Ms. Clark's Blog

Week of September 27, 2010

2010-09-28T11:02:00.000-07:00

Progress reports given to students. Thank you for your patience while I learn the Snap Grade program.

This week we will begin our study of root words. We will begin with aqua, aud, bio, dem, fin and geo. After using these roots in various activities throughout the week, students will take a test on the words Friday.

We will also have spelling words this week, beginning with compound words. Students will have a formative practice sheet and will take a test on Friday.

We are continuing to work on identifying main ideas and details in reading selections. We will complete an informational reading on Spanish Exploration and then write an 8 or 11 sentence paragraph, depending on student level of writing. These paragraphs will be due in final draft format on Monday, October 4th.

September 15, 2010

2010-09-15T09:05:00.000-07:00

Please join us at Open House tonight from 5:30 to 7:30. We will meet in the commons at 5:30 for a short address from our new principal, Mr. Martin. Then you will have free time to visit your child's classrooms and meet their teachers. The PTA will be selling floats in the commons.

This week will be an interesting one because students are MAP testing in various periods. For this reason, we will be working on in-class assignments and students will not have any significant homework. In class, we are working on a map of early North American peoples while emphasizing their relationship to their regional environments. Students will also produce a paragraph answering the question “How was the way of life of the Native Americans of North America related to their environment?”

Students turned in their "Theme Song" project on 9/14. The due date was extended from 9/13 because their was some misunderstanding of directions. However, the students had plenty of time to have their final drafts completed.

Finally, Mrs. DePuy and I are still sorting out Snap Grades and working with this new grading format. Your patience with us is appreciated.

September 8, 2010

2010-09-08T10:36:00.002-07:00

Homework: Theme Song rough draft due tomorrow! Students must have their rough draft to participate in editing activities on 9/9.

In class today, students will complete a journal write focusing on the elements of setting. This is review from last year. Students will also read an excerpt from "The Cay" and complete a short series of questions about the story. This will also be a review of what students remember about the elements of a story. We will discuss and share student responses.

September 8, 2010

2010-09-08T10:36:00.001-07:00

September 7, 2010 Notebook Set-up Day!

2010-09-08T10:32:00.000-07:00

Today was a day to take care of business and get ready for a successful year. We went to the library and checked out Literature Textbooks and AR novels. We also organized Language Arts/Social Studies binders. All students should now have a binder ready to go for the year.

September 2nd

2010-09-02T08:49:00.000-07:00

Today's in class activities:

1. Finish History brainstorm activity.
2. Discuss syllabus and Standards Based Grading.
3. Personal Narrative Powerpoint with notes.

Homework: Song lyric due tomorrow. Syllabus acknowledgement form due Tuesday 9/7.

Welcome Back! Week of September 1st!

2010-09-02T08:42:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited to teach 8th grade Language Arts and History this year. I am lucky to have my 7th grade students from last year join me this year for a new adventure....

The first day of school went smoothly. We completed a "What do you know about American history?" assignment in class and students were surprised to find out how much they have to learn this year. Students also received their first homework assignment.

Homework 9/1: Find a line or short phrase from a song that represents yourself. Due Friday 9/3.

Week of 3/1/2010

2010-03-05T14:47:00.000-08:00

Almost welcome to Spring! It is feeling that way in the air.

Remember that students will have new spelling words at the beginning of each week and a spelling activity to accompany words. Tests will be given on Thursday or Friday depending on the last day of block for the week. If students are absent and miss the test then they must come to class on Monday of the following week to make-up missed spelling tests.

This week 8th grade students are taking an in-depth look at The Bill of Rights. After reading this primary source documents, students will decide which amendment they consider to be the most important and support their opinion in a writing assignment. This writing assignment will continue in to next week.

As we begin our unit on the European Middle Ages, 7th grade students will focus on reading "Merlin and the Dragons" and "Sir Gawain and the Loathly Lady" in their literature anthology. Students will answer questions that follow these two selections and then begin writing a compare/contrast writing piece. Due dates for this writing piece will be determined next week.

2010-02-24T09:50:00.000-08:00

Hello Parents!
Both 7th and 8th grade students have new spelling words this week that they should be studying. We are working with the always tricky 'ie' or 'ei' combination words. Students will be tested on either Thursday or Friday, so they need to be ready!

