Week 5 - 3rd Six Weeks

Congratulations to both the Frost Polar Bears and Lady Bears for a 2nd place finish at the Frost Basketball Tournament.

The boys team won against Bynum and Rice and then lost in a close nail biter final game to Red Oak Life.

The girls beat Bynum on Thursday with a buzzer beater shot by Dakota Lassetter.

Then on Friday the Lady Bears beat Rice in an intense and physical Triple Overtime game with a crucial free throw rebound shot by Page Calvin. Patricia Garcia also had 12 points before she fouled out in the first overtime period.

All-tournament medals were awarded to Philip Page, Jacob Stroder, Page Calvin and Patricia Garcia.



Good Job Coach Hargadine, Coach Blenden, Coach Woods and Coach Revill.

The Frost tournament takes a team effort by faculty, staff, administration, coaching staff and of course the students. Thanks to everyone for a good tournament. We are known all over the county for our hospitality room, our clean facility, our expert score keepers, and our concession stand. I was checking out at Wal-Mart and the clerk asked me where I was from and why was I buying so many hot dogs. I told her and she said that the Frost Tournament is known to be the best in the area and she was from Blooming Grove. So it must be true.



Thanks to the Junior Class for a successful concession stand. I appreciate your help in covering the shifts. I especially thank Judy Thornton, Joe Perryman, Emily Coker, and Jesse Vickery for giving up their Saturday to work the concession stand. Thanks to Erica Anaya for working after her game.



Congrats to Junior High Boys and Girls for their wins over Avalon on Monday and to Varsity for their win over Abbott on Tues.



Week at Glance

Monday - Junior High Basketball @ Covington - 6:00

Elementary Christmas Program @ 6:30

Angel Tree gifts due

Tuesday - Varsity Basketball - Here - 5:00

PTO Christmas Store opens

Wednesday - PTO Christmas Store

Thursday - Semester Exams Schedule - Early Release at 1:00

Friday - Semester Exams Schedule - Early Release at 1:00



Christmas break from 12/18/2010 - 01/04/2011

Kiwanis Basketball Tournament - Monday 12/27 - Wednesday 12/29



Classroom Week At A Glance

Monday - Test over Raymond's Run

Tuesday - Review Vocab for Semester Exam

Wednesday - Semester Exam Essay

Thursday - Semester Exam Periods 4, 3, 2, 1

Friday - Semester Exam Periods 8, 7, 6, 5

Lunch at 12:30 both days - 12:30 - Early Release at 1:00

Vickery's Vit & Visdom

When I was a kid, Christmas was my favorite time of year. Summer vacation was fun too, but Christmas was special. I was the youngest of five children and we never had much money. During the year we only got two pairs of shoes, one for school and one for play. We got one school outfit and one Easter outfit at the store and Mom made the rest of our clothes. I wore a lot of "hand-me-downs". We rarely went out to eat and we got one present and a cake for our birthdays. We didn't have much money but I didn't know it. Our parents saved all year for Christmas. They always made it so special for all of us. They made sure it was equal and we each had our own corner of the room where Santa (Mom) placed our gifts. Under the tree was a special gift from Mom and Dad. The kinds of gifts we got were things like books, records, gowns, houseshoes, bathrobes, sweaters, coats, charm bracelets and when I was really young, I got dolls. One special year, I think I was nine, I got my first & only bicycle. It was a blue Schwinn. I rode it everywhere. One year, my brother made me a doll house. Another year I got a musical jewelry box. There was always something handmade by my mother. My brothers and sisters were much older than me, so they helped Mom with my surprises. I remember my sister found Mom's Christmas list in a little notebook in her bedstand and every year we would sneak a peek at her lists. I loved Christmas time.

At our school, we did a musical program about the first Christmas from the Bible. This was when we could have religion in schools. We had a couple of Jewish kids in school, but they didn't mind participating. Our teachers taught us songs, traditions, and different celebrations around the world. We made chains for the tree and construction paper Santas with cotton beards.

Our family traditions included a real tree, watching Peanuts Christmas, Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer, listening to Christmas records and decorating the tree together. We included our grandparents on Christmas Day and truly enjoyed our gifts. My sister and I always walked to the drugstore and bought Mom and Dad a gift that I'm sure they never used or needed, but we couldn't wait for them to open the gift, so we could see their faces. This was Christmas in our family. We didn't have much money, but Mom and Dad made it special. They worked hard all year to make sure that we had a great Christmas Day and a memorable Christmas tradition to pass down to our families.

