ELA
Ms. Raffensperger eraffensperger@wcpss.net
June 11, 2020
Hello Parents,
Well today is the day we send our students off to high school. I am so proud of them, yet this day is filled with mixed emotions. I know they are ready for high school and for the wonderful and exciting experiences that await them, but this does not make it any easier to say goodbye to them. Thank you all for giving me the opportunity to teach your children. You should be very proud of the mature young people they are becoming.
I have copied the letter I sent them on Google Classroom. It also includes a link for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy!
Have a wonderful summer,
Ms. Raffensperger
:)
Posted June 11, 2020 on GC
Announcement:
"Hello and welcome to your last day of 8th Grade"
Elizabeth Raffensperger _ Staff - LufkinRdMS
Created 2:07 PM2:07 PM
Hello and welcome to your last day of 8th grade. You are officially 9th graders. YEA!
I am so proud of you for working your way through the last 3 months. I know it has not been easy, but you made it. I have attached a link to our Friday drive through celebration. This will give you a chance to see your friends that were in the cars in front of you and behind you. :)
I wish you the very best in high school. Meet new people, and join new clubs. Open your minds to the endless possibilities that await you. you for the opportunity to teach you this year. You have added so much to my life, and I thank you. Okay, the tears are starting to flow as the reality sinks in. It is hard to think that I will not be not seeing you when school starts.
Stay in touch, and keep me posted about all your exciting adventures and experiences in high school.
You will always hold a special place in my heart, and I will miss you.
Ms. Raffensperger :)
June 9, 2020
Google Classroom notice to students 6/9/20 at 1:30 pm.
IMPORTANT!
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING IN ITS ENTIRETY.
THIS MESSAGE ON TO YOUR FRIENDS IN CASE THEY ARE NOT CHECKING GOOGLE CLASSROOM.
Hello Everyone,
I hope you are all well. It was good seeing many of you on Friday.
Please check your Quarter Three grades. If you see any errors, please let me know ASAP. My grades are due on Thursday, so I need to do any correction before that.
If you completed any Read Theory for Q3, you must let me know, so I can give you credit. I do not get notifications from RT, so it is 100% up to you to let me know. All you have to do is email me saying you did additional RT.
If you have any Quarter Three work to turn in, I must have it by tomorrow at 6:00pm. If you have any questions please feel to contact me.
Ms. R.
:)
April 6, 2020
Google Classroom notice sent to students 4/6/20 at 9:40 am.
FINAL NOTICE
ALL LATE/MISSING WORK OF QUARTER THREE IS DUE TODAY, APRIL 6, 2020.
PLEASE DO NOT ASSUME YOU HAVE SUBMITTED IT. CHECK POWER SCHOOL. THIS WILL LET YOU KNOW IF I HAVE RECEIVED IT. PLEASE PASS THIS ON TO YOUR FRIENDS.
If you have made special arrangements with me, your due date is whatever we discussed.
Miss you all,
Ms. Raffensperger
:)
April 3, 2020
Dear Parents,
I hope this note finds you and your families happy and healthy. I miss the students, and I have enjoyed communicating with them. During our Google Meet chats, I have met several dogs, cats, and one hamster. I also have had the opportunity to say hello to a few siblings (former students of mine). :)
I have posted the following message on Google Classroom for students. It provides information about late, missing, incomplete, and upcoming work. I sent this information to students on 3/30 and 3/31, and I updated it today. I hope this addresses questions about 3rd quarter work. All work is due by Monday, April 6, 2020.
Take care, and stay healthy,
Sincerely,
Ms. Raffensperger
Posted 12:34 PM
Hello Everyone,
I hope you and your families are doing well. I have been enjoying our Google Classroom correspondence and our Google Meet chats. I just wanted to give you an update on late, missing, or incomplete work. Due to our new start date (April 13) for Remote Learning, the last date for missing, late, or incomplete work for quarter three will be Monday, April 6, 2020. If this timeline is a struggle for you, please let me know.(You must notify me by April 5, 2020.)
Please read the entire page. This should answer many of your questions about assignments and grades for third quarter.
Please look at Power School to see if you are missing work and read the message. In the message section, I have listed pages in your workbooks that you need to complete. This is for the work that was submitted the week we left school.
