Ms. Pang
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  Ms. Pang

Little Pieces of Joy

10/23/2013

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Despite all the challenges, tragedies, or other difficulties that arise in our lives I believe that we can all find ways to cope with our grief - both big and small.

So here's my list - I'm gonna stop at...20.

"The Little Pieces Of Joy in My Life"

  1. Grandma
  2. Rice
  3. Mom
  4. Aunty
  5. Joe
  6. My running group
  7. Writing
  8. God
  9. My students
  10. Pico Iyer
  11. Adele
  12. Madonna
  13. Whitney Houston
  14. Prince
  15. Fleetwood Mac
  16. Marathons
  17. My green bedroom
  18. Cafe Americano
  19. Moleskin
  20. Jack Gilbert
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Go Dodgers Go!

10/18/2013

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Sherman Alexie

10/3/2013

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Sherman Alexie will be in Los Angeles!

10/2/2013

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Sherman Alexie is going to be in L.A. next month! There is nothing like meeting an author in person, listening to them read, and then getting your book signed.

Skylight Books is a super tiny little bookstore pretty close by. Here's the info:

Los Angeles, CA - Skylight Books

  • Wednesday, October 2, 2013
  •  7:30pm – 9:30pm


It seems you have to buy one of his books there in order to get a ticket to stand in line and get a book signed. The reading however, is open to the public, first come first serve...

The address is:

1818 N. Vermont Ave.

Los Angeles, CA 90021

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"The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian"                Setting Webquest

9/25/2013

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In The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie, the setting of the story greatly influences and affects the lives of and decisions made by the characters in the story. Although this is a fictional novel, it is based on Alexie's childhood experiences and is one perspective of what it is like growing up as a Native-American on a reservation.

Main Questions:

  • What is a reservation?
  • Where is the Spokane Reservation?
  • What is the difference between Wellpinit High School and Reardan High School?
  • What are some challenges of life on a reservation?

In Class: Brainpop Video
American Indians

1. Spokane Indian Tribe Website
Reservation

2. Aaron Huey Photo Essay
Pine Ridge Reservation 

3. Wellpinit Reservation School District Website
Homepage
Wellpinit Middle/High School

4. Reardan School District Website
Homepage
Schools/ High School

Extra: Sherman Alexie's Personal Website
Falls Apart

Extra: Aaron Huey's TED Video
America's Native Prisoners of War

Extra: American Indian Success Stories
American Indian College Fund

Reflection Questions

  • How would you describe life on a reservation?
  • How do you think living on the reservation affects the lives and/or decisions of the Native-American characters in the story?
setting_webquest_handout.pdf
File Size: 61 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

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Literary Devices

9/16/2013

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What's a literary device? Watch this video by my Mr. Bloom to review!
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Back to School Night

9/12/2013

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Wow - what a night! It was really nice meeting all of you.

Evenings like this remind me of my childhood. 

Grandma walked me to school everyday until I realized ... my grandma is walking me to school! Everything changed once I reached middle school and that was when I asked mom to start driving me to school in the mornings. I also convinced them that I'd be safe walking home with my friends.

Even though I fought hard to grow up and be treated like a grown up, I still wanted nothing more than their undivided attention. My mom worked nights, leaving in the evening and coming home early in the morning. It was hard for her or my aunt to attend the back to school nights, the parent conferences, the talent shows, and the mid-morning awards assemblies. When they couldn't go, I understood. When they could find the time to be there, when they sat next to me with my teachers or when I could see their faces in the audience - my heart smiled.

So although it's late and I'm pretty sure that we are all tired - thank you parents and students for taking the time to come back to school tonight. It meant a lot! And to those who couldn't make it, I look forward to meeting you soon!

Good night!
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On Our Way

8/27/2013

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10,000 hours 

or 

4 hours


You may be wondering - what's the deal with these two numbers? 

10,000 hours
Some say that practice, 10,000 hours of practice, is what it takes to get really good at something. This idea that good old fashioned time, patience, and hard work can lead to success - gives me hope. Even if something is hard at first - like the first mile of training for a marathon is hard - if I keep at it day after day, mile after mile, eventually, I'll get to the finish line. It's just a matter of practice. And the expectation is, you need to put in the time. 

4 hours
Then, there are some who believe there can be a faster way to achieve anything. Life Hacks. The phrase has become so popular its been added to the dictionary. Life Hack: a strategy or technique adopted in order to manage one's time and daily activities in a more efficient way. There's a life hack for everything -  fold a shirt in 2 seconds! or stop pimples by sleeping with a fresh towel over your pillow! Become an expert at ____ in 4 hours! Really? The lazy me is like - YES!

In the Middle
But honestly, I think the truth is somewhere in the middle. There are some of us who may need 10,000 hours and some of us who will need 4 hours to reach expert status. No matter what - we all have to work at it and we all have to want it.

It's already the third week of school and I strongly believe that all of you are on your way to becoming expert ... readers =) Beyond that - stop and also think about your life's journey. From here to your culmination next year and then from there to high school and then beyond. 

How many hours will you put into your academic growth? How many hours will you spend on your passions in life? What matters to you?

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The Homework Tab

8/14/2013

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If you're reading this - that's great!

I received a comment with a question about homework. If you have any questions about homework click on the homework tab that you see above for more information on the homework - I think any questions you have will be answered there. 

Have a great night and fyi - I'm enjoying reading your letters! 
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The Start of School

8/12/2013

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I'm excited to join the Luther Burbank Middle School bears this year!

The start of school is always exciting for teachers. Even though students weren't on campus today - there was already a buzz in the air. Everyone was running around - making copies, carrying books, setting up supplies, putting up one last poster, and adding one final decoration. 

We were wrapping the school up like a present from the inside out, in preparation for all of you to come and start the school year in the best way possible. We have so much to learn and accomplish 8th graders and I look forward to teaching and getting to know all of you soon.
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It may have been a deliciously lazy summer for us bears....

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... but within the first day, I hope we are off to a running and positive start!



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    I love writing and
    poetry is my favorite genre.Teaching is my passion and I believe that all of my students can and will achieve amazing things.

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