Updates for December 14-18th

All writing classes have just spent three days in the tech lab or library researching for their major 8th grade research paper. Students received their topic last week. This paper will be a grade for technology, science, and writing; and is a mandatory requirement for the completion of 8th grade.

Some important dates to remember...15 completed note cards are due Thursday, December 17th. The outline is due Monday, December 21st. The final copy is due Wednesday, January 27th.

Reading 8A...will have the vocabulary portion of their Unit 1/7 Fiction Test on Wednesday, Dec. 16th and the comprehension portion on Thursday, Dec. 17th. They received the study guide on Friday, Dec. 11th.

Reading 8B and 8C...will have the vocabulary portion of their Unit 1:Part 1 Fiction Test on Tuesday, Dec. 15th and the comprehension portion on Wednesday, Dec. 16th. They have received all the charts and vocabulary words that they need to study.

End of 1st Trimester

All late or missing work needs to be completed by Friday, December 4th. Students who do not complete missing assignments will receive a failing grade for that assignment. 40 8th grade students owe at least one assignment for either reading or writing.

Week of November 30th-December 4th

All power point and poster book report grades were written in students' agendas on the Monday before Thanksgiving. Please refer to your son/daughter's agenda to see how they did. Students who received a poor grade most likely skipped a section on the project. They may complete the missing section to earn points back on their project grade.

I am still missing some short stories. Students who did not turn in a short story received a referral and need to get this assignment completed asap. Students who are missing work will receive an incomplete on their report card and will end up in summer school if the missing work is not completed.

Writing A,B, and C
All writing classes are finishing up chapter 2 on nouns. This test will be on Friday, December 4. Please review direct and indirect objects as well as prepositional phrases. This seems to be the most difficult part of the chapter. Remember McDougall Littell has a link to the right of my page where students can access grammar practice activities.

All students will be getting their topics for the 8th grade research paper this week. This is the biggest writing assignment of the year and a mandatory assignment for graduation. Most of the work for the research paper will be done in class, but the final product will be completed at home. The students will have two months to complete this assignment.

Reading 8A
Students will be reading the Lady and the Tiger this week. The assessment for this story will not be until next week. The vocabulary words are as follows: barbarians, savage, jealousy, gladiators, willful, subject, arena, and justice.

Reading 8B
Students are finishing up with The Ransom of Red Chief. The assessment for this story will be on Thursday, December 3rd. Please remember to review the term irony and the following vocabulary words: collaborate, commend, comply, diatribe, impudent, palatable, pervade, proposition, ransom, and surreptitiously.

Week of Nov. 9-13

Short story final drafts were due today, Tuesday Nov. 10. Twenty-two 8th graders did not turn in their story on time. They will loose citizenship points each day it is late and will eventually earn a referral for "failure to complete work in a timely manner". Please check with your son or daughter and make sure they have turned in their story.

If students need to retest their Chapter 1 grammar test, they must do that this week on Thursday or Friday in workroom. Please ask your son/daughter how they did on their Chapter 1 grammar test.

Grammar Chapter 2 quiz on lessons 1-3 will be on Monday, November 16th.

Reading 8A...has a quiz on "Two were Left" on Friday, November 13th. The vocabulary words from this story are difficult to spell and define. Please practice them at home. Word List: essential, fashioned, suspiciously, ominously, descended, steeled, incredulously, crudely, wedged, and awkward.

Reading 8B and 8C...has their quiz on Tuesday, November 17th on "Mother in Mannville". Please practice the vocabulary words at home. I am noticing many vocabulary words that are not spelled correctly on the test. Word List: abstracted, blunt, clarity, communion, ecstasy, impel, inadequate, instinctive, kindling, and predicated.

Advisement groups...don't forget your canned food for the food drive competition for the food bank. The winning advisement group will get an ice cream cake reward.

High School Night is this Thursday night, November 12th. Students and parents are welcomed to come to the cafeteria between 5:30 and 7:30 to gather information on various local high schools. Hope to see you there...

Week of Nov. 2-6

Update...

Congratulations to all 8th grade students...I have received a book report from each one of you. I will grade them over the next two weeks and hopefully you will have your score sheet back before Thanksgiving.

Grammar Chapter one tests were taken on Tuesday. Five students missed this test and need to make it up in the next few days. We will be starting Chapter 2 this week. Chapter 2's main focus is on nouns.