***Please sign as "done" after you have read this page.***
________________________________________________________________________________
All students should have completed the following assignments.
Here is a list of work for third quarter.
- Shakespeare Character Confessional - Quiz grade
- Independent Reading Project - Q2 - Test Grade
- Vocab/Amendments/Reading Check Ch1-4 - Quiz - cannot be made up
- M3 U1 Vocabulary Classwork Assessment - cannot be made up
- Poetry Workshop Assignment - Poem and rubric are due.
If you did not turn this in, please do so on YOUR CLASS PERIOD Google Classroom. There are directions
for this under the assignment.
- Novel - AMLW - Read Chapter 1 -13 (Including Chapter 13) It is a good idea to finish the novel as it will be
assigned immediately when we return. Get ahead in your reading while you have the time.
-Workbook
Pages 3-22 (Except p7 and p16) (Collected)
Pages 23-42 (Collected March 11, 2020.)
In order to complete missing workbook pages you will need the links to the workbook. They are posted on your CLASS PERIOD Google Classroom.
Again check Power School to see if you are missing assignments. Read the message. It will tell you what pages you are missing.
Lesson 5 pages 23-29
Lesson 6 pages 30 - 33
Lesson 7 pages 41
Lesson 9 pages 42
The following pages were not submitted, but must be completed as they were due before 3/13/20. You will need this information when we start Distance Learning on 4/13/20. You do not have to submit these pages.
Pages 43-46
Pages 54-55
Pages 57-58
Page 61- 62
Pages 63-65 - Read, CURE, and Complete
Pages 91,96,98, 99
- Read Theory - If you did not complete 20 quizzes with 80% or higher for 3rd quarter, I will give you an
opportunity to make these up. They must be completed before 4/6/20. When you have completed them,
you MUST send me an email saying you have done them, and I will adjust your grade.
- Independent Reading Project for Q3 was originally due on 3/24/20. This was a 4th quarter test grade. Please keep in a secure place, and I will give you instructions for this assignment at a later date.
- Independent Reading Project for Quarter 4 - IF we have an Independent Reading Project for Quarter 4, choose an American Classic to read. Google American Classic, and you will find plenty. You can download books from the public library.
We will be continuing Module 3 and the novel, AMLW, when we start our distance learning on 4/13/20.
Helpful Resources:
Audio Component for AMLW is posted on Google Classroom on February 28, 2020.
CURE Power Point is posted on Google Classroom on February 16, 2020.
AMLW - Novel is on Google Classroom post on January 31, 2020.
I hope this answers your questions and satisfies some of your concerns. We will get through this together.
Miss you all,
Ms. Raffensperger
Currently joined by Otis and Azar (my cats)
:)
***Please sign as "done" after you have read this page.***
March 25, 2020
Dear Parents,
I hope you and your families are doing well. Please know I am thinking of you. I miss your children, and I encourage them to keep up with their learning. ELA Resources are posted on the 8-4 website. I have also listed this information on Google Classroom. Many have joined, but some have not. Please check with them. Reading novels are also highly recommended. I would suggest American literature/classics to help prepare them for high school. I will be putting a recommended reading list under ELA resources in the next few days.
Some of you have asked me about work and grading. So far, all work assigned that was due before the closing of schools will be graded work. (Due on or before March 13, 2020) I have posted the following information for your students on Google Classroom. Please read it for more details.
Stay Healthy,
Ms. Raffensperger
Google Classroom note to students on March 25, 2020.
Good Morning Students,
I hope you are logging in everyday. Have fun with Memorable Moments. Please remember these are private pictures and under no circumstances should the be copied or shared. I trust you are respectful of this.
As you sign in, please make sure you are doing work on the ELA Resources I have posted. Keep your learning moving forward.
Your Independent Reading Project is on hold for now. You will get a new due date on it in the future. If you have finished it, please hang on to it for now. Do not misplace it. :)
Read Theory grades were cut off on 3/13 instead of 3/15 and were adjusted accordingly, so no one was penalized. Read Theory is one of the sites I listed as a resource, so you are more than welcome to work on it. As of now, it will not be graded. I will let you know if that changes.
