Weekly Plans for January 6 - 10, 2020

This week will be devoted to Vocabulary # 11 (pages 138 -144), The introduction of diagramming sentences and the handing out of To Kill a Mockingbird, which will be our next novel. Also, there will be a school-wide Spelling Bee on Thursday, January 9 in the gym at 2:50.

Monday: Vocabulary #11 for the first 10 minutes. We will introduce diagramming of sentences by having a review of the parts of a sentence. I realize some students may have a "bad taste" in their mouths about diagramming sentences, but I assure you, they will feel more and more confident as the weeks move forward. A copy of **To Kill a Mockingbird will be distributed to all students. Homework will be to complete the vocabulary (pages 138-144).

Tuesday: Blocks 2,3 and 5 will go over the vocabulary homework. We will have students come up to the board to begin some diagramming of sentences. There may be a handout to be completed for homework. Students will, also, be responsible to keep on task with the required readings of To Kill a Mockingbird.

Wednesday: Blocks 2 and 3 will review vocabulary words for the quiz on Friday. They will continue with diagramming practice and introduction to the novel To Kill a Mockingbird. Block 6 will go over the vocabulary homework and do Tuesday's class work.

Thursday: Blocks 5 and 6 will review for the vocabulary quiz on Friday. The rest of the class will practice diagramming of sentences and continue with To Kill a Mockingbird

Friday:  Vocabulary # 111 quiz. We will, catch up on To Kill a Mockingbird, if needed.

**To Kill a Mockingbird will be discussed (chapter by chapter) in class. It is imperative that ALL students stay on task and keep up with the daily, required reading of the novel.

Week of December 16-20, 2019

This week will be devoted to the review for the mid-term exams. Last week, we started the review and, this week, we will continue with it. The review will consist of different approaches to making sure the students have the opportunities to improve their knowledge and prepare themselves for the mid-term.
The Vocabulary mid-term is on Wednesday, December 18, while the grammar and essay portion of the mid-term will be on Friday, December 20.

Monday: Review
Tuesday: Review
Wednesday: Vocabulary mid-term will be administered
Thursday: Last day for review
Friday (Half day...noon dismissal)  The grammar portion of the mid-term will be administered.*****

**** There will be a"tutorial" Friday morning, beginning at 7:30 a.m. in my classroom.

I want to wish everyone a wonderful and Happy Holiday and Happy New Year.

Weekly Plans for Dec. 2 - 6, 2019

This week will be devoted to the seven(7) uses of the noun and Vocabulary unit # 9 (pages 110-117) This, actually, is the original plan for the week of November 18 - 22, because there was a change in those plans. We showed the film version of "Flowers for Algernon" instead of the original 7 uses of the noun. I will also have a one on one with all students about their stories.

Monday: Vocabulary Unit #9. This will be done for the first 10 minutes of the class. We will, then, start discussing the 7 uses of the noun. Homework is to complete Vocabulary unit # 9.

Tuesday: (Blocks 2, 3 and 5) Go over the vocabulary homework. Students will receive some handouts during the course of the week to help review of the 7 uses of the noun.

Wednesday: (Blocks 2 and 3) Continue with the 7 uses of the noun. Students will go up to the board to answer any questions. This will be a student-driven class. There may be some homework related to this, so be aware of any assignments. (Block 6) Same as Tuesday. We will, also, review the words for the quiz on Friday. Students will be given a handout on the 7 uses of the noun to complete for homework.

*Thursday: (Blocks 5 and 6):Students will have a handout to complete for a class grade.

*Friday: Vocabulary quiz #9

*I will not be in classes on Thursday and Friday. My son, Zachary, is getting married that weekend, in Orlando. Mrs. Willis will be my substitute. She has been informed of what will be done in all the classes and students will be aware, as well.

Weekly Plans for November 18 - 22, 2019

Actually, these plans are for the first week back, after the Thanksgiving "break" (December 2 - 6, 2019). The plans for this week (November 18 -22, 2019) are to take the Algernon test on Monday, and do the vocabulary Unit # 8 as scheduled. The rest of the scheduled classes will be to watch the film version of "Flowers for Algernon" The week of November 25 - 29, 2019 are no regular classes, due to conferences and Thanksgiving. Have a wonderful holiday!!!!

