Happy Winter Break

I hope you and your family takes some time for creative insight, warm memories and deep sleep during these two weeks.
See you in the New Year...

LA grades have been updated

We have been reading short stories and creating a "winter" piece of writing that is on display and should come home early next week. Students read about Snowflake Bentley, who created a way to document snowflakes, and then students made their own.

Please check over the gradebook. If a "0" is listed, that activity has not reached me yet. If an assignment is blank, it has not been graded yet or collected, depending on the due date. Please remind your student to check through the LA binder for activities, and also remind them to keep the binder organized by section. Sometimes a student has completed the work but did not bring it to class to turn in.

If your child has been absent, please refer to the LA blog (to the right of this message) for those days of class, which is listed at the bottom of this email. Students are welcome to ask me questions during lunch about activities they may have missed. It is best if you request work for your child while absent so that there is not so much make-up stress upon their return.

Thanks so much for your support. The weather is cold, but our classes are full of energetic young minds. Please feel free to email me any comments or concerns.

LA and Advisory update

As you have already been made aware there have been a few changes to advisory to support students at Brooks. Students will now meet in advisory for the first 15 minutes every day. This whole school concept was implemented to bring organizational benefits to our students. Students are expected to bring to advisory an updated student assignment log/handbook, which lists all of their homework. They also need to bring writing utensils and their materials for their morning classes. This hopefully will help students be successful at the start of the day.

In Language Arts we are reading short stories in the literature textbook, continuing to work on grammar development and doing some freewrite reflections. Please check my blog to the right of this page under "class activities" for the week if you have a question.

It is very helpful to your student if he/she keeps track of activities and tries to complete them while absent. I update any changes to the blog as soon as possible. Feel free to request work to be sent to the office for pickup if your child is out due to illness.

Thank you for your continued support this year. Please also feel free to email me about any questions or concerns you may have.

Happy Holidays

I wish your family some time to laugh, as well as to stay warm.

Today in class, students wrote letters of thanks to someone who has affected their lives, and perhaps they will share them with you. You might want to encourage your student to bring a copy of the Thanksgiving monologue to your celebration, but just don't read it DURING a meal... :)

Have a great weekend, wherever you may be.

End of the week

Hello again,

As this trimester draws to a close, students are creating monologues based on a food from a "celebration feast". They started brainstorming about a food today and will be working on it in class. Please help guide them by reminding them of your family's traditions at this time of year regarding food. The monologues will be performed in class on Thursday, and they are welcome to use a prop or costume piece to make it more fun.

Students also received a permission slip to see the film version of The Outsiders, which we are viewing to compare to the novel. Please sign and return it to me ASAP. If you need another copy, you may print the one from my blog under "handouts".

If you are in the mood for an energetic show full of singing and dancing for the whole family, please see the Young Americans. They are performing at 3 and 7:3o PM in our auditorium on Saturday. Students from throughout the district will be taking classes and sharing their enthusiasm.

If your student did not successfully email their Character Advice poem, please ensure that they bring it in on a flash drive. Sometimes technology is not as easy as it seems. I sent an email with the names of students from whom I have not received their emailed poem.

November 10 update.

Today students are presenting "extension projects" reflecting on The Outsiders. They have been really insightful and creative. The final test is on Friday.

Students also viewed their research papers and had time to ask questions about them during and outside of class. Final writing projects, such as the research paper, will be kept in the classroom for reference until the end of the year.

The Outsiders "Character Advice" poems are really wonderful, and the booklet of student poems is coming together quickly. Please double check that your student EMAILED it to me and included it with in the body of the email AND as an attachment. If there is any concern, please have your student bring it to me on a flashdrive so I can copy it directly. I hope to "publish" it at the end of this week, and every student in my classes will receive a copy.

Thanks for lending me your fabulous students!

First week of November

Thank you for taking the time to read this blog. I hope you have some peace this weekend and your student gets a chance to relax.

Today students journeyed into a photograph of another place and took a “Seven Minute Vacation”. Please ask your student about this experience, as students seemed to really like writing about it.