We have been working on short stories in writing class. 14 students have not turned in a peer edit sheet for their short story. Final copies of short stories are due on Tuesday, November 10th.

In reading 8A, we have just receive the new vocabulary words for Two were Left. The words for this story are a little more difficult to spell and remember the definition, so practice, practice, practice.

In reading 8B and 8C, we have just received the vocabulary words for Mother in Mannville. Please make sure you are practicing their spelling and definitions.

REMINDERS: Over 20 8th graders are missing work. Please have your child check and see if they are missing work. If they are missing work, they need to come into workroom and make it up. A reminder...our school policy states that unresoved incomplete grades result in a student attending summer school or being retained.

On a lighter note...I am in need of tissues in my classroom. Please donate tissues. I only received a few boxes at the beginning of the year and they are all gone.

Updates for week of October 26-30

BOOK REPORT DUE OCTOBER 29TH. NO LATE PROJECTS WILL BE ACCEPTED. Please scroll down for directions in last post. If you would like to do a power point and do not have the program you can download it for free for 60 days at the following address: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/powerpoint/default.aspx

All writing classes have finished the rough drafts of their short stories. Peer-Editing will begin this week. The final copy will be due the first week of November.

All writing classes will be having their first major grammar test on Friday, October 30th. Please begin reviewing with your son/daughter asap. There are links to the left of this page for activities in the Language Network Book. Just click on 8th grade grammar and then click on Chapter One: The Sentence and its parts. We will play Grammar Jeopardy the day before the test to review.

Reading 8A will have a quiz this Wednesday on No-Guitar Blues. Please don't forget to study the vocabulary words, both definitions and spelling. List: mission, conjunto, distracted, perpetual clock, turnover, empanada, deceitful, zombie, secondhand, papas

Reading 8B and 8C will have a quiz this Wednesday on Stop the Sun. Please don't forget to study the vocabulary word, both definitions and spelling. List: chant, dry, founder, inert, persist, taunted, ailment, clamor, consequence, impartial

Directions for Power Point Book Report due 10/29

Mandatory criteria for poster/slide show:
1. Title, Author, and Your NAME
3 points

2. Characters and their motives (5 characters or 1 character with 5 motives)
5 points

3. Setting with description using senses (5 sentences)
5 points

4. Plot (3 sentences each) (Can be on multiple slides)
· Exposition
· Rising Action
· Climax
· Falling Action
12 points (3 points per component)

5. Conflict (write a paragraph to explain)
5 points

6. Theme (message, moral, meaning)
5 points

Pictures/Background/Design that depict the theme, characters, or setting of the story.
5 points

Pick 2 additional slides from the back of this paper.
(2 mandatory additional criteria)
10 points

Total Possible (excluding extra credit)
50 points



Mandatory Additional Criteria (Pick 2)

*Pick at least two of the following criteria to add to your poster or power point. Any additional criteria chosen may earn extra credit.

1. Rating of the book/Book review (paragraph form)
2. Author’s biography (paragraph form)
3. Least favorite part of the book and explanation (paragraph form)
4. Connection to a character (paragraph form)
5. 5 questions you had while reading the book and their answers if you figured that out
6. Visualize a scene in your head and write it in paragraph form.
7. Write a new ending to this story (paragraph form)

Update...

This past week directions were sent home for the book report. All class are completing a book report on Power Point that is due NO LATER THAN October 29Th. If students do not have access to Power Point they can work on this report during recess time, beginning as soon as possible. Please remind your son/daughter to continue reading their book so that project completion does not happen the night before it is due. Next week students will be given a story board to work on where they will draft out their project.

All students will be having a grammar quiz on Wednesday, October 14th on Chapter 1 Lessons 5-8. Please review with them kinds of sentences, subjects in unusual order, and subject complements.

Reading 8A will be having a quiz on Cinder Edna on Thursday, October 15th. Please remind students to review thier vocabulary words, both spelling and definitions.

Reading 8B students will be having a quiz on Raymond's Run on Thursday, October 15th. Please remind students to review thier vocabulary word, both spelling and definitions.

Week of September 21-25

All reading classes have a quiz tomorrow, September 22nd, on reading strategies and part of fiction. Please remind your son/daughter to study the notes. All reading classes were also given a slip of paper to be filled out with the title of the Fiction book he/she will be reading for his/her first book report. The book chosen most be on his/her level. The paper and book are due on Friday, September 25th.

