Rock the ISATs

The ISAT tests are on Tuesday through Friday, starting at 9 AM each day. Please encourage your student to get enough rest, eat some protein each morning, drink a lot of water, and be on time. We are helping our students to be eager about the ISATS, rather than anxious. Please remind your student to bring a calculator, a book to read, sharpened pencils, a highlighter, a healthy snack (for in between tests), and bottled water each day.

Students should continue to review the "reading extended response" packet, the literary terms packet, vocabulary lists and the handout about "test taking strategies". All of these were distributed in language arts, and a few are available on my blog under handouts.

Week of Feb. 23

As a refresher, this week students will be reviewing literary and poetic terms, literature genres and vocabulary. They also will review test taking strategies. It would be a great idea if you encourage your student to review all grammar packets, literary/poetic terms and the test taking strategies. (These are available on my blog under handouts.)

The Read-In was a great success last week. This week there will be an Black History assembly on Thursday. Next week are the ISAT tests on Tuesday through Friday. Please encourage your student to get enough rest, eat some protein each morning, and drink a lot of water. We are helping our students to be eager about the ISATS, rather than anxious. Please remind your student to bring a calculator, a book to read, sharpened pencils, a healthy snack and bottled water each day.

Research Project is Due Thursday

Finally, the research project is due. (Hooray!) On Thursday students are expected to turn in the complete final draft, following the format and order provided. Students are also expected to turn in ALL parts of the essay process in their research folders (including printed sources, note cards, rough drafts, etc.).

Friday will be a "Read-In" day at Brooks. Students should be sure to bring in MANY materials they wish to read for fun that day.

Conferences on Thursday

If you are attending conferences on Thursday, please ask your student to bring his/her Research Project and ALL research materials to our meeting. Students are also expected to bring their Student Handbooks/Assignment Notebooks.

I look forward to meeting with you. If you requested a conference but did not receive a confirmation, please check with Ms. Julianne King.

Please continue to check to the right of the blog for current activities and handouts, such as the research project schedule.

Extra Credit and Research Dates

Students were scheduled to turn in the Rough Draft of the Body paragraphs by today, in addition to their outline with topic sentences. Please ask your student to SHOW you his/her body paragraphs. It would be very helpful if your student read it OUT LOUD to you as well. Students were directed to bring them home to continue revising them. The Introduction and Conclusion are due on Tuesday, and the Title page is due on Wednesday.

Extra credit is available to my language arts students who attend (or perform in) The Music Man, which will run over the 2nd and 3rd weekends of February. Extra credit forms will be available in class next week. Please check the BRAVO website for more information about show dates and ticket pricing.

Please remember that the school schedule is different this week due to conferences.

Technology Issue on Feb. 3

Today while working on the research outline, many students were having great difficulty making any process using Inspiration software.

All students were instructed directly to copy what they had for their outline into a Word document and to COMPLETE it using Word (NOT Inspiration). They were to copy it onto their flashdrives and/or email it home. The due date for the outline has been moved to Wednesday, instead of today, due to this technical problem.

Students must work on the outline at home tonight. They will need to add in the Roman numerals, etc. that are not on the outline, in addition to any note cards not yet entered. After it is completed, they should print TWO copies. On the first copy they need to write their topic sentences, including a transition, for EACH body paragraph. A transition expresses both the contents of the paragraph and works as a transition from the previous paragraph. Only then may they begin the body paragraphs of the rough draft.

Thanks for assisting your student with this. I opened the Mac Lab during lunch and during 8th period to allow more students time and access. The Mac Lab will be open every day at lunch this week under my supervision.

Research Project Update

This week the research outline is due on Tuesday. (Students have been using Inspiration software to complete the outline, and it may not be available anywhere but school.) Students may complete activities outside of class in the Media Center at 8 AM with a student ID or during lunch with a pass. The first draft of the body paragraphs is due on Friday.

Students will work in the Media Center on Monday and Tuesday, and then we move to the Mac Lab for the remainder of this project. Please refer to the schedule. Students should review and use the following documents passed out in class: Parts of an Essay (which includes how to write a thesis statement and other information, Proofreading Reminders, and both Research packets (goldenrod and green).

Students must have note cards with them to be able to use the computers, as well as an outline completed before working on body paragraphs in class. Students are responsible for bringing all research materials to class each day AND A FLASHDRIVE. Leaving research materials at home or in a locker is not an excuse. Students know the schedule and are expected to work on assignments at home in addition to class, especially if absent from class.

Thank you for your continuing support.