Top 10 things about Mrs. Wenk’s Open House October 2013

10. I would like to know something more about your child/student please tell me what you would like me to know about your child/student. Many of you have already ed THANK YOU!

What would my family want you to know about me …. I am a big Disney Fan. “ Think, believe, dream, dare” I have always wanted to be a teacher and that this is my dream job. I like US history because of my families personal experiences with events like immigration and World War 2. I have an old english sheepdog named Seamus who doesn’t always listen to me, but follows me around the house..everywhere ! I even use my “ teacher voice” at home ! Seamus could care less.

I am a member of the local community. My husband Joel and I live in Cicero. My son Liam is here in 8 th grade at the Jr High also. I am lucky to spend this time with him

8. I am a life long learner who is active in the educational community. I have been teaching at NSJSH for 17 years. I student taught here 18 years ago. I graduated from SUNY Albany with a BA in US History. I graduated from LeMoyne College with a Master of Science for teachers. I am also an adjunct professor at LeMoyne College. I teach an Education course once a semester. This semester I am teaching undergraduates lesson planning. My personal goal for this year with your students: To create collaborative opportunities for learning, thinking, and reflection.

7. Some materials are kindly requested. Materials kindly requested for the year : Pen or Pencil to use in class Highlighter 1 (2) pocket folder to leave in classroom 1 (3) ring binder 1 notebook to use as a journal/interactive notebook Colored pencils or markers - your choice Post it notes

6. You don’t have to know everything, just where to look ! Training to be mini historians. American Journey 2009 edition Inside cover has a quick pass code to enter at : Provides support materials for both teachers, parents, and students All students received a copy to take home and leave. Class set provided

5. I am helping to make our students 21 st century learners. In Social Studies this year, I try to instill and inspire 21 st century skills to have students grow as learners. This includes : Critical thinking and problem solving, Communication, Collaboration, and Creativity and innovation. There are a lot of strategies that we use together during class to facilitate learning. I usually collect at least one item a day to use as a formative assessment.

Project during the Spring on the Holocaust Students will put their skills to work in the Spring for a Research Project when they address the President of Iran, who has claimed publicly it did not occur. They will use their skills to research and prove that the Holocaust did happen. They will have their choice as to how they would like to showcase their research. Lots of in class time and support are provided.

4. There is a grading policy, it is flexible and student centered. Grading for quizzes, test, class work, and homework, projects are out of 100 points. Rubrics are given out to students ahead of time for any projects we do in class – usually (1) a semester. 20% homework 30% quizzes, 10% reflective responses to learning to be recorded in their interactive notebooks/journals 40% class work/tests Yes, I take late work even if they are not absent. But it has to be within the same quarter it was assigned. All grade taken for a quarter will be listed on the website and in the classroom. I send individual progress reports home with all students.

3 State test --- This year, there is not one. BUT….. There are a lot of changes to education this year. We are working in Social Studies to make sure we are meeting the needs of all of our students. There will be a pre-assessment of course material and a summative assessment at the end of the course. I will be sending home a note and posting one on my website to share how other important testing will occur ( outside of my classroom test/quizzes). There is a midterm in January and a final exam in June.

2. My teacher webpage is available to help you and your student. Also we are using EDMODO.com to support learning. Please use my teacher web page to stay current with all aspects of what we are doing in Social Studies. You can find it here at – Your student will share with your parent code. Or me and I will give it to you or send it home with your student. If you have something you would like to see, let me know !

1.I thank you for sharing your child/student with me. I thank you for taking time out of a busy time of year to be here to meet me. I can be contacted by at or by school phone : If there is anything I can do to help you or your child/student, please let me know.

We didn’t start the fire… oldie but a goodie! embed flashvars="file= p?pg=video_63686" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" id="player1" name="player1" src=" width="480" height="270"/>