All writing classes will be having a quiz on Friday, September 25th, on lessons 1-4 in chapter 1. This can be found in their grammar book, a.k.a. Language Network book. There are links to activities on the right of my web page where students can practice and study for this quiz. Good luck.

Please parents don't forget to sign point cards for citizenship:)

Week of Sept.14-18

Yes, we are definitely back into the swing of things. All classes had writing homework last night and will probably have more Tuesday or Wednesday night. Please check your son/daughter's agenda to verify that homework has been complete.

Parents, you also had homework to complete...a parent's survey. So far I am missing over 30 students surveys. Please get this in a soon as possible. Thanks.

Welcome Back

I just wanted to send a thank you to all the parents who sent in paper towels, hand sanitizer, cleaning products, and tissues. I am also accepting donations of prizes or rewards to be used for a homework Bingo competition that will be starting next week and gently used or new board games for rainy day recess. These items are greatly appreciated and I am still accepting donations.

I also want to thank the parents that returned their emergency cards, hand book pages, and grading policy forms. I will also be sending home a parent survey today that I would like to be fill out and returned. This is vital information to help our school year be a success.

Today, Thursday, students completed a benchmark reading test. This test is not an academic grade, but a tool used by the teacher to get a preview of the students' abilities. I will score them in the next few weeks and send a letter home with that information when it is complete.

Student supplies....By now almost all 8th graders have a journal for writing, which is to be kept in class. Many students still need a binder with three sections or a 3-subject notebook. The three sections are to be labeled Reading, Writing, and Grammar. It is very helpful for all students to have the same three sections. Students also need paper, pencils, and pens on a daily basis.

Thank you for all of your help and I am looking forward to a great school year.

~Mrs. Muldoon

Summer

While you are lying by the pool and taking in the sun, don't forget the best way to get ahead in school is by improving your reading. Take a book with you to the pool. Take a book with you to the beach. Take a book with you anywhere you end up on these lazy summer days.

Some suggested reading for 7-9th grade...

1. The Outsiders, by S.E. Hinton
2. That Was Then, This Is Now, by S.E. Hinton
3. Tex, by S.E. Hinton
4. Rumblefish, by S. E. Hinton
5. Holes, by Louis Sachar
6. So Far from the Bamboo Grove, by Yoko Kawashima Watkins
7. My Brother, My Sister, and I, by Yoko Kawashima Watkins
8. The Giver, by Lois Lowry
9. Hoot, by Carl Hiaasen
10. Small Steps, by Louis Sachar
11. Other Books by Gary Paulsen: Brian’s Hunt, Brian’s Winter, Brian’s
Return, Woodsong, The River.
12. Far North, by Will Hobbs
13. Bearstone, by Will Hobs
14. Johnny Tremain, by Esther Forbes
15. A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeline L’Engle
16. Flush, by Carl Hiaasen
17. The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, by Avi
18. Midnight Magic, by Avi
19. Walk Two Moons, by Sharon Creech
20. Where the Red Fern Grows, by Wilson Rawls

Graduation

Here are the pertinent details for graduation…

Dress Code:
Boys- Shirt, tie, dress pants, dress shoes
Girls- Blouse, Dressy Pants, Dress, or Skirt, with Dress Shoes
*Wear shoes that you can walk in….
*if your dress has straps…you need to wear a sweater or shrug. No bear shoulders!

Graduation Practice 9 am Tuesday morning
Students need to be at school no later than 6:30 pm Tuesday night!!
Graduation begins at 7 pm.
Graduation should be about an hour.
Reception immediately following in the cafeteria.

Tickets are not required...but seating is on a first come first serve basis.

Parents and relatives are welcome to take pictures. We ask that all audience members respect the importance and dignity of this celebration and allow all of our students to be recognized equally.

Guiding Questions for Roll of Thunder

Guiding Questions
Chapter 1
How are the African-Americans students treated? Do you think this is fair? Explain.
What happened to the Berry family? What does this event tell you about racism in the South in the 1930s?
Would you like to be friends with the Logan children? Why or why not?

Chapter 2
Why has Mr. Morrison come to live with the Logans?
What danger did the African-American people in the community face because of their color?
What might it feel like to be the victim of hatred?

Chapter 3
Why does the driver of the white children’s school bus splash the Logan children with mud?
How do the children get their revenge on the white bus driver and his passengers? Do you think it was right?
What might it feel like to be the only person in town to have a big, fancy car?