The 8th grade class has been focused on the events leading up to the Revolutionary War. One class participated in a very interesting activity meant to give the students an insight on how the colonists felt about British tyranny. Your student should be completing an in-class reading over the subject matter entitled "Towards Independence" and also working on some questions over the material. The 8th grade also studied and was assessed on their knowledge of a "Thirteen Colonies" map packet. Please ask your student how he/she did.

The 7th grade has been learning about world geography with a focus on Europe and France. They completed a detailed map on the subject and were given a quiz on some of its parts. The students are completing an in-class reading over the final days of Rome and leading into the Middle Ages. The reading, "An Old Power Crumbles", will also include some questions that the students should be working on completing.

All students have been given time this week to work towards meeting their third 9weeks A.R. reading goal, but they should also be reading at home. Your student should be asking you to initial his/her reading log at least a couple of times each week. This is what we check every Monday/Tuesday, and it is a great way for you to know that your student is doing the required reading.

As always, thank you for your continued support!

2010-01-26T12:52:00.000-08:00

Hello parents and students! We have almost reached the end of the second quarter and that means that the A.R. point deadline is upon us. Seventh grade students must have earned at least 30 points, and eighth grade students need a minimum of 40 A.R. points. Students have until the end of the school day on January 28th to reach their goal.

The eighth graders have almost finished their student-led Colonial Times lessons and poster presentations. These will lead to a culminating writing assignment on the subject. Please ask your student what aspect of colonial life his/her group covered.

Our seventh graders are currently engaged in writing an 8 sentence paragraph about the fall of Rome. Their paragraphs should be in the editing stages right now. We will soon be starting our first novel of the year.

As always, we thank you for your support.

Week of 1/1/2010

2010-01-11T10:57:00.000-08:00

Welcome to 2010!!! We are now moving in to the heart of the school when students should be used to the routine of the year and focusing on concentrating before spring hits. This week brings another round of MAP testing. Please be ready to do your best during MAP testing by eating a good breakfast and lunch as well as taking the test seriously. Progress reports will be sent home with students on January 12th.

Both 7th and 8th grade students having been working on adjectives and adverbs. "A" block students completed a quiz on Friday the 8th, "B" block students take the quiz on Monday the 11th. All students should ask questions in class during the next grammar lesson if they are still struggling with adverbs. Next up, prepositions and prepositional phrases. Last week, all students were issued a Literature textbook. This book should be covered ASAP. Bring a paper grocery bag to class and we'll show you how. January 29th, the last day of the quarter is quickly approaching. Remember, 7th grade students are required to have earned 30 AR points and 8th grade students, 40 AR points.

8th grade students have been finishing Colonial Life group posters in class. Presentations of the posters will begin on Tuesday the 12th for "A" block and the 13th for "B" block. Audience members will take notes on the presentations to gather information for the writing of a formal 8 sentence paragraph on Colonial Life in the Americas.

7th grade students have been examining pictures of the Roman Empire at its height and comparing these images to the Roman Empire during its decline. This week students will be reading an information packet on the fall of the Western Roman Empire and then using this information to write a formal paragraph.

Lastly, in observation of MLK Day on the 18th, we will take a short look at the life of Dr. Martin Luther King JR. and watch/discuss his famous "I Have a Dream" speech. Students will be given a context for the speech by discussing the historical events of the Civil Rights Movement.

Week of 12/7

2009-12-08T15:40:00.000-08:00

We hope everyone is staying warm out there....it is really cold! As we near winter break, we have noticed that student effort and attention to detail has decreased. Please help us to remind students that despite busy schedules and holiday happenings, students are still responsible for their assignments.

This week we are continuing to work on 8 sentence paragraph construction. Students have been introduced to the "Traffic Signal" paragraph format and practicing writing with this formula. Students will peer edit and revise the first draft of their paragraph and turn-in a final draft by the end of this week. Students will also be given a lesson on adverbs this week and will complete some practice color coding sheets, as well as, take an adverb quiz.

On Thursday and Friday, 8th grade students will begin working on group posters explaining specific aspects of colonial life in America. Seventh grade students will begin examining the 10 Theories on the fall of the Roman Empire. Both grades will have expository readings on these topics.

Both classes begin recitations on Monday, December 14th...Please remind students to practice!

December Begins!

2009-12-03T14:30:00.000-08:00

This week in our language arts and social studies block, both the 7th and the 8th grade class received a new recitation assignment. The 7th grade students should be working on memorizing Frost's "Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening", while the 8th grade students should be practicing a quote by Roosevelt. Students are required to be ready to recite starting on December 14th.