                                                         *************************
This week will be devoted to Vocabulary Unit # 8 ( pages 100 - 106), the test on Flowers for Algernon, and the seven (7) uses of nouns within sentences. This is the second full week of the new trimester. Also, I will begin  one-on-one meetings with all students to discuss the grades on their "Finish-the -story" assignment. These meetings will take place during class time while other students are doing seat work.

Monday: The Flowers for Algernon test will be administered. Homework will be to do the vocabulary unit # 8 (pages 100-106). This will take place, as scheduled

Tuesday: (Blocks 2, 3 and 5) Go over the Vocabulary homework. Go over the "Algernon" tests and see the students' mistakes. Begin the 7 uses of the noun in sentences. There will be handouts given to the students, during the course of the week to help review classroom discussions.

Wednesday: (Blocks 2 and 3 ) Continue with the 7 uses of nouns. Students will go up to the board to answer questions. This will probably be a student-driven class. Other than study for the vocabulary quiz on Friday, there may be some other homework related to the class work on the 7 uses of the noun.(Block 6) Same as Tuesday. We will also review the vocabulary for the quiz on Friday.

Thursday: Block 5 and 6 Go over the 7 uses of nouns and review for the vocabulary quiz on Friday.

Friday: Vocabulary quiz # 7 (This will take place, as scheduled)

 Monday and Tuesday, November 25 and 26, are conference dates. I hope to see all of you to discuss your child's progress this first trimester. If you have not scheduled an appointment, please consider doing so. It gives you and I a chance to make sure we are, all, on the "same page" with the progress of your child. 

Weekly Plans for November 11 - 15, 2019

This week will be devoted to Vocabulary # 7 (pages 90 - 97), and the discussions and review of Flowers for Algernon.  We were supposed to have done this last week, but the time did not allow...no problem! Each day, we will go over the book, in its entirety and, also complete Unit # 7 of the vocabulary. The projected date for the test on Flowers for Algernon is Monday, November 18th.

Monday: Vocabulary Unit # 7 (pages 90 -97) 10 minutes . Discussion of Flowers for Algernon. Students were given an extra week to complete the book and there are no excuses they should not have completed the reading. Homework is to complete the vocabulary unit # 7 (pages 90- -97)

Tuesday:    (Blocks 2,3 and 5)Go over the vocabulary homework. The rest of the class is devoted to the continued discussion of the novel, Flowers for Algernon.

Wednesday:  (Block 2, 3 and 6) Continue with class discussion and review of "Flowers". (Block 6)Go over the vocabulary homework. Review Vocabulary for quiz on Friday (Block 2 and 3)

Thursday:   (Blocks 5 and 6) Review for Vocabulary quiz  on Friday. Finish review for "Flowers"

Friday:  Vocabulary quiz# 7

Weekly Plans for November 4 -8, 2019

This week will be devoted to the "finish the story" essays, and the introduction of the novel, Flowers for Algernon.  Students will hand in their "packets", consisting of a cover, and two (2) pages of story. They will be reading their stories in class for an oral grade, as well.
This assignment will have three (3) components...a designed "cover", a written story, and an oral presentation. Each section will be weighted, differently, to allow students to maximize their grades. This assignment also allows individuals an opportunity to excel in their "artistic" talents, their writing capabilities, and their ability to present their story by learning the values of oral skills. 
Flowers for Algernon will be discussed, as well, in preparation of the test, scheduled for November 11th.

Monday: Students will hand in their essays. Individuals will start to read their stories to the class for an oral grade. We will probably do 2 to 3 students each class period, followed by the continued discussions of Flowers for Algernon.

Tuesday: (Blocks 2, 3 and 5). Continue reading the stories with the continuation of Flowers for Algernon class discussions.

Wednesday: (Blocks 2,3, and 6) Same as Tuesday. Once all students have completed their "readings", we will spend all class time going over Flowers for Algernon, in preparation for the test, scheduled for November 11th.

Thursday: (Blocks 5 and 6). Finish all student readings of the essays and continue reviewing for the test on Flowers for Algernon. 

Friday:  This day ends the 1st trimester. Students will have a modified day, being dismissed at noon.

