Mural on Callejón Hamel, Havana, Cuba.

 

What's New in May: Research Projects

• Seventh grade students are finding out what life is like in Afghanistan through the novel The Breadwinner and related research.  
  
• Eighth grade students are exploring their American Dreams through an I-Search paper in which they pose the questions-and answer them!
  

April Dates to Remember

• Spring Break April 2-6
• CST Testing Begins April 30

Student-Led Conferences are March 28-30

We look forward to seeing you during one of the following dates/times:

• Wednesday, March 28,  from 2-6pm
• Thursday, March 29, from 2-4pm
• Friday, March 30, from 2-4pm

February Showcase: 7th Grade "Ology" Book Projects

Taking inspiration from Dragonology, Pirateology, and other titles in the popular "Ology" series, students created their own "Ology" books on topics they are passionate about.

January Important Dates

Return to School - January 4
Jog-a-thon - January 13
Progress Reports - Week of January 30

Sign-up Online for Student Led Conferences, December 14-15.

You may log in using the email address you have on record with OCEAA to sign-up for, change and review a conference time by using one of the links below:

• For students in Ms. Hernández's and Ms. Le's homeroom classes click HERE.  

• For students in Ms. Guerrero's and Ms. Cortés' homeroom classes click HERE. 
  

Please contact Ms. Collins at kcollins@oceaa.org if you have any questions.

December-January Focus: Persuasive and Expository Writing

Now that students have strengthened their ability to zoom in on details, vary sentences types, and use strong words and phrases, we'll turn our attention to rhetorical devices for persuasive argument (8th grade), and improving organization and voice (7th grade). Check out the HW Help and Links pages for great student-friendly resources!

October - November Focus: The Writing Process

We have begun our first Writer's Workshop cycle! While learning Workshop routines and procedures, students are writing about various self-selected topics.  See the HW Help page for information about the first composition deadline. Later in the month, we will explore a variety of images related to Halloween and Día de los Muertos to inspire descriptive writing.

September Focus: Making Connections Between Art and Writing

We have begun investigating how art and writing are similar and different.  The Thousand Words Project website provides an excellent resource for exploration and discussion; click here to check it out! Next, we will start "painting" with strong word choice and sentence variety. 

Back to School Night, Monday, August 29
Noche de regreso a la escuela, el lunes 29 de agosto

Please click on the link below for more information in English.
http://www.oceaa.org/English/index.html

Por favor haga clic el enlace abajo para información en español.
http://www.oceaa.org/Spanish/index.html

August 2011:Welcome Back!

Please accept my warmest welcome back to OCEAA for the 2011-2012 academic year.  I hope you have had a chance to relax and enjoy friends and family over the summer.  I read some wonderful books, practiced speaking Spanish in Cuba, and camped in the Sierra Nevada.

I look forward to sharing my passion for writing with you this year. Writing is an art that can be mastered by anyone with the right tools and motivation. We will read and write together on a variety of current issues and topics of interest. Please check this site frequently for general information, and visit PowerSchool to keep track of student progress. I invite parents and students to contact me with any questions or comments.

Best Regards,

Ms. Collins
kcollins@oceaa.org

OCEAA Website: Click the link for school news, calendar, etc.