As you know, this is a very short week for students. I hope your family is able to take advantage of the extra time off from school and make some holiday memories together. Perhaps the students will come back with new stories to write about! I have much to be thankful for and that includes working in a school that cares about kids, working with parents who are supportive, and most of all, working with students who want to learn. I am truly blessed. My wish for you this Thanksgiving is that you experience the same level of blessing.
A word about booktalks...
The first booktalk of the year for both my 6th and 7th graders will begin Tuesday, November 27. Students have a rubric in their binders and it is also posted in the Homework Help section of the blog. This first booktalk is a pretest. That means that I am gathering data about what the students know and can do before being taught. There is information in the rubric that the students don't know. I have tried to reassure them that this is just like taking a written pretest and the grade will not count in their overall grade.
Here are a few common questions the students have been asking...
* Does this affect my grade? No. It is a pretest. The score will be posted, but it will not be included in the final grade.
* Do I have to memorize this? No. Students may choose to write out the entire booktalk on paper or use note cards.
*Will everyone go on Tuesday? No, but everyone must be prepared to present. I will start by taking volunteers, but once students stop volunteering, I will start pulling sticks to choose the order of presenters.
*May I use a book I've already read? Yes. Right now I'm just looking to see what the students already know about public speaking and plot. They may use any narrative book they have ever read.
*May I use any book? No. The book must be a narrative (tells a story). It may not be an informational book.
Lesson Plans for November 19-November 30
All make-up work is due for both grades by the end of the day on Wednesday, November 28. The marking period ends on Friday, November 30.
6th Grade
Students will write and present booktalks at the beginning of the week. Once booktalks have been completed, we will return to our work with argumentative writing, focusing on claims and reasons.
7th Grade
Students will write and present booktalks at the beginning of the week. Once booktalks have been completed, we will begin to practice paraphrasing the work of others in order to use the information in our own writing.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Monday, November 12, 2012
Conferences, Part 2
Sparta Middle School will hold its second night of conferences this week. The Book Fair will be open in the library at this time. Student-led conferences will be held Tuesday, November 13 from 4:00-6:30 pm. Sixth graders will meet in the gym and seventh graders will meet in the cafeteria. I will be located in the gym. Parents, if you are unable to come to conferences, please ask your child to bring home his/her conference materials to review with you. Also, as always, feel free to send me an email if you have any questions or concerns.
We are currently collecting Box Tops for Education, Coke Rewards points, and Campbell labels. The NJHS is sponsoring an advisory competition. The advisory that collects the most points wins a pizza party. The points will be used to sponsor activities that support Sparta Middle School. The competition ends at the end of November, but you can continue to send in labels all year. Thanks for your help!
Lesson Plans
Sixth Grade
Sixth graders will continue to work on argumentative writing. We will focus on the differences between argumentative writing and persuasive writing, including separating fact from opinion. We will also practice writing claims, topic sentences and thesis statements.
Continue to read at least 20 minutes every night for homework this week, and make sure you are filling out your ORANGE reading log. Some students will be asked to adjust their reading goals this week. Our booktalk assignment is coming soon. Students must have completed the book of their choice by November 23.
Seventh Grade
Seventh graders will continue to work on ways to avoid plagiarism. We will practice paraphrasing and citing our sources.
Continue to read at least 20 minutes every night for homework this week, and make sure you are filling out your ORANGE reading log. Some students will be asked to adjust their reading goals this week. Our booktalk assignment is coming soon. Students must have completed the book of their choice by November 23.
We are currently collecting Box Tops for Education, Coke Rewards points, and Campbell labels. The NJHS is sponsoring an advisory competition. The advisory that collects the most points wins a pizza party. The points will be used to sponsor activities that support Sparta Middle School. The competition ends at the end of November, but you can continue to send in labels all year. Thanks for your help!
Lesson Plans
Sixth Grade
Sixth graders will continue to work on argumentative writing. We will focus on the differences between argumentative writing and persuasive writing, including separating fact from opinion. We will also practice writing claims, topic sentences and thesis statements.
Continue to read at least 20 minutes every night for homework this week, and make sure you are filling out your ORANGE reading log. Some students will be asked to adjust their reading goals this week. Our booktalk assignment is coming soon. Students must have completed the book of their choice by November 23.
Seventh Grade
Seventh graders will continue to work on ways to avoid plagiarism. We will practice paraphrasing and citing our sources.
Continue to read at least 20 minutes every night for homework this week, and make sure you are filling out your ORANGE reading log. Some students will be asked to adjust their reading goals this week. Our booktalk assignment is coming soon. Students must have completed the book of their choice by November 23.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Book Fair
One more thing... I forgot to mention that I won't be sending home November book orders as I do not wish to compete with the Book Fair taking place in our library during conference week. Students in my first, second, and fourth hours will get a chance to peruse the fair during language arts class on Friday, November 9. Students in my seventh and eighth hours will have to shop during conferences as the library will be closed during their class time. I hope you get a chance to check out the fair, support our library and maybe find some great Christmas presents!
Conferences Begin This Week
Let me start by reminding everyone that student-led conferences begin this week. Conferences will be held on Thursday, November 8 from 4:00-6:30 PM and again on Tuesday, November 13 from 4:00-6:30 PM. Sixth grade students will gather their information and take it to the gym where tables will be set up for them to conference with their parents. Seventh graders will gather their materials and meet with their parents in the cafe. As of this posting, I will be located in the gym for those of you who wish to meet with me. How we do conferences are one more thing that has been affected by our loss of teaming here at the middle school. We are doing our best to meet the needs of everyone involved, but this is our first attempt. If you are unable to conference with me at this time, but you still wish to speak with me about your child's progress, please send me an email and I'm sure we can work something out. Thanks in advance for your patience and understanding. I hope to see you all there!
Lesson Plans for the Week of November 5
6th Grade
The sixth graders will start Vocabulary for Success lesson 1-3 on Monday. Look for homework on Monday and Wednesday. Encourage your child to study for these words every night this week. The test will be on Friday, November 9. In addition, we will be reviewing QAR (Question-Answer Relationships). Finally, we will spend some time preparing for student-led conferences. Reading at least 20 minutes every night is also homework.
7th Grade
The seventh graders will start Vocabulary for Success lesson 1-3 on Monday. Look for homework on Monday and Wednesday. Encourage your child to study for these words every night this week. The test will be on Friday, November 9. In addition to vocabulary, we will be reviewing the Seven Keys of Comprehension and active reading. Finally, we will spend some time preparing for student-led conferences. Reading at least 20 minutes every night is also homework.
Lesson Plans for the Week of November 5
6th Grade
The sixth graders will start Vocabulary for Success lesson 1-3 on Monday. Look for homework on Monday and Wednesday. Encourage your child to study for these words every night this week. The test will be on Friday, November 9. In addition, we will be reviewing QAR (Question-Answer Relationships). Finally, we will spend some time preparing for student-led conferences. Reading at least 20 minutes every night is also homework.
7th Grade
The seventh graders will start Vocabulary for Success lesson 1-3 on Monday. Look for homework on Monday and Wednesday. Encourage your child to study for these words every night this week. The test will be on Friday, November 9. In addition to vocabulary, we will be reviewing the Seven Keys of Comprehension and active reading. Finally, we will spend some time preparing for student-led conferences. Reading at least 20 minutes every night is also homework.
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