I passed out progress reports for many students today and/or told them what was missing lately. Students were directed to check their notebooks, the “no name board”, and the collected activities folder for any work they might have or thought they turned in. I gave extra copies of assignments again to those who asked for them. Please check my blog under class activities for specific info about the activities. Please remind your student to check his/her locker and have your student speak to me directly about any concerns.

We are finishing The Outsiders next week, and students are working on a creative “Extension” project. They are required to do at least one, and may do more for extra credit. They will have had over a week to work on it by the time it is due, so they need to show evidence of their work. They also are turning in a “Character Advice poem” on Tuesday. One copy needs to be handed in to me during class with the poetic devices labeled. It also needs to be emailed to me at school.

Thank you for continuing to check teachers‘ blogs and the online gradebook to stay up to date with your student’s activities. Thank you also for helping your student turn in any overdue library books.

The Prized Pumpkin

Today in Language Arts students created skits based on characters and themes from the novel The Outsiders. News reports using 15 current vocabulary words, which include details of "who, when, where, why and how", are due on Friday.

Students also had the opportunity to win a prized, "magic" pumpkin by writing an elegant, detailed and emotional description of a pumpkin and why it should go to their homes. Out of the many wonderful entries, the winners were Lainey T. and Sadie C. Thank you to all who participated.

This Week in Language Arts

This week in language arts students are writing a News Report using 15 vocabulary words from chapters 7-12 of The Outsiders. The News Report should be similar to a newspaper or news magazine article and include "who, what, where, when, how and why".

Thank you for continuing to check the online gradebook weekly, as well as LA class assignments that are listed under "class activities" to the right of this blog.

Thank you for attending Portfolio Conferences

Thank you for making the time to attend the Student-led Portfolio Conferences last night. It was great to see so many members of the "home team" here at school.

I just completed updating students' Language Arts grades for this week. The progress report you received last night was printed early Monday morning and did not reflect this week's activities. The only grades left for me to enter are the Research Papers, and I hope to have those completed in the next week or so. If you notice any "0"'s , please ask your student to turn that work in to me on Monday. There are also a few activities on the "no name" board.

Thanks so much for your continued support.

Portfolio Conferences on Thursday, October 21, 2010

Thank you for making an appointment to participate in Student-led Portfolio Conferences. If you are assigned to me, Ms. Pearson, your scheduled time is at the bottom of this blog, and we will meet in room C 407. If you have not received a conference appointment, please email the conferencing teacher directly or your student's adviser.

The conference will be led by the student, who will explain the documents and progress in his/her classes. If you wish to meet with other teachers, please set up a separate appointment at a different time directly with them.

Please arrive at least 15 minutes PRIOR to your conference appointment so that you and your student have time to go over the artifacts in the student portfolio. It is important that you arrive early so that all portfolio conferences begin at their scheduled time. If you need to change or cancel your appointment, please email the conferencing teacher in advance or call the main office.

12:35 - 12:50 PM Dale J.
12:50 - 1:05 PM Annabelle G.
1:05 - 1:20 PM Caitlin L.
1:25 - 1:40 PM Riis F.
1:40 - 1:55 PM Evonna H.
1:55 - 2:10 PM Peter U.
2:10 - 2:25 PM Yasmeen J.
2:25 - 2:40 PM Erin H.
2:40 - 2:55 PM Grace P.
2:55 - 3:10 PM

3:10 - 3:25 PM Griffin K.
3:25 - 3:40 PM Olivia V.
3:40 - 3:55 PM Casey C.
3:55 - 4:10 PM Grace P.

4:45 - 5:00 PM Max G.
5:00 - 5:15 PM Julia F.
5:15 - 5:30 PM AJ S.
5:30 - 5:45 PM Jonah H.
5:45 - 6:00 PM Amanda S.
6:00 - 6:15 PM Elise S.
6:15 - 6:30 PM Hannah M.
6:30 - 6:45 PM Lailah W.
6:45 - 7:00 PM Kate V.
7:00 - 7:15 PM Shyheim W.
7:15 - 7:30 PM Jasmine G.
7:30 - 7:45 PM Hannah E.
7:45 - 8:00 PM Cristian T.

