Language Arts
We are continuing to read and discuss Tangerine. The students have been doing a good job participating in the discussions and interacting with the book. They will finish the book by early next week. The students will take a whole book comprehension test on Thursday, March 10. They will also be given specific requirements for their final projects dealing with the book. Final projects are due on Friday, March 18. I am planning on giving the students time in class next week on Thursday and Friday to work on their projects. They will most likely need to use additional time outside of class in order to complete their assignments. It will be imperative to plan ahead and manage their time well.
The students were given an extra credit packet last week. All extra credit must be handed in by this week on Wednesday. There will not be another opportunity for extra credit this quarter.
Junior Achievement Volunteer
We are looking for a parent who has a background and interest in business who would like to participate as an in-school "consultant" to teach our 7th grade Junior Achievement course entitled "Economics for Success." JA provides the materials and lessons. You would provide the energy and experience to make this course a success. The course lasts six sessions. Due to some potential scheduling conflicts, the only time it will work for the 7th grade students is to meet on Wednesday mornings from 8:35-9:15. We hope to start after Spring Break. If you are interested and available, please let me know by this Friday (March 4). In the past, it has been so wonderful to have parents involved in this course. However, I realize that might not be possible, and it would be helpful to know if I need to consider looking outside our classroom. Please talk with me if you have more questions about Junior Achievement or volunteering.
Miscellaneous
*Friday, April 29: 30 Hour Famine--more details to come from Mrs. Oren
*Scrabble Club is meeting after school on Tuesdays from 3:20-4:30. If your child is interested in participating, he or she is welcome to come to tomorrow's meeting in the Media Center after school. The students will play Scrabble, learn strategy, and have fun.
*Thanks to so many of you for coming out for conferences last week. Please don't hesitate to talk with me if you have questions or concerns about how your child is doing in class. Net Classroom is always a good place to check about homework and due dates. Please email me if you have misplaced your log-in information or do not know to access your account.
Upcoming Due Dates
There are quite a few pending projects and things coming up for the 7th grade students. It is important for them to stay up to date on assignments. A few dates that I wanted to compile here on the blog:
*March 1: (tomorrow) Pre-algebra 3 containers must be brought to school
*March 3: rough drafts due for history
*March 10: Bible memory work due
*March 10: Artist trading cards due
*March 18: Final Tangerine projects due in language arts (assignment specifics will be given out in class next week)
Monday, February 28, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
February 22 Update
Conferences
Conferences will still occur as scheduled this evening. If there are any 7th grade teachers that you would like to meet with, please plan on coming to the Worship Center tonight between 4 and 8 p.m. Conferences are "cafeteria style" and you are welcome to meet with any middle school teacher for a 5-7 minute conference. Thanks for being respectful of people who might be waiting in line. Please contact teachers individually if you feel your discussion will need to last more than 7 minutes. It is beneficial for you to have looked at your child's second quarter report card prior to conferences. Please be sure to contact me if you do not know how to access his or her report card.
Pre-Algebra Note from Mrs. Wilkins
For pre-algebra students: Please bring to school this week: boxes, cans and containers of food, all different sizes and shapes. We are only interested in the containers so they can be empty. If they are full we will try to return them to their proper owners after we are done with the lesson, but there are not guarantees. Each student should bring at least 3 different containers. Details were given in class on Monday.
Camp Roger
The 7th grade students are going to Camp Roger tomorrow afternoon (Wednesday, February 23). Mrs. Oren will be attending this time with them. They will be participating in a reenactment of Valley Forge. Please remember that there is NO hot lunch on Camp Roger days. Also, please help your child remember appropriate clothing for the weather (layers, snow pants, boots, gloves, hats, warm coat, etc.). They will be spending a majority of the afternoon outdoors. We always want to make the most of our time at Camp Roger; students have a higher potential for participating well when they have eaten a good lunch beforehand and are wearing appropriate clothing. I usually remind the students about this the day before. I especially wanted to highlight this today because I haven't been able to remind the students this week. Thanks for helping with this!
Language Arts
We are continuing to read Tangerine by Edward Bloor. We are going to be a little behind the original schedule due to the snow days, but hopefully everyone will be caught up on reading. I will communicate this with the students tomorrow, but they will need to have read through page 92 for our discussion on Thursday. They will also need to read pages 95-151 for Monday. They can get a head start on this reading. There will be comprehension quizzes in class on Thursday and Monday.
