Grattan

August 27-31, 2007

Homework

Monday
Language: Write a topic sentence using at least three spelling words from list 3.
Reading: AR reading at least 30 minutes per night and complete the reading log.

Tuesday
Language: Write a topic sentence using at least three spelling words from list 3.
Reading: AR reading at least 30 minutes per night and complete the reading log.

Wednesday
Language: Write a 3 sentence paragraph using as many spelling words as you can.
Reading: AR reading at least 30 minutes per night and complete the reading log.

Thursday
Language: Study for spelling test, take a practice test.
Reading: AR reading at least 30 minutes per night and complete the reading log.

Dear Students and Parents

Progress Reports will be coming home this week…if the computer continues to work and we don’t run out of ink! I will also be sending home reports on our RenLearn Reading tests this week to let you know how you did. If you would like to retake a test you may ask. I am more concerned with your score at the end of the year!

Many sixth graders put in their names for nomination for school officers. This bodes well for the year (and the two years to come) as many want to get involved and be productive. We will have classroom elections this week also.

Mrs. Pabst has met with the “Cookie Dough” company and I’m sure she can use help with this Science Camp fund raiser! If you would like to help please let me know. We are planning to attend camp in May this year as the camp was booked up and we hadn’t reserved space for January. May is a great month for us as it will be after State Testing!

We would like a volunteer to handle Scholastic Book orders. If you are interested let me know. It will be a monthly item and the money and orders will be collected in class. We just need someone to put the order together. Our 8th grade TA’s have been doing it so far but we have other things for them to do.

This Week in Class

Language:

We will start “Step Up to Writing this week. The homework is an extension of this program and I will have explained how it works so all should have a good understanding unless they are absent.

Social Studies:

Students created maps of the classroom last week and created directions for a classmate to follow. This should be fun and is very instructive. Even the best set of directions can lead us astray if we don’t know how to read them!

Reading:

Students have been plaeed into groups by Mr. Mathany and me. They will be completing a packet together and so far the groups have been working well (one day!). Students will be graded for the packet and we are monitoring their input to be sure that one person does not complete the entire packet while others snooze! So far, so good!

Have a great week!

Gazette #2 (top)

August 20-24, 2007

Homework

Monday
Language: Use first five words spelling words in a sentence or more than one sentence.
Reading: AR reading at least 30 minutes per night and complete the reading log.

Tuesday
Language: Use first five words spelling words in a sentence or more than one sentence.
Reading: AR reading at least 30 minutes per night and complete the reading log.

Wednesday
Language: Use words six through ten five words in sentences.
Reading: AR reading at least 30 minutes per night and complete the reading log.

Thursday
Language: Choose five of the next words to write in a sentence(s).
Reading: AR reading at least 30 minutes per night and complete the reading log.

Dear Students and Parents

Off to a great start! Homework starts this week and all assignments will be due the day following the assignment. Late papers will receive 50% until the following Monday. After that time they will not count. As we progress through the school year I will work with students and parents to make accommodations if necessary but for the first few weeks this procedure will be in force.

Mr. Mathany and I are trying to arrange a GATE Program for sixth graders, after school. We are currently considering a Robot Class (Mr. Mathany) and a Web Writing Class. I currently do the School Website, jjhsjag.com, and would like some sixth graders (and/or parents) to contribute. Any ideas would be appreciated but we will follow ISTE and district guidelines. We may also start some clubs such as Chess.

Both classes have been great so far this year and Mr. Mathany and I are looking forward to a great year. Please do not hesitate to call me or email me with ideas, concerns or questions.

Home phone: 223-3263
Email: dangrattan@comcast.net

This Week

Language:

We have been working on various types of writing, word play and several other areas of Language. Most work will be completed in class but some students may need to take work home to complete.

Social Studies:

This is a fun subject and many of the projects will be hands on learning. So far the students were required to draw a map from their homes to school and also create a map of the classroom. We will branch out throughout the year to bigger projects as time allows.

Reading:

We are currently reading “Gilly Hopkins” at school and an AR book of students choosing at home. Gilly is a book about a foster child who has had a rough time and acts out accordingly. Ask your students about the characters and how they see them. Each student may have a unique perception (I hope) of how Gilly copes with life.

