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Welcome to Mr. Butler's Classroom

Welcome to Mr. Butler's Super Special 6th grade Language Arts and Social Studies Fun Page!


butlerdo@champaignschools.org  217.351.3790

 

 

Mr. Butler pictured here after a
       typical day at work.
After school club activities:

Over the years, Mr. Butler has been involved in after school clubs and programs. 

He was the advisor of the Barnes & Noble Reading Club for twelve years for example trying to raise reading scores through fun activities and discussions of popular books.  And, he gives on-going support of the intramural program at JMS.  See the JMS main page for information of club and intramural schedules.

  For a couple of years. the social studies classes of Mr. Butler started up a global issue awareness club-- referred to as “Planet Jefferson”.  The club participated in the O Ambassadors program.  The O Ambassadors program is a joint project of Oprah’s Angel Network and Kids Can Free the Children.  For more information on the O Ambassadors program, go to:  www.oambassadors.org.

 Mr. Butler was the advisor of such after school clubs such as the JMS Aviation Club, the Guitar Club, and the Young Authors Club since being at JMS. 

Mr. Butler feels that students should try to be involved beyond their studies!!!

There are many after school programs and clubs for students to be involved in at JMS.  Check out the main page of JMS for club schedule information!

  
 Educational Background
 No one is at liberty to say where Mr. Butler came from.  However, what we are able to disclose is that the doctors have allowed Mr. Butler to work in Unit 4 since 1997.  He holds degrees (BA in Political Science w/minor in Professional Writing, MA in Political Science, and a BS in Ed specializing in middle school education) from such dubious institutions as Eastern Illinois University and Illinois State University.  It does not speak highly of institutions like Parkland Community College and the University of Illinois to allow Mr. Butler to take classes of continuing education, but they continue to do so.  The State of Illinois has bravely  indicated that he is certified to teach with a K-9 certificate in the endorsement areas of Social Studies, Reading, and Language Arts.
It is with great dismay that in 2002 the uncanny happened...Mr. Butler was awarded with the GOLDEN APPLE AWARD from Horace Mann and WICD-TV.  Furthermore, it was with great incredulity that for four years the NEWS-GAZETTE, normally a fine publication, ran a column weekly during certain sports seasons called the "LEARNIN' ILLINI" which Mr. Butler created questions based on Illinois State Social Studies Standards using the Illini sports schedule.  Apparently, teachers, like Mr. Butler, used this column in their classes as part of the NEWS-GAZETTE's Newspapers-in-Education program to add fun to teaching the state standards.  In 2005, Mr. Butler was nominated to be one of the WHO'S WHO AMONG AMERICAN TEACHERS by a former student (only students from  WHO's WHO IN AMERICAN STUDENTS and similar publications are allowed to nominate a teacher).  This student claims to be influenced heavily by Mr. Butler.  This disturbs us greatly that the brainwashing effect continues beyond the 6th grade year! 

In recent years, it continues to amaze us that Mr. Butler in 2010 won the GOLDEN APPLE AWARD presented by WICD-TV and Busey Bank.  In 2010, he was accepted by the Freeman Foundation and Indiana University to participate in a study tour to China.  There is much concern that his influence is now on an international stage.
 
 Learning Profile
No one is able to pinpoint the learning profile of Mr. Butler.  However, one can theorize that the following may be closest to accurate:
The Keirsey Bates Temperament Sorter states that, as an Idealist, I represent only 3% of the total population. The "CHAMPIONS" (eNFp) within that category best describes my personality characteristics. Like other champions, I am more interested in concepts and ideas than details. I like cooperative efforts in achieving goals, and I am informative and extraverted when relating with others. It is easy for me to become dedicated to a worthy cause. The most difficult personality type for me to understand or relate to is the type referred to as the Guardians.  

THINKING & LEARNING
Thinking Style - I am definitely random abstract! Dealing with concrete sequential thinkers is a challenge for me.
Brain Dominance - RIGHT! Although we all know that left and right brain dominance are generalities, not absolutes, I can definitely feel my comfort zone in right brain activities. My score was off the charts to the right. I view things from whole to parts, and that is why I prefer to learn by taking a topic from top to bottom, or by stringing facts together to see how they create a bigger picture. I also learn best through people and emotions rather than strictly facts and structure. 
Multiple Intelligences - The two intelligences that I am strongest in are visual/spatial then verbal/linguistic. The most uncomfortable intelligence for me to use is the mathematical logical.
 Peak Learning- Peak learning times for me are from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and my preferred learning environment is casual and relaxed with free movement. Classrooms with limited graphics, no interaction, and a sixty minute verbal lecture are very frustrating and confining for me. Without graphics and interaction my ability to recall content is drastically reduced. 

INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE
It is of great concern of the people that Mr. Butler claims to be influenced that any  discussion of such people might lead to a lowering of public perception of those people knowing that one such as Mr. Butler had been influenced by them.  Most of those people have been ones that often worked "outside the box" to obtain their goals and to make a difference in the world.  It is Mr. Butler's desire to manipulate the world into a better place one student at a time.

HOW I COMMUNICATE
Just as the Boy Scouts do in their organization-- "Fun with a Purpose,"  Mr. Butler draws great concern with the variety of activities that on the surface appear to be fun but actually teach the state standards in a subversive manner.  It is that reason that Mr. Butler has not been asked to serve on committees of substance for many staff members do not attempt to understand Mr. Butler's methods.  Due to the fact that he is effective in reaching and connecting to youth with these methods, he has been delegated to advisor positions of student club activities like the Barnes & Noble Reading Club and the Intramural program.
The Year at a Glance
Links to Curriculum Maps by Subject Area:  Reading   Language Arts   Social Studies
 
State Standards
 www.isbe.net
 
Grading Procedures
 Click here for Unit 4 grading policy
 
Parent Involvement
Although many students of this age want to obtain autonomy, it is the belief of Mr. Butler and (curiously that they agree with him) many scholars of Middle School-age education that parents should remain involved in the lives of their students.  An involved parent will equate to a successful student.  Stay involved throughout your child's education and life all through college, if necessary.  Autonomy does not mean turn them loose!  It means to teach them how to be an adult (that may mean teaching them a while)!
 
Projects

Cultural Literacy Dictionary
Biography Reading Unit
Independent Reading Project
Mystery Unit
Self Evaluation Form
Peer Editing Checklist
Egypt Assignment
Story Wheel Assignment
Brown Bag Book Report
Narrative Rubric
Expository/Persuasive Rubric
Grammar Practice Park
Field Trip Websites
Sci-Fi Reading Unit
Independent Book Project and Book Sell
Fantasy Unit
Prentice Hall Literature Web Site

Fiction-Poetry Rubric

 

Below are excellent links to help students complete the biography unit as well as studying timelines in general:

http://scopesys.com/today/

 http://www.hyperhistory.com/online_n2/History_n2/a.html

 http://www.historychannel.com/thisday/


 
Homework Assignments
Feel free to email or call Mr. Butler for information on homework assignments or grade status.  Mr. Butler checks his emails and voice mails daily during the school week and will respond accordingly.
 
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Champaign Community Unit School District #4 * Mellon Administrative Center
703 South New Street * Champaign, IL 61820 * 217.351.3800