<![CDATA[DESERT LEARNING ACADEMY - Middle School Blog]]>Sun, 08 Mar 2026 20:29:02 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[Social Media Survey]]>Thu, 15 Oct 2020 20:47:22 GMThttps://www.palmspringshomeschool.com/middle-school-blog/social-media-survey
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In the age of Zoom it is important that we use all the online tools at our fingertips.  Leadership would like to know what online platforms you and your family use.  Please complete the following survey.

    Social Media Survey

]]><![CDATA[Monday Zoom Lab]]>Mon, 18 May 2020 16:48:00 GMThttps://www.palmspringshomeschool.com/middle-school-blog/monday-zoom-labGood morning!  Yes, we are having some challenges with Edgenuity crashing.  It is no problem, however, because both 7th and 8th grade have projects outside of Edgenuity that we can work on.  And...I have opened up all of Coach Woods' PE videos.  Get out there and do some PE!! 
See project lists below:

7th Grade

  • Final edit Mr. Grainger letter with Mrs. Syfert
  • Timeline Partner project due Wednesday
Timeline Exemplar-Elliott

8th Grade

  • 8th Grade Project
  • College Virtual Visit
  • Multimedia Presentations (2)
  • See Thursday post for more info
]]><![CDATA[8th Grade Project]]>Thu, 14 May 2020 16:21:22 GMThttps://www.palmspringshomeschool.com/middle-school-blog/8th-grade-project7Objective: Students will apply critical thinking skills to investigate possible careers and choose colleges or training programs that have high value.
As our final project we are investigating potential careers to help guide our studies once we enter high school.  There are 7  elements to this project.
1. 4 Year Plan
2. Career Interest Inventory (Due)
3. Multimedia Presentation-Career 1 (Due)
4. Multimedia Presentation-Career 2 (Due Monday May 18)
5. Virtual College/Training School Visitation Reflection (Due May 21)
6. Weebly Page Dedicated to this project (Due)
7. Student led conference with parents (Due June 1)
       -Monday-May 25-9:00-12:00 and 2:00-4:00
       -Monday-May 25-5:00-7:00
       -Thursday-May May 28-9:00-7:00

Please post the URL to your website project page in the comments at the bottom of this post by 11:00 today.  We look forward to hearing your presentation!
San Diego State University Virtual Tour
University of California San Diego Virtual Tour
Cal State San Bern Student Living Virtual Tour
Cal State Virtual Tours
College of the Desert Website
]]><![CDATA[8th Grade Blog]]>Mon, 11 May 2020 21:43:24 GMThttps://www.palmspringshomeschool.com/middle-school-blog/8th-grade-blogDue Tomorrow
I have been so impressed with the quality of PSA videos you all have created.  These will be a powerful centerpiece to your blog posts.  Below you will see links to some exemplars from our class.

Please have your blogs ready to share Thursday morning when we meet in our Zoom class.  Post the url here by 9:30 so that we all can easily access.  To make sure your blog is effective please use the following checklist:
a. Is the blog posted on your Weebly on an actual blog page so that people can comment?
b. Have you posted your PSA video?
c. Have you written a simple argumentative essay that states your claim, supports it thoroughly, addresses the counterclaim and calls people to action?
d. Have you asked people to engage with your blog in some way? (comment, survey, etc.)
e. Are there at least 4 elements? (videos, writing, pictures, links to support websites, etc.)
f. Have you had a family member or classmate read/view it and give you feedback?

​
What is a blog?

Exemplars:
Ethan
]]><![CDATA[7th Grade]]>Wed, 06 May 2020 16:38:31 GMThttps://www.palmspringshomeschool.com/middle-school-blog/7th-grade2020 School Restructuring Discussion
Good morning.  Today we will be conducting a discussion around how our families would like to proceed with our education at DLA in the 2020 school year.  After discussing this topic as a group this morning, please have a discussion with your parents/family
   Talk about which of these models would fit your family best:
a. Continuing as we are now.  Zoom goal setting and instruction.  Little to no onsite contact.
b.  Meetings with the lead teacher only on site. (Once a week or once every 2 weeks.)
c. Class sessions with very small class sizes of 5-8 other students.
d. Class sessions with 9-15 other students.

