Revision Checklist for Writing

Homework: Monday 09/29/14

Homework: Friday 09/26/14

Homework: Thursday 9/25/14

Homework Board

Tests for the Week of 09/22/2014

Hi,
Here are the tests for the week of 09/22/2014:

6th Grade: Friday 09/26/2014

• Reading Test on Mother Fletcher's Gift (in the reading textbook)
• Vocabulary Test on Units 1-3 of the vocabulary textbook

7th Grade: Friday 09/26/2014

• Vocabulary Test on Units 1-3 of the vocabulary textbook

8th Grade: Friday 09/26/2014

• Vocabulary Test on Units 1-3 of the vocabulary textbook

**Students can use http://www.sadlier-oxford.com/vocabulary/vocabularyworkshop.cfm to review their vocabulary words.**

Please, remember tests are 20% of the students' grades.  Parents should try to review vocabulary words with students for at least 15 mins. daily; in order, for students to retain the new vocabulary words.

Thanks,
Mrs. Moussa

Tests and Quizzes for the week of 09/08/2014

Hello students and parents,

Here is a list of tests and quizzes for this week, 09/08/2014:

6th Grade:

Friday, 09/12/2014

-Reading test on the"Old Yeller" selection in the Reading textbook.
-Vocabulary Quiz on Unit 2

7th Grade:

Friday, 09/12/2014

-Vocabulary Quiz on Unit 2
-Reading Test on Unit 1 in the Literature textbook

8th Grade:

Friday, 09/12/2014

-Vocabulary Quiz on Unit 2
-Reading Test on Unit 1 in the Literature textbook

To Review: 

All Grades - VOCABULARY:
-Vocabulary can be reviewed on http://www.sadlier-oxford.com/vocabulary/vocabularyworkshop.cfm

• The textbooks are 2012-2013 edition
• Level (6=A, 7=B, 8=C)
• Student (user)

-Use note cards you created to test your knowledge of the vocabulary words' definitions and synonyms

7th and 8th Grade: Reading Test
-Review the selection test for each selection
-Outline your response for the essay question on test
-Re-read selections to remember details of the stories/poems

6th Grade: Reading Test 
-Define vocabulary words in the "Old Yeller" selection (Reading Text book)
-Re-read "Old Yeller" to review details and events in the story
-Review class notes

The students have been informed of these tests and quizzes on Monday, September 8th, 2014.  We will be reviewing for these tests and quizzes in class.

Thanks,
Mrs. Moussa

Current Writing Assignments in Middle School

Hello parents and students,

Here are the current writing assignments we have completed or are in the progress of working on:

6th Grade:

Sixth grade has completed a personal narrative detailing an exciting event that occurred over the summer.  The students walked through the writing process by:

• Brainstorming ideas of possible events to write about
• Creating a web with their ideas
• Developing an outline and organizing ideas into an outline format
• Drafting a rough draft of their personal narrative
• Peer editing/revising of their rough draft with classmates during class
• Typing their final draft 

7th and 8th Grade:
Seventh and Eighth grade is currently in the final stages of creating a short story that is geared towards an audience between the ages of 8-10 year old.  This is a fun assignment to get the students excited about writing, and a way to review the necessary elements needed for a short story (beginning, rising action, climax//conflict, falling action, and ending.)

7th Grade:
The students' completed rough drafts were due last week, and the final draft is due on Tuesday, September 9th, 2014.

8th Grade:
The final drafts have been turned in.

The writing process the students walked through for this project included:

• Brainstorming ideas about what an average 8-10 yrs. old child would like to read about
• Creating a web of ideas
• Choosing appropriate topic and creating a Plot Map 
• Finalizing a Plot Map and making sure the short story has a climax/conflict
• Drafting the rough draft of the short story
• Peer editing/revising of the rough draft in class
• Typed final draft of the short story

WELCOME BACK TO SCHOOL!

Dear students and parents,

Welcome back to school!!
I am excited about the 2014-2015 school year to achieve excellence and model Christ.  Here is the information that I presented on Back to School Night:

 

Welcome to Language Arts

Language Arts Objective

• Create a life-long love of reading
• Build students’ vocabulary and develop their writing skills
• Introduce students to different genres of literature and forms of writing
• Cross-curricular approach to Language Arts – introduce students to the Arts
• Create analytical readers 

 

What is Taught in Language Arts?

• Reading/Literature
• Writing and Grammar
• Vocabulary
• Spelling (7th Grade)

How are Classes Structured?

• Daily Oral Language Practice
• Reading/literature
• Analyzes of literature (group activities, discussion, Q&A)
• Writing & Grammar (discussion of writing conventions, writing assignments and projects)
• Vocabulary (20 words each week)
• Spelling (the same 20 words used for vocabulary)

 

Distribution of Grades

 

Language

• Tests                                                  20 %
• Quizzes                                             10%
• Achieve 3000 (Blended Learning)   20 %
• Class work and Participation           20 %
• Papers and Projects                          30%
• Extra Credit                                      1%

Please note: there is a vocabulary quiz  almost every  Friday

 

Reading/Literature

• Tests                          40%
• Achieve 3000            20%
• Classwork                 20%
• Papers and Projects   20%
• Extra Credit               1%

 

Achieving Excellence Modeling Christ

 

• I am always available to help students during lunch or after school (with an appointment)
• Homework, quizzes and tests play an important role in the educational development of students
• Parents play an important role in creating life-long learners:
• Checking homework
• Encouraging reading
• Challenging students

Contact information

E-mail: mmoussa@saintanneschool.co

 Please, allow 24 hrs. for e-mail correspondence

Blog: mrsmoussalanguagearts.blogspot.com

For information about the class/assignments

 

Let’s have a great year!

