Merry Christmas from 7th & 8th Grade

Merry Christmas from 7th 8th Grade!!

Homework: 12/19/14

Christmas Break Assignment for 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade

Christmas Break Assignment for Language Arts:

6th, 7th, and 8th grade were given a review packet to work on over Christmas break.  The packet covers many of the lessons we covered the month before break, and introduces the students to some of the material we will be covering when we return from break.  These packets will be graded for a homework assignment grade; therefore, I encourage students to do their best on them.  

In addition, students are encouraged to read at least 20 mins. every day over Christmas break and complete their reading logs.  The reading logs will be collected upon returning to school.

I wish all of you a merry and blessed holiday season,

Mrs. Moussa

Homework 12/16/14

Homework: 12/15/14

Important-7th and 8th Graders Performing on Dec. 19th (Posadas)

Dear Parents and Students,

This is a reminder for the 7th and 8th graders' performance of "Joy to the World" on Posadas, which will be celebrated on this Friday, December 19th.  We are excited to celebrate the Christmas season with this joyous celebration, and all students and parents are encouraged to attend.  The students have decided to wear Christmas sweaters and jeans.   They are asked to be at school at 6:00 P.M. to prepare for their performance.

Here is a quick summary of Friday's event:

What: Posadas

• "Posadas are an important part of Mexican Christmas celebrations. The word posada means "inn" or "shelter" in Spanish, and this tradition re-enacts Mary and Joseph's search for a place to stay in Bethlehem. Posadas are held in Mexico on each of the nine nights leading up to Christmas, from December 16 to 24th."

When: This Friday, December 19th


Where: The students will meet in the classrooms, they will be performing in the church and the yard.

Why: To celebrate the Christmas season

Who: 7th and 8th Grade students

How: Students will be singing "Joy to the World" 

• Wearing Christmas sweaters and jeans

 Joy to the World

Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And heav’n and nature sing,
And heav’n and nature sing,
And heav’n, and heav’n, and nature sing.

Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

Homework: Friday 12/12/14

Homework: Thursday 12/11/14

Homework: 12/10/14

Homework: Tuesday 12/9/14

Checking Student Progress on Gradelink

Dear parents and students,

Please check www.gradelink.com regularly to monitor progress throughout the trimester.  As of now, several students are missing assignments and have not made an effort to make them up.  Any missed assignments/tests/quizzes are entered as "0" in Gradelink until they are made up.

Thank you,
Mrs. Moussa

Homework: 12/8/14

Homework: Friday 12/5/14

Homework: Wednesday 12/3/14

Homework: Tuesday 12/2/14

Important Update Concerning Gradelink/Grade book

Dear parents,

In an effort to help you stay informed about your student's academic progress.  I will be placing "0" in the place of any missed assignments/quizzes/tests until the work is made up by the student.  This will help parents and students track any missed work and their progress in language arts.

If you have any questions concerning this matter, please e-mail me: mmoussa@saintanneschool.com

Thank you,

Mrs. Moussa

Noun Books for 6th, 7th and 8th Grade Due 12/3/14

The following assignment is due tomorrow for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade.  The students have been working on this assignment in class.  Here are the instructions/rubrics for the assignment:

6^th Grade Noun Book Rubric

Cover page – 5 pts.

·       Student created a cover page that included their title, and full name

Nouns – 5 pts.

·       Student correctly defined a noun

·       Student gave 2-4 sentences containing nouns

·       Student used a chart or listed examples of nouns

·       Student illustrated or used pictures of nouns

Compound Nouns – 5 pts.

·       Student correctly defined a compound noun

·       Student gave 2-4 sentences containing compound nouns

·       Student used a chart or listed examples of compound nouns

·       Student illustrated or used pictures of compound nouns

Common and Proper Nouns – 5 pts.

·       Student correctly defined a common and proper noun

·       Student gave 2-4 sentences containing common and proper nouns

·       Student used a chart or listed examples of common and proper nouns

·       Student illustrated or used pictures of common and proper nouns

7^th Grade Noun Book Rubric

Cover page – 5 pts.

