Thursday, August 29, 2019

Weekly Plans for September 2 - 6, 2019

This week will be devoted to the final review of The Outsiders. Also, there will be more practice with writing a well-constructed paragraph. **The Outsiders test will be on Friday, September 6. This will be the first time students will get a chance to spin the "Rifkin Wheel", if anyone receives a "perfect paper" (100) on The Outsiders test. There will NOT be a vocabulary unit this week, due to Labor Day, on Monday. 

Monday (Labor day): No Classes

Tuesday: All classes will review for The Outsiders test. We might have a "contest type" format, as well as, regular Q and A type classes. It is imperative that ALL students pay attention and review whatever notes they have taken during the last two weeks of discussion. (Blocks 2,3, and 5)

Wednesday:  Continue with review for The Outsiders.  I will be asking different types of questions that might appear on the actual test. Also, we will spend some time talking about the writing of "an essay type" question , and the importance of including specific names, places etc. to help receive the maximum points offered for the question. (Blocks 2, 3 and 6) Same as Thursday with the students' questions.

Thursday: Final Review of The Outsiders. Students will ask any last-minute questions they may have about the story. Also, students will write three (3) good questions, as if they were creating the test, themselves. Some of the students' questions may be used on the actual test, These questions will be their "ticket out the door". (Blocks 5 and 6)

**Being that The Outsiders  test will be the first test grade for this year, depending on the test result, it may affect the average of the student more than previous assessments. Test grades are 50 % of the grade average. If your child's average, as of now, and the test grade is relatively close, then, the average will not move that much. But, if there is a large discrepancy, between their present average and the grade received on the test, the average will be affected more...both higher and lower. 
I have told the students not to worry if their average drops 5-10 points, because there will be many tests and essays (50 % of the grade average) during each trimester.

Thursday, August 22, 2019

Weekly Plans for August 26 - 30, 2019

This week will be devoted to Vocabulary Unit # 2 (pages 24 - 31), continuing the class discussion on The Outsiders, improving the quality of writing paragraphs. During the discussions on The Outsiders,  I encourage all students to take notes and listen, because much of what we talk about in class, will appear on many of the questions on the test. The Outsiders will be the students first major assessment. The date will be determined after we have fully discussed the book in class. The projected date will be sometime during the week of September 9th. More information will be coming on the exact date.

Monday For the first ten minutes of class, students will begin Vocabulary Unit # 2 ( pages 24 -31). They will complete it for homework, which is due the next day of class. The rest of the class will be devoted to the continuation of The Outsiders . Also, the paragraphs, which the students wrote last week, will be returned to them.

Tuesday: For blocks 2, 3 and 5, we will go over the vocabulary homework (pages 24 -31). The rest of the class will be the continued discussion of The Outsiders . The format for the test (date TBD), will be discussed, as well. Homework is to study for Friday's Vocabulary Quiz #2, and review any notes from The Outsiders. 

Wednesday: For blocks 2 and 3, we will review the vocabulary unit for the quiz on Friday. If there is any time, at the end of the class, we will have a Q and A session on The Outsiders. For Block 6 we will go over the Vocabulary homework (pages 24 -31) and continue with The Outsiders. Also, the format for the test will be discussed, as well.

Thursday: Blocks 5 and 6 will review for Friday's Vocabulary quiz. If there is any time,we will have a Q and A session on The Outsiders

Friday:  Vocabulary Quiz #2 will be administered.

*** Each week, when we have a vocabulary unit, all students should be studying the list of words , beginning Monday nights. This gives them an opportunity to spread out the time (15 -20 minutes each night) and then be able to "review" on Thursday night before the quiz. 

Thursday, August 15, 2019

Weekly Plans for August 19 - 23, 2019

This week will be devoted to the introduction of The Outsiders (required summer reading), and the starting of our Vocabulary Unit. We will, also, continue with the "recipe" for good writing. Students should bring their study guides for The Outsiders  to class, every day.

Monday: Begin Vocabulary Unit # 1 (pages 14 - 21) Make sure you do ALL the pages in the unit... EVERY WEEK! Students will have 10 minutes, each morning, to begin the vocabulary and complete it for homework for the next scheduled class. We will introduce The Outsiders  informing all students of their requirements and the format for going over the novel. All students have received  a "study guide", which will be a tool to help students understand and follow the story to its completion. It is extremely important that each student listens and pays attention to all class discussions. This will help to answer any questions they may have about the novel. HOMEWORK: Vocabulary Unit # 1 (pages 14 - 21)

Tuesday:  (Blocks 2.3 and 5) Go over the Vocabulary homework. Continue with The Outsiders.  Review the study guide and add more information about the main characters. Talk about the more important "moments" of the story and the important relationships. HOMEWORK: Study for the vocabulary quiz on Friday, August 23.

Wednesday: Same as Tuesday for Block 6. Blocks 2 and 3 will review the vocabulary words for the quiz on Friday. Continue with The Outsiders.  HOMEWORK: Study for the vocabulary quiz on Friday.

Thursday: (Blocks 5 and 6) Review for Vocabulary quiz on Friday. Continue with the review of The Outsiders.

Friday: Quiz on Vocabulary Unit # 1. Each week, the grades will be posted on the Vocabulary chart in the classroom, as well as, on the students computer "Blackbaud".

Each day we will continue to practice "good writing" skills , using the "recipe for good writing" as the guide.

*********WEDNESDAY  EVENING, AUGUST 21,  @  7 :00 P.M.,IS "BACK-TO-SCHOOL NIGHT!  ********I look forward to meeting all of you.

Thursday, August 1, 2019

Weekly Plans for August 12 - 16

Welcome back! I hope you all had a wonderful, relaxing and exciting summer vacation and are ready for a great year. This week, especially the first day, will be devoted to information, directions and expectations for my 7th grade Language Arts classes. Although, this can be, somewhat, overwhelming, it is very important to take one day at a time and pace yourself. I promise, if you work at it, it will, all, work out in the end. It takes commitment! My blog address is: mrrifkinsroom3.blogspot.com PLEASE USE IT!!!!  All the necessary, weekly assignments and bits of information you will need to know, will be posted by the Thursday prior to the upcoming week. Communication is extremely important, as I urge you to check the blog regularly, in order to stay on task with all upcoming assignments and information.

Monday:  This day will, basically, be a day of orientation, as to what will be expected in my classroom and what you will need to know to be a successful incoming 7th grader. The class will consist of a lot of information, allowing time for any questions. The Outsiders (your required summer reading), will be discussed, including the responsibilities for each student. Vocabulary and grammar books will be distributed to all students.

Tuesday: Any information, not discussed on Monday, will be completed. We will get right into the work at hand. Requirements for Vocabulary will be given and discussed. The "recipe for good writing" will be introduced, with an emphasis placed on how to improve writing as a skill. There will be a quiz on the "recipe" on Friday, August 16th.  The "paragraph" will be stressed, as the building block for a good "writing sample". A 5-lined paragraph will be required from each student as their "ticket out the door". (Blocks 2, 3, and 5)

Wednesday:  (Same as above for block 6). Block  2 and 3 will read their paragraphs in class. We will comment on the paragraphs, using good, constructive criticism. The purpose is to show the value of the "pre-planning" stage of writing. Students will re-write their paragraphs for homework...due Friday.

Thursday: The paragraphs for block 5 and 6 will be read in class. We will comment on the quality of the paragraphs' structure and the students' readings. Students will rewrite their paragraphs for homework...due Friday.

Friday: Quiz on "The Recipe for Good Writing". Review the week's work and prepare for the upcoming week(s).