Grattan's Gazette "The willingness to accept responsibility for one's own life is the source from which self-respect springs." -- Joan Didion
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Gazettes: (by week)	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32
	Gazettes #25 (top) Homework (every school night: reading log). *Monday--no homework* *Tuesday* Language: Poetry Reading this week (and term paper) Class: Sonnet—at least 14 lines. Home: Finish Sonnet from Classwork. Social Studies: Classroom: Study for test on Friday. Reading: AR reading at least 30 minutes per night and complete the reading log. 70% or more of goal. *Wednesday* Language: Poetry this week (and term paper) Class: Reading Poetry & Haiku. Home: A Sonnet or Haiku. Social Studies: Classwork only—paragraphs and study for India Final. Reading: AR reading at least 30 minutes per night and complete the reading log. 70% or more of goal. *Thursday* Language: Poetry this week (and term paper) Class: Tanka Home: A Sonnet or Haiku (whichever you did not do yesterday). Social Studies: Classwork only—paragraphs and study for India Final. Reading: AR reading at least 30 minutes per night and complete the reading log. 70% or more of goal. *Friday* Language: Poetry Test on types of (so far: free verse, acrostics, name, sonnet, and haiku/tanka) & notes. Social Studies: Test--India Dear Students and Parents PROGRESS REPORTS TOMORROW—TUESDAY Quote for the week: “You cannot shake hands with a clenched fist.” Indira Gandhi (1917 - 1984) This week we will try to catch up with India and complete the unit. Science Camp is coming up and we still need to verify chaperones. Please complete the paperwork and pay as soon as possible so that we can let the camp know how many we will be bringing. TWO WEEKS UNTIL SCIENCE CAMP! Good luck to the Volleyball Team! It is a great sport and I hope all of you have a chance to catch a game. This Week in Class *Language:* We will be working on three more types of poems and then having a quiz on Friday. The study of poetry is one of the best ways to increase students’ ability to articulate. Words are very important in poetry and practice increases word choice skills. I will be playing some poetry read by the poet in class to give students a feeling for the sound of the language. *Social Studies:* Students have had time to work on their study guides for the test on Friday but are having difficulty concentrating! Be diligent and you will do well on the test. Students should be finishing paragraphs 17 & 18 this week. *Reading:* Mr. Grattan’s reading class is reading The Day No Pigs Would Die and there is an AR test for this book. Gazettes #24 (top) Homework (every school night: reading log). *Tuesday* Language: Poetry this week (and term paper) Class: Free verse practice & what is a poem Home: Five line poem--free verse. Social Studies: Classwork only—paragraphs and study for India Final. Reading: AR reading at least 30 minutes per night and complete the reading log. 60% or more of goal *Wednesday* Language: Poetry this week (and term paper) Class: Pages 17 & 18 Punctuation packet Home: 8 line poem with a metaphor.. Social Studies: Classwork only—paragraphs and study for India Final. Reading: AR reading at least 30 minutes per night and complete the reading log. 60% or more of goal. *Thursday* Language: Poetry this week (and term paper) Class: Pages 19 & 20 Punctuation packet Home: Ten line poem with a simile and a metaphor. Social Studies: Classwork only—paragraphs and study for India Final. Reading: AR reading at least 30 minutes per night and complete the reading log. 60% or more of goal *Friday* Language: Retest—punctuation and types of sentences. Social Studies: Test--India Dear Students and Parents Quote for the week: “Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.” John F. Kennedy (1917 - 1963), speech prepared for delivery in Dallas the day of his assassination, November 22, 1963 The quote above is a good reminder that learning is essential and takes place where ever you are and what ever you are doing. Congratulations to the boy’s basketball team! They won the league championship and went undefeated for the year! Sounds like the 6^th grade boys and girls have a lot in common…tremendous spirit and tenacity. Way to go” Progress Reports went out but more current ones will be coming out this week. Science Camp is quickly approaching! Be sure to get all your paperwork and money in as quickly as possible. *Gazette #24* This Week in Class *Language:* We will be having fun with Poetry this week. There is much to learn from poetry and I hope all students learn that it is just another way to express yourself…with gusto! *Social Studies:* Still working on the term paper but the final on India is coming. Students have been completing a study guide over the past week and this will help greatly. *Reading:* Students should be close to the 60% mark this Friday. We will continue with the stories on Heroes and Villains and then will read A Day No Pigs Would Die. Students in past years really enjoyed this book and I hope my reading group will as well. AR Points are still an important part of your grade! Some are falling behind but Science Camp will be a good opportunity to catch up…if you can read through the noise! Gazettes #23 (top) Homework (every school night: reading log). *Tuesday* Language: Homophones and Punctuation Class: Pages 10 & 11 Punctuation packet Home: Complete Pages 6 & 7 Homophones. Social Studies: None Reading: AR reading at least 30 minutes per night and complete the reading log. Should have 50% or more of goal. *Wednesday* Language: Homophones and Punctuation Class: Pages 17 & 18 Punctuation packet Home: Complete Pages 8 & 9 Homophones. Social Studies: None Reading: AR reading at least 30 minutes per night and complete the reading log. Should have 50% or more of goal. *Thursday* Language: Homophones and Punctuation Class: Pages 19 & 20 Punctuation packet Home: Complete Pages 10 & 11 Homophones. Social Studies: None Reading: AR reading at least 30 minutes per night and complete the reading log. Should have 50% or more of goal *Friday* Language: Class—Correct week’s work. Social Studies: Class—Term Paper Paragraphs Dear Students and Parents Quote for the week: “'Tis better to be silent and be thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt.” Abraham Lincoln (1809 - 1865), (attributed) This is another short week! And next week as well!! I will be receiving some info on the Spelling Bear district contest in the near future and will pass it on at that time. Science Camp is quickly approaching and we still need a couple of moms to volunteer as chaperones. Anyone? Progress Reports were handed out again today so please share these with your parents! Even bad news is best when passed. *Gazette #23* This Week in Class *Language:* We are doing some review of Homophones and Punctuation this week. The work should be easy and there will be a test in each category on Friday.. *Social Studies:* We are finishing the Chapters on India this week and students will be using a review guide that looks a great deal like the final…hint! *Reading:* Students should be close to the 50% mark this Friday. We have started a fun book of stories on Heroes and Villains. Students in past years really enjoyed this book and I hope my reading group will as well. . Gazettes #22 (top) Homework (every school night: AR reading at least 30 minutes per night and complete the reading log). *Monday* Language: Packet on Verbs--complete Social Studies: Class—Term Paper Paragraphs & maps. Reading: AR reading at least 30 minutes per night and complete the reading log. Should have 