Let's Focus

Let's continue to Celebrate Day Without Hate

By Ms. Ertelt

The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas

** YA Material. Strong language, violence. Starr Carter lives a double life. She attends a mostly white school with uniforms and a better education than her neighborhood school can afford. She also lives in a neighborhood filled with drug dealers, neighborhood markets, and family. Starr's dual existence is thrust into the spotlight after a party goes awry. Starr's friend Kahlil rushes her out of a situation and drives her home. On their way, a white police officer pulls them over. The random traffic stop turns violent, and Kahlil ends up dead with Starr as the only witness to what happened. As Starr's family tried to protect her, she begins to find her voice. A powerful, insigthful look into the current state of our country through the eyes of a young, black, woman.

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

Eleanor is new to school in Omaha, Nebraska. She comes from an abusive home and does her best to make sure that others can't see the life she lives at home. Park is an Asian-American who prefers music and literature to physcial activity. Together, they bond and over a year, find what true friendship and love mean.

 Simon Vs. The Homo Sapien's Agenda by Becky Albertalli

Sixteen year-old Sion Spier is a typical teenager, except he isn't. Simon is a not-so-openly- gay man who prefers to keep that part of his life a secret. Unfortunately, when he forgets to log out of his email at school, he is blackmailed in to doing things or risk being exposed. This forces Simon to leave his comfort zone, and challenge himself to do things he isn't sure he's ready or willing to do. He must do this without alienating his friends, forgetting who he is, and without messing up his shot at happiness with the most confusing, adorable guy he knows.

Follow this Podcast: Aiden Tyler, Quaran-teened: Author Rex is writing this novel and presenting the chapter-by-chapter read-aloud for middle schoolers offering real-time, about our real-world predicament in a webcast "serial". Tune in every Tuesday at 2pm ET to catch the latest of the story. Missed the first few? Go to the link to catch up. If you stick around after he's read the latest chapter, there is a weekly Q&A with Mr. Rex.  

Helping Us Focus, Brain Breaks are the Key

By Mrs. Dockerty

We've talked about ensuring you give yourself breaks as you work through your "school day". Passing periods give you that chance in school, but remotely we don't always have that chance. Here are some ways to move your body or wake up your mind after working for a while.

• 9 Math Riddles that will Stump Even Your Smartest Friends : Yup! Math Riddles!
• 9 Brain Breaks: Short activities to give your brain a break and get you back on track.
• The Sid Shuffle: Ice Age-Continental Drift: Dance it out, People!
• CPR's Big Fun Button: Fun activities to do when you're bored!

Leave a Legacy of Kindness

By Ms. Whipple

"We can change the world and make it a better place. It is in your hands to make a difference."

~Nelson Mandela

Leave a Legacy means recognizing the impact we had on others and on the world. It's vital to find those things we're passionate about and orient our lives around the legacy we want to leave. Day Without Hate reiterates to us we need to engage with others in a positive and encouraging manner.

OMS Day Without Hate Video

Kid President How to Change the World

Imagine it's the future. Your family, friends, and colleagues are celebrating your 37th, 57th or 77th birthday. They are asked to describe the impact you've had on their lives. Your parents and siblings speak, your spouse and children speak, some of your friends speak. What is the story you want them to be able to tell? In one or two sentences, express the story of your life as told by the people you have touched during your life. Have each of your family members do this and share with each other. If there's something you want them to say about you and you're not doing it yet, what could be the first step to you moving toward making that story a reality?

Jeffco's Make Bake Shake Site

Jeffco has a site that has ideas of things to make, bake, and exercise. Click this Link to access the page.