Weekly Plans for October 28 - November 1, 2019

This week will be devoted to Vocabulary # 6 (pages 72-79), Setting up the novel,  Flowers for Algernon, and introducing the next writing assignment, which will be an essay relating to the"Halloween" theme. All students will receive a reading guide, as well as, a study guide for the novel. The dates will be discussed for the test on the novel. The date the essay will be due is Monday, November 4th. NO EXCEPTIONS!  All this will be told to students during this week.

Monday: First 10 minutes...students will work on Vocabulary #6 (pages 72-79). A reading guide and basic introduction to Flowers For Algernon will be discussed. All students will be responsible for reading the novel, with an end date decided this week. All students will be told a story. The purpose of this story will be discussed in each class. Homework is to complete the vocabulary unit # 6 (pages 72-79)

Tuesday: (Blocks 2,3 and 5) will go over the Vocabulary homework.  The rest of the class time will be devoted to working on the essays in class. All the necessary information about this essay assignment will be discussed and all students will be responsible for this essay. Students will receive a rubric and all the requirements for the assignment.

Wednesday: (Blocks 2 and 3) Review the vocabulary words for the quiz on Friday. The rest of the class time will be spent on writing their essay. I will be working one on one with some of the students to help them with the development of their ideas. (Block 6) Same as Tuesday's schedule for blocks 2, 3 and 5).

Thursday: (Block 5 and 6)  Review for Vocabulary quiz # 6 on Friday. Rest of the class will be devoted to the continuation of writing their essays.

Friday: Vocabulary quiz # 6 will be administered. If students have time left, they are to work on their essays , which are due on Monday, November, 4.

Weekly Plans for October 21 - 25, 2019

This week will be devoted to the final review of the 8 parts of speech, preparing for the test scheduled for Friday, October 25. I will explain the "format" of Friday's test, so each student knows what to expect upon entering the class on Friday.
At the end of the week, I will be giving ALL students a copy of the next novel: Flowers for Algernon, We will have a brief introduction and "setup" in preparation for the reading of the novel. We will not have a vocabulary unit because there will be NO CLASSES on Monday, October 21 (Shemini Atzeret).

Monday: NO CLASSES (Shemini Atzeret)

Tuesday:  (Blocks 2, 3 and 5) Continue with the review of he 8 parts of speech. There will be "student-driven" classes to help promote the understanding of the material, as well as, having competition within each class. There will be a Q and A, each day, for those who might be having some difficulty with the material.

Wednesday: (Same as Tuesday for block 6) Blocks 2 and 3 will have a "competition" within their class to help students with the understanding of all 8 parts of speech and their uses within sentences. There will be a brief "setup" for Flowers for Algernon. I will pass out copies of the novel to ALL students.


Thursday: (Blocks 5 and 6) Same as Wednesday.



Friday: **Test on the 8 Parts of Speech. ( I will be holding a "tutorial", at 7:30 - 7:55, for any students who would like some last-minute reassurance.)

Weekly Plans for October 14 - 18, 2019

This week will be devoted to finishing prepositions and completing the remaining parts of speech.(verbs, conjunctions and interjections). The objective for this week will be to discuss and understand ALL 8 parts of speech. (noun, pronoun, adjective, adverb, preposition, verb, conjunction and interjection.) Students will have various handouts for practice, as well as, going up to the board and having competitions. There will NOT be a vocabulary unit because we do not have classes on Monday, October 14 (Sukkot).

Monday: No Classes (Sukkot)

Tuesday:( Blocks 2, 3 and 5) Continue with prepositions, while adding verbs to the list. Students will come up to the board to identify verb and verb phrases in sentences. Also, students will be responsible to identify the nouns, pronouns, adjectives, adverbs and prepositions, as well.

Wednesday: (Same, as Tuesday, for block 6) Continue with more practice with the parts of speech with Blocks 2 and 3.

Thursday:  Continue with more practice, with the introduction of conjunctions and interjections. Basically, all the classes will be reviewing the 8 parts of speech by having students "dissect" sentences and being able to identify ALL words in the sentences and how the words are used.

Friday: Review of ALL 8 parts of speech in all classes. This will be the beginning of a review for the next major test on the parts of speech. The date for the test will be determined, depending on the success of the understanding of the 8 parts of speech.

