Saturday, April 29, 2017

Slow and steady...

The next few weeks will be filled with new information as well as review. Because there are many assessments coming up, I have created two calendars, one for finals preparation and one for due dates and assessments. I recommend checking these calendars daily. I will give you paper copies in class but will keep this post pinned to the top of the blog for your reference.

* LEARN YOUR POEM...a line or two each day!

* The Membean final vocabulary assessment for this year will be in class on May 12. As you have learned, using the website CONSISTENTLY and with variety is the key to success. I have turned off new words to allow you to master the existing list you have. To quote Mrs. Cohen, "You're welcome."

* I have the due date (FINALLY) for your novel: May 15. As I assigned it last week, this gives you more than enough time to complete it if you are reading 12-15 pages a day. I know someone will ask, "What if I don't finish?" Well, your final writing assignment is based on the book. So I suggest you read it.

* You will note that I have added a link to a new Symbaloo page that has MANY online resources for finals review. If you find one that is VALID that you think other students would use, let me know and I will add it. (Thanks to Brooke for two new ones!)

* I just came across this vid, which addresses some diction issues in a funny way.

* To accommodate for Shavuot, your LA and math finals are now on May 30. You will also have a year-end math assessment and grammar assessment separate from finals. The grammar assessment will NOT be counted in your LA grade for the trimester.

* If you would prefer to see the calendar in a larger view, follow this link.



Saturday, April 22, 2017

Busy week ahead!

This week will be filled with all kinds of activity!

Monday: A special schedule that allows us to observe Yom HaShoah and to hear from a survivor. In class, it is your last class period to complete your Jewish Passport.

Tuesday: Interfaith Field Trip to Queen of Angels Catholic School. You will use your Passport to help teach the Catholic students what it means to be Jewish.

Wednesday: Block 3 will be creating Black-out poetry. Block 6 will have a word game day.

Thursday: Blocks 4,5,6 will create Black-out poetry

Friday: Yom HaAtzmaut celebration at the Lower School.

HOMEWORK THIS WEEK: Be reading a novel of your choice. You should have selected your poem and notified me of your selection no later than the end of classtime on Monday. Be learning your poem a line or two each night. 45 minutes of Membean due Sunday evening, April 30.

NOTE: Verse on the Green will be the morning of May 12. Do not procrastinate in learning your poem!

Monday, April 17, 2017

Project Week

Welcome back! I hope you enjoyed your time away from school. This week we dive right back into the Jewish Passport project, which is due on Monday. If your group has not yet been able to print the Hero's Journey comic due to absences on the Friday before Spring Break, that needs to happen Tuesday or Wednesday.

On Friday of this week, there is a grammar test that covers conjunctions, basic comma rules, phrases and clauses. I gave you a study guide the Wednesday before Spring Break. In the last blog post, you can find several links for practicing these concepts.

There will be a review you can complete independently. Anyone needing extra help should ask during class or attend tutorial Wednesday morning at 7:30. You have all of Day 2 and Day 3 to work on the passport or get clarification on grammar.

Next Monday we have a Yom HaShoah observance. On next Tuesday is our interfaith field trip to...
Queen of Angels Catholic School in Roswell. Click here for their website.


Saturday, April 1, 2017

CTP IV Testing

This week will include standardized testing and the group project on The Hero's Journey. We are all looking forward to a much needed spring break! For "homework" you should be reviewing the notes on our current grammar unit (conjunctions, phrases, clauses) a few minutes each night. You can also be working on your "Jewish Passport" at home, if you wish. Plan on returning your novel by Friday.

That's it! Please get plenty of sleep, eat a healthy breakfast, and practice relaxing.

Here are some links for grammar practice. The test will be 4/21.

Fragments, comma splices
Conjunctions
Prepositional phrases
More on conjunctions
Using commas
Clauses

and
Dependent and Independent
and more on clauses
and Subordinating conjunctions