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ATTENTION MIDDLE SCHOOL PARENTS:
Rather than having a small Halloween dance, the middle school students have chosen to host a haunted house during Trunk-or-Treat! We will need a couple of parent volunteers and all students on board to make this a success. A sign-up list for volunteers and items needed for donation will be coming your way soon!
Please review the classroom policies by clicking on the link: https://www.canva.com/design/DAGtYpbk7vc/_iZojp0kw6P0FLOIj9R7mQ/edit?utm_content=DAGtYpbk7vc&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=sharebutton
Note to Parents:
Students need to be taking notes during class about the grammar topic of the week. These notes will help them have definitions of common grammar topics and mistakes, but we will also correct sentences. This helps students not only learn but also apply the concepts.
Students need to write in complete sentences. I know this sounds juvenile, but it is a real problem in my class. Even though they are reminded multiple times, many (if not most) students disregard this instruction. It is rare that I see capitalization and punctuation, and that is inexcusable at this point. I am subtracting points on assignments because I explicitly tell them that to earn full credit, they must use complete sentences.
Students need to read ALL of the directions provided on their Google Classroom assignment links. For instance, a vocabulary assignment that I posted on August 21st clearly stated that students should provide the definition of the word and then use it in a sentence. Nearly all of the students said they had to redo their work because they did not see that the assignment required more than just a definition. Only three students completed the work correctly.
Grammar Topic of the Week:
(All Grades)
Week 1:
Misplaced Modifiers
Week 2:
Dangling Modifiers
Week 3:
Misplaced Apostrophes
Week 4:
Homophones: Their, there, and they're
Two, too, to
Week 5:
How to use commas
Week 6:
How to use a semicolon
Week 7:
Commas vs. Semicolons
7th Grade
7th Grade
August 26, 2025
Our first novel is Esperanza Rising, which we are reading together, in class. I was so impressed with them yesterday because they made their own predictions about the story and even talked about what they thought the characters looked like. Sometimes it feels like I have to pull the students along to answer these types of questions, so I was thrilled when they shared these insights. The students are also compiling information to add to a graphic organizer. I look forward to continuing to read this book with the students!
Week of September 15-19, 2025
On Friday, September 12th, all classes were given a grammar test over dangling modifiers, misplaced apostrophes, and homophones. I would recommend that more students take notes during the week so that the following quiz goes more smoothly. I remind them every day that if they take notes, they will have a ready-made study guide. Since many did not listen to my advice, they struggled with the test. Everyone needs to be taking notes at some point during the week so that they are more prepared.
This coming week in 7th grade, we will continue reading, but will also be doing art and vocabulary word study to mix up our routine.
8th Grade
8th Grade
August 26, 2025
Our first novel is The Phantom Tollbooth. So far, the students seem interested and engaged with the content. They initiate their own conversations about the novel and are completing their vocabulary and essay exercises. This is a fun reading selection that I hoped would keep their attention, and so far, it is working! Encourage your students to keep up with their reading so that they are prepared for pop quizzes and accompanying assignments.
Week of September 15-19, 2025
On Friday, September 12th, all classes were given a grammar test over dangling modifiers, misplaced apostrophes, and homophones. I would recommend that more students take notes during the week so that the following quiz goes more smoothly. I remind them every day that if they take notes, they will have a ready-made study guide. Since many did not listen to my advice, they struggled with the test. Everyone needs to be taking notes at some point during the week so that they are more prepared.
This week, we will wrap up our unit on The Phantom Tollbooth by watching and reviewing some TED Talks about boredom, which is how the adventure in the story begins. We will be playing a vocabulary bingo game so that they are reacquainted. The students will also complete a dodecahedron book report that is inspired by a character in the book. I hope they enjoy this alternative to a traditional book report!
9th Grade
9th Grade
August 26, 2025
I have to be honest, this is my favorite unit so far. We are studying Mark Twain, and it has been a success. We have read texts and watched videos about his life and also his short story, The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County. The next selection will be The Prince and the Pauper, followed by the stories of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. This unit does require some independent reading, so please make sure that your student is committed to doing this to maintain a passing grade in this class.
Week of September 15-19, 2025
On Friday, September 12th, all classes were given a grammar test over dangling modifiers, misplaced apostrophes, and homophones. I would recommend that more students take notes during the week so that the following quiz goes more smoothly. I remind them every day that if they take notes, they will have a ready-made study guide. Since many did not listen to my advice, they struggled with the test. Everyone needs to be taking notes at some point during the week so that they are more prepared.
The students will be using elements of literature to dissect parts of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, along with other activities. I plan to wrap up our unit by the end of the week.
10th Grade
10th Grade
August 26, 2025
This school year has started off with a study of Jesse Stuart and his poetry. We are currently dissecting poems by labeling their poetic devices that are present. The students will proofread their classmates' poems that have been assigned and will continue their poetry analysis over the next few weeks.
Week of September 15-19, 2025
On Friday, September 12th, all classes were given a grammar test over dangling modifiers, misplaced apostrophes, and homophones. I would recommend that more students take notes during the week so that the following quiz goes more smoothly. I remind them every day that if they take notes, they will have a ready-made study guide. Since many did not listen to my advice, they struggled with the test. Everyone needs to be taking notes at some point during the week so that they are more prepared.
The students have weathered the storm that was the poetry unit! They have been assigned their final project and have been put into small groups to create their own poetry podcast. We listened to an awesome podcast one day, and they really seemed to enjoy it! They had the best feedback, which led to a great class conversation. I am looking forward to hearing what they come up with to create one of their own!
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