40% or more of goal. *Tuesday* Language: Packet on Verbs--complete Social Studies: Class—Term Paper Paragraphs & maps. Reading: AR reading at least 30 minutes per night and complete the reading log. Should have 40% or more of goal. *Wednesday* Language: Packet on Verbs Social Studies: Class—Term Paper Paragraphs and maps Reading: AR reading at least 30 minutes per night and complete the reading log. Should have 40% or more of goal. *Thursday* Language: Packet on Verbs Social Studies: Class—Term Paper Paragraphs Reading: AR reading at least 30 minutes per night and complete the reading log. Should have 40% or more of goal. *Friday* Language: Review and Correct Verb Test Social Studies: Class—Term Paper Paragraphs Dear Students and Parents Quote for the week: Half our life is spent trying to find something to do with the time we have rushed through life trying to save. Will Rogers (1879 - 1935) Chaperones! We still do not have enough chaperones at this time for Science Camp. If you intend to sign up please let us know. Snow Day! We almost had two snow days last week. Due to this unforeseen event and the difficulty students have with the verb packet we will be working on the packet until Wednesday. The test is scheduled Friday to allow a day to answer questions about the verb packet and reteach. Most students are doing well on their AR points! Keep up the good work. PLEASE REMEMBER TO RETURN SCIENCE CAMP FORMS *Gazette #22* This Week in Class *Language:* We will be completing the verb packet and going over it this week and will have a test on Friday. *Social Studies:* We started large maps today. This is meant to be a fun project connected to the civilization each student is studying. Those art challenged students may feel they have descended into purgatory but this too will pass! Patience! *Reading:* Students should be close to the 40% mark this Friday. Most of the class has finished Hatchet and we will be reading some short stories next week. We will be finishing some work on Hatchet and then SSR for this week. PE: If it continues to read we will be either sharing the Gym or doing something in the classroom. Gazettes #21 (top) Homework (every school night: AR reading at least 30 minutes per night and complete the reading log). *Tuesday* Language: Packet on Verbs Class: 40, 42 & 44 Home: 41, 43 & 45 (complete) Social Studies: Class—Term Paper Paragraphs Reading: AR reading at least 30 minutes per night and complete the reading log. Should have 30% or more of goal. *Wednesday* Language: Packet on Verbs Class: 46, 48, 50 & 52 Home: 47, 49, 51 & 53 (complete) Social Studies: Class—Term Paper Paragraphs Reading: AR reading at least 30 minutes per night and complete the reading log. Should have 30% or more of goal. *Thursday* Language: Packet on Verbs Class: 54, 56 & 58 Home: 55, 57 & 59 (complete) Social Studies: Class—Term Paper Paragraphs Reading: AR reading at least 30 minutes per night and complete the reading log. Should have 30% or more of goal *Friday* Language: Class—Pp 60-62 & Review Social Studies: Class—Term Paper Paragraphs Dear Students and Parents Quote for the week: A mind, like a home, is furnished by its owner, so if one's life is cold and bare he can blame none but himself. Louis L'Amour (1908 - 1988), 'Bendigo Shafter' I hope to show a movie that I believe fits well with the message(s) of Martin Luther King, Jr. Remember the Titans may have been seen by some but it is worth repeating. The cold has set in and I hope all dress accordingly! We see some students arrive in T-shirts and shorts no matter the weather—oh well, it’s good to be young! Hopefully you will live long enough to be cold! We have two full weeks following this week and then two four day weeks. I mentioned before that there are parts of 11 weeks this quarter so students will be expected to achieve 100% of their AR Goal (Mr. Grattan’s Reading Class). We had a former student hit while running across Hoffman last week. Fortunately, he incurred minor injuries (considering the severity of the accident). Let this be a reminder to all of us to be aware of the traffic on Hoffman and the Highway! *Gazette #21* This Week in Class *Language:* We are re-covering verbs this week. Most of the work is re-teaching but some may be new (or appear new). There will be a test on the material next week. This packet will be done partly as a class and time will be given for independent work. Those who do not use that time wisely will have homework as stated. *Social Studies:* Most students are doing well on the Term Papers and I am pleased with the over-all quality of the writing. Students are being asked to read at least one paragraph per week aloud to the class—which helps them “hear” any mistakes or rough sections. If students refuse to read they will receive zeros. *Reading:* Students should be close to the 30% mark this Friday. We will be continuing with Hatchet but students who have already finished the book and have passed the test will be allowed to read another AR book during this reading time. A passing grade is 70% or higher. Gazettes #20 (top) Homework (every school night: AR reading at least 30 minutes per night and complete the reading log). *Monday* Language: Spelling—Page 61 of Practice Book and complete pages 62, 63, 64, 65 & 67 by Friday Social Studies: Work on Paragraph 5 for Term Paper Reading: AR reading at least 30 minutes per night and complete the reading log. Should have 20% or more of goal. *Tuesday* Language: Spelling—Page 61 of Practice Book and complete pages 62, 63, 64, 65 & 67 by Friday Social Studies: Complete Paragraph 5 Reading: AR reading at least 30 minutes per night and complete the reading log. Should have 20% or more of goal. *Wednesday* Language: Spelling—Page 61 of Practice Book and complete pages 62, 63, 64, 65 & 67 by Friday Social Studies: Work on Paragraph 6 Reading: AR reading at least 30 minutes per night and complete the reading log. Should have 20% or more of goal. *Thursday* Language: Spelling—Page 61 of Practice Book and complete pages 62, 63, 64, 65 & 67 by Friday Social Studies: Complete Paragraph 6 Reading: AR reading at least 30 minutes per night and complete the reading log. Should have 20% or more of goal Dear Students and Parents Quote for the week: “If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough.” Mario Andretti (1940 - ) We have several long weekends over the next month. Next Monday is a Holiday in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. We will listen to a speech by King and discuss the times during which he lived We have a new aide for sixth grade and are in the process of trying to figure out how best to utilize her time. If there are any major changes to the schedule we will let you know. Band may be changing days and periods. We do not know who will replace Mr. Krikorian, but once we do then the schedule will be set. Congratulations to the Boys Basketball team! Great season so far, keep up the good work. *Gazette #20* This Week in Class *Language:* Spelling list is from the Practice Book (pages on reverse side. The spelling materials for the Bear Contest no longer include spelling words. There is a website recommended with almost 300 pages of spelling words however. Somehow I don’t see that as being useful for our language program! Should we assign ten pages per week…don’t think so! The website is: http://spellingbee.com/studyzone.asp Anyone interested in taking part in the contest should look over these pages and at least get an idea of what is involved. *Social Studies:* Students should have at least four paragraphs done for their papers and the outline done last week will be a big help in setting