Language Arts Update

It is ALMOST over... Deeeeeep breath......

The last day in the Media Center is Thursday, October 7. Students may still use the computers before school or during lunch.

The final draft of the research project is due Wednesday, October 13, and should be turned in along with the research folder which contains all activities rough drafts, note card, etc). The final paper needs to be in a specific order and stapled once on the top left corner. Please refer to page 13 of the white research packet and page 24 of the green Research Basics for specific information.

Students turned in the complete rough draft on Thursday and were asked to label the significant parts - attention getter, thesis, direction statement, topic sentences, summary statement, restated thesis and clincher. This was good practice for them to make sure they had included all of those elements. On Friday the title page is due.

Students have begun activities while reading The Outsiders. The vocabulary "activity/story" using 15 words from chapters 1 and 2 is due Friday. On Friday students will be quizzed on comprehension of the first two chapters and the vocabulary words in those chapters.

Students should feel confident now about the research process and just need to proofread it again before assembling it for Wednesday.

Thanks for checking this blog and the class activities by week to the right.

Young Authors Conference on October 23

This week I have arranged that students have additional time in the Media Center, and all of my classes will take place there. Students are still expected to bring ALL research materials, including a printed copy of their current, typed work AND a flash drive. They also always need to bring their current SSR book and LA binder.

As always, class activities are listed to the right of this blog under "class activities". Please click on the current week for details about each day.

On Monday, all body paragraphs are due in a typed, rough draft form. Students have been reminded to add a topic senetence for each body paragraph and to proofread for clarity, spelling, grammar and mechanics.

All students are encouraged to attend the Young Authors Conference, and there is plenty of room. I have attended it several times, and it's a great experience for writers of all levels. Students in my LA classes will receive extra credit if they attend.

Students are finishing their rough drafts this week and proofreading for errors, checking for clarity, and adding details. Please look over the "Proofreading Rules" sheet with your student, which will be passed out on Monday. The best help is for your student to read his/her work OUT LOUD to you so that he/she can "hear" any areas that may not make complete sense.

We will begin The Outsiders this week. Please encourage your student to read it with class and not discuss it with others who may have already completed the book.

Research

On Wednesday, the formal outline for the research paper was due. Students were asked to include ALL note cards, and proofread it before turning it in during class. They also were required to capitalize the first letter of each entry and proper nouns, as well as make sure that the outline is in a logical order. If you have not had a chance to look this over, please ask your student to share it with you.

The rest of the process should be easier once the outline is completed. Students are working on the rough draft of the BODY paragraphs, and the typed, first draft is due Monday. The complete and edited rough draft is due Thursday, and the title page is due Friday.

The final paper is due on Wednesday, October 13. Hooray...

Thanks for checking the blog.

Research Note Crads and Outline are Due

ALL note cards (approzimately 100, depending on the topic) are due at the beginning of class on Tuesday.

The Outline is due Wednesday - students may choose between Webspiration or Word to complete the outline.

Students have been cautioned about leaving research materials at home or in their lockers. It is crucial that they bring all materials and FLASHDRIVE to class every day. We are meeting in the Media Center this week where we have 1/2 the period at tables and 1/2 the period at computers.

Progress reports will be handed out on Tuesday. Please review them with your student before signing and returning them to me.

Thursday is picture day, so please make sure you have your form filled out and bring a check. All students will have their photos taken whether or not they are making a purchase.

Thanks for checking the blog!

Research this week!!!! HOORAY!

On Wednesday and Thursday this week, students will be in the Media Center working on their works consulted pages. They should have already finished their source cards and begun highlighting important facts (not sentences) on their sources. Everything for the research project must be brought to class daily.... including a flashdrive.

There were technical issues with the laptops while we were in the Media Center on Wednesday. Students are using EASYBIB, which is an easy way of doing the Works Consulted page. Your student is welcome to continue this at home, and they had time in class to complete it. They must have an email address and password to do this.