All work that was due on or before 3/13/20 will be graded. If you have late or missing work, it would be a good idea to complete it. You can check Power School. Send me an email when you have completed ALL of your late or missing work, and we can discuss how to get it to me. Do not contact me one piece at a time, but if you have questions, please feel free to contact me.
If you have not joined the resource classroom, please do so ASAP. Tell your friends to join if they have not done so.
I hope everyone is well. Remember, play nice with your siblings, and be kind to your parents. :)
Take care, and I miss you all,
Ms. Raffensperger
:)
Resources - Please work on the following:
Free Rice - Vocabulary
Read Theory - Reading
PBS- Literary Terms and more
No Red Ink - Grammar
Kahn Academy - Coming Soon.
Students: The class code to join the Google Classroom site, ELA Resources, is urt75qy.
March 22, 2020
Dear Parents,
I hope everyone is doing well. My thoughts are with all of you at this time. Enjoy having your children with you at home. I think of them daily, and I do miss their presence. I am not used to such quiet . It confirms my beliefs of how much they contribute to a teacher's daily life. Tell them all I said hello and miss them. I am going to post some memorable moments on my Google Classroom site, ELA Resources. Students will need to sign in and join the class. Of course, there are also enrichment resources on the site. :) I will start the "Memorable Moments" on Monday, March 23, 2020. Take care and stay healthy.
The class code for the Google Classroom site, ELA Resources, is urt75qy.
Sincerely,
Ms. Raffensperger
:)
March 17, 2020
Dear Parents,
I have posted the following message on Google Classroom.
Hello Students,
Some of you have emailed me about your Read Theory scores. Read Theory grades and dates have been removed from Power School. I will repost them over the next few days. Sorry for any inconvenience.
Suggestions for things to do if you are bored. These are not assignments.
Working on Read Theory or reading a book will help keep your reading and analytical skills sharp. This is not an assignment and will not be graded.
I will check in to say hello from time to time, so check Google Classroom.
Don't forget to wash your hands frequently and try not to touch your face.
The most important thing is that you and your families stay healthy.
You will be missed.
Ms. Raffensperger
:)
March 10, 2020
Dear Parents,
I have posted the following on Google Classroom in order for students to double check their work. This is a list of all work that should have been completed by today, March 10, 2020. I have also completed a section for ongoing work, future due dates, and resources. Please check these assignment with your child. Thank you for your continued support at home.
Sincerely,
Ms. Raffensperger
Google Classroom - March 10, 2020
There is no homework tonight; however, this is an opportunity for you to get caught up on any current, missing, late or incomplete work.
Here is a list of work for this quarter that is due or past due:
Shakespeare Character Confessional - Quiz grade
Independent Reading Project - Q2 - Test Grade
Vocab/Amendments/Reading Check Ch1-4 - Quiz
M3 U1 Vocabulary Classwork Assessment
Novel - AMLW - Read Chapter 1 -11 (Including Chapter 11)
Workbook
Pages 3-22 (Except p7 and p16) ( Collected)
Pages 23-42 - (Will be collected tomorrow, March 11, 2020)
Pages 43-46
Pages 54-55
Pages 57-58
Page 61- 62
Pages 63-65 - Read, CURE, and Complete
Pages 91,96,98
Ongoing Assignment:
Read Theory - weekly - due every Sunday midnight / 5 quizzes with 80% or higher per week.
Future due dates:
Independent Reading Project for Q3 is due 3/24/20. This is a 4th quarter test grade.
Socratic Seminar will be on Friday, March 13, 2020. This will be a test grade.
End of Novel Test - TBA
Helpful Resources:
Audio Component for AMLW is posted on Google Classroom on February 28, 2020.
CURE Power Point is posted on Google Classroom on February 16, 2020.
AMLW - Novel is on Google Classroom post on January 31, 2020.
Please sign as "done" after you have read this page.
December 13, 2019
The following announcement has been posted on Google Classroom for several days.
Posted 1:43 PM
Independent Reading Project Quarter 2 - Test grade for Q 3
Independent Reading Project Due - 12-16-2019
Presentation section to be turned in under Google Classroom. If you have not joined this assignment, please do so immediately.
