Is it October already?

I'd like to thank all you for sending your warmest wishes to me I start this new chapter in my life. I'd also like to thank you for your patience while I learned a little bit more about blogging. I have received several inquiries regarding the use of my blog site asking if I would be posting homework on this site. As per your request, I will utilize my blog to assist you in supporting the academic efforts of your child. It will be my goal to log on at the beginning of each week and use the same type of format as Ms. Fail-Hayden and Ms. Hamlow to keep you informed on the classroom "happenings."

At the beginning of last month, I sent home a parent information sheet (on purple paper) with specific guidelines on utilizing the engrade.com website to access your child's online grade book. If you did not receive this information please let me know so I can assist you in setting up your engrade account.

The first quarter ends next Friday, October 17. If your child is missing any work I can take late work (point deduction penalties apply to all late work) until next Thursday, October 16. In addition, if your child received a grade on an assignment that they would like to re-do they may utilize the re-do policy and turn those assignments in as well.

This week in English Language Arts:
--Monday: Pg. 515 Understanding Theme(definition pg. 429). Brainstorming and pre-writing (Four Square Strategy). Students will brainstorm and complete the mini 3 column chart selecting their main character, what he/she wants, and who or what is getting in the way. Then students will use the organizational tool, the Four Square Strategy, to plan and organize their ideas for their 5 paragraph essays.
--Tuesday: Pg. 515 Understanding Theme. Drafting/Sloppy Copy and the editing process. Tonight students will move on to the next step in the writing process--drafting. Write your rough draft and ask a parent or guardian for assistance in editing. You WILL need to turn in this "sloppy copy" as evidence of growth.
--Wednesday: Pg. 515 Q&A session. Students will write/type their final draft. In class we will start discussing a new concept: Character's Motive.
--Thursday: Pg. 515 is due. In class, we will read pg. 7 in the PH Literature Book, "The Sound of Summer Running." Students will create and complete a flow chart on two of the characters (Douglas and Mr. Sanderson). If additional time is needed your child will need to finish this for homework.
--Friday: End of quarter DCPS Post Assessment. Your child took this test (as per county requirements) as a pre-assessment of their knowledge at the beginning of the quarter. They will retake the same test with the idea of showing growth in a variety of areas we have worked on throughout the past 8 weeks.
**Classwork/homework pg. #1-3 ONLY (Character's Motives) and pg. ALL sections. Please label each section and number your work.

NOTE: Each night your child is assigned 30 minutes of Silent Sustained Reading (SSR). In addition, they must log their work. Please encourage your child to read before bed every night.

Lastly, next Tuesday I will administer the Nine Weeks Exam. It will be a comprehensive exam that focuses on all of the stories we have read this quarter including: "Dragon, Dragon," "Becky and the Wheels-and-Brake Boys," Overdoing It," "Eleven," and "The Sound of Summer Running." If you would like to assist your child in preparing for this exam you might consider reading over the stories with them. Discuss plot, character development, setting, and theme. You can also use the questions at the end of each story to assist you in monitoring their comprehension of the stories. Thanks for all you do. I hope this isn't information overload. =)