SEPTEMBER 23-27


MONDAY, SEPT. 23:

*  NO HOMEWORK THIS WEEK
*  Begin text features project and rough draft today.   It includes a poster about themselves using 8 different text features, and then students will write to explain the information their text features show.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 24:

*  begin writing paragraphs
*  Text Feature project work time--rough drafts checked off by the end of class!

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 25:

*  library
*  writing paragraphs
*  Text Feature project work time--start on final draft

THURSDAY, SEPT. 26:

*  writing paragraphs
*  Text Features project work time--final drafts due FRIDAY at the end of class

FRIDAY, SEPT. 27:

*  work on goal objects to hang on wall
*  Text Features project due by the end of the class period.  The last 15 minutes will be spent writing to explain the text features used. 

SEPTEMBER 16-20

MONDAY, SEPT. 16: 

*  progress reports handed out today
* students will learn what to do if they are missing an assignment, and the process for finding it and completing it
*  Hopes and Dreams homework handed out--due THURSDAY
*  fiction vs. nonfiction:  we will create charts that show the features of each of these genres


TUESDAY, SEPT. 17:
*  Reading strategies notes
*  begin with PREVIEW
*  start looking at nonfiction text features, finding them in books and articles, and identifying what information they give

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 18:

*  library day
*  text features review
*  Text Features project introduction

THURSDAY, SEPT. 19:

*  article to preview and review text features
*  Text Features project work time--rough draft due by the end of class
*  WEEKLY HOMEWORK DUE BY THE END OF THE DAY!!

FRIDAY, SEPT. 20:

*  Text Features project work time
*  goal object for wall


**We are not sure how long this text features project will take.  We will set a due date as probably next Monday or Tuesday.  We will let you and the students know in plenty of time. **

SEPTEMBER 9-13

MONDAY, SEPT. 9:

*  Your student needs a silent reading book starting today. We will visit the school library today if your student doesn't have a book from home to bring.
*  Students will complete a reading survey
*  We will go over the rules and ways to earn points for silent reading

TUESDAY, SEPT. 10:

*  Begin silent reading every day!
*  Set up Language Arts Binder:  a 1" binder that will be kept in the classroom for notes and work
*  Read Mascot article and start brainstorming team names

WEDNESDAY, SEPT 11:

*  Library day
*  Mascot work
*  sentence stems
*  write school goals for the year

THURSDAY, SEPT. 12:

* Pick classroom theme
* Mascot work
* journal


FRIDAY, SEPT. 13:

* goals
* begin non fiction notes

PASSWORD FOR ONLINE TEXT BOOK

Hi, Narstachawahl parents and students.  I just realized that we provided the link to the online literature book, but not the user name and password.  I'll be showing you in class how to use the online text book, but in the meantime I thought I would give you the info you needed to access it.  We just finished Unit 1, and we're about to move into Unit 2. 

username:  sms7thgrade2
password:  read!


The link to the online literature book is in the upper right hand corner of our blog homepage.

Classroom Policies and Procedures

If your child is absent:

Upon returning to school, your child should check the absent box and notebook for notes, assignments and anything else missed in class that day.  We often meet with absent students to go over skills we covered while they were gone, but remind your child to check the absent box and talk to us if he/she still has questions.

Late Work Policy:

Work is accepted for full credit on the due date.  For two weeks after the due date, we will accept late work at a reduced score of 60%.  After the two week window, the assignment will not be accepted for credit.

Note: absences are given extra time to make up absent work at no grade reduction.

Checking Grades on Skyward:

1.  Go to

www.portangelesschools.org/Stevens/

2.  Click on the Skyward link

3.  Enter your login id and password (see the school office if you don’t have this info)

* grades are updated a few days after each assignment is due

* progress reports are handed to students every other Monday.

Weekly Homework:

• assigned and explained on Mondays
• due Thursdays
• Article of Week, Reading Letter or Writing  

 

Contact Us:

Reading: Katie Sikes Email:ksikes@portangelesschools.org

                Phone:  565-1762

Writing: Donette Hope

Email: dhope@portangelesschools.org

               Phone: 565-1762

Scholastic Book Orders

Occasionally, we pass Scholastic Book Club fliers out to our students. We have found that they are an easy way for students to see some of the new and popular books that are available. We are certainly not advocating that you purchase books from Scholastic, but we have found that because they publish some of the books, at times they offer prices and selection that can't be found anywhere else.

If you are interested in ordering, there are two way to do this. The first is to send the completed order form (found on the back of the flier) with a check or cash with your student to school. He/she can give it to either Mrs. Hope or Sikes and we will order and get the books to him/her when they arrive.

The other method is to use online ordering. This can be found at www.scholastic.com/bookclubs. To use this, you simply need to set up an account and log in using our class code which is HCRLR. This method allows you to order the books yourself and pay with a credit card.

If you are interested in purchasing books without your student knowing about it--like for Christmas, or a birthday, please email either one of us: ksikes@portangelesschools.org or dhope@portangelesschools.org. We can arrange for you to pick up the books, or send them home with another sibling or a friend.

If you have any questions, feel free to email either of us at the addresses above.

How To Access the On-Line Literature Book

Log on to http://my.hrw.com/
Username: sms7thgrade2
Password: read!
Click Log In