·       Student created a cover page that included their title, and full name

Nouns – 5 pts.

·       Student correctly defined a noun

·       Student gave 2-4 sentences containing nouns

·       Student used a chart or listed examples of nouns

·       Student illustrated or used pictures of nouns

Collective Nouns – 5 pts.

·       Student correctly defined a collective noun

·       Student gave 2-4 sentences containing collective nouns 

·       Student used a chart or listed examples of collective nouns

·       Student illustrated or used pictures of collective nouns

Compound Nouns – 5 pts.

·       Student correctly defined a compound noun

·       Student gave 2-4 sentences containing compound nouns 

·       Student used a chart or listed examples of compound nouns

·       Student illustrated or used pictures of compound nouns

Common and Proper Nouns – 5 pts.

·       Student correctly defined a common and proper noun

·       Student gave 2-4 sentences containing common and proper nouns

·       Student used a chart or listed examples of common and proper nouns

·       Student illustrated or used pictures of common and proper nouns

8^th Grade Noun Book Rubric

Cover page – 5 pts.

·       Student created a cover page that included their title, and full name

Nouns – 5 pts.

·       Student correctly defined a noun

·       Student gave 2-4 sentences containing nouns

·       Student used a chart or listed examples of nouns

·       Student illustrated or used pictures of nouns

Collective Nouns – 5 pts.

·       Student correctly defined a collective noun

·       Student gave 2-4 sentences containing collective nouns

·       Student used a chart or listed examples of collective nouns

·       Student illustrated or used pictures of collective nouns

Compound Nouns – 5 pts.

·       Student correctly defined a compound noun

·       Student gave 2-4 sentences containing compound nouns

·       Student used a chart or listed examples of compound nouns

·       Student illustrated or used pictures of compound nouns

Common and Proper Nouns – 5 pts.

·       Student correctly defined a common and proper noun

·       Student gave 2-4 sentences containing common and proper nouns

·       Student used a chart or listed examples of common and proper nouns

·       Student illustrated or used pictures of common and proper nouns

Homework: Monday & Tuesday 11/23-24/14

Homework: Friday 11/21/14

Homework: Thursday 11/20/14

Extra Credit Due Next Wed. 11/26/14

Dear parents and students,

Here is an  Extra Credit assignment for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders.

The assignments are due on Wed. 11/26/14.

6th Grade: Al Capone Does My Shirts

Write a paragraph describing the details about the setting of the novel Al Capone Does My shirts.  Make sure to include details about Alcatraz, the character's lifestyle, living conditions, expressions, etc.  What details about the setting make the character's times and lifestyles seem real?  (Make sure to include them into your paragraph.)

*Make sure your paragraph has a title
*Make sure your paragraph is double-spaced and typed

7th Grade: Number the Stars

Write about an event that happened in your own life as though it were a flashback.  This event should be one that would help someone you know understand you better.

*Make sure your write 3-4 paragraphs
*Make sure you type your paragraphs and they are double-spaced

8th Grade: Treasure Island

Pretend that you are a newspaper reporter.  By chance, you have been staying at the Admiral Benbow Inn.  This is your chance to get a scoop on what has happened.  Write an article to appear in your newspaper.  Be sure to answer the questions who, what, when, where, why and how.

*Make sure you type your newspaper article.
*Your article should be at least 3 paragraphs long.


Please note, late extra credit assignments will not be accepted.

Thank you,
Mrs. Moussa

Welcome to the New Trimester!!

Dear parents and students,

We have begun the second trimester!  I encourage students and parents to think of this trimester as a fresh new beginning and an opportunity to excel and meet academic goals.

Keys to success in the new trimester:

1. Finish all homework and class assignments on time and turn them in

2. Seek help/tutoring in areas where you are struggling

3. Check www.Gradelink.com weekly to monitor your academic progress

4. Make up any missed assignments/tests/quizzes after an absence

5. Keep your materials organized!!  Many students miss assignments due to misplacing their work.

6. Take notes during class, and ask questions when necessary

7. Use homework assignments to review for quizzes and tests

8. Study your vocabulary words DAILY!!  Make an effort to incorporate new vocabulary words into your writing.

Have a great trimester!!