When I think about Christmas these days, I get pretty stressed out. So much hype and materialistic marketing on television and in stores gives me a headache. I am glad my kids are older now and I don't have to compete for popular toys anymore. Although I still love Christmas, it is not what it use to be in my mind. Everything costs so much and the more you have, the more you want. I long for simplicity and the days of handmade gifts that I still cherish. Now we have plastic trees, plastic wreaths, Martha Stewart decorations, crowded stores, Black Friday, long lines, tired parents, spoiled children and school progams that cannot mention Christmas. Board games turned into expensive gaming equipment and games. Transister radios haveturned into laptops or HD televisons. Records have turned into Ipods and CDs. Books have turned into Vampire tales instead of happy tales or classic books. I wonder if kids still get excited on Christmas morning or does it just end up being a big disappointment because the gift they wanted is not under the tree. I have used many of the traditions that my Mom and Dad passed down, but I don't have a lot of time to put into Christmas anymore. Every day life gets in the way. My checking account won't allow for much these days as far as big gifts go. I am not a seamstress like my Mom but I may end up making some gifts this year. Maybe they will be cherished one day.

Now the Vit

When I was four, I remember Mom coming in from outside on Christmas morning after we had finished opening our gifts.She had taken the trash out to the curb. She had in her hand a toy ( a bubble gum dispenser). I still remember her yelling as she came in the door, "Look what Santa dropped outside." I totally fell for it. In reality, Dad probably dropped it while unloading the car in the middle of the night. I will never forget the surprise and joy I felt when I realized that Santa could make a mistake and drop something without knowing it. It opened up a a whole new adventure each year. I always looked outside every year after that to see if Santa dropped anything that year. It got to be a game with my family. My parents kept the Santa thing going as long as they could and I appreciate that now. I hope you can look back on your Christmases fondly as I do. Keep the spirit of the holiday in your heart and you will never stop believing in Santa.

HAVE A WONDERFUL HOLIDAY AND I WILL SEE YOU NEXT YEAR.

Week 3 - 3rd Six Weeks

Congrats to Polar Bears Basketball for their win over Rice on Tuesday. They also defeated Mildred in the Italy tournament and finished fourth in the tournament.

Lady Bears lost to Rice on Tuesday but won 3rd in the Avalon Tournament

Junior High Action on Monday resulted in a win against Trinidad

Great Job Junior High One Act Play - We all enjoyed the Dress Rehearsal on Friday.
One Act Play placed 4th on Saturday at Abbott.


Week at a Glance:

Monday - Junior High Basketball vs Avalon - Here - 6:00
Tuesday- Varsity Basketball at Abbott - 4:00
Wednesday
Thursday - Frost Basketball Tournament begins
Friday - Frost Basketball Tournament 2nd round
Saturday - Final round - Frost Basketball Tournament

Remember that this six weeks is shortened by a couple of days. Progress Reports will go out this week. Next week is the last week of the six weeks. Finals will be on Thursday and Friday of next week with early release on those days. Your final for me will be similar to a benchmark over the elements and vocab we have learned over the semester. Remember to study all chapter vocab sheets and words in your spiral along with all returned tests. We will review on Wednesday of next week. Your final is 1/5 of your semester grade, so it is important to do your best and study effectively for the test.

See Exam Schedule in "Pages" Section of Blog

Classroom Week At A Glance:

Monday: Open Book Test - Raymond's Run and Retreived Reformation

Tuesday: Review for Selection Test

Wednesday: Selection Test

Thursday: Begin Grammar Packet - Concrete/Abstract/Possessive Nouns

Friday: Finish Packet - Review Literary Concepts for Benchmark/Semester Exam

Vickery's Vit & Visdom

WATCH or READ THE NEWS
When I was growing up my parents always insisted that we watch the network news shows and the local newscasts. We also watched new specials and read the newspaper frequently. Sometimes at school, I found that I was only kid in class that knew what was going on in the news and the world. I felt like an oddball but still continued to gather information through the news. I liked being in the know. I thank my parents now for this discipline and see its importance now that I teach. Learning the events and state of our nation, state and city give us the power that we need to make good decisions in our daily lives. We learn what is expected by society. We learn right from wrong. We learn that we are not the only culture and that as a nation, we are pretty lucky. We learn that there is not a ceiling to our dreams or goals. In class, we are able to learn more from our knowledge foundation of information. I am amazed sometimes when I ask a simple question about some recent world or national event and no one in my classes knows anything about it. It is important to know current events. It is important to learn about our world. It is important to arm ourselves with knowledge. We are free to be educated, yet we don't take the inititive to use that freedom to learn. Other countries are governed and ruled by an educated few and its power depends on the ignorance of the masses. Ignorance takes away our power to decide and think for ourselves. It takes away the ability to decipher truth from a lie. Ignorance will result in following leaders that depend on ignorance to be able to lead. Using public education, learning on our own, questioning others will result in a self reliant population that will be able to think independently. WATCH or READ the NEWS.

Now for the Vit:
I have found that the more I know, the more I want to know.

