Language Arts
We have spent the past few weeks in language arts learning about different mechanics rules for writing. The students have reviewed and learned proper rules for capitalization, comma usage, semi colons, and apostrophes. They also learned how to identify fragments and run-on sentences. These skills are crucial to improving their writing.
The students will receive a review in class tomorrow. The test will be next Monday. I have been concerned about some students' apparent lack of concern for mastering the material (as reflected in both incomplete, sloppy, or carless homework and lower than expected quiz scores). I shared with the students that they need to earn a "C" or higher on the test next Monday in order to pass on to the next unit. Hopefully everyone will be motivated by this, work hard, complete the review, study their notes, ask questions for clarification, and perform well on the exam. If this does not happen, students will work in a smaller group with Ms. VanEngen during language arts for a few weeks, reviewing and mastering the skills while the rest of the class reads and discusses the book Tangerine by Edward Bloor. This is not meant to be a embarrassing punishment or horrible threat for students. It is meant to encourage students to take their studying seriously and make the most of their learning.
Second semester journal entry assignments will only take place every other week. We will be focusing on some different skills during second semester. Writing is always important. However, the students' homework will take different forms during second semester in order to better address the specific skills they will be expected to learn. This week the students will not have a journal assignment to complete. Reading log assignments will continue every Monday-Thursday evening.
Middle School Forgetfulness...
We need your help. Lately, there seems to be an epidemic of middle school forgetfulness within the 7th grade class pertaining to things like: charging laptops, completing and handing in homework, coming to class prepared, remembering lunches, having a calculator for math class, bringing back packs to school, etc. Middle school students often seem extra forgetful. It is not ultimately a parent (or teacher)'s job to make students remember. However, we would appreciate if you can help give students reminders about these things, or check up to see how they are doing. Students should be moving towards more and more responsibility in their school work. We appreciate your help and support in this process.
Report Cards
Middle school report cards can currently be viewed on NetClassroom. Please take time to look at your child's report card with him or her. Paper copies of middle school report cards are sent home upon request only. Please email Karla Radius (kradius@grcs.org) if you cannot remember your NetClassroom log-in information. Please email me if you need a paper copy of the report card sent home with your child. Seventh grade students have several different teachers. If you or your child has questions about his or her grades, it would be best to address the question to the specific teacher of that class. As a reminder, I teach language arts, Don VerMerris teaches Bible, Sara Oren teaches history, Andrea Dahm teaches science, Jan Wilkins teaches pre-algebra, and Joan VanDyke teaches algebra.
Miscellaneous
*Similar to last year, I will be gone at AuSable Institute with the 6th grade students next week on Wednesday-Friday. Kate Warners will be the substitute for me while I am gone. She is a dear friend of mine and will do an excellent job with the students. If you send me an email while I am gone, it may take me longer than normal to respond. Thanks for your patience.
*The 8th grade class will be performing "Snow White" this Friday. The play begins at 7 p.m. and takes place in the Worship Center.
*Pre-algebra students will have a math test this week on Thursday. The test will take place on Thursday, even if there is a snow day on Wednesday.
*The 7th grade students will help lead Family Time on Monday, February 14. Please feel welcome to attend.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
January 25 Update
Report Cards
Second quarter ended last Friday. You will be able to view your child's report card on Net Classroom this Saturday. Please contact me if you need a reminder of log-in information for Net Classroom. Paper copies of middle school report cards will be sent home upon request only. Thank you for taking time to look at your child's report card with him or her. It is very beneficial for students to take time and reflect about their progress so far this year.
Generally, I have been a little concerned about some less than exemplary study habits of 7th grade students lately. I have been sharing with them in class that they need to continue to study for quizzes, complete homework assignments, and come to class prepared each day. I'd appreciate your help reinforcing those ideas at home. If you are wondering if your child has late or missing assignments, please see Net Classroom. I want to be consistent in encouraging them that great work is possible for them, but that it requires hard work.