Mrs. Moussa

Homework: Monday 11/17/14

Parent-Teacher Conferences-Please Schedule Your Appointments!

Dear 7th Grade Parents,

In order to receive your student's report card for the first trimester, you must schedule an appointment with me.  Appointments are scheduled through Ms. Francis in the main office.  If you have any questions about scheduling, please call the school at (310) 829-2775.

Thank you,Mrs. Moussa

Homework: Friday 11/14/14

Homework: Thursday 11/13/14

Novel questions will be copied and handed out tomorrow or Friday.

Homework: 11/12/14

Homework: Friday 11/7/14

7th Grade Paychecks - Sent Home

Dear Parents,

7th grade paychecks were sent home today.  Please review and sign the paycheck for your student.  Paychecks are considered an assignment.

Thank you,

Mrs. Moussa

6th Grade Classroom Notes 11/6/14

Homework: Thursday 11/6/14

Homework: Wednesday 11/5/14

Attention Parents:

Paychecks for week 11 (last week) were sent home yesterday.  Please, make sure to review your student's weekly progress.

Thanks,
Mrs. Moussa

Homework: Tuesday 11/4/14

Homework: Monday 11/3/14

7th Grade Paychecks from Last Week

Dear students and parents,

I could not print out last week's paychecks due to technical difficulties with the printer.  The printer issue has been resolved and paychecks will be sent home tomorrow (Tuesday, November 4th, 2014)

Thank you, and sorry for any inconvenience,
Mrs. Moussa

Vocabulary Quizzes on Unit 7 for 6th, 7th and 8th grade

Dear students and parents,

This is a reminder that all three middle school grades will be having a quiz on unit 7 of the vocabulary textbook tomorrow (November 4th).  Vocabulary words can be studied using several methods:

• Creating flashcards with the vocabulary word on one side, and the definition and synonym on the other side
• Quizzing yourself or having someone else quiz you by using the flashcards
• Playing the vocabulary games and the additional vocabulary practice provided on: www.vocabularyworkshop.com 
• Your access code is provided on the inside of the book cover
• Level A: 6th Grade
• Level B: 7th Grade
• Level C: 8th Grade
• Using www.spellingecity.com to review the vocabulary words by playing games
• Writing sentences that utilize the vocabulary words

Best of luck,
Mrs. Moussa

Homework: Friday 10/31/14

Happy Halloween!!!

Homework: Thursday 10/30/14

Ways to Help Your Student Succeed!!

Hi,

I am often asked by parents for ways they can help their student succeed, be organized, and become responsible for their learning.  The truth is that many middle school students are still learning how to juggle all of their responsibilities and their personal commitments.  Students also struggle with keeping all of their learning materials organized.  It is very important to play an active role in helping your student learn how to stay organized and motivated to achieve their best academically.  By modeling good organizational skills, assisting your student stay organized, and valuing students' academic achievements, students will adopt the same behaviors and attitudes.

Here are some steps you can take to help your student:

• Check all three middle school teachers' classroom blogs, and review the assigned homework
• Take a look at your student's agenda and ensure that your student is copying the homework
• Ensure that your student is bringing home the study materials they need to complete their homework
• Designate a specific time period for homework time each day, and if your student does not have homework one day, that time should be used for reading
• Students are creatures of habit, and this schedule teaches them the discipline needed for higher grades with heavier workloads
• Designate a quiet and distraction-free space for homework where you can casually monitor your student as they complete their homework.  (Students often need re-directing)
• Ask to see the completed assignments, and encourage your student to challenge themselves to complete their homework to the best of their abilities
• Remind students that their work is a reflection of their abilities!
• Once a week/month, ask to see your students' folders and notebooks.  It is important to see what your student is doing in class, and how they organize their paperwork.
• Check http://www.gradelink.com/ once a week to monitor your student's grades and missing assignments
• Review your student's paycheck and discuss the student's strengths and weaknesses 
• Reward your student's achievements!!! It's so important to acknowledge any improvement in behavior/grades/organization
• I recommend a reward chart (Ex. the student receives 4 paychecks that are 100 pts. they are rewarded with something they enjoy)
• Enforce a strict bed time during school days
• Create a positive and learning-centered home, encourage your student to constantly think of where they would like to attend college and what they're future goals are
• Limit/monitor time spent on the computer/smartphone

