We've been discussing persuasive writing for the last week. Students will have the opportunity to show their skills on Monday.
HOMEWORK IS ALWAYS THE SAME: 30 MINUTES OF READING EACH NIGHT, and 1 HOUR OF COMPASS (OR FCAT EXPLORER IF STUDENTS HAVE FINISHED THE 6TH GRADE FCAT LEARNING PATH IN COMPASS) PER WEEK. Compass is a grade-many students have earned 5 bonus points added to their 9-week average for completing their learning path in Compass. NEVER believe there is no Language Arts homework. There is ALWAYS LA homework!
Please parents, many students are coming to class without their text or assigned book. These are the items that they are required to have:
independent reading book,
text (large, yellow),
text workbook,
composition book,
binder. and please,..........2 sharpened pencils.
Many students have pooped out on their reading or need a new book. Please assist.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Missed that standard? Recovery day is 11/16.
Most students need some time to master some aspect of their work. If you notice that you did not pass an assignment on OnCourse, you may try again over the long weekend. If you need to make a better grade (6 or less may recover to a 7 on 10 point items; 0% may recover to 100% on pass/fail items) then use the Local News story, "First Job" by Gary Soto, to try again on plot diagrams and/or summaries. You may NOT redo either the plot diagram or the summary on the original story assigned.
Please parents, reading logs need to be checked daily. Students must read 30 minutes per day and may include assigned reading. Nothing, however, takes the place of a great novel. Please talk to your child about their daily reading assignment. It might be helpful to tape the reading log into the planner, then it can be completed EVERY day.
Compass is still 8% of the grade, and many students have hours to make up. No excuses, find a computer that works with Compass and get it done......your classmates are doing so, with great success!
Please parents, reading logs need to be checked daily. Students must read 30 minutes per day and may include assigned reading. Nothing, however, takes the place of a great novel. Please talk to your child about their daily reading assignment. It might be helpful to tape the reading log into the planner, then it can be completed EVERY day.
Compass is still 8% of the grade, and many students have hours to make up. No excuses, find a computer that works with Compass and get it done......your classmates are doing so, with great success!
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Moving Forward!
Our District Timed Writing scores improved dramatically this time! Students are seriously forming paragraphs, creating thesis statements and adding FRIESS support to their work. Most students moved up on the rubric scale, and those who did not have still made huge progress.
Our next DTW will involve persuasive writing, something new for all 6th graders. There is a very specific format for this and I will post the plan on the blog when we return from break.
We are reading Local News and your child has been assigned a book. There will be reading required each and every class; occasionally two short stories will be assigned. Look for Local News to be coming home each day, and make sure it returns on B day. (I seriously have NO extra copies in the classroom!)
Continue reading your independent reading book and keep up your log!
Our next DTW will involve persuasive writing, something new for all 6th graders. There is a very specific format for this and I will post the plan on the blog when we return from break.
We are reading Local News and your child has been assigned a book. There will be reading required each and every class; occasionally two short stories will be assigned. Look for Local News to be coming home each day, and make sure it returns on B day. (I seriously have NO extra copies in the classroom!)
Continue reading your independent reading book and keep up your log!
Friday, October 29, 2010
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Welcome to the new 9-weeks - District Timed Writing Prompt #2 this Friday 10/29 and Homework Notice (please read this entire message carefully)
Students will be taking their second DTW (district timed writing) examination on Friday.
The prompt will be expository. We are currently discussing writing thesis statements. The essay should begin with a thesis statement.
Students and parents:
Also, the amount of homework will be increasing. Most homework will be done in a workbook. It is imperative that the workbook comes to class each day. Unfortunately, the workbook work cannot go into the Basket of Eternal Forgiveness, so expect pop-quiz questions each day to verify that you have done your due diligence. Students may leave their heavy textbook at school! But.....don't underestimate me. I am serious about these assignments and I will be very tough on any students not prepared. I have mapped out the assignments through January. One hour of Compass Language Arts per week is also required. I have added extra assignments for students needing intervention on certain skills. The Compass lab is available before school if you are having problems at home. Compass should be working now. If you are having problems, try another computer. Also try deleting cookies. 95% of my students are successfully getting their Compass assignments done.
The prompt will be expository. We are currently discussing writing thesis statements. The essay should begin with a thesis statement.
Students and parents:
- DTW's have a significant impact on the 9-week grade, (I did not use DTW #1 in calculating the 1st 9-week grade, but the plan, or lack thereof, DID count),
- a plan MUST be created BEFORE writing,
- a minimum of a 5 paragraph essay is expected,
- grammar and punctuation count,
- the writing must focus on the prompt, be organized (into paragraphs), provide support (FRIESS-include appropriate facts, reasons, incidents, examples, sensory details and statistics) and follow standard writing conventions (indent paragraphs, use correct capitalization, punctuation, and grammar (including verb tense) and,
- writing will be graded using the 8th grade FCAT Writes rubric.
Also, the amount of homework will be increasing. Most homework will be done in a workbook. It is imperative that the workbook comes to class each day. Unfortunately, the workbook work cannot go into the Basket of Eternal Forgiveness, so expect pop-quiz questions each day to verify that you have done your due diligence. Students may leave their heavy textbook at school! But.....don't underestimate me. I am serious about these assignments and I will be very tough on any students not prepared. I have mapped out the assignments through January. One hour of Compass Language Arts per week is also required. I have added extra assignments for students needing intervention on certain skills. The Compass lab is available before school if you are having problems at home. Compass should be working now. If you are having problems, try another computer. Also try deleting cookies. 95% of my students are successfully getting their Compass assignments done.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Homework in LA due Tues., 10/12
Students need to read Under the Royal Palms: A Childhood in Cuba (pages 796-801) and write a paragraph, using their FRIESS skills. The paragraph should be at least 7-8 well-written, edited sentences and will answer the question on page 801: How do you think Alma's parents will react when she and her cousin return home?
Use details from the text to support your answer. Remember, you also have a worksheet (front/back) due.
Parents, I have been very concerned about the quality of work I am seeing on worksheets. These sheets must be done with great care; words should be carefully chosen and edited. Many students did not pass the last few homework assignments done on worksheets. Please check your child's work.
COMPASS IS DOWN for repairs. I will give you an update on Monday.
Use details from the text to support your answer. Remember, you also have a worksheet (front/back) due.
Parents, I have been very concerned about the quality of work I am seeing on worksheets. These sheets must be done with great care; words should be carefully chosen and edited. Many students did not pass the last few homework assignments done on worksheets. Please check your child's work.
COMPASS IS DOWN for repairs. I will give you an update on Monday.
Your LA text is online. You can leave your text at school if you have online access.
Click here. Use this activation code 3767769 (in the first box) and 10 (in the second box.) You will have to create your own username and password. Your birthdate will be requested.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Friday, June 11, 2010
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Should writing assignments be graded?
Click here to read an essay that I'm thinking about as I form my grading process for language arts, here at Landon Middle.
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