goals for completion. We will also be working on Maps and Timelines. Paragraphs 5 & 6 this week, *Reading:* Students should be close to the 20% mark this Friday. We will be working on vocabulary for Hatchet . Gazettes #19 (top) Homework (every school night: AR reading at least 30 minutes per night and complete the reading log). This is a short week so little homework. *Wednesday* Language: Study spelling words Social Studies: Be ready to present your outline of your paper by Friday. See notes from class. Reading: AR and log. *Thursday* Language: Paragraph for term paper. Social Studies: Be ready to present your outline of your paper by Friday. See notes from class. Reading: AR and log. Gazettes #15 (top) November 26, 2007 Homework (every school night: AR reading at least 30 minutes per night and complete the reading log). *Monday* Language: Rewrite notes from today’s Social Studies. Reading: AR reading at least 30 minutes per night and complete the reading log. Should have 50% or more of goal. *Tuesday* Language: Rewrite notes from class, combining them with yesterday’s notes. Reading: AR reading at least 30 minutes per night and complete the reading log. Should have 50% or more of goal. *Wednesday* Language: Begin reading about your civilization and taking notes from a book on same. We will work on the text book in class. Reading: AR reading at least 30 minutes per night and complete the reading log.Should have 50% or more of goal. *Thursday* Language: Continue reading about your civilization and taking notes from a book on same Reading: AR reading at least 30 minutes per night and complete the reading log. Should have 50% or more of goal. Dear Students and Parents We had a great Thanksgiving Party on the last Tuesday of school thanks to Austin’s mom, Renate. Thanks again for the Turkey and Pizzas (and all the trimmings to boot). Hope everyone had a great holiday. My wife and I spent the holiday with my family in Santa Rosa and one of my nephews volunteered to organize everything. No one over thirty had to work on it…what a great gift! Of course, he may never volunteer again, but as my sister told him, “If you were a mom you would get to get up tomorrow and do it all over again, and again, and again… We will be using the Stanford Term Paper format (sorry Cal fans!) for our papers. This is an easy process that I learned in high school and am thankful for having learned from Mr. Van der Porten! Who knew it would come in handy? Language will include grammar this quarter but will also include the term paper notes. Writing the term paper will begin in the third quarter. This Week in Class *Language:* Rewriting becomes more necessary the older you get and the more seriously you take your projects. This week students will be learning to put notes into an orderly process so that they will be able to use them when they need to do so. *Social Studies:* Term paper research is beginning and the most important part of the process is reading and taking notes, while trying to ascertain what is important and what is less important. Once the notes are compiled the writing should be easy and fun. *Reading:* Most students have finished the Golden Goblet and reading will be AR and for the term paper research. AR points are still necessary but students will only need 80% of their goal this quarter. I am reducing it due to the term paper reading required and because of the partial weeks we have had. Have a great week! Gazettes #13 & #14 (top) November 13-20, 2007 Homework and Classwork (AR & Log is every night M-Th) *Tuesday* Language: Class—Practice Book Pp. 32 & 33 Homework—Practice Book Pp. 34 & 35 Social Studies: Classwork-- Aspects of Historical Research Reading: (Mr. Grattan = Golden Goblet, Mr. Mathany = Hatchet) Classwork—Golden Goblet (class read along) *Wednesday* Language: Classwork— Practice Book Pp. 36 & 37 Homework—Practice Book P. 38 Social Studies: Classwork—Scavenger Hunt Reading: (Mr. Grattan = Golden Goblet, Mr. Mathany = Hatchet) Classwork—Golden Goblet (class read along) *Thursday* Language: Classwork— Practice Book Pp. 41 & 42 Homework—Practice Book Pp. 43 & 44 Social Studies: Classwork—Narrowing Topics and Focus Reading: (Mr. Grattan = Golden Goblet, Mr. Mathany = Hatchet) Classwork—Golden Goblet (class read along) *Monday (Nov. 19)* Language: Class—Practice Book Pp. Pp. 45 & 46 Homework—Practice Book Pp. 47 & 48 Social Studies: Classwork--Beginning Research, Topic Selection Reading: (Mr. Grattan = Golden Goblet, Mr. Mathany = Hatchet) Classwork—Golden Goblet (class read along) *Tuesday (Nov. 20)* Language: Classwork—Practice Book Pp. Pp. 49 & 50 Classwork--Grading Practice Book Dear Students and Parents Quote of the Week: Research: “If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?” Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955) We will be having a “Thanksgiving” party on Tuesday, November 20. It will begin after we finish grading. Thanks to Austin’s mom for offering to help! Whew! This has been my favorite holiday since childhood, when all our relatives would descend on our house to create confusion, noise, and a great time and meal. My wife and I will descend on my brother’s house this year to help create confusion and noise…and cook, of course! AR Points are down this Quarter so let’s get going! The Golden Goblet will help if students pay attention…11 points! The argument between Stanford and Cal is ongoing! I must remain somewhat neutral because I have siblings who are graduates of both…but mostly because we all know that the University of San Francisco beats both (even though we Don’s don’t have a football team to cheer for)! This Week in Class *Language:* Integrating Language and Social Studies will be the focus this week, along with some pages in the Practice Book. The Research Paper begins and we will be taking some notes. *Social Studies:* We are on schedule so far! The Research Paper will be on a civilization. Students will work in groups and will be sharing info throughout the process, but they will be responsible for their own paper in the end. Students will be choosing between Rome, Greece, Egypt, China, Mesopotamia, Mayans and India for their topics. *Reading:* I’m hoping we can finish the Golden Goblet this week! Students need to be able to take the test before the long Thanksgiving break for the best chance to earn all 11 points. Gazette #12 (top) November 5-9, 2007 Homework and Classwork (AR & Log is every night M-Th) *Monday* Language Classwork—Correcting Lang Book and Mountain Lang. Homework—No homework tonight! Social Studies: Classwork— Film on Ancient Egypt Homework—Make a map of Ancient Egypt (freehand). Reading (Mr. Grattan = Golden Goblet, Mr. Mathany = Hatchet) Classwork—Golden Goblet (class read along) Homework--AR reading at least 30 minutes and log. Should have 30% of your goal this week. *Tuesday* Language: Class—Reading Essays Homework—Sentences (see Language on inside page) Social Studies: Classwork— Read and study Unit Two cont. Reading: (Mr. Grattan = Golden Goblet, Mr. Mathany = Hatchet) Classwork—Golden Goblet (class read along) *Wednesday* Language: Classwork— Reading Essays Homework—Diagram Sentences (handout) Social Studies: Finish Sections 5 & 6 of Unit One. Study for test Friday. Reading: (Mr. Grattan = Golden Goblet, Mr. Mathany = Hatchet) Classwork—Golden Goblet (class read along) Dear Students and Parents Quote of the Week: Rules of Conduct: “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.” John Wesley (1703-1791) The party was fun last week and all went very well as far as organization goes. Unfortunately, soda was spilled and so there will be no more soda for the year—in the