If your student has not shown me their source cards along with the physical sources, they may do that without a penalty by Thursday since there were technical issues on Wednesday.

Students should already be working on note cards following the guidelines given in class.

Thanks for your continued support.

Curriculum Night is Wednesday at 7 PM

We are looking forward to your presencen this Wednesday night at Curriculum Night. Starting at 7 PM, this is an great opportunity for you to follow your student's schedule and get a sense of daily activities. If you cannot be present that night, please ask your student to bring home a packet from my class. Your student will receive extra credit in LA if you sign in on a clipboard in my room that night. Extra credit is also offered to any student who participates in the Young Author's Conference on October 23 (Please check the District website for more information.).

By now I hope you have had a chance to view your student's progress, both by the progress report I passed out last week and online. A few students have not turned in some activities, and I suspect that it is because they forgot to turn them in, not because they did not complete them. Students who are absent are still responsible for all activities. I would appreciate your reminding your student to turn in activities for all classes. Perhaps there is an assignment or two in a
locker or backpack... ;)

As always, please check my blog for information about LA. Our schedule has been altered due to the MAP testing, but we still have time for all research components, as long as your student has found all the research sources OUTSIDE of class. Research sources should be photo-copied or printed so your student may write on them during class. Brooks Media Center computers are NOT available to students until after 9/21 due to MAP testing.

If your student has a question/concern about an activity or score, please direct him/her to speak directly to me outside of class. Please let me know of any additional email addresses I may add for your student's support system outside of school.

Research update

Due to the MAP testing schedule next week, students need to find research sources as homework.

In order to maximize our use of the Media Center, students are required to find a minimum of five sources for their research paper OUTSIDE OF CLASS. Please access the Oak Park Public Library, internet, and Media Center (before school and at lunch), outside of class.

Sources need to be reputable and photo-copied / printed before they are brought to class. Please make sure to copy the identifying info (article name, author, date of publication, website address, etc.) for access later.

Remember that all sources must reveal new information for use on the note cards, and at least three different types of sources (magazine, encyclopedia, non-fiction book, etc.) are required. Wikipedia is NOT allowed.


Research Source BONUS!!! WOW!!!!!!!!

Use your Oak Park Public Library card and get reputable sources for FREE from home. Log on to the Oak Park Public Library site with your library card and id #.

1. Click on Research,

2. Click on Online Tools,

3. Type in keyword and click source type: Magazines, Newspapers, Databases, etc.

LA Progress Report passed out today

Since there has been a flurry of activities and paperwork, I passed out progress reports today so your student can check if he/she is up to date. I will pass them out periodically, and I would like you to sign and return them after reviewing them with your student. It is possible that your student turned in an item after they were printed. It is best if your student returns the copy I gave out to me, rather
than emailing me that you received it.

The Research Process Requirements and the Research Schedule handouts are both on my blog under "handouts" (to the right of this message). Students have organized all of their research elements into their Research folders that will stay in the class setting for the time being. The due dates are very specific, and your student knows that activities are expected when due. If there are any changes to the schedule, I will update the schedule online.

Thanks for your support. I am amazed at the eagerness and humor of our core and honored to be working with your children.

LA e-mail sent Today

A general email was sent today so you are aware of specifics for Language Arts. I will send out emails like this periodically, and please feel free to email me at any time. The information is included in this post.

This web blog is a resource for general information and class activities (click the button on the right to get the week you want). I update this blog weekly, so please use it as a resource. Students knows that it is available to them. If your student is absent, please check the blog for activities in advance so that
your student stays up to date.

Please mark Wednesday, September 15, as Curriculum Night. We hope you are able to attend so that you may get a sense of your student's 7th grade classes, especially since there are often many changes between 6th and 7th grade. Your student will receive extra credit in my LA class if you attend.

The Research Project is about to begin. (Hooray!) Students need to turn in their topic proposals WITH a printed source by Thursday. The Research Project is PROCESS oriented, and there will be many little steps along the way. More info is to come.