Friday, January 28
We are going to see a play production of "Wednesday Wars" based on Gary Schmidt's book we read as a class last year. We'll leave school at 11:15 on Friday. Hot lunch will be available for us early that day; if your child ordered a walking taco for this Friday, it will be ready at 11 a.m. when we eat lunch. We will return to school around 2:30 and spend the remainder of the day reflecting on the play through some discussions and writing activities.
Language Arts
We are still working on mechanics rules. The students have a quiz over noticing and repairing run-on sentences in writing on Thursday. The test over this unit will most likely be sometime late next week. The students will receive a study guide prior to the test. However, it is important that they are staying up on studying and understanding the material we have covered so far (particularly commas, abbreviations, punctuation, and repairing run-on sentences).
Miscellaneous
*Thanks to everyone who sent in treats for our going away party for Naomi last Friday. It was a very nice celebration and time for the students to say goodbye.
*Mr. Dave wants you to know that he updated his blog. (http://mrdavescorner.blogspot.com/)
*Parent Teacher Conferences are scheduled for Thursday, February 17 and Tuesday, February 22 from 4-8 p.m.
Second quarter ended last Friday. You will be able to view your child's report card on Net Classroom this Saturday. Please contact me if you need a reminder of log-in information for Net Classroom. Paper copies of middle school report cards will be sent home upon request only. Thank you for taking time to look at your child's report card with him or her. It is very beneficial for students to take time and reflect about their progress so far this year.
Generally, I have been a little concerned about some less than exemplary study habits of 7th grade students lately. I have been sharing with them in class that they need to continue to study for quizzes, complete homework assignments, and come to class prepared each day. I'd appreciate your help reinforcing those ideas at home. If you are wondering if your child has late or missing assignments, please see Net Classroom. I want to be consistent in encouraging them that great work is possible for them, but that it requires hard work.
Friday, January 28
We are going to see a play production of "Wednesday Wars" based on Gary Schmidt's book we read as a class last year. We'll leave school at 11:15 on Friday. Hot lunch will be available for us early that day; if your child ordered a walking taco for this Friday, it will be ready at 11 a.m. when we eat lunch. We will return to school around 2:30 and spend the remainder of the day reflecting on the play through some discussions and writing activities.
Language Arts
We are still working on mechanics rules. The students have a quiz over noticing and repairing run-on sentences in writing on Thursday. The test over this unit will most likely be sometime late next week. The students will receive a study guide prior to the test. However, it is important that they are staying up on studying and understanding the material we have covered so far (particularly commas, abbreviations, punctuation, and repairing run-on sentences).
Miscellaneous
*Thanks to everyone who sent in treats for our going away party for Naomi last Friday. It was a very nice celebration and time for the students to say goodbye.
*Mr. Dave wants you to know that he updated his blog. (http://mrdavescorner.blogspot.com/)
*Parent Teacher Conferences are scheduled for Thursday, February 17 and Tuesday, February 22 from 4-8 p.m.
Monday, January 17, 2011
January 17 Update
Spelling Bee
The Spelling Bee will take place this Friday starting at 1:30. Mrs. Oren is having a practice for students who are participating tomorrow morning from 7:45-8:15. Anyone is welcome to attend the Spelling Bee on Friday.
Language Arts
The students spent time learning about different abbreviations last week. They took a quiz on Thursday, and many of them did not do as well as I hoped they would. I shared with the students today that I am hoping they will grow in being proactive about taking in information, studying, asking questions, and interacting with the material as they learn. For example, I told the students they needed to know how to spell the word "Fahrenheit" for the abbreviations quiz. Over a fourth of the students did not spell is correctly on the quiz.
The students will have a quiz concerning comma usage this week on Thursday. I am planning on a quiz over run-on sentences and correct usage of semi-colons a week from Tuesday. These quizzes should all help prepare the students for an assessment they will have soon over mechanics. Students need to be mastering the material as we go; they will not be successful on the assessment if they wait until the last minute to study and understand. The students received their two journal entry assignments for the week today. Journals are due no later than Friday morning.
