Hello, students and parents!
I hope you all had a safe and happy Halloween! I can't believe it's already November- it sure doesn't feel like it outside. (But it does feel nice!)
Well, I've been in the classroom with you guys for two weeks now. With Ms. Flynn's help, I've become oriented to the school, the 8th grade curriculum, and I've learned all of my students' names! We have hit the ground running!
The students were given the opportunity to interview me in class in an effort to not only allow them to get to know me better, but also to practice their questioning, listening, note-taking, summarizing, and writing skills. We have also taken the second Progress Monitoring Assessment, created PowerPoint/Keynote presentations on "Flowers for Algernon," responded to the second District Writing Prompt, and read a "killer" short story by Roald Dahl.
This week, we will be reading "Rules of the Game" by Amy Tan in our literature books (the text is available online at ClassZone). We will be discussing first and third person point of view as well as taking interactive notes throughout the story. In our Writer's Workshop, we will begin the process of revising, editing, and publishing our District Writing Prompt responses.
Just so you know, I will be continuing the usage of ClassChatterLive for students to post their weekly independent reading summaries, utilize the drop box, and respond to the occasional topic blog. I am understanding and flexible with students who do not have computers and/or Internet Access at home, but I do feel it is very important to get students accustomed to using technology regularly in their schoolwork. After all, Julia Landon is a "college preparatory" school, and colleges seem to be regularly using Blackboard and similar online assignment programs.
Parents, please encourage your child to read nightly! Students, remember to keep track of your independent reading in your reading logs!
I am preparing for us to have a challenging, fun, and successful year! I am very happy to be a part of such a great school! 8th grade rocks!
Miss McCoy
"By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail." -Benjamin Franklin
"Be prepared!" - The Boy Scouts of America
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