Things to keep in mind:
1. 13-18% of Covid-19 positive people show no symptoms.
2. U.S. testing capabilities do not provide for daily, weekly, or monthly testing.
3. Vaccine will not likely be available for this school year.
4. Students who have successfully kept up with their work will most likely have freedom in their choice of instructional model.

   Once your family has completed the discussion please respond in comments as to which model above you would most likely like to follow next year.  Then, design your outline based on your entire families' wishes.  This outline is due by next Wednesday.  Please turn in to Google Classroom.  There will be no My Access submission.
Article: China School Reopening
]]><![CDATA[8th Grade PSA]]>Thu, 30 Apr 2020 15:54:30 GMThttps://www.palmspringshomeschool.com/middle-school-blog/8th-grade-psaAs a preparation for our Zoom class today, please come with your "Call to Action" and your slogan/tag line.  We will discuss what makes a powerful Public Service Announcement.  Here are the steps you will be taking in order to complete your project:
1. Pick your issue
2. Research what the status is now, what needs to be done, and how it can be done
3.. Decide on your call to action/call for change
4.. Create a memorable slogan 
5. Create your outline, script, and/or storyboard (Due today.)
6. Gather or create all the videos, clips or pictures you will need
7. Insert media into iMovie, Wevideo or other video creation program
8. Insert Captions if needed
9. Complete voice over or music
10. Ensure transitions are smooth
11. Create a works cited or credit roll for end of movie 
12. Show your rough draft to a family member for final edit
13. Finish and upload to Google Drive, share with Mrs. Syfert and do a student teacher edit on or by Thursday, May 14th 
14. Design your blog on your Weebly page and insert your PSA video as the main part. Due May 20.
]]><![CDATA[7th Grade Zoom]]>Wed, 29 Apr 2020 16:50:35 GMThttps://www.palmspringshomeschool.com/middle-school-blog/7th-grade-zoomHello.  Please meet us on Zoom at 10:00.  During our class today we will be visiting our Blogs.  Post your URL in the comments below.  Visit your partners blog and as many others as you can.  Leave positive comments for everyone!]]><![CDATA[8th Grade Career Interest]]>Mon, 27 Apr 2020 17:36:58 GMThttps://www.palmspringshomeschool.com/middle-school-blog/8th-grade-career-interestThank you all for the fabulous Zoom meeting this morning!  Loved seeing you all again.  After taking your Career Interest Inventory, found in Google Classroom, post your top 2 most interesting career results here in our comment section.

See ya Thursday!
Google Classroom
]]><![CDATA[PE]]>Fri, 24 Apr 2020 01:03:46 GMThttps://www.palmspringshomeschool.com/middle-school-blog/pe
]]><![CDATA[8th Grade]]>Thu, 23 Apr 2020 16:43:54 GMThttps://www.palmspringshomeschool.com/middle-school-blog/8th-gradeHello 8th grade!  Only 5 weeks left in middle school!  This is the push to the end.  Here are today's goals:
  • 1. History Unit Test.  Text Mrs. S when you are ready.
  • 2. Get on track with Math...80% or better grade.  Circle formulas can be tricky, below you will find some review links...or call us for a Zoom tutoring session if you need the help.
  • 3. Be ready for our PSA Zoom meeting Monday morning at 10:00.  By tomorrow have your topic...Stand Up project, health, or other current Public Service topic. (Add topic to the Vlog comments below by tomorrow 10:00.)
  • 4. Complete a WOOP Goal Setting with your lead teacher by tomorrow.
We look forward to seeing you!

Math Support:

Volume of Cylinder Practice
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