classroom. It was not a simple spill but went all the way across the classroom—on linoleum and carpet. A full cup was also left by a computer. This is a new classroom and we can’t allow ourselves to get sloppy. Most students behaved responsibly, but know one saw anything or knew who spilled. Sound familiar? We need to police ourselves or have limited freedoms. I do and did complement the students who organized the party—they did a great job! Thank you to all the parents who donated pizza, soda L, and candy! This coming Friday is a holiday…and then a whole five day week after, before the Thanksgiving Holiday. This Week in Class *Language:* In an AR book (that you will bring to class with you) find a paragraph containing a Topic Sentence and at least three detail sentences relating to the topic sentence. Rewrite the paragraph with Topic sentence: before that sentence and Detail 1: before the first detail sentence, etc. *Social Studies:* Egypt starts today! We will see a film and then start work on Unit Two. Students should take their books home if they need them to make a map. *Reading:* The first test on the golden Goblet is done---must have been difficult judging by the grades! Students will be given the best score of either this quiz or the next. Those who missed this test will receive the score from the next. Gazette #11 (top) October 29-November 2, 2007 Homework and Classwork (AR & Log is every night M-Th) *Monday* Classwork—work on plot for story, blend in Char & Setting Homework Lang Prac Book Pp 26 & 27 Social Studies: Classwork—study for final on Unit One Homework--none *Reading* (Mr. Grattan = Golden Goblet, Mr. Mathany = Hatchet) Classwork—Golden Goblet (class read along) Homework--AR reading at least 30 minutes and log. Should have 20% of your goal this week. Every Day! *Tuesday* Language: Class—Finish Rough Draft of story (500 words) Homework Lang Prac Book P 28 Social Studies: Classwork—Final on Unit One Reading: (Mr. Grattan = Golden Goblet, Mr. Mathany = Hatchet) Classwork—Golden Goblet (class read along) *Wednesday* Language: Classwork—begin Final Draft of story. Homework Lang Prac Book P 29 Social Studies: Finish Sections 5 & 6 of Unit One. Study for test Friday. Reading: (Mr. Grattan = Golden Goblet, Mr. Mathany = Hatchet) Classwork—Golden Goblet (class read along) *Thursday* Language: Class—Continue Final Draft of Story Homework Lang Prac Book Pp 30 & 31 Social Studies: Classwork—Film on Ancient Egypt Reading: (Mr. Grattan = Golden Goblet, Mr. Mathany = Hatchet) Classwork—Golden Goblet (class read along) Dear Students and Parents Please be careful this Halloween! It is a time when some, who are less thoughtful, put others at risk. Quote of the Week: “We all learn by experience but some of us have to go to summer school.” Peter De Vries Report cards have been mailed and most should have received them by now. Mr. Mathany and I will be glad to meet with any parents, just give us a call or email me at the address below. My computer has been scanned and no viruses or worms have been found so I am back up and running. The after school program the district is sponsoring at JJHS starts at 3 and goes to 5. 6^th Graders will be welcome to stay in our rooms until 3. If we have to leave for a meeting we will try to set something up. This Week in Class *Language:* We are finishing up the second 500 word essay this week. Students are completing the entire essay in class and are not allowed to take it home. It must be in cursive and not typed this time. The subject matter is a bit more user friendly—a story of their choosing, with emphasis on character and setting descriptions. Pop quiz Monday morning: diagramming sentences. Many students did well! *Social Studies:* Unit One Final this week and then on to Egypt! The quiz will be on Tuesday and will be approximately thirty questions long. *Reading:* Plan B—we did not have enough copies of Hatchet for both classes to use it so my class is reading Golden Goblet, a book set in Ancient Egypt. Both are good books and I don’t see any problem. We may switch after we finish the books or find others. Gazette #10 (top) October 22-26, 2007 Warning: It has been pointed out to me that our school website has a virus! I will be working on this but be cautious. Homework and Classwork *Monday* Homework Holiday! *Tuesday* Language: Homework—Study for Capitalization quiz tomorrow. Class—Diagramming Sentences Packet 2 & Character paragraph. Social Studies: Draw Map of Middle East, including Egypt (see Page 56) Cover whole page with your map—hand draw! Reading: Homework--AR reading at least 30 minutes and log. Should have 10% of your goal this week. Classwork--Hatchet *Wednesday* Language: Homework—Work on Diagramming Sentence Packet. Class—Character paragraph—editing or finish. Social Studies: Finish Sections 5 & 6 of Unit One. Study for test Friday. Reading: Homework--AR reading at least 30 minutes and log. Classwork—Hatchet *Thursday* Language: Homework—P. 9 Capitalization: Capitalization Celebration Class—Finish Sentence Diagramming Packet 2 Social Studies: Classwork—Study for Unit One Test Reading: Homework--AR reading at least 30 minutes and log. Classwork--Hatchet Dear Students and Parents The first quarter grades were quite high! Great job! Quote of the Week: “The beginning of knowledge is the discovery of something we do not understand.” Frank Herbert A new beginning! It is nice to begin the Quarter…all students start their grades from scratch and make them what they will. We have begun the next 500 word essay and it will be completed in class. It has started with the study of character building and how to describe a character so that we want to know more about them. Good, evil, helpful, kind or rotten to the core! They make reading fun and enrich our lives. That paragraph will be completed this week in class. Next week we will study setting. The essay will take a month to write but should be very educational. Conferences: Mr. Mathany and I are still willing to meet, just let us know when you are available. Social Studies will be emphasized this quarter as we begin writing the term paper. We will begin with notes and then go on from there. This will also be accomplished in class. This Week in Class *Language:* This week we have a quiz on capitalization rules and we may have a quiz on diagramming sentences also. *Social Studies:* We are finishing Unit One and starting our research for term papers over the next two weeks. Students will be required to research a specific civilization (Mesopotamia, Egypt, China/India, Greece, Rome and the Origins of Hebrews). *Reading:* Hatchet will be the class book this quarter. We will continue to include the short reading quizzes and other reading materials so that grades are not dependent on AR points. Great grades this first quarter! Way to go! *PE:* Field this week! Gazette #9 (top) October 8-12, 2007 Homework and Classwork *Monday* Language: Homework—P. 3 Capitalization: Visiting “Down Under” Class—P. 2 Capitalization; Pp. 2-4 Sentence Diagramming Social Studies: Study for Chapter 4 Test/finish Notebook Chapter 4 Reading: Homework--AR reading at least 30 minutes and log. Should have 90 % of your goal this week. AR—Silent Reading *Tuesday* Language: Homework—P. 5 Capitalization: Marriage of Pocahontas Class—P. 4 Capitalization; Pp. 5-7 Sentence Diagramming Social Studies: Read Geography Packet Reading: Homework--AR reading at least 30 minutes and log. Should have 90 % of your goal this week. AR—Silent Reading *Wednesday* Language: Homework—P. 7 Capitalization: The Dalton Highway Class—P. 6 Capitalization; Pp. 8-10 Sentence Diagramming Social Studies: Complete Pp. 8 & 9 