Blanchard: Reading September 3-7

As prepartion for our upcoming Novel Studies, we will focus on the following concepts beginning next week:

Monday 9/3
No School

Tuesday 9/4
Main and Minor Characters

Wednesday 9/5
Character Analysis

Thursday 9/6
Character Motivation and Character Reaction

Friday 9/7
Cause and Effect

Have a fun and safe weekend!

5th Grade Word Study Words

Happy Monday!

Below are the word study words for this week. There are only 15 words.The pattern this week is the prefix co-, which means together or with. Since there is only one sort this week, students will be asked to define the words on Monday. They will start this in class and finish for homework if it is not complete. Students will also make flashcards on Monday and place them in a baggie to use all week.

Last Friday's word study quiz was also returned and graded to scholar's on Monday.

Thanks!
Ms.Z

1. co chair
2. coexist
3. cooperate
4. co captain
5. co founder
6. co defendant
7. co design
8. cohabit
9. coed
10. collision
11. coauthor
12. counselor
13. compare
14. coerce
15. co worker

social studies for the week of 8.27.12

OVERVIEW: This week we will complete our first unit of study: The 5 Themes of Geography.  Students will be given a study guide and we will build two column notes as an organized and efficient way to study.  As usual Friday will be dedicated to current events.

HOMEWORK: Students should be building their two column notes using the study guide as a guide.  Students should also be studying these notes, by quizzing themselves or have a family member quiz them.

TEST/QUIZZES: 8th grade - 5 Themes of Geography TEST on Monday, 6th grade - 5 Themes of Geography TEST on Thursday

August 27-31 Mr. Garcia (Algebra & Pre-Algebra)

Students will be completing their MAP testing this week.  Reading and any make-up exams will be administered this week.

Learn Charter school will be welcoming Mr. Abuakar next Tuesday, the day after Labor Day.

writing for the week of 8.27.12

OVERVIEW: This week we will continue collecting and building seed ideas as we gradually roll out writer's workshop.  We have been writing in class each day as we build steps to our workshop expectations. 

HOMEWORK: Students will write for 30 minutes each night for homework, sometimes on a given topic otherwise they may free write.

TEST/QUIZZES: none

Middle School Literacy-Fofana Week of August 27

Important Updates

• MAP Testing is still going on. Please, make sure scholars have a good night sleep and are on time for school. 6th  and 7th Grade Reading MAP test will be taken on Wednesday.
• 6A no longer has Gym on Mondays and Fridays. They now have Spanish instead on Mondays only and Electives on Friday.Scholars are therefore ask to be in complete LEARN uniform when coming to class.
• Electives started on Tuesday!
• Please make sure that all scholars are coming to school in uniform. This includes tie, button down blue shirt, and dress shoes. Violation notices will be issued to those who are not in complete uniform.
• Literacy Projects/Assignments Expectations

Literacy Objectives

SWBAT:

• Monday:  Define and provide examples of genres of literature and fiction.
• Tuesday: Identify genres of fiction based on their characteristics.
• Wednesday: Compare narrative writing (short stories) to expository writing (news articles) and turn a news story article into a short story
• Thursday: Define genre and provide examples of different types of genre
• Friday: Complete a quiz on genre and work on genre project if time permits.

   
   Vocabulary Objectives

     SWBAT:

   Monday: 

• 6A and 6B: Develop awareness of information found in dictionary and root words in English vocabulary. 
• 7A: Understand that Greek and Latin ideas and words have contributed to English etymology.

     Tuesday:

• 6A and 6B: Develop awareness of information found in dictionary and root words in English vocabulary.
• 7A: Identify that English has been influence by Greek and Roman ideas and languages. Develop an awareness of how to identify Greek and Latin roots to comprehend text.

    Wednesday:

•     6A and 6B: Develop awareness of information found in dictionary and root words in English vocabulary. Gain an understanding of the impact Greek and Latin has on the English Language. 
•      7A: Identify that English has been influence by Greek and Roman ideas and languages. Develop an awareness of how to identify Greek and Latin roots to comprehend text.

    Thursday:

•      6A and 6B: Develop awareness of information found in dictionary and root words in English vocabulary. Gain an understanding of the impact Greek and Latin has on the English Language. 

