Week of 13-17

Week of December 13-17

Dec 12

Here is what to expect this week in my class:

• Monday:  Our class will be visiting the Media Center for the last time this year. We will turn in our books, but we won't be checking out new ones until we come back in January. Please make sure your child does not owe any fines or have overdue books.In class, we will be continuing reading our novel, Bud, not Buddy, and will be focusing on characterization. Students will be working on a biopoem for the character of their choice from the story. Students will also be working in remedial/enrichment flexible groups throughout the week that will focus on basic skills- main ideas, sentence parts, and writing. 
• Tuesday: Students will continue reading our novel, working on their biopoem, and participating in flexible groups.
• Wednesday: Students will take the final exam. All basic skills will be assessed.                        Questions will focus on: all daily grammar practice related concepts and skills, analyzing text for main ideas/supporting details, writing and composition skills, research skills, and reading comprehension.
• Thursday: If needed, students will continue working on final exam. When exam is complete, students will continue working on biopoems (due Thursday) and in flexible groups. 
• Friday: Students will be expected to turn in all daily work for the week- Daily Grammar Practice, sponges, and group work. Students will have the entire class period to make sure they have all work complete. 

In addition, students will have approximately 10-15 minutes each day to read. The expectation is that they have 1200 pages by December 17. Many of my students are not on target with their reading. Please help me by encouraging reading time at home as well. I have recently begun allowing my students to take home their reading logs so that parents may sign for any pages read. Some students have taken advantage of this opportunity, but I would like to see more!

Grades will be coming from :
1. Daily work-Daily Grammar Practice, sponges, homework
2. Remedial/enrichment group work
3. Biopoem
4. Final Exam

This week's agenda:

Monday-12/6/10

The students will be working in groups over Sentence Parts, Main Ideas, Research, and Expository Writing.

Tuesday12/7/10
The students will be taking their Benchmark test in Language Arts.

Wednesday-12/8/10
The students who do not finish their benchmark will be allowed more time. The students who have completed their benchmarks will begin working on their Biopoems from the novel Bud not Buddy.

Thursday-12/9/10
Their will be a mini lesson over conjunctions.  The students will continue working on their Biopoems

Friday- 12/10/10
The students will continue working on their biopoems

Benchmark

Benchmark tests will be given this week. Tuesday, December 7, is the day your child will take the ELA benchmark. Please discuss with your child the importance of taking it seriously and doing their best. This test will tell us a lot about what your child's strengths and weaknesses  are so that we can meet individual needs.