Quote of the Week

When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and could say:

"I used up everything you gave me."
~Erma Bombeck

Mid Term Grades Take 2

Mrs Charlton,
yes ma'am I was not sure how do complete to first writing assignment so yes i did not do that...but i did turn in my concept review one and u returned it to me but it does not show a # grade on it. Do you have that down as a grade? and i still have not been able to see my grade from my last test? However, thank you for your help thus far.

Mid Term Grades

Student's Email:

I'm emailing in regards to my midterm grade. I'm not sure why I have a "D" and since we don't get any work back i don't have any grades to compare or look at. I was wondering if you could explain why my grade is so bad and what i could do to get it up. My URSA is still only showing the first test and thats the only grades it's saying I have.
Please email me back and help me to understand.

My response:

A review of your performance in class shows that the current grade is correct. The only thing I have not handed back to the class at this point is attendance activities. I do not have your concept review 1 so I have to assume you picked it up. You did not hand in internet/writing assignment 1. If you miss one assignment this definitely makes a difference in one's grade. (I didn't have the heart to tell them only scoring 50% on your exams hinders your grade as well!)
I have included study strategies below. These were emailed to your blackboard mail as well after we covered the memory section.
Please, see me after class on Wednesday if you have further questions and I will have a print out of your grades.
Best.
V. Charlton

Memory Improvement Strategies (Hopefully these will benefit you as well)
1. Study repeatedly to boost recall long-term recall.
2. Spend more time rehearsing or actively thinking about the material.
3. Make material personally meaningful.
4. Use mnemonic devices:
associate with peg words — something already stored, make up story, chunk — acronyms
5. Activate retrieval cues — mentally recreate situation and mood.
6. Recall events while they are fresh — before you encounter misinformation.
7. Minimize interference: take a little break and clear your mind after you have studied. Do not study similar subjects back to back.
8. Test your own knowledge
9. Rehearse and determine what you do not yet know

Another fun story from this semester. The beginning of the semester I have them fill out an index card with their information and also ask them what they would like to learn from the class. I have a basketball player this semester and his response was "I don't know. I play basketball." This student did not do much to help the stereotype of student athletes.

My Dynamic Duo

My boys have redefined their relationship since Ashlin has started going to school. They are now the best of friends or the worst of enemies. The majority of the day they laugh and play together. Sometimes they even plot to take over the world togehter. Then there is that small portion of the day they are full on wrestling and out for blood. Overall, they are very cute together.
They got their halloween costumes in the mail yesterday (Thanks Nana!) and it's all they have wanted to wear. I don't know if they will survive till Halloween.

Nap time....where is Jeron? Buried under all of his stuffies and hanging on tight to Buzz!

Art Festival

Last weekend Conway had a local Art Festival. They had different locations around town with art from the local talent. In the center of town, they had art displayed from the local schools. They also had different booths set up that gave the kids the opportunity to work on their art talent.




The kids especially loved the face painting. The painters were the art teachers from the school Ashlin was delighted to see her art teacher.





They also had the Arkansas Children's choir sing and the new dance studio perform. The dancer's grabbled people from the crowd to dance with them. Ashlin was chosen and absolutely delighted. I was chosen not so delighted I told Ms. Jenny (one of Ashlin's former dance teachers) NO! But, she drug me out their anyway. Next time I told her when I saw her coming I would run the other way.
Despite, the cold weather we had a very nice day. We love community events especially ones that promote education.

UCA Family Day 09

We are really enjoying UCA football this year! We love feeling like a part of the community! We have enjoyed sitting with fellow members of our ward and having the chance to get to know them better. Also, this has allowed the kids the ability to move around a bit and they love sitting and getting snuggles from a variety of people. Ashlin has loved being dressed as a cheerleader and she talks to them anytime she has a chance. I have learned more about football since this semester began then my entire life.

The first Saturday UCA had their annual family day. Their was jumpies, pony rides, face paints, and many more fun activities. The kids had a great time.