Last Friday, about a fourth of the class forgot to bring their Tangerine books to class. It is necessary for students to bring their books to class because they need to refer back to them during our discussions and sometimes they are given reading time at the end of class. Also, students will be given a grade at the end of the unit for bringing their books to class each day. Please join me in encouraging your children to be prepared for class.
Miscellaneous
*No RPS busing on Thursday, February 24. GRCS buses will operate as usual.
*No school for students on Friday, February 25 (Teacher In-Service Day)
*MS Roller Skating Party has been moved to Monday, March 7
*April 14: 7th/8th Choir Concert at RCS
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
February 15 Update
Family Time
The 7th grade students did a wonderful job leading family time yesterday. The students wrote paraphrases of 1 Corinthians 13 last week in class. Several students shared their paraphrases. Others helped with praying and reading scripture. I was proud of the way they lead and their willingness to share in our worship time.
Language Arts
The students received their mechanics tests back today in class. I also introduced the novel the class will be reading over the next several weeks (Tangerine by Edward Bloor). During this unit, the students will sometimes be given time in class to read. On those days, students whose test scores reflected a need for some extra review on mechanics will receive extra support and practice time. Those students will need to complete the reading as homework.
The students need to plan on bringing their Tangerine novels to class every single day with them. We'll be having discussion days throughout the unit. Students will also take quizzes to check comprehension. The students will also complete a rather large project at the end. Keeping up on reading, discussing, and comprehending the book will be important.
Some students have approached me about the possibility of extra credit this quarter for language arts. I will be working out details of an extra credit opportunity they can choose to complete. However, I also shared with the class that it is important that students do their best work all the time; not completing assignments and then hoping that extra credit will help is not a good habit to fall into.
Conferences
There are two different nights where you can come and meet with middle school teachers to hear more about how your child is doing. This is a great opportunity for you to touch base with specific teachers. Please be sure to have looked at your child's report card prior to conference. Let me know if are unsure of your log-in or have not been able to view your child's report card. Similar to conferences in the fall, you can meet with any middle school teacher you would like to for 5-7 minutes. Thank you for being aware of your time and respectful of people who are waiting. If your concerns require a longer conversation, it would be a good idea to schedule a meeting at a different time. I hope to see many of you at conferences!
Miscellaneous:
*The 7th graders will be going to Camp Roger next Wednesday afternoon. It will be important that they remember to dress for the weather and wear appropriate clothes for being outside.
*Thank you for helping your child remember when he or she has hot lunch. Also, thank you for making note if you need to send additional food with your child.
*Monday, February 21: Middle School Skating Party...6:30-8:30 at Wooland Roller Skating Rink
*Thursday, February 24: No RPS Buses (GRCS buses will operate as usual)
*Friday, February 25: NO SCHOOL for students
*April 14: 7th and 8th grade choir concert at 7 p.m. at R.C.S.
*Today's home bulletin contains announcements about two different middle school summer adventure camps (mountain biking and rock climbing). The camps are lead by GRCHS teacher David Koning. David Koning is a great instructor who loves students and the outdoors. If you are looking for something fun and meaningful for your child to do this summer (June 13-17 or 20-24) email David Koning (dkoning@grcs.org) or pick up a flyer in the office.
The 7th grade students did a wonderful job leading family time yesterday. The students wrote paraphrases of 1 Corinthians 13 last week in class. Several students shared their paraphrases. Others helped with praying and reading scripture. I was proud of the way they lead and their willingness to share in our worship time.
Language Arts
The students received their mechanics tests back today in class. I also introduced the novel the class will be reading over the next several weeks (Tangerine by Edward Bloor). During this unit, the students will sometimes be given time in class to read. On those days, students whose test scores reflected a need for some extra review on mechanics will receive extra support and practice time. Those students will need to complete the reading as homework.
The students need to plan on bringing their Tangerine novels to class every single day with them. We'll be having discussion days throughout the unit. Students will also take quizzes to check comprehension. The students will also complete a rather large project at the end. Keeping up on reading, discussing, and comprehending the book will be important.
