Essay is due Wednesday

The Kindness and Justice Challenge essay is due Wednesday, with all drafts and outlines stapled to the back. Today in class students labeled their current drafts with the parts of an essay (attention getter, thesis, etc.) so that they could make sure they had everything. They also were directed to proofread their essays again using the Proofreading Reminders sheet.

The final draft is due during class. Students should have everything backed up on a flashdrive that they bring to class, just in case they need to make a last minute correction. The Media Center is open at 8 AM for students to use computers. Computers will not be available during class.

Wednesday we will be listening to a "book talk" in the Media Center. Students need to make sure they have their ID's and any overdue books to return.

This week

Writing Celebration entries are due to me in class on Thursday. Students need to attach the completed entry form (signed by you) to the typed copy of prose or poetry. I will pass it on to the judges after I receive Mr. Sindelar's signature.

Student-led Portfolio Conferences are approaching. Please make sure that you contact the conferencing teacher or your student's adviser if you have not already. If you have not received a form in the mail, please list 3-4 time slots that are good for you between 1 PM and 7 PM on Thursday, February 3, and pass that on to your student's adviser. Please remember that your student is leading the conference, and you need to arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of the conference appointment.

The "Kindness and Justice Challenge" rough drafts are due at the beginning of class on Thursday. The typed, final version will be due next Wednesday, with all outlines and drafts attached. Students are encouraged to type the rough draft, if at all possible. Encourage your student to share this activity with you and remind them to add specific details.

Last week students turned in a revised, creative story, which you will be able to view during conferences.

Thanks for continuing to check the teachers' blogs and gradebook to help your student stay up to date. Your support is really important to your student and to me.

Writing Celebration

The District 97 Writing Celebration is a great opportunity for your student to share his/her creative writing outside of class.

I emailed the permission form for the District 97 Writing Celebration, which is due to me by 1/20. Each student is encouraged to submit one piece or work, either prose or poetry, to this event. I will offer extra credit to students who participate.

The typed piece of writing (proofread thoroughly, please) must be submitted to me with the completed form (and parent/guardian signature) by 1/20. I will then ask Mr. Sindelar to sign it and pass it on to the celebration coordinator.

Thanks for encouraging your student to enter. This week students rewrote and typed a previous piece of writing, which may be the perfect piece.

MAP testing

The MAP testing went very well... Information will be available in the future about your student's scores.

Progress reports were handed out in LA today. Please review the report with your student before signing and returning it. Students are encouraged to turn in missing work and check the "no name" board. Most often an assignment was never turned in, but a student actually did complete a part of it.

This week students are revising and developing a piece of creative writing from the recent past. Next week students will work on a formal essay based on the principals of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Student Portfolio Conferences are the afternoon and evening of the first Thursday of February. Please plan on attending with your student. The sooner you turn in your requested times, the more likely you will get the appointment you prefer. A conference request form will be mailed home this week. If you have not received a form by then, please send a request to your student's adviser.

Happy New Year

This is a reminder that MAP testing will occur during Language Arts on Monday and Tuesday for all 7th grade Brooks students. Students should feel confident and ready. This is a middle of the year benchmark test to see growth so far.

Please remind your student to get a good night's sleep, eat a healthy breakfast, and bring a good book to read for when the testing is completed.

The science field trip is on Thursday, so please make sure that permission slips and $ are turned in to Mr. Reising before Wednesday.

Thanks for your continued support.