Students should have already turned in three blue sheets, two folders and a pack of 3x5 cards to me. They need a 3 ring binder for LA only, in addition to the student handbook, which lists their assignments.

Thank you in advance for checking your student's progress on the online gradebook. Once a week is great to help your student stay on track with all classwork. It will be available soon.

Finally, please encourage your student to be on time to class with all materials. Students can make it to their classes on time if they plan in advance.

Thanks for your support this year. I look forward to meeting you. If you would like me to add another email address, please send it to me.

Welcome to 7th Grade Language Arts

Welcome to Language Arts with Ms. Pearson. This will be a fabulous year full of many opportunities to expand your writing and reading skills.

Please review the Language Arts Course Outline, including the required materials for class. Please make sure to bring a three ring binder with dividers for LA only, a pack of 3x5 cards, and two separate 2-pocket folders to be left in class.

Please complete and return the Student Parent Contract, the Student Information Form, and the Student Survey so that I may get to know you better. These forms will be passed out during the first week of class. Links to the handouts are available for you to view and print on the right of this blog.

Please check this blog at least once a week for updates, as well as class activities. From time to time there will be information listed on this blog that students may use to earn privileges or extra credit. Check back often to take a poll and see what is happening in class.

Please make sure that I have email information for each adult that supports you so that I may stay in contact. The easiest way is to ask your adult(s) to send me an email with their email(s), their full name(s), and your full name. Email me at lpearson followed by @op97.org.

Some important dates coming up:

Thurs., 9/2 - PTO Cookout at 5:30 PM
Wed., 9/15 - Curriculum Night at 7:00 PM (parents and guardians should plan to attend)

Research Project process - 9/16 - 10/1

Memoir Project, Book Fair, and Important Dates

Important Dates and Reminders:

Hopefully you have helped your student log on to Power School to select electives for next year. Please follow the directions given from Brooks' home page.

Tuesday, May 18 - Memoir Project is due. It has a very specific format which is outlined under "handouts".

Tuesday/Wednesday, May 18-19 - the Book Fair during Language Arts. Please remind your student that he/she needs 10% for tax for all purchases.

Friday, May 21 - the STAR test during Language Arts and all LA textbooks and LS novels are due.

Tuesday, May 25 - PBIS celebration

Wednesday, May 26 - Career Day

Thursday, May 27 - Awards assembly

Friday, May 28 - 7th grade field trip to Funway

End of Year Update

Congratulations to students from our core who won the District 97 Ethnic Festival Essay Contest: Jack B. = 1st place, Aidan M. = 2nd place and Henry S. = 3rd place...


Upcoming important dates:

1. The Book Faire is next week. Students will be allowed to make a purchase during Language Arts on May 18 or 19. Please remind your student to bring cash, including 10% tax.
2. The Memoir Project is due on Tuesday, May 18. Students should plan to type and print the final components outside of class and bring a flashdrive every day.
   
3. Extra credit sheets for Beauty and the Beast are due now.
4. Students received a permission slip for the Funway trip today, which takes place on Friday, May 28. Please return the form and cash as soon as possible to Mr. Gates if your student is planning on attending. Please remember that the $13 fee is only for transportation and skating. Students need to bring money for all of the attractions and lunch.
5. Please make sure to turn in the Honor Roll breakfast slip ASAP. It was due on May 10.

Please review the progress reports with your student before signing and returning them. This is a great way for you to see what your student needs to complete. If you did not receive one from your student, please print it from the online gradebook. They received one from my LS and LA classes in last week. Please check grades for ALL classes again and again to let them know that you care.

Media Center Dates:

• May 21 - Last day students can check out books from the library
• May 28 - Students must return all books to the library by the end of the day; Last day the library will be open to students before school

Thanks for your support.

Memoir Project and Progress Reports

Students received a progress report for Language Arts today. Please review it with your student before signing and returning it. This is a great way for you to see what your student needs to complete. If you did not receive one from your student, please print it from the online gradebook.

