Tag: Parent Communication

10-13-14

As I mentioned during Open House, you will receive an email from me after every unit. I must state that I am very pleased with how this first quarter has gone. I am beyond grateful at the amount of support that students receive. Thank you for all that you do. Please email me with any questions, comments, concerns, or praises. 

I will be using ClassDojo as a way to help students become aware of their behaviors. I will pass out parent codes during parent-teacher conferences. Some of you may have already received an email because I asked the students to put in your email address. I explained to them that this is my way of taking notes on them.

ALL

Please help me to encourage students in their reading and writing. It is expected that students are reading 30 minutes a day everyday. They should be logging their minutes at Reading Rewards. In order to become better readers, they need to read often. The same is true for writing as well.

7th

The seventh graders just finished their unit on identity. We read Stargirl and had several class discussion regarding the book.  The students completed an happy art project where they wrote down all the things that make them happy and presented to the class. Students had to perform a random act of kindness and compare themselves to Stargirl. Students debated whether someone should change for others. Students then reflected on what makes them unique. The final summative assessment was an identity essay where students should have described themselves through memories, traits, personal preferences, and how all those aspects shape what they believe and value about life.

8th

The eighth graders just finished their lesson on conflict and resolution. We read The Outsiders and had several class discussion regarding the book. Students examined the characters from the book and created a biopoem for the main characters. The students created a news article based on an event that happened in the story. Students debated whether violence and murder are justifiable. The final summative assessment was a contingency plan to prevent and also resolve conflicts with family, friends, school, and social media. Students then presented their plans to the class.

Overall

I am very pleased with how the students have grown in the area of discussion. We will continue to work on this throughout the year as well as reading, writing, and presenting. Please help students to be prepared and ready for school by encouraging 8 hours of sleep, nutritious food, and exercise.

11-15-13

At this point, we are half way through the second quarter. That means we are almost at the end of the semester. The year seems to be passing so quickly. I hope everyone is enjoying it as much as I am. As the saying goes, time flies when you are having fun.  I am so thankful to have amazing students and wonderful, supportive parents. Thank you so much for all the ways you enable the students to be successful. Please, email me any questions, comments, concerns, or praises.

 

ALL

Blogs: Students keep a school blog and post many assignments. I want you to have access to the work being accomplished. Remember, you do NOT need a login to make a comment on their work. All you need to do is fill out the comment section under a specific blog post. Below is the document students use to make sure they are commenting and blogging correctly. We will spend some time reviewing this and revising older posts.

Blog Posts & Commenting Expectations

How To Access Student Blogs:

  1. Go to KAS home page
  2. Click on Quick Links
  3. Click on KAS blogs
  4. Click on their Grade
  5. Find their English name

I am adding the links below for 7th and 8th grade. Please read their work and use the commenting practices that they will be using in class. This will give you great insight into their academic blogging world for English.

Grade 7

Grade 8

DGP: Students received their previous DGP work completed in class. Students will have a DGP quiz before the Thanksgiving holiday. Everything they need to know is on their graded work. They should be  studying their notes as well as their graded assignments.

7th

Students have been researching an unsolved mystery for Mystery Month. They are working on their books that will give facts and details about their research. It will include their own conclusions that they made about their mystery. Some may even include a fictional story about their mystery. This will be their first unit being assessed by the MYP criteria. They will complete a reflection after their books are complete. They will be due before the Thanksgiving holiday.

8th

Students spent many terrifying hours reading and discussing urban legends for Spooktober. They have been working on their own urban legends which they created and wrote. They made posters to promote their urban legends. They will be doing a voice recording of their legends. This will be completed sometime in the next week and before Thanksgiving holiday.