Reading: Homework--AR reading at least 30 minutes and log. Classwork—Finding the Main Idea I & II *Thursday* Language: Homework—P. 9 Capitalization: Capitalization Celebration Class—P. 8 Capitalization; Pp. 11-12 Sentence Diagramming Social Studies: Class—Study for Quiz on Geography Reading: Homework--AR reading at least 30 minutes and log. Dear Students and Parents Quote of the Week: "Better be wise by the misfortunes of others than by your own." Aesop The end of a Quarter already! I’d ask, “Where does the time go?” But I’m not really sure I want to know! This week we will be working on the materials listed on the Homework & Classwork list and cleaning up missing work. Grades: the lowest non-test grade will be tossed out for each class. That should help most students but you should still try to complete all assignments to make the lowest grade less important. Conferences: Mr. Mathany and I have been meeting with parents on an “as needed basis” starting in August. If you want to meet with us concerning any topic just send a note or call. Be persistent is you do not hear from us! We are pretty good at returning calls but occasionally will find a note in a stack of papers six months late. Next Quarter will be similar to this one in that we will read a class novel, complete a 500 word essay and concentrate on grammar but we will also begin the Social Studies Term paper that will last the 2^nd and 3^rd Quarters and will be done during class time. This Week in Class *Language:* We will continue practicing editing by finding errors in the Capitalization Packet. This is great for reinforcing grammar rules. We will also begin diagramming sentences, starting with the basics this week and getting more complicated next Quarter. *Social Studies:* We did not have time to finish Chapters 3 and 4 last week so we will finish and take the exam this Tuesday. We will also be working on Geography this week. Students will learn the vocabulary and elements of maps. *Reading:* We will be taking more quizzes this week and students will have some time to boost their AR grades. A number of students have reached their goals for the quarter already…congratulations! *PE:* We have the Gym this week and will be using it for relays. Students will also record their bests in jumping, crunches, and other exercises.
	Gazette #8 (top) October 1-5, 2007 Homework and Classwork *Monday* Language: Homework—Big words Class—Big words, “ped” worksheets, finish packet (last weeks) Social Studies: Block with Language—no Social Studies today Reading: Homework--AR reading at least 30 minutes and log. Should have 80 % of your goal this week. AR—Silent Reading *Tuesday* Language: Homework—Making Words Class—Big words, “man, manu” worksheets, finish packet (last weeks), Grammar on computer or read if finished. Social Studies: Block with Language—no Social Studies today Reading: Homework--AR reading at least 30 minutes and log. Should have 80 % of your goal this week. AR—Silent Reading *Wednesday* Language: Homework—Making Words Class—Discuss Man, Manu and Ped. Quiz on Both. Social Studies: Classwork—Finish Ch 4. Reading: Homework--AR reading at least 30 minutes and log. Classwork—Finding the Main Idea I & II *Thursday* Language: Homework—Making Words Class—Page 10 & 11 from Sentence Construction Packet Social Studies: Class--Finish and Grade Ch.s 3 & 4 in Notebook Reading: Homework--AR reading at least 30 minutes and log. Dear Students and Parents Quote of the Week: "All great things are simple, and many can be expressed in single words: freedom, justice, honor, duty, mercy, hope." Sir Winston Churchill The newspaper and radio news made the situation here at JJHS seem much more drastic than reality. Two sixth graders brought pills to school and several others ingested. Parents were notified, students received punishments and life, fortunately, will go on for all of us. The DARE officers were here at school on Friday and very surprised that students did not inform any adults about this episode. I hope students will step forward next time. This Week in Class *Language:* We are taking a breather from more complex language lessons this week and having fun with words. Making Words is derived from “Making Big Words,” a program I have enjoyed using for years. *Social Studies:* Chapter 3 and 4 will be completed this week and a final for both will be given on Thursday or Friday, depending on when we complete the notebooks. *Reading:* We are completing a packet and then will be reading some small books of which we have classroom sets to try and help all students achieve their reading goals. PE: I don’t often comment on PE but this class is the healthiest we have had in years. They seldom have difficulty with any exercises but they still can’t beat an old guy in leg lifts…practice, practice, practice!
	Gazette #7 (top) September 24-28, 2007 Homework and Classwork *Monday* Language: Homework—Page 3 from Sentence Construction Packet. Class—Page 1 & 2 from Sentence Construction Packet Social Studies: Classwork—Draw a Map showing types of beings and where they lived in prehistory. Review for quiz on Ch 3. Reading: Homework--AR reading at least 30 minutes and log. Should have 70 % of your goal this week. Classwork—Comprehension Through Context *Tuesday* Language: Homework—Page 6 from Sentence Construction Packet. Class—Page 4 & 5 from Sentence Construction Packet Social Studies: Classwork—Quiz on Ch 3 & make a timeline based on map. Reading: Homework--AR reading at least 30 minutes and log. Classwork—Inferential Reading *Wednesday* Language: Homework—Page 9 from Sentence Construction Packet. Class—Page 7 & 8 from Sentence Construction Packet Social Studies: Classwork—Read Ch 4. Reading: Homework--AR reading at least 30 minutes and log. Classwork—Finding the Main Idea I & II *Thursday* Language: Homework—Page 12 from Sentence Construction Packet. Class—Page 10 & 11 from Sentence Construction Packet Social Studies: Work on Ch 4 in Notebook Reading: Homework--AR reading at least 30 minutes and log. Classwork—Reading for Details & Critical Reading Dear Students and Parents Congratulations to the girl’s basketball team for their stellar play so far this year! The school year is flying by and it is getting close to the end of the first quarter! Students have and will have many chances to bring grades up. We had a sad week in that some students were involved with bringing pills to school and giving them or selling them to fellow students. All involved, including those who brought, sold, gave or received were questioned and parents were called. Penalties have been meted out. I am very impressed with the professional manner in which Mrs. Pabst and Mr. Molin handled this matter. It is a good reminder that students will occasionally make bad decisions and we all, staff and parents, must guard against potentially disastrous consequences. Please feel free to call if you have questions but understand that personal information is confidential. The five hundred word essay is in the books and, whew!, we can get on with our lives…until next quarter! This Week in Class *Language:* We will be working on sentences. Work will include a review of what makes a sentence a sentence rather than a fragment, parts of a sentence, subject verb agreement, sentence combining, and types of sentence review. *Social Studies:* Chapter 3 Quiz and Chapter 4 Reading this week! *Reading:* We will be working on comprehension and speed this week. All student need to try and read more quickly while maintaining their ability to comprehend. We may also continue with the timed tests, or continue those next week. We will begin reading Hatchet next Quarter.