Week of November 29 - Dec, 3

I must apologize for the absence of my blog for the past two weeks. Unfortunately, the blog is the first thing to go when I am overwhelmed or busy. I hope to keep it current for the the rest of the semester.

Basketball season is in full swing for the Polar Bears and Lady Polar Bears. Varsity Boys beat Troy on Nov. 19 and then beat Waco Rapoport on the 23rd. Lady Polar Bears beat Waco Rapoport as well. Both teams play Rice here on Tues. beginning at 5:00. The Lady Bears will then compete in the Avalon tournament on Dec. 2-4 and the Varsity Boys will compete in the Italy Tournament on the same days. Junior High will play on Monday at Trinidad beginning at 6:00. All times are tentative, so check with the coach if you have a question about the correct time.

I trust we all got our fill of turkey and dressing and I hope we all rested and relaxed over the long weekend. The first semester ends on Dec. 17, so we all must buckle down and get back to work, so that we can continue our pursuit of excellence in the classroom.

Classroom Week at a Glance:

Monday: Writing About the Big Question - Fiction & Non Fiction pg 52
Tuesday: Reading Worksheet: Making Predictions
Wednesday: Literary Analysis - Plot pg 54, Enrichment: 19th Century Science pg 56
Thursday: Grammar - Common & Proper Nouns
Friday: Open Book Test: Retreived Reformation pg 60-62 - Selection Test scheduled Dec. 9

Vickery's Vit & Wisdom
"Home is where the heart is."

I found myself at home most of the long weekend by choice. I enjoyed being in my home, cooking, organizing and relaxing with my family. I traveled a little for a family Thanksgiving dinner but for the most part, I just stayed home. There is a lot to be said for the "comforts of home." The familiar is always easier and more comfortable. The routine, the smells of cooking, being around people that we love is so comfortable this time of year. I just prefer it to being in a crowded mall, or on a busy highway. There was a time when I would hit the stores on Black Friday or fight the crowds at the mall to get that great bargain. I just don't feel compelled to be in those crowds this year. The economy is preventing most of us from impulse buying this year and it is probably a good thing. By the way, do you know why it is called "Black Friday?" If anyone can tell me, I will give extra-credit on your next test. Anyway, back to the "comforts of home," I hope that you experienced a little time to yourself this weekend to reflect, relax and refuel. The next few weeks will be busy with holiday activities, but don't forget that the semester ends on Dec. 17. This is a time to buckle down and work hard to finish out the semester positively.

2nd Six Weeks - Week 6

Congratulations to the Junior High Football team for their victory over Wortham on Thursday.
It was a great way to end the season!

Varsity Polar Bears ended their football season with a tough loss to Wortham on Friday, but we didn't go down without a fight. Again, our boys showed character and class, even though they faced a loss. I see the behavior of some of the other teams, and realize that we have more to be proud of, than a win-loss record. We are all proud of you Polar Bears and Lady Polar Bears.

Basketball is gearing up so ready yourself for some"hoops" at the Tundra.

Be sure urge your parents to accompany you to the Rachael's Challenge program on Monday evening from 7-8. You will be attending the program for students from 10:15-11:15 am.
If you are selected for the training, you will attend the training session from 1:00 - 2:15.
We have heard great things about this program and I urge you to take its messages seriously.

This is the last week of the 2nd Six Weeks. Report cards will go out next week on Friday.

I encourage each of you to take this last week to organize yourself and take inventory of your locker contents, as well as your backpack. I cannot stress to you enough, the importance of taking your school work seriously. Don't let up now. Keep working to achieve your best potential in your classes.

A BIG CONGRATULATIONS TO FROST JUNIOR HIGH FOR WINNING UIL COMPETITION ON WEDNESDAY AND SATURDAY. You all competed admirably and your hard work paid off. Mrs. Moore worked very hard to put on the contest and we all owe her a big THANK YOU. Thanks also to Mrs. Jackson and the Beta Club for their assistance and for having the concession stand. All of the visiting teachers were quite impressed with the general organization of the contest and especially the hospitality room. (Thanks Mrs. Revill and Mrs. Melton and everyone who brought goodies).

Don't forget that our annual Turkey Dinner is this Thursday. This is a great opportunity for your parents to eat with you and enjoy a delicious holiday dinner.

Mrs. Montgomery's elementary music classes will be performing in a Veteran's Day Program on Thursday at 6:00 in the FPAC (Frost Performing Arts Center).