Part of why I pass out a progress report is to make sure there are no unintentional errors. Sometimes students simply don't turn in an assignment or it may be hanging on the "no name" board. Students who have noticed errors were asked to show them to me during class, and I fixed their grades. For this reason there may be a slight difference between what is on the online gradebook and what they bring home to you, which was printed yesterday.

As always, your student should talk to me directly if there is any issue. You are welcome to also email me, but the best way to solve the problem is for your student to talk to me.

The Memoir Project has been passed out and it is due on May 18. Please ask your student about this. The handout is on my blog under "handouts".

Finally, please ask your student about the guest speak we had on Wednesday who shared her experiences from the Holocaust. I think it was a very moving presentation, and I imagine your student may have some questions and feelings to share.

Thanks again for your support.

Persuasive Essays AGAIN Hooray!

Hooray! Students are revising and typing the persuasive essay that they started in November. They have had a lot more experience since then adding details and proofreading for a formal assignment, and I expect that their work will be much improved. (Information about this activity is listed under handouts to the right of the blog.)

There is no school Friday. The final typed draft should be stapled to all previous drafts (and the rubric) and turned in on Monday.

Students have had some access in class to a computer, although the laptops are very inconsistent. Please remind your student to bring a flashdrive to class each day to transport typed work between school and home.

We are also continuing to add to their poetry collections. The final Memoir Project will be due in mid May, and students have been encouraged to type their work as they complete it.

Please remind your student to turn in the official midterm progress reports to Advisory.

Next week we will have a guest speaker who share her experiences of the Holocaust. Students have been reading Four Perfect Pebbles in Literacy Skills as background before the experience.

Midterm Progress Reports this week

Thank you for signing and returning the progress reports that were passed out last week. If your student did not give one to you, you may print it directly from Powerschool. Assignments are up to date for what I received in class through last Friday, except for some of the Diversity Essays that I am still grading.

Official Midterm Progress reports for ALL classes will be passed out this Friday.

Language Arts - This week in class we are "attempting" to type current writing projects using the ibooks. This is a great opportunity for your student to be "patient" as the computers do not always work as well as they should. On Tuesday, students are expected to turn in two typed and revised pieces of prose, in addition to the five senses poem. Please remind your student to finish these activities at home, as they were assigned last week. Students should continue to bring their flashdrives to class EVERY day to save their work and transport it between home and school.

Lit Skills - AR points should be at the midterm goal by Tuesday this week. There have been many classes using the Media Center during our class period, so students should try to go before school or during lunch. Some students ask to go to the Media Center often during class, yet they may still not have completed any tests. Students know that they also have the option of writing a book summary.

Finally, please remind your student to take care and look both ways before crossing the street, especially on the way to and from school. I have noticed that some students are so eager to get to school that they are not stopping at crosswalks, and sometimes car drivers may not
see them.

Thanks for your support.

April Showers Bring.....

This week in Language Arts students are exploring and writing poetry. In Literacy Skills we are continuing to read The Outsiders.

Students have been reminded this week to turn in any missing activities that were due prior to Spring Break. Some students may have been absent for a variety of reasons (illness, field trip, rehearsal, etc.), or they did not turn in an activity that they had completed. Some students may have turned in an activity but neglected to write their names on it..... (These are on the "no name" board.)

Students know that activities for class are outlined on my blog under "class activities" for each week. If a student is absent or needs to remember a particular assignment, he/she may refer there before talking to me. This information is also posted in the classroom.

On Wednesday and Thursday I am handing out progress reports that are a SNAPSHOT of your student's current grade (about 4 weeks). This grade will easily change from week to week as your student completes activities on time. I will still take the assignments that are late for partial credit, depending on the circumstance. Please feel free to view your students' grades online at your leisure and encourage your student to do so as well.

Please make sure to review, sign and return the progress report that I am giving to your student. This is an opportunity for you to talk about what is happening in class, to notice your student's success, and to encourage your student.

Thank you for helping your student get back on track if the Spring weather has influenced him or her. Thank you for your continued support, and please feel free to contact me if you have a concern or question.