Some students have approached me about the possibility of extra credit this quarter for language arts. I will be working out details of an extra credit opportunity they can choose to complete. However, I also shared with the class that it is important that students do their best work all the time; not completing assignments and then hoping that extra credit will help is not a good habit to fall into.
Conferences
There are two different nights where you can come and meet with middle school teachers to hear more about how your child is doing. This is a great opportunity for you to touch base with specific teachers. Please be sure to have looked at your child's report card prior to conference. Let me know if are unsure of your log-in or have not been able to view your child's report card. Similar to conferences in the fall, you can meet with any middle school teacher you would like to for 5-7 minutes. Thank you for being aware of your time and respectful of people who are waiting. If your concerns require a longer conversation, it would be a good idea to schedule a meeting at a different time. I hope to see many of you at conferences!
Miscellaneous:
*The 7th graders will be going to Camp Roger next Wednesday afternoon. It will be important that they remember to dress for the weather and wear appropriate clothes for being outside.
*Thank you for helping your child remember when he or she has hot lunch. Also, thank you for making note if you need to send additional food with your child.
*Monday, February 21: Middle School Skating Party...6:30-8:30 at Wooland Roller Skating Rink
*Thursday, February 24: No RPS Buses (GRCS buses will operate as usual)
*Friday, February 25: NO SCHOOL for students
*April 14: 7th and 8th grade choir concert at 7 p.m. at R.C.S.
*Today's home bulletin contains announcements about two different middle school summer adventure camps (mountain biking and rock climbing). The camps are lead by GRCHS teacher David Koning. David Koning is a great instructor who loves students and the outdoors. If you are looking for something fun and meaningful for your child to do this summer (June 13-17 or 20-24) email David Koning (dkoning@grcs.org) or pick up a flyer in the office.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
February 8 Update
Language Arts
The students started their mechanics test today. The essay portion of the test took a little longer than I anticipated. Rather than have the students rush through, I will be giving them time in class on Thursday to finish the essay. I'll be grading the tests this weekend and will be able to return them to the students next week. The students will spend time during the rest of this week studying and writing a paraphrase of 1 Corinthians 13. Some of the students will be sharing their paraphrases at family time next Monday. Everyone will need to hand in a paraphrase that will be graded (both for content and mechanics).
AuSable
I will be gone at AuSable Institute of Environmental Studies with the 6th grade students this week on Wednesday-Friday. Kate Warners will be the substitute working with the 7th grade students. I am sure they will be in good hands. Thanks for being patient with me; if you email me in the next few days, it will probably take me a little longer than normal to respond.
Miscellaneous
*Please plan on meeting with whichever middle school teachers you would like to at conferences. Conferences will be held on Thursday, February 17 and Tuesday, February 22 from 4-8 p.m. in the Worship Center.
*Friday, February 25: No school for students
*7th grade will be leading Family Time on Monday, February 14th. Anyone is welcome to attend. Family Time happens every Monday from 8:30-9:00 a.m.
*Mr. Dave wants you to know that he's updated his blog http://mrdavescorner.blogspot.com
The students started their mechanics test today. The essay portion of the test took a little longer than I anticipated. Rather than have the students rush through, I will be giving them time in class on Thursday to finish the essay. I'll be grading the tests this weekend and will be able to return them to the students next week. The students will spend time during the rest of this week studying and writing a paraphrase of 1 Corinthians 13. Some of the students will be sharing their paraphrases at family time next Monday. Everyone will need to hand in a paraphrase that will be graded (both for content and mechanics).
AuSable
I will be gone at AuSable Institute of Environmental Studies with the 6th grade students this week on Wednesday-Friday. Kate Warners will be the substitute working with the 7th grade students. I am sure they will be in good hands. Thanks for being patient with me; if you email me in the next few days, it will probably take me a little longer than normal to respond.
Miscellaneous
*Please plan on meeting with whichever middle school teachers you would like to at conferences. Conferences will be held on Thursday, February 17 and Tuesday, February 22 from 4-8 p.m. in the Worship Center.
*Friday, February 25: No school for students
*7th grade will be leading Family Time on Monday, February 14th. Anyone is welcome to attend. Family Time happens every Monday from 8:30-9:00 a.m.
*Mr. Dave wants you to know that he's updated his blog http://mrdavescorner.blogspot.com
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