Week at a Glance

Monday: Assembly at 10:15 - 11:15, Rachael's Challenge - Community Program at 7:00 pm
Tuesday:
Wednesday: Voice 9-12
Thursday: Voice 7-8, Turkey Dinner, Veteran's Day Program at 6:00 (FPAC)
Friday: End of 2nd Six Weeks, Voice 9-12

Classroom Week at a Glance:

Monday: Finish Spelling - Begin Lesson 3-4 pg 5-8 -
Homework: Grammar pg 59-60
Tuesday: Spelling Review pg 9-10 - Study for test -
Homework: Grammar pg 61-62
Wednesday: Spelling Test Unit 1 - Begin "Always to Remember" pg 501-511
Homework: Grammar pg 63-64
Thursday: Vocab Warm-up and Builder - Main Idea pg 501
Homework: Grammar pg 65-66
Friday: Reading: Making Connections - Main Idea and Supporting Paragraphs
Homework: Grammar - pg 67-70

Vickery's Vit & Visdom

Frost is hosting Rachael's Challenge on Monday and I urge you to participate and listen with your mind and your heart to the message that will be given to you.
Bullying has become the new buzz word of our time. It is an age old problem that has just recently come to the attention of schools and is considered as a major problem. If you have never been bullied at school, then consider yourself lucky. Bullying doesn't have to be someone stealing your lunch money, or threatening to beat you up after school, although that is certainly the picture we all have in mind when we hear the word "bully". Bullying can take many forms and each form is used to intentionally hurt someone else, physically or emotionally. It can be a disapproving look, or a whisper, or being left out of a group. It can be ugly comments or rumors passed around about another person. It can be a push in the hallway or someone laughing at your misfortune. It can be by one person or by a group. Whatever bullying is, we are all guilty at one time or another of participating in it. The only way to rise above "bullying" is to become more tolerant of each other and our differences. Civility (look it up), has taken a back seat to seeing how much of a jerk we can be. I see it every day. It doesn't matter who the person is or what they have or don't have. For some students, it is fun to make fun. We don't take into consideration anything before we decide that a person is not worthy of our attention, our friendship or our approval. And once we decide this fact, there is no going back. We must let them know that they are unworthy with a push, or a look or a harsh word.
And we must tell our friends that the person is unworthy as well, so they can get in on the action of making someone feel worthless. Have you ever felt worthless? It is the worst feeling one can imagine.
When you attend the program on Monday, please take it seriously and think about your actions past and future. How will they change? How will you change? Will you change?

"No one can make you feel bad about yourself without your permission".

Week 5 2nd Six Weeks

Kobe Hailey and Dalton McGill dancing on the sidelines to the Chilton Band. We had quite a few laughs up in the stands. Loved it!

Our Polar Bears had a rough time on Senior Night, with a very physical Chilton team. Varsity lost a hard-fought and costly game on Friday 44-13. It was costly, because we lost our running back, Daniel Steels, to a collar bone injury. Our boys are pretty beaten up after a very physical game, but are gearing up for their last district game against Wortham on Friday.

Lady Bears finished their season last Saturday against Cayuga. Junior High Girls finished their season last Monday with a winning season.

The cheerleaders gave us a memorable Pep Rally dedicated to the Class of 2011 Seniors. I'm sure a few tears were shed from parents and seniors on the last home football game of the season. This is the beginning of a long list of "lasts" for our seniors.

Week at a Glance

Monday - Faculty meeting at 3:30.

Tuesday - Election Day - Auditorium Foyer

Wednesday - UIL - Junior High - Early Release at 12:00 pm

Thursday - Elementary UIL - Early Release at 12:00 pm -

Junior High Football - Here vs Wortham -6:00

Cici's Pizza Night

Friday - Varsity Football at Wortham - 7:30

Saturday - Jr. High & Elementary UIL

UIL Announcements:

This week, Frost will host UIL competition on our campus. If you are competing in an event, you will need to dress appropriately on Wednesday and Saturday for the competition. Please use your best manners and behavior for our visitors.

6th and 8th grade Oral Readers must have their selections chosen so we can practice during study hall. I need to see the selections by Monday afternoon at 3:30pm. 6th and 8th grade Ready Writers need to look at the folder that I gave you, so that you will be prepared for the contest. Mrs. Moore will let you know when you will write your selection.

Classroom Week at a Glance:

Monday: Benchmark Test - Unit 4 - Poetry

Tuesday: Preparation for Benchmark Test Unit 3 - Non-fiction

Wednesday: Early Release - 12:00 pm - Junior High UIL

Thursday: Early Release - -12:00 pm - Elementary UIL

Friday: Benchmark Test Unit 3 Non fiction

Vickery's Vit & Visdom

With football season wrapping up this week and volleyball season ending last week, our attention turns to UIL and the end of the six week period. I cannot stress to you enough the importance of staying on top of your classwork. By the eighth grade, a student should be able to recognize responsibility in themselves and others. Hopefully, we begin to separate ourselves from those that may influence us negatively. Unfortunately, some of us begin to separate ourselves from the good influences around us and follow those that may lead us down the wrong road. In a small town, not much gets by the parents and teachers. We hear about students that may be experimenting with drugs and alcohol, sexual activity, and participating in illegal activities. Do these students' parents know what they are doing? Do they care? Does the student care about their future? Does the student know that the decision he/she makes now, affects them for the rest of their lives? Does the student know that there is life after junior high school and high school? Do the students know the importance of their classwork and grades, and that losing the desire to give their best is an epidemic in schools. Do the students know that the teachers care about their futures? When I was your age, I did not think about any of these things. I lived for the moment and paid for it most of my young, adult life. As an adult, as a teacher and as a parent, it is like watching a train wreck as it happens. Only you can make the good decisions; only you can give your best effort; only you can choose the road you follow. We can try to guide you, but, only you can make the decisions in your life. Keep this in mind as you finish this six weeks and begin another. Think about it as you finish your 8th grade year and enter high school. Think about it as you are faced with difficult decisions. Make sure your decisions don't become impulsive reactions. We are here for you.

How 'bout them Polar Bears and Lady Polar Bears.

On Tuesday, Lady Bears knocked the Rice Bulldogs out of the playoffs in four games. Although we didn't make the playoffs this year, being a spoiler to a rival team adds to the excitement of the season's end. Congratulations to Coach Woods and Coach Hargadine and the Lady Bears for an exciting season. The Lady Bears season ended on Saturday with a loss to Cayuga, the undefeated district champion.


Friday night ended the Bear's losing streak with a "sweet revenge" win over Hubbard. The final score was 15-8 and if you missed it, you missed an exciting defensive battle. The difference was a game changing, heads up interception on Hubbard's 15 yard line. The Bears played their hearts out and their team spirit showed throughout the game. Congratulations to the Bears on this important win.

Congrats to the Junior High Volleyball team and Coach Hargadine for their winning season. Basketball is right around the corner.

Week at a Glance
Monday - Red Ribbon Week - Progress Notes to be sent home this week
Tuesday - High School field trip to Navarro Council of the Arts program at CHS at 1:15 - Leave at 12:40. Lunch will be served 10 min. earlier to high school students.
Wednesday- Junior High field trip to CHS - Navarro Council of the Arts program at 1:15. Students will leave at 12:35.
Thursday - Jostens will meet with seniors @1:00 p.m. Junior High Football at
Chilton @ 6:00pm.
Friday - Pep Rally @ 2:40 pm. Senior Parent Night during the football game
Varsity football vs Chilton at 7:30pm.

Classroom Week At a Glance:
Monday - Selection Test - Harriet Tubman -
Tuesday- Review Objectives for Benchmark Test
Wednesday - Continue to review objectives
Thursday - Benchmark Test
Friday - Benchmark Test

Vickery's Vit & Visdom
“In order to keep a true perspective of one's importance, everyone should have a dog that will worship him and a cat that will ignore him.” ~ Author Unknown~

When I listen to the fans during games, I hear loud complaints about missed calls by the referees, about the play calling by the coaches, or the unsportmanlike conduct of the other team. I rarely hear a loud complaint against one of our players. Those are more "under the breath" complaints. It really is funny, because I wonder sometimes if we are all watching the same game. I have missed every one of my son's big plays, because I was distracted by the different perspectives in the stands. During one play, I heard, "He's holding", "Facemask!", and "Block in the Back," so I missed my son's interception. I am constantly looking for whatever I hear from the crowd. My perspective is usually from one of the bottom rows. It is through a camera lens, since I am trying to get good action shots. It is the perspective of a woman, so I don't see all of the actual football tactics going on. My perspective is that of a mother's, so I am also just watching my son to make sure no one hurts him. (I pity the fool...). It is a perspective of a Polar Bear fan, so everything the other team does is unfair, unsportsmanlike and just plain rotten in my eyes. The perspective of other people in the stands is always a little different and so we compare perspectives and adjust. My perspective is also one of a parent of a player that is not a star player, so we are constantly looking for good things that he does. Right or wrong, my perspective is mine, the way I see things. In the classroom, I look at things from a teacher and adult point of view. Student's look at things from a different point of view and often do not agree with mine. So where is the truth in all of this perspective and point of view mess. The truth is that we all believe so much in our own perspective that we sometimes do not ever find the truth because of our bias. There are always three sides to every story, his side, your side and the truth. If we can balance truth and perspective, then we will come closer to the truth.