Let's be Poetic

Waxing Poetic

By Ms. Ertelt

Did you know that April is National Poetry Month? A whole month focusing on poems and poetic language. Before you disregard this idea, remember that poetry is found not just in poetry books, but in stories, in speeches, and most importantly in music. Look at your favorite songs, you'll find some element of poetry. Rap is most especially dependent on poetic license. So take a moment this week, and appreciate some poetry. Poetry covers every genre of human emotion, all topics of social and emotional expanse, and crosses all barrier we put up- sex, race, age, nationality. Here are some excellent poetry choices.
Shout by Laurie Halse Anderson
In free verse, Anderson shares reflections, rants, and calls to action woven between deeply personal stories from her life that she's never written about before. Searing and soul-searching, this important memoir is a denouncement of our society's failures and a love letter to all the people with the courage to say #MeToo and #TimesUp, whether aloud, online, or only in their own hearts. This isn't just poetry, but a memoir. It is very timely and very powerful message about how, in spite of systemic failure, the human spirit triumphs.
 Poetry 101 by Susan Dalzell
Poetry 101 is your companion to the wonderful world of meter and rhyme, and walks you through the basics of poetry. From Shakespeare and Chaucer, to Maya Angelou and Rupi Kaur, you'll explore the different styles and methods of writing, famous poets, and poetry movements and concepts--and even find inspiration for creating poems of your own. This book contains classic poets to modern poets. It allows the reader to experience poetry as it evolved and see how things change and stay the same as the world evolves.
The Complete Poetry of Maya Angelou
The amazing Maya Angelou led an inspiring, diverse life filled with compassion, drive, and energy. In this collection, the reader will experience her range of emotions and experience life through a pivotal figure, whether addressing power, greed, love, assault, civil rights, or everyday inspirations Ms. Angelou's powerful words can move and inspire you.


Pure Water: Poetry of Rumi
Pure Water is Coleman Barks' inspired live performance of the poetry of Jellaludin Rumi (1207-1273) by with Sufi stories & jokes, accompanied with music by Bach, O'Carolan, Friesen and others. The performance captured in this recording recalls the essence of the communal celebrations of poetry, stories, jokes, prayer, and music in which Rumi's work was first uttered, but presents it in a distinctive contemporary setting. Coleman's words combine with the cello of Grammy Award-winner Eugene Friesen, carrying the language directly into the heart of the listener with a diverse menu of world folk melodies, Bach, and improvisation. As Rumi wrote: "What is the soul? Consciousness. The more awareness, the deeper the soul, and when such essence overflows, you feel a sacredness around. It's so simple to tell one who puts on a robe and pretends to be a dervish from the real thing. We know the taste of pure water..."

To find poems that might interest you, Search the ebook options at Jefferson County Public Library.

Follow this Podcast: Aiden Tyler, Quaran-teened: Author Rex is writing this novel and presenting the chapter-by-chapter read-aloud for middle schoolers offering real-time, about our real-world predicament in a webcast "serial". Tune in every Tuesday at 2pm ET to catch the latest of the story. Missed the first few? Go to the link to catch up. If you stick around after he's read the latest chapter, there is a weekly Q&A with Mr. Rex.

What's the Pro about Procrastination?

by Mrs. Dockerty

Vikings are doing a great job logging in and taking attendance in classes! However, getting work turned in, or turned in on time, can be an issue. Check out this fun video from Maddie Moate on how to stop procrastinating and how to help yourself stay on track! Use the tips from the video last week and these tips from Maddie to help you get your work done in less time.

Receiving in Grace

From Ms. Whipple

"The greatest gift you can give another person is to gracefully receive whatever it is they want to give us." ~ Fred Rogers

Receive Gracefully- Middle school students may struggle with how to respond when they are given something, especially compliments or simple help with an assignment. It's helpful to learn how to receive gracefully and understand the effect it has on both ourselves and on the person giving. Watch this video and read the story below.

Street Compliments

All Good Things Story from Sister Mrosla

We often tend to forget the importance of showing our affections and love. Sometimes, the smallest of things could mean the most to another. With your family, share compliments with each other. You could share them verbally at the dinner table or have a sheet of paper for each family member and list all the good things about that person (like in the story All good Things). Keep these compliments with you so you can remember how amazing you are, even on the days it's easier to forget.