*Our 7th grade students continued working on their Roman achievements projects. Our "B" block has finished and turned in their projects, and our "A" block will be turning in their projects on Monday, December 7th.

Using the Frost poem, the class began discussing some elements of poetry, such as stanzas, imagery, and iambic pentameter. We also began instruction on paragraph construction using the Step-up-to-Writing program.

*The 8th grade class finished the Mayflower Compact unit and took a quiz over it. They also worked on paraphrasing Roosevelt's quote and began instruction on paragraph construction using the Step-up-to-Writing program as well.

*Please encourage your student to read at home in order to meet their A.R. point requirement.

2009-11-17T14:36:00.000-08:00

After last week's short-day schedule, we are jumping right into the second quarter of the year. This week, students should have turned in an answer to a WASL style test prompt. The 7th graders’ prompt covered a question about the Roman Empire, while the 8th graders’ question was based on Spanish explorers. Students should also be studying the list of 23 helping verbs. They will have a test over the list on Monday(Nov.23) or Tuesday(Nov.24), depending on which block they’re in. The students are currently working with the helping verbs by coding verb phrases on a new “Sponge Bob” coding sheet. They will have a quiz covering the coding of verb phrases on Wednesday(Nov. 18) or Thursday(Nov.19) depending on the block. The students may use their helping verb sheet on this quiz since they may not have all of the verbs memorized yet.

Eighth graders will be doing reading and questions covering the Mayflower Compact, while the seventh graders begin work on a "Mini Roman Achievements” poster.

*Please encourage your student to make time for A.R. reading at home so he/she continues to work towards the second quarter A.R. reading point goal.

2009-11-03T12:57:00.000-08:00

AR Points are due this Friday! Remember, 40 points for 8th grade students and 30 for 7th grade students. It is very important to continue to read at least 100 pages per week and have AR logs signed by an adult to earn weekly AR page points. Then, simply take AR tests, pass them and earn your AR points for the quarter!

This week we are still working on short answer format when responding to informative text readings. 8th grade students will be completing a reading on early Spanish settlements in the Americas, 7th grade students will read about the Roman Empire. After writing responses, students will revise their responses using correct short answer format. We will also use the readings to do vocabulary work and begin practicing writing answers for standardized testing.

More Thoughts on a Blog

2009-11-03T12:53:00.000-08:00

"These plans are based on the best prediction of what we hope to accomplish for this week. Please note, that these plans will vary from time to time because of various interruptions (fire drills, assemblies, etc.) and that we want to make sure students master material, before we move on to new concepts."

Week of October 27th

2009-10-27T17:37:00.000-07:00

This week we will wrap-up recitations of the John Donne quote we have been working on. Overall, student presentations have been fantastic and class members have been extremely supportive of each other. We've been very impressed with student efforts.

The AR point deadline of November 6th is quickly approaching. 8th grade students are expected to have earned 40 AR points, 30 points for 7th graders.

This week we will begin working on short answer format for informative text responses. Students will be expected to keep notes on this instruction and the informative text readings in their notebooks.

Color Coding grammar test on Friday, October 30 for "A" block, Monday, November 2 for "B" block.

Week of 10/19

2009-10-20T10:51:00.000-07:00

We hope that all of you are avoiding the illness that seems to be sweeping through Tenino! Here's the most up to date info for those of you who are stuck at home trying to recover!

As always, weekly reading logs are due Monday for "B" block and Tuesday for "A" block. 7th grade students are doing an excellent job of reading the required 100 pages per week, but 8th graders are not keeping up as well. The end of the term is quickly approaching. Remember, 30 AR points are due for 7th grade and 40 for 8th grade.

Recitations of the John Donne quote begin October 21st. Be ready! This counts as a test weighted grade.

This week, students will respond to journal prompts which set the stage for discussion of the Roman Empire and the colonies in early America. Students will have readings connected to these topics.

We will also continue grammar color coding.

Week of 10/12

2009-10-13T14:39:00.000-07:00

The first half of the period on Monday and Tuesday is reserved for silent reading and taking care of AR accountability. There will be an AR log check for all students. On Monday and Tuesday, students will continue work on their atlas scavenger hunt. This critical reading activity will be due when completed in class on Wednesday and Thursday.

On Thursday, 10/15, "B" block students will have a geography terms test. "A" block students will have their test on 10/16. At the time of the test, students will turn-in their 20 vocabulary flashcards. Students should have completed and studied these 20 cards.