Have you ever heard the expression "Putting it in perspective"? This means that sometimes, events will happen that make us realize how unimportant our problems are when we see someone with bigger problems.
On Friday, I took my 83 year old mother to get her license at the DPS office in Athens. I was worried that she would not pass the eye test. I was worrying how I would be able to get her to where she needed to go every week if she was unable to get her license. Then at the DPS office while getting her picture made, she fell backwards and hit her back and head on the floor. My perspective suddenly changed. I thought I had lost my mother. The ambulance was called and we spent the entire day at the emergency room wondering if she was severely injured. I then started worrying whether she would recover, or whether she would be able to live by herself again, or what would happen to her if the head injury was severe. I didn't care about driving her around or if she could pass the eye test. I was looking at things differently, in a different perspective.
If we can just remember that we each have our own unique perspective, and be mindful that we each see things in a different light, we can come closer to seeing things truthfully. If we have to suddenly change our perspective to something more important, we realize that sometimes our biased thinking is petty. Perspective kicks us in the pants on a daily basis.

Congratulations to the Lady Bears for sweeping Trinidad on Saturday in three games.
They play at Rice on Tuesday and then the Lady Bears will end their season here on Saturday against Cayuga.

Congrats to Junior High Volleyball for their win over Trinidad on Monday.

Junior High has one more game on Monday, Oct. 18 at Rice.
Come out and support our volleyball teams.

The Polar Bears fell at the hands of the Dawson Bulldogs this week. It is always tough to lose to Dawson, but again, the boys never gave up and fought to the end.
Junior High didn't have a game this week.
It's hard to believe that there are only three more games left in the season with Friday night's game at Hubbard, then Chilton (Parent's Night), and our final game at Wortham on Nov. 3. Come out and support our Junior High and Varsity Polar Bears in these tough district match-ups.

Week At A Glance:
Monday: Junior High Volleyball @ Rice - 5:00
Tuesday: JV and Varsity Volleyball @ Rice - 5:00
TAKS RETESTS - High School
Wednesday: TAKS RETESTS - High School
Thursday: Junior High Football - 6:00 vs Hubbard (Here)
Friday: Varsity Football at Hubbard - 7:30
Saturday: JV and Varsity Volleyball vs Cayuga (Here) 10:00am

Classroom Week At a Glance
Monday: Read Harriet Tubman, Underground Railroad out loud in class - Vocab Warm-up pg 41
Tuesday: Reading Warm-up pg 43 & 44
Wednesday: Literary Analysis: Narrative Essay pg 47, Reading: Details to find Main Idea pg 46
Thursday: Finish from Wed.
Friday: Vocab Builder and Critical Thinking Ex. pg 496 in Text. Vocab Practice pg 497 1-6 & Word Power 1-2 (Suffix -ly)

This week we will each cover a text book, so that I can check them out to you when needed.
Mr. Lockett may visit our class sometime this week, so your best behavior would be appreciated.
UIL Ready Writing Essays will be due on Wed. for those wanting to try out for the team. All Oral Reading tryouts will be on Wednesday during class.
Please pick up your Oral Reading tryout selection and Ready Writing Prompts from my room on Monday.

Vickery's Vit & Visdom
"Great Opportunities to help others seldom come, but small ones come daily." ~ Ivy Baker Priest - 1905-1975 ~
The other day in class, I noticed two different students helping other students who were struggling with the assignments. I allowed this because, they were not giving answers, but telling the other students how to find their own answers. It was a small opportunity to help others that was appreciated by the other students. Sometimes, students can explain things in a way that is more easily understood by their peers and I welcome this type of collaboration. What I don't welcome is a student asking for answers or copying another's paper. This is called cheating. The Aggies have a motto that says "Aggies do not lie, steal or cheat and do not tolerate those who do" Of course there is a t-shirt that also adds, "Aggies do not steal, lie or cheat, but have been known to borrow, elaborate, and collaborate. There is a fine line here that we cross far too often. The desire to understand an assignment or to make a good grade is sometimes so strong that we will cheat to achieve it. Sometimes we don't even realize that we are cheating. Sometimes we are too accomodating to our friends when we give answers or allow them to copy. Here are some do's and don'ts when it comes to assignments and homework.

Cheating
Copying someone else's work is cheating.
Making cheat notes for tests is cheating.
Copying text from a book and passing it as your own writing is cheating and illegal.
Comparing each other's work is cheating.
Taking someone's idea for a project or essay is cheating.

Collaboration
Asking another student for help in understanding an assignment is collaboration.
Getting help from a parent or teacher is collaboration.
Discussing an assignment to brainstorm for ideas is collaboration.
Showing someone where to find information is collaboration.
Showing a student shortcuts and easier ways to learn is collaboration.
Assisting another student in completing a project by giving your ideas is collaboration.

2nd Six Weeks - Week 2

Polar Bears suffered a tough loss to Bremond on Friday. Although outmanned in numbers and size, the Bears fought for paydirt until the very last tick of the clock. Polar Bears play Dawson next week in an area rivalry here at the Tundra at 7:30.