Diversity Paper and Report Cards

Please review your student's online grade for LA to see if he/she actually completed and turned in a rough draft of the Diversity Paper. Students should have typed it and given it to me last Tuesday, yet there are some who still have not. Students received a "30" if it was turned in on time and completed as directed. They should have MANY marks on it by now as both they and I have made revisions.

TWO typed copies of the FINAL draft, with ALL rough drafts and brainstorms attached, are due by Monday. Students have been asked to turn them in on Friday if they prefer.

Please make sure that your student has given you both the trimester 2 report card and green paper in it to sign and return. Students need to turn in both the report card envelope and green paper to their advisers this week.

Thanks for your continued support.

Hooray!

The ISATS are nearly over, and our students are taking a well-deserved, deep breath. Overall, they seemed well prepared and confident. Thank you for your encouragement.

Next week in Language Arts we are revisiting the Persuasive Essay. Students have already created several "brainstorms" about diversity and are being given specific directions. (You may review the direction under "Handouts" to the right of this blog.) The final TWO copies of this essay are due on Monday, March 22, or earlier. Students MUST type this essay outside of class, but they will have class time to work on the components. Computers are available in the Media Center and at the Oak Park Public Library. Students are required to bring ALL parts of the essay to class each day: the essay directions, brainstorms, current draft(s), and a flash drive.

In Literacy Skills students are exploring the novel The Outsiders, which shows several of the many issues of diversity.

Thanks for your continued support.

The End of February

As February and the trimester ends this week, students in Language Arts are reviewing so that they feel confident for the ISAT testing next week.

Please ask your student to SHOW you the Language Arts general review that he/she created in class today. It should have both clear text and pictures. This week they should also review several handouts: 1. Literary Terms packet, 2. Prefixes, 3. Suffixes, 4. Parts of an Essay, 5. Testing Strategies, 6. "Joe is Not a Monster" Story Analysis, and 7. Student Writing Checklist. Most of these items should already be in their three ring binders. They should ask me if they need another copy, although several of these are available under handouts on my blog.

Our calendar has a few more scheduling changes. Thursday is an Assembly Schedule this week, and next Monday is a holiday.

It is important to remind your student to get enough sleep before the ISAT tests next week, bring sharpened pencils and something to read to the testing area, and eat a good breakfast with protein.

I hope you had a chance to review, sign and return the progress reports that were passed out last Wednesday. Please do not hesitate to email me if you have a question or concern, but please ask your student directly first. Students need to clear up any grading issues by Wednesday this week.

Thank you for your continued support.

The End of the Trimester

Thank you for helping make the field trip to A Midsummer Night's Dream a success. Students wrote reflections and shared many insightful comments in class. They were extremely respectful and great listeners at the theatre.

The end of the trimester is Friday, February 26. Students were given progress reports today for my classes, which need to be reviewed, signed and returned. In addition to your viewing the grade book on line, I print progress reports so that students can see if there are any errors or they may have not turned in an activity.

Students are reviewing for the ISATS in all of their classes. It is very important for your student to be present and on time each day: Tuesday, March 2, through Friday, March 5. They should feel confident, make sure they get enough sleep and eat a good breakfast each morning.

Conferences on Thursday - please come early

Please check your calendar that you have a conference appointment for Thursday, February 4. If you are not sure of your conference time, please contact the conferencing teacher. Please be aware that students are leading their own conferences. Today students gathered course overviews, progress reports and sample activities to place in their portfolios to share with you.

Please report to your assigned room 15 minutes BEFORE your assigned time. You will be able to look over the portfolio materials with your student outside of the classroom, prior to meeting with the conferencing teacher. If you wish to meet with an elective teacher, please plan to go to his/her location after your conference time, or at least a half hour in advance.

We are all looking forward to a great experience on Thursday. Please feel free to email if you have a question. Thank you for your continued support.

January Ends

Spring is around the corner... I am keeping my fingers crossed...