Jeffco's Make Bake Shake Site

Jeffco has a site that has ideas of things to make, bake, and exercise. Click this Link to access the page.

Let's Do This!

Greed, Power, and Body-Snatching

By Ms. Ertelt

Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake
To every generation on the island of Fennbirn, a set of triplet queens is born. They are all equal heirs to the crown and each possesses a coveted magic.

• Mirabella is an elemental: she controls the elemental world and is able to spark angry flames or blast the world with cold storms with just a snap of her finger.
• Katharine is a poisoner: she can ingest the deadliest of poisons without feeling the least bit sick.
• Arsinoe is a naturalist: she controls natural world. She can tame the wildest animals or grow the best crops.

However, their royal birth and heir title does not make them a Queen. The night of their sixteenth birthday, the sisters begin a battle to see who will be crowned Queen. May the best one win.
This book delivers a punch to the gut when thinking about family. These girls have been raised more like warriors than humans with the intent of each faction to gain power over the other two on the island of Fennbirn. Each girl has their doubts, wonders about their sisters, and wishes their worlds were different. The question is, can you change tradition and alter fate if you are strong enough? First in the series.


Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
It's 2045 and the real world is an ugly place. Teenager Wade Watts only feels alive when he's jacked into the virtual utopia known as the OASIS. Wade's complete focus is on studying the puzzles hidden in OASIS's digital world. They are puzzles based on the creator's obsession with pop culture of decades past. The creator promises massive power and fortune to whoever can unlock the puzzles. Wade stumbles ont the first clue and finds himself in a win or be dead situation with other players. It's a race against time and against death for the ultimate power and fortune. Can Wade survive?
This world is a hard one to live in, and Wade discovers that his escape to utopia isn't all it's cracked up to be. Maybe the real world is worth trying to live in.

Starters by Lissa Price

The Spore Wars came and wiped out all humans between the ages of twenty and sixty. Those children with grandparent were adopted, the rest are considered orphans and most are on the run from authorities and squatting in abandoned housing. Callie and her little brother, Tyler, are two of those hiding with her friend Michael in an abandoned building. Life is hard, and becomes more so when Tyler falls ill. Callie makes the decision to go to Prime Destinations. Prime Destinations resides in Beverly Hills and is run by a mysterious figure called "Old Man". He pays teens for their bodies and then "rents" their bodies out to Enders- seniors who want to be young again. While their body is rented, the teens' souls and minds are basically removed and replaced by the Enders who then use their bodies for adventures like sky diving and partying. When the teen is returned to their body, they have no knowledge of what happened during the rental period. When Callie wakes up, she realizes the process didn't work and she is existing with her renter in her body. Callie also discovers that her renter's plans aren't recreational and that she is finding the dark-side of Prime Destinations and their evil plans. Can Callie help her renter and save herself from a dark future or will their discoveries destroy Callie's life and end her?

Jeffco Public Library Tween Reads Newsletter
Follow this Podcast: Aiden Tyler, Quaran-teened: Author Rex is writing this novel and presenting the chapter-by-chapter read-aloud for middle schoolers offering real-time, about our real-world predicament in a webcast "serial". Tune in every Tuesday at 2pm ET to catch the latest of the story. Missed the first few? Go to the link to catch up. If you stick around after he's read the latest chapter, there is a weekly Q&A with Mr. Rex.

Where Has the Time Gone?

By Mrs. Dockerty

Many students have said that they can get a day's remote learning done in about three hours or so. You shouldn't do all of your work in one sitting, though- give yourself breaks! If you struggle with getting your work done or just want a few organizational tips, watch the video below. Have a great week Vikings!

Making a Difference

By Ms. Whipple

"How wonderful is it that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world." ~Anne Frank

The easiest and quickest way to feel better and become happier is to help someone else. Similarly, the best way to bring more good things into our lives is to start giving. In order to start or expand the flow of abundance in our lives, we must simply start making a difference every day in every little way that we can.