Chapter 4
What is your first clue that T.J. is big trouble? Do you think it’s wise that Stacey is friends with him?
How do you think Stacey felt when he had to tell his parents about his fight with T.J.?
What does Cassie learn about her family from Big Ma?

Chapter 5
Why does Big Ma park the wagon far away from the entrance to the market in Strawberry?
Do you think Cassie should have demanded that Mr. Barnett wait on them at the store? Why or why not?
How do you think Cassie felt at the end of her day in Strawberry?

Chapter 6
Why does Big Ma try to stop Cassie from telling Uncle Hammer about their day in Strawberry?
Mama tells Cassie, “Baby, we have no choice of what color we’re born or who our parents are or whether we’re rich or poor. What we do have is some choice over what we make of our lives once we’re here.” What do you think she means by this?
Would you rather have Papa or Uncle Hammer as your father? Why?


Chapter 7
How do you think Uncle Hammer felt when he saw T.J. wearing Stacey’s new coat?
Why does Mr. Jamison agree to put up the credit for the black families to shop in Vicksburg?
How do you know that Mr. Morrison had a hard, painful life?

Chapter 8
Papa tells Cassie, “There are things you can’t back down on, things you gotta take a stand on. But it’s up to you to decide what them things are.” What things do you think Cassie must take a stand on? Why?
Do you think it was a good decision for Cassie to take revenge on Lillian Jean? Is it okay to do mean things if you feel you have been treated unfairly?
How do you think Mama felt when Kaleb Wallace fired her from her teaching job?

Chapter 9
Would you spend time with the Simms boys? Why or why not?
How was Papa injured? Why do you think this happened?
What do you think with happen at the end of the book?

Chapter 10
Why do you think the bank suddenly wants the Logans to pay their mortgage in full?
Do you think the Logans’ troubles with the Wallaces are over? Why or why not?
What do you think will happen to T.J. in Strawberry?

Chapter 11
How did T.J. get so badly injured?
Would you have helped T.J. if you had been in Stacey’s place? Why or why not?
What do you think will happen to the Avery family, especially T.J.?

Chapter 12
What is your first clue that Papa set the fire?
Papa says, “This thing’s been coming a long time, baby…” What do you think he means by this?
How can you tell that the Logans are a close and loving family?
How would you feel if you were T.J.?

Final Push Towards Graduation

In reading there are only two grades left for the trimester. If you want to pull your reading grade up...please study for the vocabulary quiz tomorrow on the final word list from chapters 6-12. Our final exam on the entire book Roll of Thunder will be on Tuesday, May 26th. Please make sure you have finished reading the book ON YOUR OWN. We are still reading some in class, but the students are on THEIR OWN. Most students should be on chapter 10. I have moved the extra credit due date to May 26th...the same day as their final.

To reward those students who have kept all of their notes, questions, and vocabulary from Roll of Thunder, I will be bringing in homemade biscuits and jam on Friday, using a recipe from the book itself. Hopefully, all of the students will get to enjoy this treat.

In Grammar, we will have our final chapter test on Friday. It is on chapter 4, verbs. Students should have a great deal of notes on this chapter. We will also have a journal check on Friday which can easily pull up their writing grade.

Good Luck! I know it sounds like alot...but I have faith in these kids. I want to see them in their suits or dresses walking onto the gymnasium stage Tuesday, June 2nd. I want to shake their hands as they receive their diplomas. I am thankful for all of their effort and hard work this year. I knew they had it in them to be successful and look where they're at.

Vocabulary 6-12

apprehensive- uneasy or fearful about something that might happen
interminable- having no limits, unending
languid- lacking in spirit or interest, listless
boycott- to abstain from buying from
reassurance- to regain confidence
indignant- strong displeasure at something considered unjust, offensive, or insulting
pneumonia- inflammation of the lungs with congestion
irritably- easily irritated or annoyed; readily excited to impatience or anger
scowl- to draw down or contract the brows in a sullen, displeased, or angry manner
scheme- a plan, design, or program of action to be followed
humdrum- lacking variety; boring; dull
desolate- barren or laid waste; deserted; uninhabited
persistent- Refusing to give up or let go; persevering obstinately
despicable- Deserving of contempt or scorn; vile
acrid- Unpleasantly sharp, pungent, or bitter to the taste or smell

Final Exam Extra Credit Due May 22

1. A Look Back How did the Depression look? Locate photos from the Depression
Era that would illustrate the mood or events of the story. You may
use the photos to create a photo essay or collage, or you may
simply display your chosen photos and talk about them. One source you may want to use is Brother, Can you spare a Dime: The Great Depression, 1929-1933, by Milton Meltzer.