Farewell to the Balks
This Friday will be Naomi's last day at R.C.S. We have loved having their family part of the R.C.S. family and they certainly will be missed. We are also excited for the many things God has planned for them, and encouraged by their desire to follow God's leading and faithfulness in sharing about Him around the world! Thanks to many of you for sending in treats for our party on Friday.
Miscellaneous
*Hot lunch order forms were sent home last week. They are due no later than this Friday (January 21). Please remember that the 7th graders will be gone at Camp Roger on Wednesday, February 23rd. Hot lunch should not be ordered for that day.
*Mr. Dave updated his blog. If you would like to read it, the link is: http://mrdavescorner.blogspot.com
*Friday, January 28th we will go to Calvin College to watch a play of "Wednesday Wars" adapted from Gary Schmidt's book that I read to the students last year.
*Parent-Teacher Conferences will be on Thursday, February 17 and Tuesday, February 22 from 4-8 p.m. The set-up will be similar to our fall conferences. You are encouraged and welcome to meet with any 7th grade teacher you would like to.
*This Friday marks the end of 2nd quarter.
The Spelling Bee will take place this Friday starting at 1:30. Mrs. Oren is having a practice for students who are participating tomorrow morning from 7:45-8:15. Anyone is welcome to attend the Spelling Bee on Friday.
Language Arts
The students spent time learning about different abbreviations last week. They took a quiz on Thursday, and many of them did not do as well as I hoped they would. I shared with the students today that I am hoping they will grow in being proactive about taking in information, studying, asking questions, and interacting with the material as they learn. For example, I told the students they needed to know how to spell the word "Fahrenheit" for the abbreviations quiz. Over a fourth of the students did not spell is correctly on the quiz.
The students will have a quiz concerning comma usage this week on Thursday. I am planning on a quiz over run-on sentences and correct usage of semi-colons a week from Tuesday. These quizzes should all help prepare the students for an assessment they will have soon over mechanics. Students need to be mastering the material as we go; they will not be successful on the assessment if they wait until the last minute to study and understand. The students received their two journal entry assignments for the week today. Journals are due no later than Friday morning.
Farewell to the Balks
This Friday will be Naomi's last day at R.C.S. We have loved having their family part of the R.C.S. family and they certainly will be missed. We are also excited for the many things God has planned for them, and encouraged by their desire to follow God's leading and faithfulness in sharing about Him around the world! Thanks to many of you for sending in treats for our party on Friday.
Miscellaneous
*Hot lunch order forms were sent home last week. They are due no later than this Friday (January 21). Please remember that the 7th graders will be gone at Camp Roger on Wednesday, February 23rd. Hot lunch should not be ordered for that day.
*Mr. Dave updated his blog. If you would like to read it, the link is: http://mrdavescorner.blogspot.com
*Friday, January 28th we will go to Calvin College to watch a play of "Wednesday Wars" adapted from Gary Schmidt's book that I read to the students last year.
*Parent-Teacher Conferences will be on Thursday, February 17 and Tuesday, February 22 from 4-8 p.m. The set-up will be similar to our fall conferences. You are encouraged and welcome to meet with any 7th grade teacher you would like to.
*This Friday marks the end of 2nd quarter.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
January 11 Update
There are just a few quick reminders and announcements for this week:
(1) Congratulations to this month's Servant Award recipients. Servant Awards are given out in recognition of students who has displayed especially Christ-like and others-centered behavior and attitudes. This month's awards were given to Marta Siegfried (6th), Naomi Balk (7th), and Laura VanderHorst (8th).(2) Mrs. Oren has extended the deadline for Spelling Bee sign ups to this Friday. The Spelling Bee will take place on Friday, January 21 in the afternoon.
(3) The 7th grade students will attend a theatre production based on Gary Schmidt's book "Wednesday Wars" on Friday, January 28th at Calvin College. We will leave at 11:15 and return at 2:30.
(4) The students are continuing to learn about proper mechanics in language arts. Most students did quite well on a capitalization quiz they took in class yesterday. The students will have a quiz over abbreviations this week on Thursday.
(5) Bible memory work (Psalm 89:1-4) and Artist Trading Cards are also due this Thursday (January 13).