I hope these suggestions are helpful,

Thank you,

Mrs. Moussa

Homework: Wednesday 10/29/14

Homework: Tuesday 10/28/14

Homework: Monday 10/27/14

Homework: Friday 10/24/14

Paychecks Sent Home!!

Dear parents,

The 7th grade paychecks were sent home today.  Please, review and sign them.  Paychecks are considered an assignment, and they are due tomorrow morning.

Thank you,
Mrs. Moussa

Homework: Thursday 10/23/14

Please make sure you are reviewing your vocabulary words for the test on Monday.

7th Grade Unit 2 Exam on 10/29/14

Please be advised, 7th grade will be tested on unit 2 of the literature textbook on Wednesday, 29th, 2014.  

• The exam will cover all of the short stories and poetry within unit 2 in the literature textbook.
• The exam will be similar to the selection tests that students have been completing.  
• It will contain multiple choice questions and an essay writing portion.  

Thank you,

Mrs. Moussa

Field Trip Permission Slips

Dear Parents,

A permission slip for a field trip on December 11th to watch the Hot Chocolate Nutcracker was sent home today.  Please, sign the field trip form and provide the requested $10 dollars.

Thank you,
Mrs. Moussa

Homework: Wednesday 10/22/14

7th Grade Author Project Elements

Here are all the items/elements you need to include on your presentation board:

1. Author's name
2. Pictures of author
3. Newspaper article
4. Poem/short story by the author
5. Images that represent imagery in chosen poem/short story
6. Letter to the author
7. Pictures of book covers of author's work
8. Time line of important events in the author's life and career

Please remember this project is due tomorrow!
Thank you,
Mrs. Moussa

Homework: Tuesday 10/21/14

Homework: Monday 10/20/14

Please make a note of upcoming projects and tests this week!!

Homework: Friday 10/17/14

7th Grade Paychecks Sent Home!

Dear parents,

Please review and sign the paycheck that has been sent home today.  Several 7th graders are still struggling with missing homework assignments.  Please, assist your student by reviewing their assignments and encouraging them to put forth their best effort.

Thank you,
Mrs. Moussa

Homework: Thursday 10/16/14

Homework: Tuesday 10/14/14

7th Grade Paychecks!!

Dear 7th grade parents,

7th Grade Paychecks from last week have been sent home today.  Please, review and sign them for tomorrow.

Thank you,
Mrs. Moussa

Homework: Monday 10/13/14

Revision Checklist

Revision Checklist

Format

o  Heading: first and last name, class, date

o  Title: first letter of each word is capitalized

o  Double-spaced

o  12 pt. font, Times New Roman

o  Indent the beginning of all paragraphs

o  Essays are 5 paragraphs (min.)

o  Each paragraph is 5-8 sentences long

Punctuation

o  Periods, question marks, exclamation marks at the end of sentences

o  Commas used when:

o  Use before conjunctions (FANBOYS) (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so)

o  Use to separate two DEPENDENT clauses (missing something) (incomplete clauses)

o  Use when listing items or things

o  Use a comma before a quote

o  Use ending punctuation INSIDE quotations

o  Semi-colons used to separate two INDEPENDENT clauses (Subject + Predicate) that are about the same idea

o  (Remember: Semi-colon + transition word + comma)

Grammar

o  Capitalize:

o  Beginning of a sentence

o  Proper Nouns (specific names of places, things, persons, ideas)

o  Titles

o  “I”

o  Verbs are consistent throughout the writing (circle all your verbs)

o  Do not use “I” or “Me” in a formal essay (no opinions, just fact)

*Please check spelling!!