2. Picture This Students can create an illustration of one of the important experiences that contributes to Cassie’s maturing during the course of the novel. Or you can illustrate one of the events that lead up to T.J.’s situation at the end of the novel. (I don’t want to give it away.)

3. Free T.J. Draw and caption a political cartoon relating to a situation in the novel, such as the differences in schools for blacks and whites, the night men’s excursions, or T.J.’s situation at the end of the novel. Don’t forget that political cartoons usually contain satire.

4. Mapping Create a map of the fictional Spokane County. Include the Logan’s farm, fields, forest, and house; Harlan Granger’s plantation and the Averys’, Simmses’, and Berrys’ house; the two schools and the Great Faith Church; the road and the bridge; the Wallace’s store; Smellings Creek; and any other locations in the novel.

5. Jim Crow Laws Write a one page paper explaining Jim Crow laws. Research these laws and write about how they affected the Logans in their day-to-day activities.

SSP

The SSP or Student Success Plan is a state organized website that the 8th is using. The 8th graders are creating and setting goals for high school and beyond. It is mandatory for graduation that each student is at 100% completion. To reach the 100% parents need to find time in their busy schedules to meet and conference with an advisor. The technology lab is open every afternoon until about 6 each day for the convenience of the parents. Please schedule an appointment or just drop by after school to check up on your son/daughters SSP to help them prepare for graduation.

Roll of Thunder Update

Time just seems to run away this time of year. We have a lot to accomplish before the end of the year. Students need to be reading some of Roll of Thunder at home as well as in school. As of 5/6 students should be up to page 62. Students can read up to one chapter ahead of the class, but don't get to far ahead.

On Tuesday, 5/12, we will have a quiz on chapters 4 and 5 vocabulary and comprehension. Our final exam for Roll of Thunder will be on May 22nd. The students need to be finished the book by May 20th so that we can review prior to the final exam.

Our first quiz on Roll of Thunder went well with the story detail but many students failed the vocabulary portion. Please make sure your son/daughter is studying the vocabulary words at home. Many of the words are difficult and need to be memorized.

Vocabulary Chapters 1-3

Corduroy-a cotton-filling pile fabric with lengthwise cords or ridges
Exasperation- irritation; extreme annoyance
Admonished-To counsel (another) against something to be avoided; caution
Trudged -to walk laboriously or wearily along or over
Morosely- characterized by or expressing gloom
Ornate-elaborately or sumptuously adorned, often excessively or showily so
Dense-having the component parts closely compacted together; crowded or compact
Loitering-To proceed slowly or with many stops
Temerity-reckless boldness; rashness
Tantrum -violent demonstration of rage or frustration; a sudden burst of ill temper
Resiliency-ability to recover readily from illness, depression, adversity, or the like Flirting-To make playfully romantic overtures
Meticulously- Taking or showing extreme care about minute details; precise; thorough:
Concession-the act of conceding or yielding, as a right, a privilege, or a point or fact in an argument
Raucous-harsh; strident; grating
Pensively -expressing or revealing thoughtfulness, usually marked by some sadness
Outwit-To surpass in cleverness or cunning
Tormentor-a source of much trouble, worry, or annoyance
Knell-a stroke or sound of a bell, indication of the end of something
Venison-Deer meat
Imperiously-marked by arrogant assurance, domineering
Stealth-proceeding secretly or imperceptibly
Lynched-To execute without due process of law, especially to hang, as by a mob

Vocabulary for Chapter 4-5

1. aloof- stays at a distance, reserved
2. feigned- to fake or pretend
3. nauseous- to be sick in the stomach
4. glint- a flash or sparkle
5. malevolently- wishing harm to others, evil, spiteful
6. rivered- to betray
7. faltered- hesitation in movement, unsteady
8. emphatic- expressed with force, definite, with emphasis
9. envisioned- to imagine, or for see
10. discourse- a serious conversation or speech
11. engrossed-to occupy someone’s attention
12. vaguely- not seen, unclear
13. subdued- to over power by force
14. densely- tightly compact, close together
15. interjected- interrupt with a comment
16. subtle- hardly noticeable, not obvious
17. proprietors- legal owner of a store or land
18. mercantile- a shop where people can trade

Progress Reports Update

With progress reports coming out in just a week and a half...all students who have any retests or make-up work need to get these things turned in as soon as possible. A few student did not turned in index cards with their research paper. The index cards are any easy 15 points. Those students who did not turn in index cards will most likely be failing on their progress report in Writing since there are only 4 sin writing so far. Please get the index cards turned in as soon as possible.

