking period. My students earned the grade they received in my class. Please keep that in mind for second marking period folks. Take pride in your achievements, be mindful of your efforts, and always believe that you can succeed!
To all of my lovely loyal and supportive parents conferences are upon us. I understand that this year's conference scheduling is a little bit different then it was last year. This upcoming week, on Monday the 23rd and Tuesday the 24th NEHS will be hosting parent-teacher conferences from 1pm-3pm. I implore you regardless of how your student performed during the 1st marking period come and chat with me. I haven't yet met all of you, and frankly I would love to. A number of the students have told me "My parents don't go to conferences" which I think is a real shame. Now, I am a realist, I understand that people work in the afternoon and have other scheduling issues. If these two dates for conferences do not work for you, please email me (moc.liamg|hcaet.reklawl#moc.liamg|hcaet.reklawl) or call the school and drop me a message. I will gladly reply, or perhaps schedule a time outside of classroom hours to have a conference with you.
Have a lovely weekend and upcoming Thanksgiving break should I not hear from you next week.
best,
— Mr. Walker
11/5/09
Dear Students,Wow the first marking period is nearly over… it seems like only yesterday I was handing out the course syllabus and explaining how you earn your grades. We have come a long way in the past 2 months, and we aren't nearly finished learning from one another. Now to business…
As you are surely aware by now report card grades are upon us. But what does this mean for you? Well first off, grades close next Thursday. What does this mean? It means that for a majority of my classes final grades will be determined and updated on engrade by the end of this weekend (Sunday November 8th).
In regards to missing and late homework assignments. The time has passed for turning in any and all missing assignments. If you have not submitted these assignments to me previously, and/or discussed such matters with me previously the window is officially shut. You are responsible for monitoring your performance, you are your grade's greatest advocate! Grading is a process that takes a great deal of time, and so I will need all of that time between now and next Thursday to properly update and register your final 1st marking period grades.
I've said it a million times in class, and I'm repeating it once again, grades in this class are all about what you earn — what you work for. Rome wasn't built in a day and neither was your grade. You put the time in, you did the work and the end of the day you earned the grade you deserved. I don't give out grades. You grade reflects how you carried yourself academically this marking period.
Words to keep in mind…
For those of you who performed well and achieved your 1st marking period academic goals — bravo, good on ya, keep up that high level of effort — I am proud of you :-)
For those of you who struggled at first, and who worked tirelessly to turn your performance around in my class since your midterm progress reports — don't sell yourself short, smile and take pride in your achievements! Few in this world truly appreciate the achievements of hard work beyond the call of duty.
For those of you who struggled and did not make your academic goal for this marking period, don't give up! We have only just begun this year, and as always I am here to support you. Challenge yourself to beat back adversity and apathy. Take this time of struggle as a learning lesson, and work to better yourself in the 2nd marking period. — Just come ask me where you can start!
10/17/09
Mr. Walker's OFFICE HOURS!
I'm a pleased to announce a new form of support is now available to all students. From this date forward, I will be offering OFFICE HOURS as a way to help my students stay on track. So what exactly does this mean? It means that I have reset my schedule so that every MONDAY and TUESDAY I will be in room 7, from 3-4pm to assist my students.
Reasons why you might want to attend Mr. Walker's Office Hours:
1. You were out sick and missed a lesson.
2. You had an early dismissal for any number of reasons (sports, personal appointments, etc.) and missed class as a result.
3. You are in danger of failing and need Mr. Walker's guidance on how to turn your academic performance around.
4. You need help with your studies because…
- You didn't understand the content covered in class, and you have questions.
- You don't understand the homework assignment and you want help.
- Your computer is malfunctioning and you need to use the textbook at school.
- You know you are going to be absent and you want to make sure you don't fall behind.
- You need to make up a test, quiz, etc.
- You just want a quiet and comfortable environment to study/do homework (for any of your classes)
Disclaimer: Your grade is your responsibility, it's what you earn, plan your life accordingly.
- If you play a sport or are involved in some other school extracurricular activity here is the policy that I will uphold and that you should adopt: ACADEMICS AND GRADES COME FIRST! Talk with your coach/supervisor and tell them that you have work to do before you can participate. If you need my assistance then I am more than happy to speak on your behalf. Extracurricular activities are not an excuse for poor performance in class.
- If your reason for not coming into office hours when you need help involves, work or your personal schedule then I suggest you rearrange your schedule and put emphasis on your academic performance when you need to come in for help.
Office Hours are: MONDAY and TUESDAY from 3-4pm in Room 7. I look forward to seeing you there!
10/12/09
In regards to upcoming interim grades. This message is specifically for my students.
I have been doing a substantial amount of grading this weekend and I must say I am exceptionally disappointed with the number of times I have entered "M" (for missing assignment) into my engrade account. Please allow me to remind you that homework comprises 20% of your final grade. An M amounts to zero points! If you find an M in your engrade account information then it is your responsibility to do the following:
1) Investigate what is missing (check engrade)
2) Determine how to make up that assignment (consult: your notes, your classmates, the website, Mr. Walker, etc.)
3) Turn it in to Mr. Walker in a timely manner!
I will be addressing interim grade reports during Wednesday's class following the PSAT testing. We will also take time to readdress the grading scale in this classroom. Please come prepared with questions, and with an open mind on how to address improving your grade.We signed contracts at the beginning of the year for a reason. We have made a pact to give our absolute best effort in this class during this year. Some students seem to have forgotten that pact… I have not! It's time to step it up.
REMEMBER! The Greatest advocate for your grade is you! Be responsible and TURN IN YOUR WORK!
10/08/09 Several aspects of this website are now up and running. I have begun to post all homework assignments online. As I have explained to the students in class I had two reasons for doing this:
1. To make the homework process more convenient for my students, this classroom strives to emerge as a 21st century classroom.
2. I like to save trees, what can I say I'm eco-friendly.
As I cannot expect every student to have a steady online connection at all times I will be offering the option of either electronic or hard copy format for the students when the homework is assigned in class. Meaning it is the responsibility of the student to ensure that they have access to the homework either in hard copy or electronic form.
The second update to this website involves posting lecture materials online. I have begun to post my powerpoint slides on this website (see the link at the left sidebar). There is a disclaimer at the top of the class notes page that give explicit directions on how to use this resource. The students are still required to take notes in class as it is an essential component of content metacognition.
I hope that all of these recent updates can keep the students better organized and informed. Please contact me with any questions about this matter should you have any.
cheers!
-Mr. W
10/06/09 Attention all students, parents, guardians! It's that wonderful time of year again, the time for INTERIM PROGRESS REPORTS. Just wanted to give a heads up to all parties involved. Interim progress reports will be filed between Friday 10/9/09 and Thursday 10/15/09. So following Thursday the 15th of October expect to see official information on student academic performance at NEHS. This puts us at the half way point until first marking period report cards are submitted, so students STUDY HARD and use these upcoming interim reports as a lesson on how to advance yourself academically.
In regards to my social studies classes, my students have submitted a moderate amount of grades. They should expect their progress reports to reflect simply that, their progress. Remember these grades are not set in stone and can be changed between now and the end of the marking period. For some these progress will be a wake up call, others an affirmation of their hard work, but in either case the students should reflect on their progress and work accordingly.
As always if you have any concerns please contact me directly.
10/05/09 Attention all students, parents and guardians! Student grades are now available online. Please use the link "online grades" at the left to check on student progress. I have also sent home a detailed letter of welcome for each parent/guardian to review and sign. The letter outlines my contact info, information about this website and detailed instructions on how to register for online grade viewing.
A link to the letter can be found here: Letter of Welcome