Week of 10/5

2009-10-06T10:32:00.000-07:00

Welcome back to our blog! Progress reports will be passed out in LA/SS blocks on Tuesday for "B" block and Wednesday for "A" block students. As always on Mondays and Tuesdays, AR logs will be checked. Hopefully, all students will reach their 100 page per week goal. Students should be continuing to learn their John Donne quote. Recitations begin the week of October 19th! Don't forget the Geography Picture Dictionary is due completed for "A" block on Wednesday the 7th and "B" block on Thursday the 8th. No class time will be given on the due dates. The Picture Dictionary is a great opportunity for students who are struggling to raise their grade as the dictionary will be counted as a project grade. Due to the shortened week, (no school on Friday and a late start on Wednesday), we will continue geography and atlas work this week and begin some intense writing instruction next week.

Week of 9/28

2009-09-29T10:22:00.000-07:00

Hello all! We finally finish MAP testing on Tuesday! Monday and Tuesday we completed our first AR Log checks in class. Students were required to have read at least 100 pages with adult initials verifying their reading.

On Wednesday and Thursday, students will begin an in class grammar review. We will finish a powerpoint discussion with notes on the 5 themes of geography. These notes should be complete and located in the notes section of the LA/SS binder. We will then begin vocabulary work using geography terms. These vocabulary sheets should be placed in the vocabulary section of student notebooks. The Geography Picture Dictionary needs to have color illustrations with each word and are due completed on 10/7 for "A" Block and 10/8 for "B" Block. Students will have some time to work on the Geo Picture Dictionary in class but will also need to work on it at home.

Finally, on Friday and Monday, students will be introduced to one of the "essential" questions we will examine this year: "Why have relations between humans become so complex over time?" This question will be connected to the John Donne quote students should be working to memorize. 8th grade students will also begin work on a U.S. Atlas Scavenger Hunt and 7th grade students on a World History Atlas Scavenger Hunt. Due for Scavenger Hunt work to be determined.

Thoughts on a blog...

2009-09-25T14:37:00.000-07:00

Dear Parents,
We're very excited to use this blog as a bridge of communication between school and home. We understand that both students and parents lead very busy lives and this blog is meant to be used as an addition to the communication between teacher and student in the classroom. It is not, however, meant to act as a "virtual classroom." There is simply no way to recreate the classroom discussions and direct instruction that occur at school. Students are still expected to use their student planners to record daily class agendas and due dates. In addition, students are also expected to communicate information discussed in class with their parents regarding instructions and assignment expectations. We are truly trying to encourage our students to become independent and responsible young adults, while providing parents with a snapshot of the weekly class happenings.

Week ending 9/25

2009-09-25T13:59:00.000-07:00

Hello all! After a week filled with testing, we began to get some work done. At this point, students have received a quote by John Donne in class. Students have been instructed to memorize the quote. Recitations of the quote begin October 19th for "B" block and October 20th for "A" block. These dates should be noted in your child's agenda. We have also begun to analyze the meaning of the quote and discuss why the quote represents our theme for the year. We also set-up Language Arts/Social Studies binders this week, so students should be well on their way towards an organized year. In the notes section of student binders, students should have two guided Cornell note sheets. These notes accompanied a powerpoint presentation given in class.

MAP testing will continue for us on 9/28 & 9/29, so don't expect classwork until Wednesday of next week. Students should still be completing AR reading at home and filling in their AR logs. Expect a new blog post by 9/30!

Weekly Happenings

2009-09-22T16:17:00.000-07:00

Hello blog followers! Ms. Clark and I just wanted to let you know that this week the students are doing MAP testing and so there will be little in the way of consistency or grades. We are in the process of grading the projects your students have just handed in, and we will be passing out progress reports later this week. The projects are a large chunk of the overall grade, so we feel it is important to have them included. MAP testing means that the students will not have regular classwork or homework, so this is the perfect opportunity for them to be doing lots of A.R. reading at home.
Thank you again for your support, and we'll keep you updated!

First Big Deadlines!

2009-09-16T14:31:00.000-07:00

The 7th grade "Ethnic Doll" project is due for "B" block on September 18th (Friday) along with the project reflection sheet. The project and sheet are due for "A" block on September 21st (Monday). We have few grades at this point, so this heavily weighted project grade is important.

The 8th grade "Time Capsule" project is due for "B" block on September 18th (Friday). The project is due for "A" block on September 21st (Monday). Many students have already turned in their project, but if you have not yet done so, please note the
deadline.

We will continue to keep you up to date with classroom happenings and deadlines as they occur. Thank you!!!