This coming week we will be very busy. The 8th grade is going to the Rock Wall Gym on Wednesday and Washington, D.C. on Friday. For the Rock Wall trip students need a bag lunch and to wear gym clothes. We will leave by 10 am and return to school by 2pm on Wednesday for normal school dismissal. For Washington, D.C. students are to also pack a bag lunch and wear comfortable shoes for walking. Students and parents are expected to visit the many Smithsonian museums that are free to tour and enjoy the day. Students may also bring spending money for souvenirs and food, as we will not be returning to PCA until 8 pm Friday night. More information on D.C. will come this week.

We will also be having two language arts quizzes this week. We have a grammar quiz on verbs Chapter 4 lessons 1-4 on Wednesday, just before the rock wall trip. We will also have our first Roll of Thunder quiz on Thursday. The reading quiz is on Chapters 1-3 and will be open book. The students will have questions on both vocabulary and comprehension.

Research Paper

All final copies of Research Papers are due April 21st. There will be no exceptions or excuses accepted for late papers. Students who do not turn in their paper on time will recieve a level one referral for failure to complete work in a timely manner. It will take Mrs. Bullen, Ms. Elliot and myself a good 4 weeks to grade the papers and we cannot accept late papers. If you want to have your final grade on time to determine if you will graduation...you need to have you paper turned in ON TIME. Students should turn in thier final copy + bibliography, 15 index cards, rough draft, and outline. Good Luck!

Research Paper

Because I am a wonderful teacher, I have moved the research paper due date back to Tuesday, April 21st. I have done this only because the students promised to show me their rough draft this week. The 8 eighth graders that have not showed me a rough draft will be receiving a referal tomorrow if they have not showed me their rough draft. The referrals are written out already for failure to complete work in a timely manner.

A reminder that all research papers need to be typed and have a cover page. The students should turn in their research paper, bibliography, 15 research cards, outline, and rough draft on April 21st.

How to write your Bibliography in MLA Format

MLA Citation

http://www.liu.edu/cwis/cwp/library/workshop/citmla.htm

http://honolulu.hawaii.edu/legacylib/mlahcc.html

http://www.easybib.com/

Here are some website to help with your Bibliography. If you go on easy bib they will practically make the bibliography for you. All you need to do is plug in your information. Good Luck!

Research Paper and Poem

On Wednesday March 25th, we will be going to the library for the last time as a class. Students should be just about finished with their 15 index cards. Students' outlines will also be due on Wednesday. The outline is a 25 point quiz grade. It's the first writing grade for Trimester 3. Please try to find time to take a trip to your local library. This could earn students up to 5 extra points on their research paper.

Poetry Presentation...students need to have selected their poem to be memorized by Wednesday March 25th. Students will randomly be assigned one day to recite their poem to the class. (3/30, 4/1, 4/2) Poems must be a minimum of 10 lines. Students will be graded on how well you can hear their voice, how varied is their pacing, how effective is their tone, voice, and gestures, how well did they memorize the poem, and how well did they interpret the poems meaning. Basically, if the students speak in a good voice and don't rush through the poem, they will do fine.

Research Paper Update

Tomorrow we will begin our outline for the research paper. Please bring your index cards and any books you have to class. This will be the first grade for the third trimester. It will be 25 points.

Formal Meeting

I would like to have a meeting after school on Tuesday, March 24th from 3:45-4:30 to begin planning the 8th grade formal. This is for "parents only" who are interested in helping. I like the formal to be a surprise for the students so students may not attend the meeting. Attending the meeting does not mean that you need to be available the night of the formal, it only means that you would be interested in helping to plan and prepare this wonderful experience for our eighth graders. The formal is scheduled for Saturday, May 9th from 7 pm - 10 pm.

News Week of March 9-13

DSTP-To help give my homeroom a better start we will be having breakfast each morning of DSTP testing. Students have signed up to bring in an item to share with our small homeroom(18 students). Some food suggestions are dry cereal, granola bars, muffins, juice, or fruit. Please check with your son/daughter to see what day they signed up for.