•     7A: Identify that English has been influence by Greek and Roman ideas and languages. Develop an awareness of how to identify Greek and Latin roots to comprehend text.
• 
  

    PowerPoint and Handouts: 

•      Monday:  Sample Genre,  Genre PPT and Reading Log
•     Tuesday: Genre Chart and Types of Genre
•     Wednesday: Story Map and Genre-Sub-Genre PPT
•     Thursday: Characteristics of various Genres

     Projects:

•      6A and 6B: Genre Project Due: September 4, 2012  Refer to project/assignment requirements for questions regarding late projects.
•      7A: Option 1: Genre Movie   Option 2: Genre-Sub Genre Newspaper  and Option 3: Genre-Sub Genre Book Cover
•     Choose from one of the above 7th grade projects to complete. All projects are due on September 4, 2012.  Refer to project/assignment requirements for questions regarding late projects.
• 
  

      Second Step objectives:

•     SWBAT:
•     Identify behaviors involved in listening and respecting other's ideas.
•     Apply group communication skills
•     Apply empathy skills while identifying feelings.
• 
  

1. 
   

August 27th-5th Grade Literacy

August 27th

News and Upcoming Events

• MAP Testing will begin Wednesday, August 22, 2012. Please, make sure scholars have a good night sleep and come at 8:00 a.m. to eat breakfast. 5th Grade Reading MAP test is now Monday, August 27th at 10am 
• Electives have started! Students have enjoyed this opportunity so far!
• Reminder-Gym is on Monday's for 5A. Please make sure scholar's have their gym uniform on Monday's only 
• Lunch and recess will be in the classroom until MAP testing is over
• Please make sure that all scholars are coming to school in uniform. This includes tie, button down blue shirt, and dress shoes.

Word Study
The sort for this week will be the prefix co-. Students will receive 15 words on Monday and copy them down in their word study or reading notebook. There will also be a quiz on Friday with these words. There is a rubric they have received that will help scholars complete these assignments to the best to their ability. I strongly encourage students to use the rubric to help them complete their weekly assignments to help them get full credit.  The previous word study quizzes will be graded and returned to students by Wednesday. Below is the schedule of word study homework assignments.

Monday-Finish sorting the words and defining them-worth 4 points
Tuesday-ABC order-worth 4 points
Wednesday-Sentences-worth 12 points
Thursday-Study for quiz

Reading
On Monday, students will be taking a fiction and nonfiction quiz and will have the MAP reading test. On Tuesday, we will begin using the green Scholar Letter notebooks. In these notebooks, students will keep a running record of the books they have read and write letters to me about their books. We will focus on the strategy of stop and jotting while we are reading. Students are encouraged to stop and jot while they read at home as well.

Writing
Students are choosing a seed idea and will begin to draft their personal narrative. We will also spend time discussing the writing process. The writing process is prewriting, drafting, revising, editing and publishing. Students will learn what writing actions take place throughout each stage of the writing process and take their seed idea through the stages.

Have a wonderful week and please let me know if you have any questions!

Ms. Zwolinski

August 20th- 5th Grade Literacy

August 21st

News and Upcoming Events

• MAP Testing will begin Wednesday, August 22, 2012.  Please, make sure scholars have a good night sleep and come at 8:00 a.m. to eat breakfast. 5th Grade will test on Wednesday for Math and next Wednesday will be Reading. 
• Electives have started! Students have enjoyed this opportunity so far! 
• Reminder-Gym is on Monday's for 5A 
• Lunch and recess will be in the classroom until MAP testing is over
• Please make sure that all scholars are coming to school in uniform. This includes tie, button down blue shirt, and dress shoes

Word Study 
Word Study has started this week. Students have been getting homework every night. There is also a rubric they have received that will help scholars complete these assignments to the best to their ability. We will be focusing on root words, prefixes and suffixes this year. For this week, the suffixes are -ant and -able. There will be a quiz on Friday on the spelling and meaning of the words. 

Reading
This week, we are focusing on types of fiction and nonfiction texts. The reading log this week will focus on the various types of texts. Students have notes they can use to assist them in completing the log. Fiction genres we are covering are: fantasy, science fiction, poetry, realistic fiction, short stories, mysteries, historical fiction and traditional literature. The nonfiction genres we are covering are autobiographies, biographies, informational texts, memoirs and newspapers.  There will be a quiz on Friday on identifying types of fiction and nonfiction.