Lady Bears took an explosive Kerens Lady Bobcat team to five games on Saturday, but fell short of a match win. The girls will play at Crossroads on Tuesday at 5:00 and will host Trinidad next Saturday at 10:00am.

In junior high action, Lady Bears defeated Cross Roads last week and play Trinidad here on Monday starting at 5:00.
Junior High Polar Bears tied with Bremond on Thursday showing their toughness against much larger boys. The final score was 6-6. Junior High will play at Dawson on Thursday at 6:00.

Week of Oct. 11-14 - At a glance:
Monday - Junior High Volleyball vs Trinidad (Here)
Tuesday - Varsity Volleyball @ Cross Roads 5:00
Wednesday - PSAT for Juniors @ 9:10 am
Thursday - Absentee Photo Day - FALL SPORTS/Cheerleaders Photos ---Junior High Football at Dawson - 6:00 pm
Friday - Pep rally at 2:40 - Varsity Football vs Dawson 7:30 pm. (HERE)
Saturday - JV & Varsity Volleyball vs Trinidad (HERE) 10:00 am


Classroom Week At A Glance:

Monday - Selection Test - Baseball -Begin Grammar Worksheets - The Basic Sentence - Practice 1&2 pg 49-50 - Finish for homework
Tuesday - Complete Subject and Predicates pg 51-52 - Homework - Compound Subjects & Verbs pg 53
Wednesday - Special Problems Packet
Thursday - Reading Comprehension Worksheet pg 59 Analogy, pg 26 Vampires
Friday - Pep Rally - Begin Review for C-scope test Unit 2 - TAKE HOME PACKET


Vickery's Vit & Visdom

"Ants are good citizens: They place group interests first." ~Clarence Day~
"There can be no daily democracy without daily citizenship" ~Ralph Nader~

When I was in eighth grade, I was surprised and pleased to receive the Citizenship Award at the end of year awards assembly. I have not received many awards or trophies in my life, and I still remember how excited and surprised I was when I received it. Obviously, it made an impression on me, since I remember it almost forty years later. After I received the award, I had to secretly ask my teacher what it meant. She said that it meant that I was a good example of an excellent citizen in our school community. I still didn't know what citizenship really meant. She then explained that it means getting involved, doing the right thing, and generally being a good person. I felt so proud. I knew that I tried to do those things, but to realize that other people saw that I was trying, made me feel great about myself. Enough about me. How about you.
Do you consider yourself a good citizen? Do you pitch in when needed, or do you sit back and let others do the work? Are you a team player, always put team first, or are you in it for yourself?
Do you try to do the right thing when faced with a moral decision, or follow the crowd even when they are wrong? Do you consider yourself a good person or do you not care if you are good or bad? These are questions that we must face every day. We have been taught right from wrong since we could walk, but we choose to follow our own path as we grow up.
We all have the potential to be good citizens in our nation, state, town, school and in our families. Reaching that potential is up to you. This week, during athletics, during lunch, in class and in the hallway, look around and see if you notice good citizenship from others. At the end of the week, we will have a journal prompt regarding what you witnessed this week. Hopefully, most of your journal entry will be the positive things that you saw.
Good Citizenship is contagious. PASS IT ON!

2nd Six Weeks - Week 1

Congratulations to the Lady Bears for their win over Trinidad on Tues.
Saturday was a tough loss to our old rivals in Rice. District is still not over and we still have a chance to make the playoffs, so let's support the Lady Bears in their endeavor to win out the rest of the season. The girls play in Cayuga on Tuesday at 5:00. They play Kerens here on Saturday, but it be at 2:00pm instead of 10:00 am.

Congrats to the Junior High Lady Bears for their wins over Kerens last Monday.

Polar Bears had an bye week and the boys are gearing up for our first district home game against Bremond.

There will be a pep rally on Friday.

Junior High Volleyball will travel to Cross Roads on Monday and Junior High Football will travel to Bremond on Thursday. Good luck to all of our Polar Bear and Lady Bear teams this week.

Week At A Glance

Monday: Begin 2nd Six Weeks - J.H. Volleyball at Cross Roads - 5:00
Tuesday: FFA Students go to State Fair - H.S. Volleyball at Cayuga - 5:00
Wednesday: Team Kids and Youth Church @ FBC - 5:30
Thursday: CiCi's Pizza Night - J.H. Football @ Bremond - 6:00
Friday: Report Cards go out - Pep Rally at 2:40 - H.S. Football Game vs Bremond (Here) at 7:30
Saturday: H.S. Volleyball vs Kerens (Here) at 2:00 pm.

Classroom Schedule:

Monday: Begin "Baseball" & "Harriet Tubman" Pg 478-482 & 485-496
Discuss Baseball and start Vocab Warm-up and Builder

Tuesday: Finish Vocab

Wed. Read Harriet Tubman together in class

Thursday: Go over Open Book Test together, review for selection test

Friday: Continue to review and go over sample essay questions. Selection Test scheduled for Monday.