Students received and reviewed their graded Research Projects today in class. (HOORAY!) They were given time to ask questions about any suggestions and corrections. If they wish, they are encouraged to visit me outside of class to discuss their work further. Students also completed a self-evaluation of the research process, which you may view at Conferences. (If you have not signed up for a conference on February 4, please contact the teacher right away.)

Students in all my classes received a progress report to be reviewed and signed at home, before being returned to me. This is a snapshot of their grades as of Sunday evening, and there is still much ground to cover before the end of the trimester. Students were reminded that if they notice a discrepancy, they should speak to me about it directly.

Textbooks, text books, textbooks... Our core has the opportunity to use brand new LA textbooks as a source and reference for the remainder of the year. Students are expected to bring them to class each day, unless I have informed them in advance, in addition to the the LA binder. Students in LS are still required to BRING a choice book to class on Monday and Friday of each week. Students know they may take AR tests before school and during lunch, which is encouraged since the Media Center is so busy during our class period.

The ISATS are approaching in March, and our students are on the path to great achievement. Teachers in each class are helping students learn and review concepts, and students are working on reading strategies throughout the school. It is a good idea for each student to occasionally review the Literary Terms packet, in addition to other LA handouts

Please feel free to email me any specific concerns or even any moments of joy.

Most students have turned in the Research Project, which was due on January 13. Please check the online gradebook to see if your student turned it in on time. There will not be a final grade listed for at least two weeks, however you can see if it was turned in at all.

Thursday, January 21, is an important due date for two important forms: the permission slip / $ for A Midsummer Night's Dream and the last day to turn in Conference Request slips. Your student received one in class today and was told the teacher that was assigned to facilitating this student-led portfolio conference. It will be the same format as the one in the fall.

Students assigned to ME are as follows: Bauhs, Clay, Garcia, Haack, E. Johnson, Kennedy, Kern, Kupelian, Lealiou, Lemke-Bell, C. McKinney, Montiel, Puholovich, Rossa, Seledec, Stoner, Strayhorn, Temen, Thomas, Tushman, Uzokwe, Weiss, B. Williams, Wolfe, Wood

Please ask your student about both of these forms today. If you are one of the above families, you may return the form or email me the requested times of day. Please give me three different time slots between 1 PM and 7:30 PM on Thursday, February 4, that work for you. Please also give me correct email addresses and phone numbers.

If you are not on my list, please contact the teacher assigned to you or your student's adviser to find out that name.

The District 97 Writing Celebration is approaching. Students may request an entry form from me, but it must be signed by an adult by this Thursday. Please ask your child to participate in this great opportunity. They may reprint something from this year in either poetry or prose.

Thanks for your continued support.

It's a New Year!

Please turn in the permission slip to see A Midsummer Night's Dream as soon as possible. There is a copy of the slip under "handouts" to the right of this blog. Thank you to the many students who turned it in and the $10.00 today.

Wednesday is the school-wide ISAT practice test. Students need a healthy breakfast, several sharpened pencils, a calculator, and a good night's sleep. The school schedule will be altered, yet students will still meet in all classes that day. Students have reviewed "Test Taking Strategies" with me in LA, and another copy is under "handouts".

The rough draft of the research paper body paragraphs was due today. A few students still have not completed the outline, which was due several weeks ago, in addition to the rough draft. Please check on line for your student's grades for these activities, as well as for all classes.

As students finalize the Research Project, the last due dates are listed below. Please ask your student to READ his/her essay OUT LOUD to you. This will aid in finding errors and noticing detail. Please do NOT assume that your student has completed everything during school hours.

Mon, January 4 First Draft due (body only), type outside of class
Tues, January 5 Work on Introduction and Conclusion, review testing strategies
Wed, January 6 ISAT practice test, Revise rough draft, proofread, type outside of class
Thurs, January 7 Rough draft due (Intro/Body/Conclusion), type
Fri, January 8 Title page due, revise final draft, proofread

Mon, January 11 Revise final draft, proofread, type outside of class

Tues, January 12 Assemble Project – ALL drafts, notes, etc., turn in research folder

Wed, January 13 Final Research paper due