(6) We do have school next Monday (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day). Please feel invited to attend a special family time that morning at the regular time.
Monday, January 3, 2011
January 3 Update
Welcome back! I hope that you had a wonderful Christmas. Thank you very much for the wonderful class gift at Christmas. I will enjoy using the gift cards to Target and Starbucks and the donation to Upper Peninsula Bible Camp (a place I love!) was incredibly thoughtful.
Language Arts
The students received their memoirs back today in class. Overall, I was very pleased with their writing. I have enjoyed seeing the content of their writing improve in wonderful ways throughout this school year. Some students still have been struggling with grammar and language usage rules in their writing. In hopes of the students learning from their mistakes in their writing, they need to make specific corrections on their papers and hand them in again by this Friday. I have encouraged the students to come and talk with me if they have questions about their papers. We will be spending time over the next few weeks covering capitalization and punctuation rules in class. The students will have quizzes throughout the unit and a test at the end.
Wednesday Wars
During 6th grade language arts, I read the book Wednesday Wars by Gary Schmidt to the students. I recently learned that Calvin College is putting on a production based on the book at the end of this month and they are having special showings for school groups. The 7th grade students will be going on Friday, January 28th to see the play. I'm very excited for this opportunity; it will be a great way for the students to connect things they've learned in class with theatre at Calvin. We will leave at 11:15 and return to school at 2:30 that day. We'll spend time reflecting on the play when we return to school at the end of the day.
Spelling Bee
The spelling bee will take place in the Worship Center on Friday, January 21st from 1:30-3:00 p.m. Students who are interested in participating must sign up no later than this Friday. Mrs. Oren will have a run-through practice in her room on Tuesday, January 18th from 7:45-8:15 a.m.
Miscellaneous
*Please note: we have school on Monday, January 17th (MLK Day). We will have a special Family Time that morning. Feel welcome to join us.
*Reading Log and ELA weekly journal assignments are still happening. Journal assignments must be handed in by Friday morning each week.
*Bible Memory Work (Psalm 89:1-4) is due on Thursday, January 13th.
*Artist Trading cards for art class are due on Thursday, January 13th.
*The students have a quiz in science this Friday.
*Mark your calendars for the 8th grade class play "Snow White" on Friday, February 4th.
Language Arts
The students received their memoirs back today in class. Overall, I was very pleased with their writing. I have enjoyed seeing the content of their writing improve in wonderful ways throughout this school year. Some students still have been struggling with grammar and language usage rules in their writing. In hopes of the students learning from their mistakes in their writing, they need to make specific corrections on their papers and hand them in again by this Friday. I have encouraged the students to come and talk with me if they have questions about their papers. We will be spending time over the next few weeks covering capitalization and punctuation rules in class. The students will have quizzes throughout the unit and a test at the end.
Wednesday Wars
During 6th grade language arts, I read the book Wednesday Wars by Gary Schmidt to the students. I recently learned that Calvin College is putting on a production based on the book at the end of this month and they are having special showings for school groups. The 7th grade students will be going on Friday, January 28th to see the play. I'm very excited for this opportunity; it will be a great way for the students to connect things they've learned in class with theatre at Calvin. We will leave at 11:15 and return to school at 2:30 that day. We'll spend time reflecting on the play when we return to school at the end of the day.
Spelling Bee
The spelling bee will take place in the Worship Center on Friday, January 21st from 1:30-3:00 p.m. Students who are interested in participating must sign up no later than this Friday. Mrs. Oren will have a run-through practice in her room on Tuesday, January 18th from 7:45-8:15 a.m.
Miscellaneous
*Please note: we have school on Monday, January 17th (MLK Day). We will have a special Family Time that morning. Feel welcome to join us.
*Reading Log and ELA weekly journal assignments are still happening. Journal assignments must be handed in by Friday morning each week.
*Bible Memory Work (Psalm 89:1-4) is due on Thursday, January 13th.
*Artist Trading cards for art class are due on Thursday, January 13th.
*The students have a quiz in science this Friday.
*Mark your calendars for the 8th grade class play "Snow White" on Friday, February 4th.
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