Writing
We have been gathering ideas all week in our writer's notebook. We will choose one idea by the end of this week to begin to draft a personal narrative. Students may also receive free writing assignments throughout the week for homework. 

Have a wonderful week and please let me know if you have any questions! 

Ms. Zwolinski

7th and 8th Grade: Mr. Garcia

MAP Testing will begin Wednesday, August 22, 2012.  Please, make sure scholars have a good night sleep and come at 8:00 a.m. to eat breakfast.

7th/8th Grade Writing: Week of 8/20-8/24

Overview: This week students are continuing to develop their seed stories in their writers' notebooks.  Students must remember to bring their writers' notebooks every day to class, or else they will receive a zero for the day. All writing in the next few weeks will be done in their writers' notebooks.

Upcoming: Students will have to turn in their writers' notebooks beginning the week of 8/27-8/31. The initial schedule (prone to change) will be:

• Mondays: 7B journals due
• Wednesdays: 7A journals due
• Friday: 8A journals due

Families, please note that students will be allowed to continue writing in their writers' journals on the days they are due to be turned in, but will not take them home that day or the day after.  For example, students in 7B will leave their notebooks in the classroom on Monday night, and will continue to write in them Tuesday during class - they will NOT have homework on Mondays in their writers' notebooks then.  Similarly, students in 7A will leave their notebooks on Wednesday nights and therefore not have any homework in their writers' notebooks on Wednesdays.  This is just to inform you of when your scholar may not actually bring home their notebook.

Please feel free to contact Ms. Geng at sgeng@learncharter.org with any additional questions or concerns.

7th/8th Grade Science: Week of 8/20-8/24

Overview: This week we are continuing our investigations into the scientific method.  Objectives for the week include:

• SWBAT organize sample data in a graphical form (bar, line, scatter)
• SWBAT give a written analysis of what their graphs show (draw conclusions)

Upcoming: 

• 7A & 7B: Scholars have their open-note quiz on the scientific method on Monday.  Students are allowed to use any notes from their science journal and guided notes that they bring to class. 

Please feel free to contact Ms. Geng at sgeng@learncharter.org with any additional questions or concerns.

Literacy-Week of August 20th

Welcome to week 4!

Important Dates:

• 8/20/12-8/30/12: MAP Testing window
• 9/03/12: No School-Labor Day
• 09/07/12: 1st Quarter Progress Reports 

Scholars will have the opportunity to familiarize themselves with " The First 20 Days of Reading". The strategies they learn will help them form the proper habits required for independent reading as well as read aloud.

Monday: Day 6

• Teacher will facilitate a discussion about how readers preview books before deciding to read them.
• Teacher will explicitly teacher scholars how to preview text.

Tuesday: Day 7 

• Teacher will facilitate a discussion about distinguishing between fiction and non-fiction text.
• Scholars will work with table teams to figure out if several given selections are either fiction of non-fiction.

Wednesday: Day 8 

• Scholars will be asked to identify the text features of either fiction or non-fiction.
• Teacher will review independent reading chart with scholars.

Thursday: Day 9

• Scholars will gain a deeper understanding of a primary character to help them enhance their comprehension of the implicit message in the text.
• Teacher will introduce the reader's notebooks today.

Friday: Day 10

• Teacher will the importance of "wide reading" with scholars.
• Scholars will have the opportunity to explore the different kinds of fiction.

This Week's Team Building Activities:
Misinformation and Rumors

7th/8th Grade Writing: Week of 8/13-8/17

Overview: This week students are beginning their writers' notebooks!  We will be decorating our notebooks, discussing the "do's" and "don't's" of writing, and beginning to brainstorm seed story ideas.

Upcoming: Students must remember to bring their writers' notebooks every day to class, or else they will receive a zero for the day. All writing in the next few weeks will be done in their writers' notebooks.

Please feel free to contact Ms. Geng at sgeng@learncharter.org with any additional questions or concerns.

Mr. Saripalli - Welcome Parents

Dear Parents and Scholars,

My name is Mr. Saripalli, and I am the 6A, 6B, and the pre-algebra (8th grade) teacher.  I have greatly enjoyed already teaching your scholars, and am looking forward to the all the things we will be doing this year.

Please check the blog weekly for updates about your scholar's work and other important school information.

Currently in Math:

6th:  decimal division and multiplication, absolute value, integer operations

8th:  basic algebra review, prime factorization.


