Odyssey Charter School | Daryl Bilandzija RSS

January Letter

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 20:06:45 GMT

January 13, 2010

Dear Parents and Families,

Happy New Year and welcome back! I hope this message finds everyone well rested and in good spirits. I also wanted to thank all of you who helped make our bookmaking project a huge success. I’m sure you’ve seen the books that the students have made as they filled them with poetry over winter break. We will now use the books to create field guides of the local botany in Altadena. When we are finished with this, we will celebrate with a publishing party in which students can share their books with the Odyssey community.

Students are also working on their independent literature circles. Please ask your son or daughter to share their folders with you. Part of this project requires students to read independently, at home, everyday. Your support with this is greatly appreciated.

In history, we are learning about life in the Middle Ages. Students will be working on mini-research projects for this unit and will have the opportunity to re-create scenes from the middle ages in the form of a medieval feast. More information will follow as this project unfolds.

Again, thank you for your support and commitment.

Sincerely,

Daryl Bilandzija

http://www.odysseycharterschool.org/dbilandzija/

December Letter

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 14:58:24 GMT

December 2, 2009

Dear Parents and Families,

Going into winter break, the middle school students will have a lot of work to be proud of and a solid foundation to build on throughout the year.

Now that we’ve completed our first class reading of Lord of the Flies, students have been working on writing analytical essays. These essays require students to develop critical thinking skills in relation to a piece of literature, and more importantly, to express their ideas using evidence and logic. Students have been working hard on these essays and will have their final drafts done by next week. Please ask your son or daughter to share their essays with you.

For our next unit in English, students will continue to develop their reading skills through independent book circles. Students will be placed in small groups based on reading levels, and each group will choose a book from a recommended list. Each member of the group will have specific roles, and the group will have time in class to meet and discuss their books. In addition to book circles, we will also be making our own sketch books. This will be a collaboration project with the arts committee and local artist, Linda Illumanardi, who will help students create their own personalized sketch journals. Students will then use these journals to do observational sketches and writing about the local botany and animal life in Altadena. In order to make our books, we will need some basic supplies. Please stay tuned for a list of supplies to be donated for this project.

In History, students are wrapping up their final projects on the fall of the Roman Empire. Some students are working on newspaper articles, some are working on performance based raps, and others are creating illustrated booklets. Again, please ask your son or daughter to share this work with you.

As always, thank you for your continued support and communication. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Happy holidays and enjoy the break.

Sincerely,

Daryl Bilandzija

darylb@ocsmail.org

http://www.odysseycharterschool.org/dbilandzija/

November Letter

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:19:43 GMT

November 2, 2009

Dear Parents and Families,

First of all, I want to thank all of you for being a part of the ILP goal setting process this year. It was great to meet you and discuss ways we can help our students grow and learn. We have all of the ingredients for a successful year.

This month in English, we will be wrapping up our unit on Lord of the Flies and beginning our unit on independent reading. This book is challenging students on many levels and offering great learning opportunities. Students are learning how to decipher unfamiliar vocabulary words in context, hold literary discussions and analyze the book using evidence and logic. Students are also working on interdisciplinary projects that will support their understanding of Lord of the Flies. These projects involve a bit of research and a fair of amount of writing. Students have plenty of time to work on their projects in the computer lab, but they may also need extra time at home, especially if they are working in groups or with partners. Please ask your son or daughter to share their projects with you and discuss what they are doing.

When we begin independent reading, students will be grouped according to reading levels to form “book circles.” Each book circle will be given a list of recommended books to choose from and students will have the opportunity to read and discuss these books with their groups. This requires students to read independently for about 45 minutes a day and keep daily reading logs. I ask that you help monitor your son or daughter’s reading by checking and signing their reading logs every day. I will be doing the same and this will help keep students on track.

