Progress....

Thanks to all the parents for attending Open House. Hopefully, you know a bit more about me. I have opened up some grades on OnCourse and just need a few more days to open the rest. If any grade is in question, please give me until progress report day to work with your child. Remember, progress reports are just that: a snapshot in time. Grades change; things appear out of nowhere (backpacks, lockers, etc.) and land in the Basket of Eternal Forgiveness. There are no final dates for anything at this time.  History students read below (red.)


Language Arts: Your textbook is online; if you have online access you can leave it in your locker.  Go to http://www.classzone.com, click Language Arts, Middle School, Florida and Go. Choose your book cover for 6th grade. The student activation code is           3767769-10. I haven't tried this because my access is different than yours. If you have any problems, please have your child let me know.   


LA students took the District Writing Assessment #1 on September 1st.  Grades are in.  The essays were graded on a 6 point rubric based on 8th FCAT Writes requirements.  The average score was 2, and of course, I know your child is in 6th grade, not 8th.  So let's just consider this a starting place.  Most students are still in the narrative mode of middle school and did not properly dissect the prompt.  I could not help them with this during the evaluation, but I can now.  This first writing activity was "marked up" first for conventions (grammar and punctuation) and then graded for content in terms of properly responding to the prompt.  This grade is considered diagnostic (for me, other teachers may think otherwise, and that is their right) and will not count against their 9 week grade.  The instructions did tell students to use a second sheet of paper for planning  and I am counting this as a grade. Students must follow directions, and planning is essential for effective writing.  I made a copy of each student's essay for them to take home.  Ask your child for the copy. DO NOT redo the essay at home. That is my job and we will be doing that in the Writer's Workshop this week.  


History:  We are getting into the text.  We've been learning about strategies for reading non-fiction.  We have covered sections 1-1 and 1-2.  We will begin 1-3 AND Cornell-notetaking this week.  Students will see the samples of Cornell Notes that I had posted on my board at Open House.  A test will be coming, possibly Friday.  Check the planners.