Achieving Excellence. Modeling Christ

Summer Reading

Summer is here!  

Congratulations on successfully finishing another school year, and a special congratulations to the graduating 8th graders.  All of you will be missed by the Saint Anne School community.  I hope you will stop by and visit us next year.

In the midst of all of the fun summer activities that all of you will be doing, I want to strongly encourage you to take the time to read while you are on vacation.  It is really important to continue to accelerate your reading and vocabulary by continuing to read over break.  Studies show that many students' Lexile (reading) level drops over the course of the summer due to lack of reading.

Summer Challenge and Assignment

All students must read and be prepared to discuss 1 book.  The summer challenge is a reading challenge to be completed over the summer.  The winner of the challenge will be awarded a $15 Gift Card.

The challenge has 2 options:

Option 1: Create a Graphic Novel or Comic Book of the story of one of the books from the list provided.

• The Comic book must contain:
• Colored illustrations
• Cover page
• All of the major events/dialogue in the story
• A logical sequence of events is presented
• Important details from the story are illustrated
• Demonstrate effort on part of the student
• All the pages of the book must be bound together
• Book must be at least 5 pages (front & back)

Option 2: Create a reading blog that documents your reading of one of the books from the list provided.

• The Reading Blog must contain:
•  At least 10 posts
• Each post should document the pages read in the book, what your reaction/feelings towards what you read, and discuss important/interesting points you came across in your reading
• The blog is meant to inform and interest others in the book. So, you should choose interesting aspects of the book to discuss and make connections to today's world/issues to discuss
• Pictures/music/videos that relate to the theme of the novel 
• Some points to discuss:
• Major characters (what do you think of them? What do you find interesting about them?)
• Major plot twists (how did the author create the twist?  Did you see the twist coming or was it surprising?)
• How does the setting of the story effect the story?
• How would you have handled the conflict that the character is facing?  
• Would you recommend this book to others?  Why or why not?
• What did you think of the ending?  How would you change the ending, if you could rewrite it? 

The best Graphic Novel and the Best Blog will be awarded.  So, there will be 2 winners for all of middle school!

Reading List (choose one of these books for your project)

Here is a link to the summer reading list:

http://smpl.org/Recommended_Reading.aspx

I look forward to seeing your creatively created blogs and graphic novels!

Link to the school website: www.saintanneschool.com

School interactive calender: http://www.saintanneschool.com/events/

School Twitter Feed:  @SAS1908

The best method to reach me is by e-mail: mmoussa@saintanneschool.com

Have a wonderful summer!
Mrs. Moussa

Easter Vacation Assignments/Grammar

Happy Easter Students and Parents,

I hope all of you had a blessed Easter holiday!

The following are the assignments for Easter vacation for grades 6th, 7th, and 8th for Easter Vacation.  

Homework Assignments for 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade

6th Grade: Outline and Rough Draft Due on Tuesday

6th grade is working on a Greek Methology essay and presentation that are due on Thursday, May 1st.  Over Easter break students must complete their outline and rough draft for the essay, and be ready for in-class peer editing on Tuesday.  

Here is an example of an outline - (students would need to fill in all the information about their chosen Greek God/Goddess into their own outline.)

Greek God/Goddess Outline

• Introduction
• Hook (focus of the entire essay).
• Background information, or possible statement on topic.
• State thesis statement.
• Include titles and authors of all texts you’ll use as evidence

• Body
• Three paragraphs
• Topic sentences at the beginning of paragraph.
• Examples, details and evidence from information you gathered.
• One paragraph per idea.

• Conclusion
• Briefly restate thesis.
• Hit key points (more than one sentence).
• Finish with a final thought (Use a personal thought without using “I think that…”)

• After completing the outline, transfer your information into a rough draft
• Make sure it is DOUBLE-SPACED!

7th Grade: 1-point perspective artwork due Tuesday

7th Grade is working on 1-point perspective artwork.  The completed artwork is due on Tuesday.  Also, All make-up assignments/quizzes need to be handed in/completed by Tuesday in order to receive credit.  All of the 7th grade students should complete the www.NoRedInk.com assignments online over break.  (See instructions on how to access NoRedInk below)

8th Grade: video/presentation for How-to Essay:

8th grade's how-to essays were due on Thursday, before break.  If you have not turned in your essay, Tuesday is the last day that I am accepting late assignments.  Students should practice and organize their presentations for their how-to assignment, or record their how-to videos that they will be playing for the class.  

Note: Very Important

Please remember, the week we return to school there will be NWEA Testing; therefore, it is important to review any skills/areas that the test results from previous exams have indicated that you need to strengthen.  An area that all middle school students need to work on is grammar.  Therefore, I have provided additional online grammar practice for students. 

• Go to www.noredink.com 
• Create a log in, using your e-mail address and create a password
• Once you are logged in, you will need the class code to get to the assignments/exercises I created.  
• Here are the class codes:
• 6th Grade: xamcww8x
• 7th Grade: hffmx44f
• 8th Grade: ee3ah3fx

• Once you enter the class code, you should be able to access all of the assigned practice
• Please make sure you read/listen to the tutorial before you begin the practice questions!

Have a wonderful week!
Mrs. Moussa