Starfish Story

You Are Beautiful

After watching these videos, you can see how small acts of kindness can make a huge difference to the recipient of your act. Discuss with your family and discover topics which you are passionate. Determine how you can make a difference by giving to others in those areas. Think of ways you can make a difference for your neighbors and family. Some ideas are to participate in the Teddy Bear Hunt by displaying your favorite bears in the windows or create some unique "You are Beautiful" stickers and get ideas from their website.

Jeffco's Make Bake Shake Site

Jeffco has a site that has ideas of things to make, bake, and exercise. Click this Link to access the page.

Let's Keep Moving Forward

Series-ly, I'm Hooked! 

By Ms. Ertelt

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn%3AANd9GcS2IU-mI9Wg-hcRq8XJnhARPNPaeazUNZvAYSJz9uOYBWCSVmMJ&usqp=CAU

Gregor the Overlander Series by Suzanne Collins

It all starts with a sentence of babysitting his little sister and grandma, a vent, and an accident. When Gregor's sister falls through a vent in their apartment building, Gregor tries to rescue her and they both end up falling into the Underworld. Once there, Gregor discovers that there is a battle between the translucent-skinned human city of Regalia and the sentient Rat faction (gnawers) led by King Gorger. Gregor also learns that the Prophecy of the Gray predicted his arrival and the end of the Rat's hope of ruling completely. Gregor also learns his father fell through two years earlier, was captured by the Rats, and is being held prisoner. Gregor's mission becomes finding his father and freeing him. The adventure includes many twists and turns. It ends with a betrayel, a rescue, and the hope to never return to the Underworld. The rest of the series involves our reluctant hero Gregor finding his destiny and building epic adventures while facing hard choices. 

This series is highly entertaining with strong medieval and fantasy undertones in this adventure. A great adventure for anyone whose been afraid of what lives beneath us.

Follow this Podcast: Aiden Tyler, Quaran-teened: Author Rex is writing this novel and presenting the chapter-by-chapter read-aloud for middle schoolers offering real-time, about our real-world predicament in a webcast "serial". Tune in every Tuesday at 2pm ET to catch the latest of the story. Missed the first few? Go to the link to catch up. If you stick around after he's read the latest chapter, there is a weekly Q&A with Mr. Rex.  

This is My Remote Learning Space

From Mrs. Dockerty

Why is where I study so important? How can it affect my habits and my thinking? These are questions that Maddie Moate will explain as she talks about setting up an effective study space. These are good tips to help you build a stronger remote learning experience. Now, not everyone has the ability to create their own space in their home, but if you can take a few of the ideas shared to help create a better, more focused, study space then you'll succeed in helping yourself be successful in your learning.

7 Mindsets &Mindfulness & Gratitude 

From Ms. Whipple

"When you are living the best version of yourself you inspire others to live the best versions of themselves." ~Steve Maraboli

The Live to Give mindset teaches the importance of serving others while maximizing our own potential. Stretch Yourself is the first component of the Live to Give mindset. When we live our best lives, we do things we're great at and get the best results.

No One Eats Alone Video

Teenagers Live Extraordinary Lives to Make a Difference

Discuss with your family and identify topics for which you're passionate and determine how you can stretch yourself to give to others in those areas. While we are remotely working, we won't be able to go out to do things, but be creative! Maybe you can write positive and encouraging notes to healthcare workers, people delivering mail/packages, or emergency workers like police, firefighters, and EMTs, service workers like grocery store employees, truck drivers. Send an email to remind your friend or teacher you're thinking of them and missing them. Brainstorm how you can do something after the stay-at-home is lifted and we are able to interact with others like helping at a soup kitchen or animal shelter. See if there are steps you can take now to make this happen.

Social Emotional Resources during Remote Learning: Click Here 

Jeffco's Make Bake Shake Site

Jeffco has a site that has ideas of things to make, bake, and exercise. Click this Link to access the page.