MAP Testing will begin August 22nd!  Be sure your scholar is getting a good night's sleep, and a good breakfast during testing.

Please feel free to contact me at ssaripalli@learncharter.org for any concerns.

7th/8th Grade Science: Week of 8/13-8/17

Overview: This week students will be continuing their investigations into the scientific method.  We are studying independent and dependent variables, controls, experimental design, procedures, and scientific questions and hypotheses.  Students should make sure to bring their science journals to and from class every day.

Upcoming: Students will have an open-note vocabulary quiz on the Scientific Method on Friday (Aug 17) in class.  Students are allowed to use any notes they've taken in their science journals, and any handouts they kept throughout the last two weeks.

Please feel free to contact Ms. Geng at sgeng@learncharter.org with any additional questions or concerns.

Writing for the week of 8.13.12

Overview: This week in writing we are setting up writer's workshop and our writer's composition notebooks.  We have and will continue to review the schedule, rules, and expectations of writer's workshop over the next 10 days.  It is very important that students bring their writer's composition notebook home every night and back to school everyday.

Homework: Students will write in their writer's composition notebook for 30 minutes each night (this will be the standard homework each night in writing)

Test/quizzes: none

Welcome Parents

Welcome parents and scholars:  Please check the blog weekly for updates about your scholar's homework, classwork, tests, study tips and other important school information.

Math:

7th and 8th Grade students are currently solving equations with Algebra Tiles.

MAP exams will be administered next week starting Wednesday, August 22nd.

Please, check scholars agenda's for assigned homework.

Social studies for the week of 8.13.12

Overview: This week in social studies we are rediscovering the 5 Themes of Geography (location, place, human-environment interaction, movement, and region).  We will define and explore examples of each.

Homework: Students will have map worksheets most nights; students should review notes, classwork and homework for a test over the 5 Themes next week.  For specific and up-to-date homework please check your scholar's agenda everynight.

Test/quizzes: test next week

5th Grade Welcome Letter

Wednesday, August 15th, 2012

Dear Parents /Guardians,

Welcome to the 2012-2013 school year! We are excited to begin this year and cannot wait to work together to make this year the best it can be for our scholars! The 5^th grade instructional team consists of Ms. Zwolinski (Literacy/Social Studies) and Mr. Broadney (Math/Science).

Classroom Rules

• Listen to others.
• Expect the most from yourself & others.
• Actively Participate
• Respect others, room & self.
• Never give up!

Classroom Discipline Plan for 5^th Grade

The following steps will be taken if any of the classroom rules have been violated in class:

1^st Offense

· Scholar will receive a warning

2^nd Offense

· One-on-one conference between scholar and teacher

· Scholar will receive a demerit

· Possible seat change

3^rd Offense

· Scholar will receive a demerit

· Seat will be changed (if not already)

· Phone call home

4^th Offense

· Scholar will be referred to Dean Morris/Mr. Young on a referral

· Second phone call home will be made

· Possible parent conference

Demerit System

Each classroom will have a behavior tracking sheet that will accompany each homeroom throughout the school day. Scholars will receive demerits for violating school/class rules. Scholars will receive a warning first and if the behavior continues, a demerit will be issued.

Scholar Dollars

Scholar dollars are given to students who demonstrate good character and who are going above and beyond inside and outside the classroom. Scholar dollars can be used to purchase items in the grade level store as well as incentive field trips.

Literacy Homework

Reading-Reading Log will be due Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and will be worth a maximum of 30 points. It will be graded and will be included in the homework grade. Reading should be done every night for at least 30 minutes. Scholars will track their books in their scholar letter notebook and one scholar letter will be due once a week. It is important for you to talk to the child after they read to make sure they comprehend what they are reading. After your scholar finishes a book, he or she should complete a reading response in their reading notebook.

Students may also have various activities in order to help them prepare for the ISAT or MAP testing. These may be reading passages and questions or extended responses.

Writing-Various writing assignments, including writing prompts will be sent home throughout the quarter. We will be writing various genres throughout the year.

Word Study- As we progress throughout the year, we are going to begin a word study curriculum. Every week, we will be practicing a new pattern of words that you will be tested on the spelling of every Friday. This curriculum will help us become word wizards and build our vocabulary. To help us strengthen our knowledge of these words even further, students will have homework every night. The homework is outlined below and should be completed and returned the following day.