In history, we are learning about the rise and fall of the Roman Empire. Students are learning how to take information from a textbook and paraphrase it into an outline format. We are supplementing our unit with film clips and discussions that allow students to make connections between the Roman Empire and our own American Empire. Again, please ask your students to share their reading, notes and assignments with you.

I am looking forward to another month of learning. As always, if you have any questions, please contact me.

Sincerely,

Daryl Bilandzija

darylb@ocsmail.org

http://www.odysseycharterschool.org/dbilandzija

September Letter

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 19:02:40 GMT

September 28, 2009

Dear Parents and Family of 7/8^th Grade Students,

Though the month of September was short, we’ve hit the ground running in English and History. By now, students have written a personal essay, composed an original poem that uses specific literary devices, and are currently re-writing the ending of a short story that we read in class. We are also reading a variety of short literary pieces, including short stories, poems, folk-tales and non-fiction. In history, we’ve been reviewing ancient civilizations and learning how the inventions, discoveries, art, architecture and beliefs of these civilizations have shaped our world today.

Starting in October, we will begin reading our first class novel, Lord of the Flies by William Golding. This book will invite students to discuss and debate age-old questions relating to human nature and the development of civilization. Not only with this book build critical thinking skills, it will serve as a thematic connection to what we are learning in history as well.

I am requesting that every student owns a personal copy of the book. This allows students to take notes in the book during class, and to use the book at home for projects and writing assignments. Students will need to have the book in class by October 5.

Please let me know if you would be willing to purchase a book for your son or daughter. If not, the school will be able to supplement those students who do not purchase their own books. Please understand that the more money we save on classroom supplies, the more money we have for fieldtrips and other school functions.

I appreciate your continued generosity and support and look forward to a new month of learning.

Sincerely,

Daryl Bilandzija

http://www.odysseycharterschool.org/dbilandzija/

darylb@ocsmail.org

X____________________________________________________________

I can purchase _______ copy/copies of the book.

Wish List

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 19:27:16 GMT

Classroom Wish List

** Most importantly, I wish for all of my students to be well rested, healthy and ready to learn.

Thank you parents for all of your contributions. Due to your generosity, our classroom supply closet is fully stocked.

If you would still like to help, please see me about fund-raising for our upcoming camping, hiking and field-trips.

Class Syllabus

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 13:27:17 GMT

7/8^th Grade English and History

Class Syllabus

Mr. Bilandzija

Odyssey Charter School 2009-10

_________________________________________________________________________

Class Overview

The overall purpose of English and History is to develop students’ critical thinking skills, expand historical and social awareness and improve language skills. We will apply what we learn in both English and History through a variety of writing assignments, creative projects, Socratic discussions, dramatic performances, presentations and research.

English Objectives

The main objective of English class is to help students read, write, listen and speak with confidence, clarity and a sense of purpose. We will focus on the following three core areas of language development:

1. Reading—Students will read and analyze novels, dramas, short stories, poetry, and nonfiction. Students will develop vocabulary through the study of root words and word lists taken in context from course readings.

2. Writing—Students will practice and produce a variety of writing including journals, creative pieces, autobiographical, expository, analytic, reflective, persuasive, compare and contrast, and research essays. Students will study and apply proper English grammar and conventions.

3. Listening and Speaking—Students will practice effective communication through class discussions, group collaborations, academic presentations and creative performance.

History Objectives

In history, we will study the major social, cultural, and technological changes that occurred in the world in the years A.D. 500–1789. In order to better understand the universal patterns in history, we will focus on the following thematic questions:

Culture—What were the most influential ideas, events, art and discoveries of different cultures and what did they contribute to our world?

Economics—How did different societies deal with the production and distribution of goods and services? What is the most just economic system?

Politics—What forms of government did different cultures develop over time? Which form of government is the most just?

Environment—How does the environment determine the development of civilization? What are the differences in relationship between different cultures and the environment?

Technology—What were the most important tools and technologies developed by different cultures? How has the development of technology and tools changed the world?

