Week of September 19 -23
All students have completed the Scholastic Reading Inventory (SRI) test which provides a current Lexile Reading Level and a personalized book list. Students did comparative analysis of their current Lexile score with their EOG Lexile Level in June 2016. Your child knows how to use www.lexile.com for book selection, summaries, and vocabulary words. They can also utilize www.arbookfind.com to review book levels by grade. Students are to read each evening for 30 minutes. Consistency is a must.
Last week, students set up their Quill.org accounts which focus on grammar and writing. Additionally, instruction included the Hierarchy of Thinking Skills, with a focus on analytical thinking. This week, grades 6 and 7 will begin Workshop 1 of READ 180. Eighth graders will build background knowledge with indepth readings pertaining to the first Benchmark Assessment.
Progress Reports went home Wednesday, September 21st.
Weeks of October 17 - 28
All classes are working on poetry in preparation for the upcoming Reading Benchmark Assessment. Learning to close read or "swim in poetry" is necessary for poetry analysis. Look for a Progress Report Friday, October 21st. As always, students should continue with nightly reading.
Week of October 31-November 4
Parents, on an upcoming Progress Report, I will share your child's 1st Quarter Benchmark Assessment scores. These scores give us insight for planning instruction. Please remember the 30 - 40 minutes of independent reading for homework is critical to advance reading levels.
6th Grade- We will read myths and continue work on close reading and question analysis. Situational irony will be explored.
7th Grade-We will read selections with a Social Studies connection about killer plagues. We will also complete analysis of the 1st Quarter Benchmark Assessment.
8th Grade-We will read selections about the history of voting and also complete analysis of the 1st Quarter Benchmark Assessment.
Week of November 28 - December 2
By now, you have received your child's first 2nd Quarter Progress Report, which included the First Benchmark Reading Assessment score as well as their current Reading Lexile Level. Consistent nightly reading builds the Lexile score which leads to higher EOG scores. This week all grade levels are reviewing the First Benchmark passages, analyzing the texts and questions, and applying critical thinking skills.
Week of January 3 - 6
Happy New Year! We're approaching the midpoint of the school year on January 27th. Please be diligent in at-home sustained silent reading. Increase reading time from 30 minutes to 40 minutes if possible. Extended time builds stamina for reading on high stakes testing. Sixth and seventh graders will read paired passages; and eighth graders will share their presentations on Wonders of the World.
Week of January 31-February 3
Welcome to second semester both new and returning students! Our focus this week will be on analyzing the second quarter Reading Benchmark selections and questions. Start the semester off right by reading an hour each day, which includes at least 30 minutes at home each evening. Remember to use www.lexile.com to check your book level. Reading challenging nonfiction books builds your knowledge base and equates to better scores on the EOG.
Week of February 13-17, 2017
By now, you should have received information on your child's 2nd Quarter Reading Benchmark Assessment score. We are analyzing the Benchmarks daily and showing growth in our ability to read informational text. Grade 7 and grade 8 students will work in an online program called "Read Theory" this week. Grade 6 students completed a nonfiction book on conflict resolution last week. All students should be diligent in nightly homework reading (at least 30 minutes). If you have any questions about the recent Benchmark scores or any other matters, please feel free to contact me at 514-6438.
Week of February 22-24
Beginning this week, students are to read two passages per week using the online "Read Theory" program and complete the corresponding quizzes. Students should strive to score 80% or higher on the quizzes and utilize all close reading strategies. Students will have at least one session of in-class time to work. Any work not completed at this time, should be completed for homework. Students have their usernames and passwords in their agendas. If your child does not have online access at home, please let me know by letter or email. I will have an alternative plan.
Week of March 13 -17
Sixth graders have completed the book Teaming Up and are reading several text set passages using commonlit.org. Lewis and Clark and Jackie Robinson are featured team players in these selections. Commnonlit.org requires a written response to at least one question, challenging students to use text evidence in thoughtfully responding to high level thinking questions.
Seventh graders will utilize commonlit.org to enjoy a nonfiction selection, "Egyptian Mummies". Students will learn the process of reading online text in this program.
Eighth graders are continuing to read passages in both Read Theory and commonlit.org. Their challenge is to format exemplary written responses to using text based evidence when answering questions.
Week of March 20 - 24
Sixth graders, in conjunction with Social Studies units, will read online passages about the pyramids of Egypt and Egyptian mummies. Seventh and eighth graders merge readings about Egypt utilizing commonlit.org. For homework, all students should diligently continue their evening independent readings, as well as complete two Read Theory selections per week.
Week of March 27 - 31
6th Grade - reading nonfiction book, Trash With Dash.
7th Grade - poetry
8th Grade - primary source documents, diary
Spring has sprung and reading has begun...to get a little slack. :) Please be sure your child is reading 30 minutes each evening for homework. Also, login to Read Theory and see how things are progressing.
Week of April 24 - 28
6th Grade - nonfiction book, Bug Business.
7th Grade - paired passages on Clara Barton and the Red Cross.
8th Grade - Students requested to learn about the brains of teenagers; so, we will read several nonfiction selections on that topic..."Fear Prompts Teens to Act Impulsively".
Week of May 1 - 5
All students should continue reading at home each evening for at least 30 minutes. Students should also use their close reading strategies to complete one Read Theory selection per evening for homework. The best predictor of college readiness is 8th grade literacy. Students must practice daily to build stamina for reading, expand vocabulary, and make gains in comprehension.
6th Grade - continue reading Bug Business.
7th Grade - Paired reading selections that pertain the San Francisco Earthquake and the 2010 earthquake in Haiti.
8th Grade - continue nonfiction selections about the teenage brain.
Week of May 8 -12
6th Grade - "Why Are Bees Vanishing?" and "Killer Bees" informational selections
7th Grade - Various social media selctions
8th Grade - "Your Brain Exposed" - informational selections