• Monday- Pretest during class, sort words by pattern and/or make flash cards
• Tuesday- Alphabetize the words
• Wednesday- Write sentences or paragraph with words and underline the words
• Thursday- Study for quiz
• Friday- Post test

Math- The main objective in Mr. Broadney’s math class is to give every student the opportunity to be successful at mathematics. I strive to spark a desire in my students to perform at their absolute best and develop a fondness for mathematics.

The primary curriculum for the 5^th grade is the Harcourt Math textbook. However, it will be supplemented with additional resources including ISAT coaches, Carnegie Learning, etc. so that our scholars can be as successful as possible. In order to be successful, all scholars must:

· Take notes during class and refer back to them.
· Actively listen and participate.
· Complete assigned tasks.
· Try their best!

Homework – Math homework is intended to provide additional practice and reinforce the concepts learned in class. Therefore, it will be given virtually every day. Please initial your scholar’s homework log to verify that it has been completed. Late homework will not be accepted without a note.

Materials

For this class, scholars will need the following materials daily:

• A notebook exclusively for math (you may NOT tear any pages out).
• Loose leaf filler paper.
• Pencils – NO WORK DONE IN PEN IS ACCEPTED!

Study Hall- Study Hall will take place from 8am-8:30 am. This is the opportunity for scholar’s to read independently, study, or catch up on any assignments. This time will be quiet and students should take advantage of this time in the morning. Students should eat breakfast in the cafeteria prior to coming to the room.

Grading Scale follows that of LEARN Middle School:

A: 90 - 100
B: 80 – 89
C: 70 – 79
D: 60 -69
F: 0 – 59
***Note: This may be revised at a later date. You can check your scholar’s grade through your PowerSchool parent portal.

If you have any concerns or questions, please feel free to contact your scholar’s homeroom teacher.

How to Use This Blog!

Hello Parents of LEARN Scholars in grades Fifth through Eighth.  We are excited to partner with you this year to provide a rigorous and high quality education for your child.  This blog will serve as a primary means of communication for us.  Please bookmark this page and visit it weekly to gather resources for you to help your child with his/her studies.  We will update weekly with school events, general information and learning topics in each class.  Here are a few tips to navigate this blog:

• To the right you will see a list of different "LABELS".  If you click on any of these labels, it will sort the posts to show only those that apply to that label.  This is a great way to sort through the information so only the things applicable to your child are displayed.  Please ask your scholar what their class name is, then click on that label to see news specific to them.  For example, if your scholar is a seventh grader, you will select either "7A" or "7B" to see posts related to them.

• The top of the blog contains PAGES with content specific links.  These pages contain great resources to help your child practice what they learn in class at home.  You will also find our contact information here.

Literacy - Week of August 13

Welcome to week 3!

Important Dates:

• 8/15/12 : Meet the Teacher
• 8/20/12-8/30/12: MAP Testing window
• 9/03/12: No School-Labor Day
• 09/07/12: 1st Quarter Progress Reports 

Scholars will have the opportunity to familiarize themselves with " The First 20 Days of Reading". The strategies they learn will help them form the proper habits required for independent reading as well as read aloud.

Monday: Day 1

• Reading is Thinking! Teacher will help readers become aware of  their own reader voice through an explicit Think Aloud.
• Teacher will introduce scholars to the classroom system set-up for selecting and returning books.

Tuesday: Day 2 

• Teacher will invite scholars to "Think Aloud" as they read aloud.
• Teacher will establish criteria for choosing "Just Right" books during independent reading time.

Wednesday: Day 3 

• Teacher will facilitate discussion about why it is important for readers to record their thinking and how this helps them to build their understanding of the text.
• Teacher will introduce a system for storing independent reading books.

Thursday: Day 4 

• Teacher will help scholars understand that we all have different thoughts when we read because of our individual backgrounds.
• Teacher will introduce independent conference reading protocol to scholars

Friday: Day 5

• Teacher will explain to scholars that, it is imperative that we not only become aware of our "reader voice", we must also be able to accurately identify what strategies we are using. 
• Teacher will model an effective Reading Conference as the rest of the class observes.

This Week's Team Building Activities:

Name-Calling
One Person-Many Roles

Literacy Welcome from Mrs. Fofana!

Welcome Scholars!

Welcome Letter