Homework: Monday 3/30/15

Homework: Friday 3/27/15

Important Changes to Blended Learning Format for Third Trimester

Dear parents and students,

The blended learning component of Language Arts is changing for the third trimester.  For the third trimester, blended learning will be 2 weeks of articles (chosen by each student individually) and 2 weeks of writing an essay.

The 2 weeks of articles:

In order to raise student interest in informational text articles, I will no longer be choosing the articles.  The students are allowed to choose their own articles from the many articles provided by Achieve 3000.  They are asked to complete a min. of 4 articles and their accompanying activities in a 2 week period.  Articles and activities should be completed during the allotted class time.  The students receive an average score based on their activities.

The 2 weeks of essay writing:

I will assign an essay topic for the students to complete over a 2 week period.  Achieve provides essay topics supported by an article.  The students are guided through the writing process by completing a pre-write, rough draft, and a final draft.  During this process, students meet with me periodically to discuss their progress and receive e-mails about necessary edits/revisions.  At the end of the 2 week period, students will receive a letter grade on their essay based on the writing rubric.

*The articles' average grade will be input into www.Gradelink.com under Reading/Literature, and the essay grade will be input under Language.

 **Blended learning is 10% of each class' grade.

Thanks,
Mrs. Moussa

Homework Thursday 3/26/15

Homework: Tuesday 3/24/15

Homework: Friday 3/20/15

Homework: Thursday 3/19/15

7th Grade: Literature test for Unit 5 on Monday, March 23rd.

6th Grade: Reading Test tomorrow  (Friday, March 20th)

8th Grade: Quiz on Chapter 5 of The Outsiders tomorrow  (Friday, March 20th)

7th Grade Awards Recipients

Dear 7th grade families,

I would like to congratulate all of the awards recipients from our 7th grade class!

Great job, and keep up the good work!

Thank you,
Mrs. Moussa

TTM/Achieve 3000 Awards

Honor Roll Awards

Perfect Attendance Awards

Principal's Awards

Honor Roll Awards

Accelerated Reader Awards

Homework: Tuesday 3/17/15

Homework: Thursday 3/12/15

Homework for the weekend of March 12-15

6th Grade:

•  Completed plot map for short story
• Read chapters 36-40 of Al Capone Does My Shirts

7th Grade:

• Write a 3 paragraph summary (typed and double-spaced) of one of the following selections:
• "Zoo"
• "The Hippopotamus"
• "How the Snake Got Poison"
• Each paragraph in the summary should discuss a portion of the selection
• Paragraph 1: Beginning of the selection and key figures
• Paragraph 2: Middle (conflict of the selection) 
• Paragraph 3: Resolution of the selection (how is the conflict resolved/the ending)
• Each paragraph must be 5-8 sentences 
• Review for literature test on Wed. March 18th 

8th Grade:

• Final draft of The Gatsby essay is due on Monday, March 16th
• Essay must be 5 paragraphs (typed and double-spaced)
• These are the essay topic options: Gatsby Essay Topics
• (Students were given a week to work on this essay, and should have an outline and rough draft completed)

Seventh Grade Novel Study of The Giver by Lois Lowry

Dear Parents,

In the next few weeks, we will begin our novel study of The Giver by Lois Lowry in Language Arts.  This book can be purchased at local bookstores, on www.Scholastic.com, or at used bookstores. It is not a requirement that students purchase a copy of this book; however, it is beneficial for them to have a personal copy to use while completing assignments.

Summary of The Giver:

The Giver, the 1994 Newbery Medal winner, has become one of the most influential novels of our time. The haunting story centers on twelve-year-old Jonas, who lives in a seemingly ideal, if colorless, world of conformity and contentment. Not until he is given his life assignment as the Receiver of Memory does he begin to understand the dark, complex secrets behind his fragile community. Lois Lowry has written three companion novels to The Giver, including Gathering Blue, Messenger, and Son.  (Amazon.com)

If you have any concerns or comments, please email me at: mmoussa@saintanneschool.com

Thank you,

Mrs. Moussa

Eighth Grade Novel Study of The Outsiders By S.E. Hinton

Dear Parents,

In the next few weeks, we will begin our novel study of The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton in Language Arts.  This book can be purchased at local bookstores, on www.Scholastic.com , or I can order a copy of the novel for $6.64 from Amazon.com.  If you would like for me to order a copy of the novel, please provide the above amount in cash. It is not a requirement that students purchase a copy of this book; however, it is beneficial for them to have a personal copy to use while completing assignments.

Summary of The Outsiders:

A landmark work of American fiction first published in 1967, S. E. Hinton's novel was an immediate phenomenon. Today, The Outsiders continues to resonate with its powerful portrait of the bonds and boundaries of friendship.

In Ponyboy's world there are two types of people. There are the Socs, the rich society kids who get away with anything. Then there are the greasers, like Ponyboy, who aren't so lucky. Ponyboy has a few things he can count on: his older brothers, his friends, and trouble with the Socs, whose idea of a good time is beating up greasers. At least he knows what to expect — until the night someone takes things go too far. (Scholastic)

If you have any concerns or comments, please email me at: mmoussa@saintanneschool.com

Thank you,

Mrs. Moussa

Homework: Tuesday 3/10/15

Homework: Monday 3/9/15

New Late Assignments/Make-up Policy for Third Trimester

Dear Students and Parents,

For the third trimester, students will have only 1 week to make-up any missed assignments, quizzes, tests, etc.  Anything turned in later than a week from the assignment due date will not be accepted.  Please, make sure to check www.Gradelink.com and encourage students to make-up missed assignments after absences in a timely manner.

Thank you for your consideration,

Mrs. Moussa

Yearbook Cover Contest

Yearbook Cover Contest

What: Students illustrate the yearbook’s front and back covers

·       The theme is “Achieving Excellence.  Modeling Christ”

When: Illustrations are due to the main office by Monday, March 23^rd, 2015

Who: The faculty will choose 2 winners, 1 from each group:

·       Grades: TK – 4^th Grade

·       Grades: 5^th – 8^th Grade

How: Students could use any media on paper size 8 ½ by 11. 

Where: Illustrations must be done in class

*Make sure to include in your illustration:

1.   School name

2.   The theme

3.   The year (2014-2015)

4.   Your full name and grade (must be on the back)