A Checklist for Good Moods and Bad Moods

I was wondering... do you have a mental checklist that you use to get through the day? Maybe you have one for school days and one for weekends. But this is what I'm really wondering about--do you have a "good mood checklist" and "bad mood checklist..." Or maybe you just-kind-of have no checklist at all?

A Good Mood Checklist might go like this:

1. Burst out of bed
2. Smile really big and hug the family
3. Walk with a bounce
4. Coo and tickle the pets and the little ones
5. Say Hi to everyone--even strangers and strange people

On the other hand, a Bad Mood Checklist might go like this:

1. Moan a lot before dragging yourself out of bed
2. Scowl and flinch away from the family
3. Slink around with drooping shoulders OR snarl, stomp, and slam things
4. Kick or tease the pets and the little ones
5. Ignore everyone--especially the people who like you.

So, how about it? Do you have a mental checklist for the mood you're in? Or am I totally off my rocker by asking?

~Ms. Fletcher

Which comes first... thoughts or emotions?

Here's something I've asked you about before... which comes first--thoughts or emotions? Does one trigger the other? If you control your thoughts, do you control your emotions? Or vice versa: if you control your emotions do you control your thoughts?

Let me know! ~Ms. Fletcher

8th Grade - The Oregon Trail

Independence Missouri, Blue River, Fort Kearny, Courthouse Rock, Scott's Bluff, Grande Ronde Valley... these are just some of the places along the Oregon Trail. Dangers were encountered along the way but also after the pioneers arrived in Oregon Territory, which was already occupied by the people of Chief Kamiakin, Chief Leschi, and Chief Joseph.

On page 108 in the textbook, pick one of the questions from #5 to answer.

Be sure to restate the question and write with complete sentences and clear ideas.

Include 5WH in your answer.

~Ms. Fletcher

May 25, 7th Grade Feudal Society

Vassals and lords... fiefdoms... knights and serfs... all part of Feudal Society. From page 379 in your textbook, choose two of the Critical Thinking questions to answer. Use complete sentences and restate the question in your answer. Game On! ~Ms. Fletcher

Thanks for your notes!

Howdy Students!
Thanks to ALL of you for your notes... because of you all I LOVE my job. Bernard, you're welcome for all the food... Travis, I was sad to read that people are making comments that bother you... Thor, I've never made a key lime pie, but I'm not too old to try new things, so keep your tastebuds on alert... Micayla, I LOVED the lilacs and some white ones would be great, and I'm fascinated about the idea of the bird's nest... Jamie, Taylor, and Katie I "hear you" about SpringBoard, so I will make some adaptations next year--SpringBoard won't be gone, but I will do a better job of choosing the activites that will have the best impact on your language arts... Dan, I'm glad you are having a better year than 5th and 6th.
~Ms. Fletcher

What is Cougar Cyversation?

Cougar Cyversation--what is it?

Well the cougar part is pretty simple--a lethal, fearsome feline that you kind of hope you never see, but you kind of hope you do, but only if you're at a safe distance or if you have firepower enough to scare it off. But in this case, the cougar I have in mind is our team mascot--the Curlew Cougars.

That was simple, but what about cyversation? I made it up. Just today. I was trying to come up with something to go with cougar that means talk or discuss, but that starts with "c." "Conversation" sounded too stuffy, and "chat" sounded too kiddish, and then... "cyversation" popped into my head! I'm nutty enough to like it.

In a nutshell, Cougar Cyversation is a place for me to communicate with you, my students.

Our first Cougar Cyverstation topic is:

1. Reflect on the best and the worst of the school year. What was your favorite learning activity? What did you like the least? Compare the first day of school to today--what stands out in your mind? What has surprised you this year? Disappointed you? Do you remember what you wrote in your time capsule that we're going to open in June?
2. Post a comment on this blog that reflects on the year so far, based on the questions in #1.
3. Give some reasons for what you think.
4. Write with strength and clarity and be appropriate in your word choice. And hey--use some lavish language!
5. Sign the blog with ONLY your first name.