Vickery's Vit & Visdom

Patience is the best remedy for any trouble ~ Plautus~
Genius is nothing but a greater aptitude for patience ~ Benjamin Franklin~

This weekend was extremely busy for me and I found myself in a hurry everywhere I went. Of course, when I was driving, I ended up behind every slow driver in Navarro County. I find it difficult to have patience for people who do not reach the speed limit on a highway. When it says 70 mph, I am very annoyed by drivers who go below that posted speed. But after I pass them and give them the "glare" as I pass them, I soon feel guilty for losing my patience. I shake my head when I see my children act the same way. Usually they are acting that way toward me or their dad. The shoe is on the other foot now. Now I am the one who is glared at, or who receives the heavy sigh when I am not as fast or as aware as they want me to be. They learned their impatience from their dad and I. I can remember being annoyed at them when they were little because they were so slow or they impeded my progress on my errands and tasks. I wish I had those days back. If you are impatient with a child, they will learn impatience. If you are patient with a child they will be less likely to glare at you in your old age. Remember that your children will pick out your nursing home, so be patient with them, so they will return the favor some day. Be kind and patient to everyone. We are all fighting some kind of battle.

Week 6

This is the last week of the 1st Six Weeks grading period. Several of you are in danger of failing because of zeros. My class policy is not to accept late work. I will have a make-up day on Wednesday of this week, so that you can make up any zeros that you may have. The highest grade you can receive on this work is a 50, but that is fifty points higher than a zero.

I am quite concerned about some of you and your lack of concern about your quality of work, your classroom behavior, and your contagious "I don't care" attitude. If you don't care about your grades in 8th grade, I worry about your progress in high school. You cannot go through life thinking that rules are stupid, that grades don't matter, and that being the center of attention is all that matters. If you have given up because you are not interested in the subject or don't understand the subject, then ask for help. I am at school every morning before 8:00am and I will stay after school to tutor if necessary.
Regarding the behavior in class, a few of you seem to think that you don't have to behave or be respectful in my class. I have spoken to some of your parents and Mr. Lockett about your behavior and have been told to send you to the office if I feel that you are disrupting my class or not doing your work.

As for the rest of you that give your best effort, that are respectful to your classmates and to me, and who get tired of receiving lectures because of your classmates that refuse to behave, I suggest you start encouraging your classmates to behave. I appreciate those students who want to learn, excel, and who behave appropriately in class.

Frost Junior High suffered some losses this week to Cross Roads and Cayuga.
Whatever the reason, we have to be careful not to make our reasons for losing an excuse. At the end of the season, even if we lose the rest of the games, you should be a team that never whines or complains about officials, the coaches, the size of the teams, cheating or the performance of the your teammates. If you keep working, realize that playing a game is supposed to be fun, perform your job on the team to the best of your ability 100% of the time, and keep a winning attitude, you will earn the respect of other teams, your coaches, teammates, fans and yourself. Do not ever make losing okay in your own mind by making up excuses for it. Just do your best individually so that your team can depend on your performance to help pull each other out of this slump. Practice well, think clearly, be dependable, and realize that each player on a team has a contribution to make. Help each other realize their importance and encourage your teammates to perform to the best of their ability. Play together, play smart and give 100% of yourself 100% of the time.

Activities for the week:

Monday: J.H. Volleyball vs Kerens - Here - 5:00

Tuesday: H.S. Volleyball vs Trinidad - There -5:00 - J.H. One Act Play Try-outs after school - FPAC

Wednesday: Team Kids/Youth Church Service @5:30 Frost Baptist Church

Thursday: No J.H. Football Game

Friday: No H.S. Football Game, H.S. Volleyball vs Rice - Here @ 4:30

Saturday: Frost Methodist Church Lord's Acre BBQ and Auction 11:00am

Week at a Glance

Monday: Finish Open Book Test - Making Tracks

Tuesday: Selection Test - Making Tracks

Wednesday: Journal Check - Make-up Day - Vocab Review

Thursday: Vocab Review for Poetry and Non-fiction selections

Friday: Vocab Test over all vocab of the six weeks - Turn in Reading Cards

Vickery's Vit and Visdom

Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm~
Winston Churchill

What Mr. Churchill does not say in his wise quote is that showing enthusiasm can reverse the failure simply by creating a winning attitude. Also, learning from each failure will give you courage and experience to face whatever obstacles you face. Looking at life through the eyes of a pessimist can disCOURAGE a person from trying new things or doing their best. Looking through the eyes of an enthusiastically positive person (optimist) will enCOURAGE yourself and everyone around you.

Have a great week and stay courageous in all of your endeavors.