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.