As we’ve discussed in class, the CRCT is only three weeks away and it is important that we stay focused and prepared. Ms. Wing also stressed the importance of preparation over luck as the way to be successful in every area of your life. As the big date approaches, please pay attention in class as we are reviewing all the main areas that you will encounter on the test. I will also provide you with a variety of test-taking strategies that will help you to be even more successful.

In addition to reviewing for the test, we are also starting our novel study on “The Giver.” We’ve had an excellent discussion in class related to “utopian” societies and I know you will find the book to be enjoyable. Remember that you must have read chapters 1-3 by the next class.

Love,

Mrs. E

This is the second half of the year and we are preparing for your entry into high school. It’s time to be sure that you are putting forth your best effort because the writing test and CRCT are right around the corner. We will continue to be working on persuasive writing and reading this nine weeks as we study “The Wave” and the short story,  “Flowers for Algernon”. Please keep up with your reading at home. We’ve completed quite a bit of preparation for the 8th grade writing test and I know you will perform well.

Also, please welcome our student teacher, Mrs. Hutcheson, to our class. She is a Kennesaw State University student who has had two of her own children to attend McClure.  Some of you have taken the opportunity to get to know her already and I appreciate that. I’m glad she is with us because it seems that we have similar personality and teaching styles. Double trouble!! You will be able to help her graduate and she will do the same for you.

Remember that you must read through chapter 10 of “The Wave” by Thursday (1/21). Also, remember that you will have a vocabulary quiz on the ten words you defined that relate to the novel on Thursday/Friday.

Love,

Mrs. E

This is the last week of the grading period and I will be conferencing with you on Monday and Tuesday. We need to make sure that you are aware of your grade and that you have turned in any necessary make-up work.

In addition, please note that you will be responsible for reading chapters 1-6 of “The Wave” during the holiday break.  Hint: you will need to complete your reading because of what may “pop” up when you return.

Happy Holidays and I know this last week will be great!

Love,

Mrs. E

We will be reading “The Wave” beginning Monday, November 9th. You were supposed to obtain a copy of the “The Wave” by Todd Strasser and “The Giver” by Lois Lowry by now because you were notified at the beginning of school and reminded many times since. This was also posted on a previous blog and listed in your syllabus. I will be assigning chapters to be read at home and we will be discussing the novel and completing various activities in class.

I forewarned you that waiting until the last minute would stress out your parents because it may be difficult to find a copy at the store when others are doing the same thing. Please remember that ordering from Amazon.com will take several days. Many of you have already shown me your copies and have received extra credit for doing this early. I will extend that extra credit to the rest of you if I see your copies by Friday the 6th. You WILL fall behind in class if you don’t have “The Wave” by next week.

Let’s stay on track!

Love,

Mrs. E

The new 9-week grading period begins on Monday and this is a great opportunity to “start over” and think about improvement. Many of you performed very well this past grading period while others did not work up to their potential. EVERYONE can improve in at least one area or another.

Please note that you were supposed to have obtained a copy of “The Giver” and “The Wave” by now. If you have not, please do so within the next two weeks because we will be our study on “The Wave” at that time. If you bring those copies to me, I will give you five extra credit points added to a classwork grade.

In addition, during the new grading period, we will be focusing  on writing even more than we have thus far so get your creative juices flowing because we are going to be well-prepared for the 8th grade writing assessment test. If you are well-prepared, you won’t have to be worried about the test! 

Love,

Mrs. E

Olympic week is here and we are going to have a great week. Please remember that while we are having fun, there is still plenty of work to do. I extended the due date of your personal narrative so EVERYONE should have them to turn in this week. Also, a few of you are re-taking the vocabulary quiz and that must be completed this week as well. We are nearing the end of the grading period so let’s focus on doing your best and turning in all assignments on time. If you have been out sick, which is many of you, make sure you see me about any make-up work that needs to be completed. Let’s get caught up and have a great week!

Love,

Mrs. E

We are at the halfway point for this first nine weeks grading period.  Progress reports will be distributed next week and several of you are missing grades.  The “flu” bug has shown itself early this year and many students have been absent. Please note that you need to see me as soon as possible so that you can get your work made up. Also, I will be giving a vocabulary re-take quiz for those of you who performed poorly on this quiz and want to have “do-over.” Please be advised that there is only one “do-over” per grading period. As we move forward, please make sure that you turn EVERY assignment in. A grade of  “O” on any one assignment can seriously impact your overall letter grade. I’ve seen an “90″ become lowered to a “65″ with the addition of a zero assignment. Please act accordingly! 

Love,

Mrs. E

Please remember to turn in your summer reading logs. You have until next Monday, August 31 to do so. Start this year with good habits and don’t wait until the last minute to get it in. Most of you have done a great job with the interview presentations and we have few more to complete this week. At this point, you should also be wrapping up the first draft of your “Where I’m From” poems so that we can finalize those also. We are moving on to our first major writing assignment which will be your personal narrative. I’m looking forward to learning even more about you!

Love ,

Mrs. Edwards

Please note that you will be presenting your interviews during the next few class periods and it will represent your first grade in the class so make it great!

Love,

Mrs. Edwards