END OF TRIMESTER- The end of the trimester is Friday, March 13. I will not be accepting any missing work or retest after tomorrow Tuesday, March 10 as I need time to figure out final trimester grades.

RESEARCH PAPER- Directions for the research paper were given out two weeks ago. Students should be compiling data (information) about their person. Students need to have a minimum of 15 research cards and should have at least 6 done so far. We will be going to the library tomorrow and students need to be working on this at home as well. The more information collected, the easier it will be to write the report. Please take advantage of the extra credit. If you go to a public library you can earn up to 5 point to be added to your research paper's final score. Please provide proof that you were there.

Update

Change of plans...the college after school field trip has been cancelled. We will reschedule it for a later date. This will allow more students to attend who may not have gotten their permission slips in. We will reschedule it for after DSTPs. Stay tuned for more information to come.

RETESTS! Students need to complete their Grammar Ch. 3 Retests this week. The trimester is almost over and grades need to be determined. Please be responsible and see me during workroom on Wednesday or Mrs. Jilek on Thursday to retake your Grammar Ch. 3 test.

College Field Trip

I hope that you are enjoying your snow days. I wanted to remind you that the college after school field trip is still scheduled for this Wednesday. Please bring or wear your professional clothes (no jeans or sweats) to school. If you did not fill out a permission slip and still want to attend the field trip, please bring a completed permission slip and your clothes on Wednesday. There are still seat available on the bus.

Retakes for the grammar chapter three test must be completed by Friday. The trimester is coming to an end and I need to get these scores into the grade book.

February Update

All reading classes are just about finished their Nonfiction Unit. We will be having an open book Unit Test by the end of next week (probably Feb. 26 or 27). Our next unit of study will be poetry. Students will be asked to select a poem of their choice to memorize. It can be any poem as long as it is school appropriate, at least 10 lines, and not something they have written themselves. They will also have to tell the class the theme or message of the poem.

Book Report/Power Point score sheets went home today 2/17/09 and 2/18(for one class). Please sign and return to acknowledge receipt. If your son/daughter skipped a section and earned a zero in that slot, he/she can redo that seciton to pull up this grade.

In writing we are having our Chapter 3 test this Friday, February 20th on Pronouns. Students may have the chart from page 76 on an index card to help them with this test. A quiz was taken last Thursday on lessons 8,9, and 10 from Chapter 3. Some students will need to retest due to low scores. Please check with me or your child to see if they need to retest.

Autobiographical Incident Essays should be graded soon. I am half way there.

Our next essay will be the major 8th grade research paper. This assignment is done in conjunction with Science class. Students will be given a topic and directions some time next week. (Feb. 23-27)

8th Grade Update

The homework competition is in full swing. I have seen improvement from some students, but other still are not responsible enough to turn in their homework on a daily basis. A level one referral can be issued for students for "Failure to complete work in a timely manner." I have given students over a week to complete their Autobiographical Incident Essay and their Non Fiction Book Report. I still have eight essays missing and three book reports. This is unacceptable and will not be permitted in high school. If I do not have these assignments by tomorrow February 6Th, than I will be issuing referrals.

Homework Competition

I have made a slight modification to the homework competition discussed below. We will begin the competition on Tuesday January 20th. This week is a trial run for a smaller reward. Stay tuned for more information to come.

Homework Competition

Beginning today, January 13 all six of my classes will be participating in a homework competition. The competition is simple. Students will have the opportunity to win in both writing and reading. The challenge is to have 100% completion of homework. That means every student in the class must complete their homework 10 days in a row to earn a reward. The first class to complete homework 10 days in a row at 100% will earn reward.

Some rewards that are possible to earn are brownies, donuts, cupcakes, a McDonald's run by the teacher (where the students provide the $), or 1/2 hour of extra recess during class. Hopefully this challenge will help the horrible homework situation that all of my classes seem to be in. Ask your son or daughter if they are up to date on their homework. Last week alone I gave out 42 zeros for citizenship in responsibility/homework. This is not an option. Homework must be completed when assigned. Many students will be very disappointed when they see their citizenship grade at progress reports. Citizenship grades can hold a student off the basketball team. Please help to encourage your son/daughter.

Change in Date

Since I am a kind and generous teacher, I did not want the students to have to worry about both their social studies project and reading project being due on the same day. Therefore I have change the due date. The bookreport due date has been changed to January 27th. Please make sure that you are finishing up the book in the next few days so that you may begin on the project as soon as possible. The criteria for the project was given out before Christmas break.