Class codes are:
Period 3 -yoihjw
Period 4 - iz36xi
Period 5 - 678bhx
Period 6 - egrmau
Read Theory - Total of 5 quiz grades with an 80% or higher grade by Sunday midnight.
Your second set of Read Theory grades are posted on Power School.
Remember you will be responsible for 5 Read Theory articles and quizzes each week. To get credit for them, you will need to score 80% or higher on each quiz. You should be checking your progress. I have gone over this in class several times. These are very short articles and include several questions for each article.
The problems seeing the graphs, grade level, lexils, etc... on Read Theory have been resolved. Yea! Please review and reflect on your progress.
Please mark assignment as done after you read this.
Dear Parents,
All assignments for Quarter One were due before track out.
I have posted the following announcement to students on Google Classroom.
Thank you for your continued support at home,
Ms. Raffensperger :)
October 20, 2019
IMPORTANT! PLEASE READ! CHECK POWER SCHOOL!
AN IMPORTANT REMINDER! LAST CHANCE!
ALTHOUGH ALL ASSIGNMENTS WERE DUE BEFORE BREAK, I AM GIVING YOU ONE LAST CHANCE.
If you did not submit the following assignments, you will be receiving a zero for them on your Quarter One grade.
Essay Graphic Organizer - Test Grade - Due 9/23
Essay - 10% of test grade - Due 9/26
Refugee Poem - Quiz Grade - Due 9/27 -See 9/25 Google classroom slide or directions.
Independent Reading Project - Test grade for Quarter 3 - Due 9/24
If you email me your work by 8:00 am tomorrow morning, 10/21/19, you can still receive a reduced grade. Keep in mind that a zero on any of these assignments will affect your quarter grade drastically. You must use your school email to send these assignments to me. If you do not respond, your grade will remain a zero.
Thank You,
Ms. Raffensperger
Google Classroom Code: Periods 3, 4, 5, and 6 pahhqdr
Important Information and Reminders
Graphic Organizer/Essay Test
Your graphic organizer is due Monday, September 23, 2019. This needs to be submitted on Google Classroom before class on Monday; otherwise, it will be considered late. Remember this is a test grade, and no one should be assisting you in any way with this assignment.
Final essay is due on Thursday, September 26, 2019.
Missing and Late Work
Complete all missing work by Tuesday, September 24, 2019. This is the last day of the quarter to submit late or missing work. Anything is better than a zero.
Independent Reading project is due 9-24-19.
Refugee Poem - free verse - Due 9-26-19 This is a quiz grade.
Supply List for ELA
In addition to 8th grade supplies, students will need the following supplies for LANGUAGE ARTS.
●1 Wire-bound 3 Subject Notebook
● 1 Composition Book
● 2 Two Pocket Folders - Plastic
● Black or blue ballpoint pens (No Pencil in ELA)
● Multi colored sticky notes
4 large freezer bags
Power School
Grades/Missing, Late, and Incomplete Assignments
Please check grades on Power School. Power School will also allow you to see missing, late, and incomplete assignments. Please read comments when provided.
Please check to see if your child is turning in homework assignments.
Thanks for your continued support at home.
Important Dates and Announcement
Every Quarter students will be assigned an independent reading project.
The assignment will require outside reading and a project.
Quarter 1 - Genre: Mystery or Realistic Fiction
On August 2, 2019, students went to the media center, and students were able to review and sign out books for the project. Students may also select books from home or the public library. The genre selection for this quarter is Mystery or Realistic Fiction. The project will consist of a one-pager which will be handed out and explained in class on August 9, 2019. The final project will be due on September 24, 2019. This will be a test grade, and it will count as a 2nd quarter grade.
Please remind your students to continue reading their books.
The book cannot be a selection that the student has read before.
Student Resources
Quick Write Anchor Guide/ Short Answer Guide
Attached is an outline for students to use when writing quick writes and short response answers. Students have this in their Learning Notebook (LN), but I thought it might be helpful for parents to understand what is required in 8th grade. Student will be quoting material from the text, explaining the quote, and citing the material. Check off graphic organizers are available for students if they need them.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bfIPidDNIRgmysLN_Cd7HM7R1JJRIhfxzaYRPrPi2v8/edit?usp=sharing