Cooperation and Conflict—What are the major causes of most wars and conflicts? What factors allow humans to be more cooperative and peaceful?

Required Class Materials:

Students should bring the following materials to class everyday:

· A composition notebook for English to be used for journals, notes and writing

· A composition notebook for History to be used for notes and writing

· A three-ring binder with dividers for handouts and reading materials

· Blue or black pens, pencils and a sharpener

· Colored pencils, markers and highlighters are optional

Assessment:

Students will be given written and oral feedback on all work, in addition to a letter grade. Grades will be earned in the following areas:

25%--Formal Writing: essays, papers, quizzes and short answer tests

25%--Composition Books: journals, notes and reflections

25%--Projects: group work, presentations and portfolios

25%--Effort: doing your best work

90-100%=A

80-89%=B

70-79%=C

60-69%=D

Less than 60% = F

Late Work and Email Policy:

Unless you are sick or have a family excuse, late work is not acceptable for any reason and will receive zero credit. Students are allowed to revise any written assignment as many times as they please, only if they turn the assignment in on time. I do not accept work through email. It is your responsibility to print out your work and turn it in. In the event that you cannot print, simply hand-write your assignment.

Class Expectations and Rules:

Do your best and you will succeed. In addition to always doing your best, please be aware of the following class rules:

· No food, drinks, candy or gum. Water only and please bring a reusable container.

· No cell phones or ipods in class. All electronic devices must be turned off and put away at all times. If they are out in class, they will be taken away and parents will have to pick them up in the office.

· Leave it better than you found it. Help to keep the class and campus clean and green by picking up after yourself and helping others.

Email: darylb@ocsmail.org or mr.bilandzija@gmail.com

What I did last summer…

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 19:56:43 GMT

I spent most of this summer anxiously awaiting the birth of my son Julian. He came into the world on the morning of August 17, weighing a whopping 8 pounds 10 ounces (my wife fed him well) and was immediately welcomed by his two older sisters, Catalina and Isabella. He is blessed to be surrounded by so many loving friends and family and has a lot of catching up to do with his two big sisters.

While we were waiting for Julian, I spent a lot of time at the beach, riding waves and playing with my daughters. If we weren’t at the beach, I was probably taking my oldest daughter Bella to soccer, tennis or gymnastics. In between the beach and Bella’s sports, I managed to take an interesting linguistics class through UCSD. And if I still found time in my day, I spent it watching my garden grow, or designing and building furniture for our home.

Welcome Back!

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 17:29:11 GMT

Dear Parents and Families of 7th and 8th Grade Students,

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself as the new 7th and 8th grade Language Arts and History teacher at Odyssey Charter School. Many of you already know my wife, Jessica, and my daughter, Isabella, so, in many ways, I feel like I am already a part of the Odyssey community. As a parent, teacher and resident of Altadena, I look forward to a new year of learning, growth and transformation with the entire school community.

One of my main goals as a teacher of humanities is to help my students understand what it means to be a conscious and pro-active human in the 21st century. With our journey through language and history, I intend to help my students develop a deeper sense of self and clearer sense of purpose in the world. This goal is foundational and drives all that we will do in and out of class.

As a teacher, I believe that discipline and hard work in the classroom leads to deliberate, ethical actions out of the classroom. I want my students to always see the connection between what we learn in the classroom and what we do in “the real world.” I think students learn best by doing, but I also think that students need to learn and practice the appropriate skills and knowledge in a variety of subjects so that they can bring a sense of commitment and quality to their work and actions.

Outside of teaching, I strive to create the same balance that I teach my students. As a woodworker and gardener, I find endless inspiration in nature, and see it as the ultimate teacher. As a father of three young children, I am always reminded of the perpetual gift of now.

With this in mind, I look forward to next year and the learning experiences that await us.

Sincerely,
Daryl Bilandzija
darylb@ocsmail.org or mr.bilandzija@gmail.com