	Gazette #6 (top) September 17-21, 2007 *Monday* Language: Homework—Paragraphs 3 & 4 should be done tomorrow. Class—Discussion of Linguistic and Spatial (Essay notes). Social Studies: Classwork—Finished Chapter 3. Reading: Homework--AR reading at least 30 minutes and log. Should have 60 % of your goal this week. Classwork—400 Word Quiz #1: Beethoven *Tuesday* Language: Homework—Finish Paragraphs 5 & 6 Class—Spelling Pretests Week 5 & 6. More discussion of Essay. Social Studies: Classwork—Notebook Chapter 3. Reading: Homework--AR reading at least 30 minutes and log. Classwork—400 Word Quiz #2 *Wednesday* Language: Homework—Finish Paragraphs 7 & 8 Class—Help with Essay Social Studies: Classwork—Pretest Chapter 3. Reading: Homework--AR reading at least 30 minutes and log. Classwork—400 Word Quiz #3 *Thursday* Language: Homework—Finish Paragraphs 9 10. Class—Reading Essays aloud. Social Studies: Quiz on Chapter 3 Reading: Homework--AR reading at least 30 minutes and log. Classwork—400 Word Quiz #4 Dear Students and Parents Thank you to all who bought magazines! Our class was one of two classrooms to qualify for the reward “Party.” Those students who sold magazines will be invited. AR points need to be earned and we are running out of time! Thjis week all students should have 60% of their goal. The goal was handed out earlier in the year and students can see their goal on any of our AR computers. We started Grammar and Spelling on the computer this week and all students will have time to work on it over the next two weeks. If they work quickly and diligently, students should be able to earn extra points toward their Language Grade! Students received a hand out of the Grammar Objectives today. Mountain Language will begin this week! Students will have the opportunity to work on their own (with help) to reinforce Language concepts. These concepts are aligned with Grammar and classroom work. Computer Problems! My computer at achool is giving me some grief so I will do most of the planning from home. This will work but is certainly inconvenient! The good news is that I have signed up for a class that will give me a new laptop. Timing is everything in life…wonder if they will give it to me early?! This Week in Class *Language:* Notes for Essay: Day 2 Linguistic Peg Method—defining an item according to a set of details—the peg is the underlying similarity. Keyword—using a word that identifies a group of items to be remembered. Examples: Gills = fish, wings = birds, etc. Spatial Paint a picture in your mind i. Can you recall the details of a picture? ii. Improving your ability. iii. Practice—how to work at making your ability better. Can you visualize or do you just go blank? i. Start by thinking of your own room with nothing in it. ii. Add one piece of furniture until the room is completely as it is. iii. Compare your vision with reality. *Social Studies: Chapter 3 this week!* *Reading:* We are taking timed reading tests everyday this week. The reading will be done in different ways and we will compare scores on Friday.
	Gazette #5 (top) September 10-14, 2007 Homework and Classwork *Monday* Language: Homework--Take Home Test Class—Pp. 6 thru 17 in Practice book. Social Studies: Classwork—Read Chapter 3 and questions. Reading: Homework--AR reading at least 30 minutes and log. Classwork—Discuss test and Gilly. *Tuesday* Language: Homework--Take Home Test Class—Pp. 6 thru 17 in Practice book. Social Studies: Classwork—Read Chapter 3 and questions. Reading: Homework--AR reading at least 30 minutes and log. Classwork—Test on Gilly Hopkins and independent reading. *Wednesday* Language: Homework--Take Home Test Class—Pp. 6 thru 17 in Practice book. Start essay. Social Studies: Classwork—Final on Chapter 2 Reading: Homework--AR reading at least 30 minutes and log. Classwork—Independent AR Reading. *Thursday* Language: Homework--Take Home Test Study for Test Class—Pp. 6 thru 17 in Practice book. Social Studies: Classwork—Quiz on Chapter 3 Reading: Homework--AR reading at least 30 minutes and log. Classwork—Independent AR Reading. Dear Students and Parents Reminder: Homework site changed! jjhsjag.com (look under students, click grattan). A long weekend of grading but the progress reports should be accurate! I met with students today to go over any questions or errors they know what they need to do to raise their grades. Magazine sales are going well (judging by the 6^th grade) and the class should have money to spend for the next three years! It all goes to Student Council! Thomas’s parents have volunteered to do the Book Orders, thank you very much! Mrs. Cahill has done this before so I will rely on her expertise! The reading test grade (Bears) was thrown out due to errors and students not returning for corrections. When it is my mistake I will usually toss the assignment. The best of luck to the Girls Basketball team! I hear they are quite ferocious! To those of you who did not make the team, remember Michael Jordan did not make his junior high team either. He practiced until…well, you know the rest of the story! This Week in Class *Language:* We are quizzing on the White Packet and starting our first long essay (probably on Wednesday during class). The essay will be about study habits and memory. It is a bit abstract but students usually get a great deal out of it. *Social Studies:* Final quiz on Chapter 2 and a pre-quiz on chapter 3 this week. Students have had less time on Social Studies last week due to the amount of Language required. *Reading:* Packets have been turned in and we will have a Gilly Test tomorrow. The test will be multiple choice and essay.
	Gazette #4 (top) September 4-7, 2007 *HOMEWORK* *Monday* Holiday *Tuesday* Language: Complete White Packet from last week. Reading: AR reading at least 30 minutes per night and complete the reading log. *Wednesday* Language: Study White Packet for quiz tomorrow. Reading: AR reading at least 30 minutes per night and complete the reading log. *Thursday* Language: Study for spelling test. Reading: AR reading at least 30 minutes per night and complete the reading log. Dear Students and Parents Homework site changed! jjhsjag.com (look under students, click grattan). A few glitches in the progress reports! The key was wrong for the reading test and they will be re-graded. AR will be added for the next progress report later this week. Magazine sales is our biggest fund raiser but I have made it clear that students need parental approval and supervision in order to sell! Please be safe! Site Council nominees are in and ballots will be coming out shortly! Only a few candidates returned interest to the office so you may have won. We still need a volunteer to handle Scholastic Book orders. If you are interested let me know. It will be a monthly item and the money and orders will be collected in class. We just need someone to put the order together. Our 8^th grade TA’s have been doing it so far but we have other things for them to do. This Week in Class *Language:* We will be finishing and grading the language packet and working on sentence structure. Some diagramming will be done in class. We have done about half the White packet as a class and much time was given for completion. If you have not completed the packet it is now homework…we have other things to do in class. *Social Studies:* Our workbooks have arrived! Yeah! We will still be working on timelines and geography for the next week or two, but a test will be given on the reading we have done so far. It may take the place of the quiz…whichever grade is higher! *Reading:* The packets have been going well but some students have not taken any AR tests yet. The points have been given out and students need 40% of their goals by Friday. Have a great week!

