8A, 8B, & 8C Update

December 19, 2007

Happy Holidays to all! I know that this is a busy time of the year for most families, as it is for me as well, but things are not slowing down in our Language Arts classes.

All three classes are currently working on a major writing piece, their autobiographical incident. Most students are just about finished with their rough, rough draft. When we return from Christmas break the students will self-edit, draft again, peer edit, and complete their final copy. This multi-step process, although difficult for those who tend to loose things, should be very beneficial for their writing skills.

In addition, we are also finishing up on reading our nonfiction books. With the help of comfy-cozy day, most students should be just about finished. Any students not finished their nonfiction book will have to do some reading over the holiday break. I will give out directions for their project on Friday, December 21st, but they will not have to work on it over break. The scheduled due date for the project is January 14. We will then present the projects over that week.

Enjoy your Christmas Vacation and don't forget books make great stocking stuffers.

December 6, 2007 8A, 8B, and 8C

Just a reminder that all students should have a nonfiction book that they are bringing to class daily. Our next book report will be due in the beginning of January. In addition, this month we are all going to be writing an autobiographical incident. We will complete many drafts of this essay in class, but the final draft will be completed at home.

We are still having problems in the 8th grade with missing assignments. Please remind your child to see what they are missing and get it in to me as soon as possible. I will be having students call home if they are missing work. This takes the responsibility off of me and puts it on them. They need to remember their assignments.

Please continue to remind your child of appropriate school behavior. I would like to see as many students at the December 20th gathering as possible. As you child may have told you we, the middle school team, are having this gathering to reward those with positive behavior who so often get overlooked.

8B and 8C Update

This week we have been reviewing Unit 1 Part 1 on Fiction. We are having a Unit 1 Part 1 open book test (Not open notes) next Thursday, November 15. Students will have all the essay questions and charts to review by this Thursday. In addition to comparing the various stories students will also be tested on 15 out of 30 vocabulary words that we have had so far this year. I do not think students need to stress about this test, as they will be well prepared.
Next Thursday, November 15, students will also be turning in their fiction book report. They have been reading this book in school and at home. They also received the direction sheet for the project last week. Any students who have lost the file folder the project is to be completed on must pay 10 cents to receive another one. (This money will go towards the purchase of classroom rewards.) Book reports can be turned in 1 or 2 days early to earn an extra point or two.
After our fiction unit comes to a close, we will begin our nonfiction unit. Students can begin thinking about what they would like to read for the next book report. We will also be watching an interactive power point presentation to learn about what nonfiction writing is comprised of. Students will also have the option of creating their own power point later this second marking period.
If you have any questions or comments please don't hesitate to send me an email. Happy 4 day weekend.
~Mrs. Muldoon

8As Update

Our fiction unit is wrapping up next week. Upon completion of "The Lady or the Tiger" we will begin reviewing Units 1 and 7. Our unit test for fiction will probably be the week of November 19th. Our next unit of study is nonfiction. Begin looking for an appropriate nonfiction book...I'll let your child know when that is needed.
As you know our book report is also coming due. Students selected a fiction book, last month, to read in school, but they should now be reading some at home as well. The book report is to be completed on a file folder they were give last week. If you child has lost his/her file folder they can purchase one for 10 cents. The book report is an easy way to start off the second quarter. Last year's students designed beautiful covers. The book report is due November 16th.
This second chapter in grammar is focusing on nouns. Please review any lessons for chapter two with your child as chapter one caused a bit of a struggle for many students. Chapter two is a great deal shorter that chapter one. It has only six lessons before we begin reviewing.
Please feel free to send me an email with any questions or concerns. Happy 4 day weekend.
~Mrs. Muldoon

8A/8B/8C Update

All classes have finished up and turned in their final drafts of their short stories this week. These short stories are a major part of the writing grade for this quarter. It will take me at least 2 weeks to mark these papers...so don't expect the grade sheets to be coming home right away. In addition, students were asked to bring a fiction novel to school this week. This is a pleasure reading book that we will be reading in class mostly and a little at home if necessary. Students will complete a project at-home when they are finished the book. Directions will be sent home in a few weeks. Keep checking to make sure your student is completing all homework and class assignments. Thanks for your support.

8C's Update

Can you believe progress reports come out in 2 weeks. Parents and students alike should be keeping up on their work. Parents it's your responsibility to sign score sheets for tests and quizzes...we've already had two. Students it's your responsibility to give the score sheets to your parents and also complete your homework. Don't forget about journals and studying too. This week we have been reading Checkouts by Cynthia Rylant. 8C's quiz on this story is Thursday 9/20. We have also begun brainstorming for our own short story. Once all the drafting and editing is complete students will type or neatly write their final copy at home. Some time next week information will be sent home about our first book project. Start thinking of a fiction book you would like to read.

8B's Update

Can you believe progress reports come out in 2 weeks. Parents and students alike should be keeping up on their work. Parents it's your responsibility to sign score sheets for tests and quizzes...we've already had two. Students it's your responsibility to give the score sheets to your parents and also complete your homework. Don't forget about journals and studying too. This week we have been reading Checkouts by Cynthia Rylant. 8B's quiz on this story is Friday 9/21. We have also begun brainstorming for our own short story. Once all the drafting and editing is complete students will type or neatly write their final copy at home. Some time next week information will be sent home about our first book project. Start thinking of a fiction book you would like to read.

8A's Update

With the school year off and running, 8A has been working hard. They have already had a quiz in reading and one in writing. Please make sure parents/guardians are signing off on the slip with the grade printed on it. Tests and Quizzes can be viewed at conference time. This week we are reading Edgar Allen Poe's The Tell Tale Heart. The quiz on this story will be Monday 9/24. Make sure you are rereading the story at home and going over the answers to all the questions. Later this week we will also begin writing a short story. All draft work for this story will be completed in class. Once the editing process is complete, I will give the students a few days to write or type the final copy. Students...start thinking of a fiction book you can read on your own. Paper work for self selected book will come home some time next week. Parents make sure your student is keeping up on their homework and journals...progress reports are the first week of October.

Summer Vacation

Good Morning, soon to be eighth graders. I hope your Summer vacation is going well. The most important thing I hope you accomplish this summer is rest. But if you are already feeling a bit board and your parents are yelling at you to turn the TV off and do something....why don't you pick up a book and read? I just finished the last of the Harry Potter series and it was awesome. I am definitely going to read a few of the Harry Potter books again. If you're not into the fantasy genre, you could try looking at this web site. It has links for all sorts of interesting middle school novels. http://www.taylor.lib.oh.us/teen/classicya.html Just don't read Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry since some of you will be reading that this year.

Today is Friday, February 16, 2007.

This week due to school closings students have been given a few extra days for some assignments.

We began working on poetry last month in literature. Students have selected a poem to memorize. Students will recite their poems in class next week.

Students were also asked to find a Non Fiction book to read as their pleasure reading book for the next few weeks. Students will read their pleasure book in class. As students near the end of their books, I will assign a project to be completed at home based on what they have read.

Grammar Chapter 4 test coming soon. Begin reviewing and watch agendas for test date.

STUDENTS REMEMBER YOUR BEHAVIOR AT ALL TIMES!!!!!