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Welcome!
This homepage will give you an idea of what we are doing in class together.  
Please contact Ms. Gray-Lion if you need further information or assistance.  

CONGRATULATIONS to our Seventh Grade Orchestras!!!!  We took our time on the TAKS writing test yesterday.  We rocked at the Track Meet Wednesday evening.  Then we got up early early on Thursday morning to go to competition.  You ought to be SO PROUD of your Superior and Excellent ratings at contest!!  

CONGRATULATIONS to our Eighth Grade Orchestras!!!!  You did such a good job on your TAKS tests and then we had all that inclement weather to be very careful of.  We chose to take a risk with our difficult program selections.  I'm glad that we did.  Your sound as a group is so mature now.  I am so proud of your Superior and Excellent ratings at contest!!

Approaching Deadlines:

Summer Strings Registration is open.  This is a WONDERFUL camp that fills up quickly.  See http://www.uta.edu/music/summercamps/strings/index.php  for more details.
Picnic with Parents on Thursday, March 13 was so amazing!  Did you see all the work the art department put in?
Thank you to Kelly, Danny and Steven for sharing your lunch time with me.  I hope your parents can come next year!

7th grade Orchestras (Periods 1, 6, 8)
Spring Concert Music:  Las Mariposas Exoticas, Will You Come to My Bower?*, Russian Sailor's Dance

*Will You Come to My Bower was used at the Battle of San Jacinto.  How much do you know about the context this tune was used in?  Have you thought up some improvisation ideas?

Period 8 Honors
Same as above PLUS Solo and Ensemble music.  As soon as I know when you are performing on Apr. 26, I will share this with you and your parents.

8th grade Orchestras (Periods 2, 7)
Spring Concert Music:  Las Mariposas Exoticas, Milk Cow Blues*, Russian Sailor's Dance

*Milk Cow Blues was first recorded by Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys.  How much do you know about the time period this was first recorded in?  Have you thought up some improvisations?

Thank you for asking such good questions of Mrs. Shaffer and Mr. Walton about High School Orchestra!

Period 7 Honors
Same as above PLUS start thinking ahead to Solo and Ensemble.  Do you want to work in a group or work on a solo?

TAKS Math (Period 3)

We will be working on our checkbooks.  Do you remember what you need to do when adding and subtracting decimals?  What do you have to remember when adding positive and negative integers?

TAKS Math Vocabulary Words
Absolute Value
Simplify
Debit versus Credit (cards)
Average/Mean
Median
Mode


Next Progress Report:  Wednesday, April 9
Next Report Card:  Friday, March 7

Want your child to receive higher grades?  
Encourage them to do their homework and turn it in every day by keeping their binder organized.  

You may want to consider this also:  http://www.realage.com/ParentingCenter/PCTip.aspx?cid=17871&v=1

Article on Better Grades being linked to Better Diet:  http://children.webmd.com/news/20080321/healthy-diet-may-help-kids-pass-tests?ecd=wnl_din_033108


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