	Gazette #3 (top) August 27-31, 2007 Homework *Monday* Language: Write a topic sentence using at least three spelling words from list 3. Reading: AR reading at least 30 minutes per night and complete the reading log. *Tuesday* Language: Write a topic sentence using at least three spelling words from list 3. Reading: AR reading at least 30 minutes per night and complete the reading log. *Wednesday* Language: Write a 3 sentence paragraph using as many spelling words as you can. Reading: AR reading at least 30 minutes per night and complete the reading log. Thursday Language: Study for spelling test, take a practice test. Reading: AR reading at least 30 minutes per night and complete the reading log. Dear Students and Parents Progress Reports will be coming home this week…if the computer continues to work and we don’t run out of ink! I will also be sending home reports on our RenLearn Reading tests this week to let you know how you did. If you would like to retake a test you may ask. I am more concerned with your score at the end of the year! Many sixth graders put in their names for nomination for school officers. This bodes well for the year (and the two years to come) as many want to get involved and be productive. We will have classroom elections this week also. Mrs. Pabst has met with the “Cookie Dough” company and I’m sure she can use help with this Science Camp fund raiser! If you would like to help please let me know. We are planning to attend camp in May this year as the camp was booked up and we hadn’t reserved space for January. May is a great month for us as it will be after State Testing! We would like a volunteer to handle Scholastic Book orders. If you are interested let me know. It will be a monthly item and the money and orders will be collected in class. We just need someone to put the order together. Our 8th grade TA’s have been doing it so far but we have other things for them to do. This Week in Class Language: We will start “Step Up to Writing this week. The homework is an extension of this program and I will have explained how it works so all should have a good understanding unless they are absent. Social Studies: Students created maps of the classroom last week and created directions for a classmate to follow. This should be fun and is very instructive. Even the best set of directions can lead us astray if we don’t know how to read them! Reading: Students have been plaeed into groups by Mr. Mathany and me. They will be completing a packet together and so far the groups have been working well (one day!). Students will be graded for the packet and we are monitoring their input to be sure that one person does not complete the entire packet while others snooze! So far, so good! Have a great week! Gazette #2 (top) August 20-24, 2007 Homework *Monday* Language: Use first five words spelling words in a sentence or more than one sentence. Reading: AR reading at least 30 minutes per night and complete the reading log. Tuesday Language: Use first five words spelling words in a sentence or more than one sentence. Reading: AR reading at least 30 minutes per night and complete the reading log. Wednesday Language: Use words six through ten five words in sentences. Reading: AR reading at least 30 minutes per night and complete the reading log. *Thursday* Language: Choose five of the next words to write in a sentence(s). Reading: AR reading at least 30 minutes per night and complete the reading log. Dear Students and Parents Off to a great start! Homework starts this week and all assignments will be due the day following the assignment. Late papers will receive 50% until the following Monday. After that time they will not count. As we progress through the school year I will work with students and parents to make accommodations if necessary but for the first few weeks this procedure will be in force. Mr. Mathany and I are trying to arrange a GATE Program for sixth graders, after school. We are currently considering a Robot Class (Mr. Mathany) and a Web Writing Class. I currently do the School Website, jjhsjag.com, and would like some sixth graders (and/or parents) to contribute. Any ideas would be appreciated but we will follow ISTE and district guidelines. We may also start some clubs such as Chess. Both classes have been great so far this year and Mr. Mathany and I are looking forward to a great year. Please do not hesitate to call me or email me with ideas, concerns or questions. Home phone: 223-3263 Email: dangrattan@comcast.net This Week Language: We have been working on various types of writing, word play and several other areas of Language. Most work will be completed in class but some students may need to take work home to complete. Social Studies: This is a fun subject and many of the projects will be hands on learning. So far the students were required to draw a map from their homes to school and also create a map of the classroom. We will branch out throughout the year to bigger projects as time allows. Reading: We are currently reading “Gilly Hopkins” at school and an AR book of students choosing at home. Gilly is a book about a foster child who has had a rough time and acts out accordingly. Ask your students about the characters and how they see them. Each student may have a unique perception (I hope) of how Gilly copes with life. Gazette #1 (top) Welcome to 2007-2008! Dear Parents and Students, Mr. Mathany and I are co-teaching this year. I will be teaching Language and Social Studies to both classes and Reading and PE to my home students. Mr. Mathany will be teaching Math and Science to both and Reading and PE to his home students. We work well together and hope to make the experience enjoyable for our students. It is important to note that we are very different people, so do not expect us to be clones. Our policies will be similar but not exactly the same. Band is scheduled during PE so we will try to work out a plan that will allow students to miss as little PE as possible. We also have a booster class either 5th or 6th period for students needing extra help with Reading or Math. We will probably do a block schedule in the afternoon in order for these programs to work. This is an example of my weekly Gazette. There will be a spot on the back for homework assignments and other related material. The inside will be used for explanations of lessons and communication regarding upcoming activities and events. A sense of humor is an important part of life and will be useful in class. We need to all keep in mind that there is a difference between positive and negative humor. Please be positive! Attitude will be important as well! I expect all students to take assignments seriously and make their best attempt. You will always receive more credit for completed tasks than tasks not started. Please feel free to contact me at home or at school if you have questions or concerns. Conferences can be scheduled anytime and I prefer to have them early in the year rather than waiting until the minimum days in October or when there is a major problem. Homework Policy: The Gazette’s will have most homework listed but there will be occasional assignments that are driven by the events of the day or due to student inactivity during class. If a student makes good use of class time, he or she will have less homework than student who daydream or dither. Homework is often graded for effort rather than accuracy and is often an extension of class work. Late work will be given half credit if turned in by the following Monday after it is due. After that it will only be accepted with parent teacher agreement. Illness and or family emergencies are two possible reasons for acceptance of late work. Students will receive a day for day addition in time for each day absent. Excessive absences do impact learning and should be avoided. Grading Policy: Homework is explained above and tests are straight forward—graded by straight percentage or on a curve, depending on results. It is my goal to make success possible for every student! Materials: Desk binders will be provided for each student and are to be used to collect all work. I grade the papers in the binder so that there is less likelihood of papers being misplaced. Students should have a binder for their backpacks, pencils, black or blue pens (not gel), college rule paper and other items of their own choosing. I supply most other materials as needed but may ask for help if our budget is decreased. Language: We will be using several programs this year, one for the first time. The district has adopted “Step up for Writing” K-6. It is a very well organized program and will help students understand and develop skills needed for advanced writing. Spelling will be completed on the computer. Students will receive a set of lists for the next several weeks and will be graded based on successfully completing a weekly list. Students may go ahead if this is easy for them. Other students may need more time. Words not mastered on one list will carry over to the next weeks list. Latin & Greek Roots will also be studied. Grammar will be taught through lecture and on the computer. This will include diagramming sentences, combining sentences, parts of speech, etc. Reading: Students will be reading novels in class and AR books at home on a daily basis. They will also be taking reading quizzes that will help us evaluate their ability to comprehend and respond to short passages. Novels will include: Gilly Hopkins and Hatchett (1st Quarter). Social Studies: Students will be using the adopted Social Studies text, researching & writing term papers, completing workbook assignments and integrating this subject with Language. PE: Students will be expected to progress in conditioning and game skills throughout the year. We hope all students will be pushed to work hard and increase their prospects for good health.