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!!

Homework: Friday 10/10/14

Homework: Thursday 10/9/14

Homework: Wednesday 10/8/14

Homework: Monday 10/6/14

Honework: Thursday 10/2/14

Homework: Wednesday 10/1/14