*Please note 5th and 6th periods received more reading time today since their reading time was not as long as Periods 1 and 4 yesterday. Periods 5 and 6 will do the Vocabulary Knowledge Rating Organizer and Slotted Notes Gallery Walk on Wednesday.*
Category: August 2019
Monday, August 12, 2019
Today, we completed the following tasks:
- Students complete the Quickwrite below; this is on notebook paper in the front of the Language Arts binder behind the syllabus. This assignment stays in the binder; students will have the opportunity every 7-10 days to choose their best entry for a daily grade. Students will also have opportunities to choose a favorite entry to extend into a longer piece of writing once a month.
- We watched a short Media Center orientation video.
- We reviewed Media Center manners and procedures for checking out an independent reading book. Students who are bringing their own books from home had a chance to browse the library books.
- We returned to the room and read for about 20 minutes. Students should bring their library books every day to school and Language Arts class. Students should strive to read their books at least 10 minutes outside of school daily.
- We completed the following exit ticket on an index card.
Homework: Read your independent reading book for at least 10 minutes
Due by Friday, August 16:
- All Open House forms you didn’t turn in at Open House.
- Compulsory Ed/Attendance forms reviewed in Period 8-1 last week.
- Read and sign page 49 of the agenda.
- Signed syllabus.
This Week:
- Monday, August 12: 8th grade assembly during PUSH
- Tuesday, August 13: Sign up for your SOAR classes/top 6 choices during PUSH
- Thursday, August 15: Two important events!
- Picture Day
- Title I Family/Parent Night 6PM-7PM
Week 1, August 7-9 News
Hello parents! We have had a productive and positive first three days!
We have worked on “First Days Station Rotations with a Playlist”, a series of stations in which students have worked at their own pace on various Language Arts tasks and checked in with me after completing each section. Most students have completed all 10 stations; there will be some extra time in the next week for students to finish up any incomplete stations. Stations included:
- Station 1: “One Word” language and art activity
- Station 2: Brainstorming positive behaviors to help us learn and brainstorming behaviors to avoid that get in the way of learning.
- Station 3: All About You as a Reader/Writer Survey
- Station 4: Critical Reading and Constructed Response in Canvas
- Station 5: Silent Conversation Response Activity on What Makes a Great Book or Read
- Station 6: Sign up for NoRedInk
- Station 7: Syllabus Station
- Station 8: Writing Skills Wishlist
- Station 9: Partner Work Brainstorming Ways to Care for Our Classroom Materials and Workspace
- Station 10: Putting the U in Language Arts Survey
Looking ahead to next week, August 12-16, 2019, here are a few important items and dates to know:
- All students who were present today (Friday, August 9) have received the course syllabus. Please read, sign, and return by Friday, August 16.
- Monday, August 12: Media Center Orientation, Independent Reading Book Selection 1/Book Checkout, Independent Reading Goals
- Tuesday, August 13: Students will complete the SOAR course survey to input their top 6 choices for Fall SOAR. We will complete this task in 1st period/homeroom.
- Thursday, August 15: We have picture day on this day; in addition, Title I Parent Night is 6PM-7PM. Please come and join us!
- We will begin our first unit on short stories and elements of fiction this week.
Additional Beginning of Year Reminders:
I also want to remind you to sign the “Compulsory Education” form with details about the state policies on student attendance; these were reviewed in 1st period earlier this week. Please sign and return these as soon as possible.
Last But Not Least!
Thank you parents who have generously donated so many wonderful supplies for our classroom and grade level. We are truly appreciative of your kindness! I am also so impressed with how hard my classes worked this week with a positive attitude and commendable work ethic!
If you have any questions, please email me at buffy.hamilton@hallco.org. Have a wonderful weekend!
Hamilton 8th Language Arts 