Weekly Plans for October 7 - 11, 2019

This week is devoted to the continuation of the remaining four (4) parts of speech. (verb, preposition, conjunction and interjection). We will go over the quiz from Friday and continue with the other four parts of speech. Because of Yom Kippur, we will not have a vocabulary unit this week and we will also have a modified schedule.

Monday: Go over the quiz from Friday. Introduce the remaining 4 parts of speech ( verb, preposition, conjunction and interjection.)

Tuesday: This is a "half day" and students will have a modified day. All 7th graders will see the film "Akeela and the Bee" at the lower school with a discussion to follow. Students will be dismissed at noon.

Wednesday: NO CLASSES (Yom Kippur)

Thursday: This will be a late morning start. (10:00 am). This day will, also, a be modified day.        (A 110) days ( 40-minute classes). We will continue with the remaining parts of speech for review. Students will be called up to the board, as well as, handed some worksheets for practice.

Friday: We will review ALL 8 parts of speech.

Weekly Plans for September 30 - October 4, 2019

This week will be devoted to the review of nouns, pronouns, adjectives and adverbs. Students will be taking a quiz on this on Friday, October 4th. Of course, there will be NO CLASSES on Monday, September 30 and Tuesday October 1st for Rosh Hashana. Therefore, students will NOT have a vocabulary unit this week. Wednesday and Thursday, students will review the (four) parts of speech in order to prepare for the quiz on Friday. We will be having "B25" days ( students will have 50 minute classes) on Wednesday and Thursday with a regular schedule on Friday.

Monday:     NO CLASSES

Tuesday:     NO CLASSES

Wednesday: Review nouns, pronouns, adjectives and adverbs for quiz on Friday

Thursday: same as Wednesday

Friday: Quiz on the (4) four parts of speech...noun, pronoun, adjective and adverb.****

****THERE WILL BE A "TUTORIAL" ON FRIDAY MORNING (7:30 AM), IN MY ROOM, FOR THOSE STUDENTS WHO NEED  A "LAST-MINUTE" REVIEW FOR THE QUIZ.

**Students should come to this "tutorial" with specific questions or concerns. The purpose of this "tutorial" is to answer any last-minute questions about the 4 parts of speech. 


                                 Have a Happy and Healthy New Year!!
                                        L'Shana Tova

Weekly Plans for September 23 -27, 2019

This week will be devoted to Vocabulary # 5 (pages 62-69), the return of their compare/contrast paragraphs, and the continuation of the 8 parts of speech, reviewing nouns and continuing with pronouns, adjectives and adverbs. There will be various handouts, as well as, homework assignments connected with this.

Monday: Vocabulary # 5 for the first 10 minutes in class. Students will receive their compare/contrast paragraphs. We will review nouns and introduce pronouns, adjectives and adverbs. Homework will be to finish Vocabulary Unit 5. (pages 62-69).

Tuesday: (Blocks 2, 3 and 5) Go over Vocabulary homework. Have students identify nouns, pronouns, adjectives and adverbs in sentences, and be able to explain why the various parts of speech were selected in each sentence. Their will be some sort of a competition to help understand what students have learned, so far.

Wednesday: (Block 6) Same as Tuesday.  ( Blocks 2 and 3) Review for vocabulary quiz #5 (pages 62-69). If there is time remaining, we will review nouns, pronouns, adjectives and adverbs.

Thursday: (Blocks 5 and 6) Same as Wednesday... for (Blocks 2 and 3). Review for the vocabulary quiz # 5 for Friday.

Friday: Vocabulary Quiz #5

Throughout the week, there will be various procedures to have students identify the nouns, pronouns, adjectives and adverbs in sentences. We may have a team competition, or just, have students up to the board and create a "student-driven" classroom, where the students, alone, ask and answer any questions that may be raised, in order to help understand the various parts of speech. The remaining four(4) parts of speech (preposition, verb, conjunction and interjection) will be introduced the next week. There will be quizzes along the way, but the next MAJOR test will be on ALL 8 parts of speech. The date for that test, of course, will be determined as we get closer to completely learning all 8 parts of speech.

Weekly Plans for Monday, September 16 - 20, 2019

This week will be devoted to Vocabulary Unit# 4 (pages 52 - 59), the compare/contrast paragraphs on The Outsiders will be collected for a quiz grade and** there will be an introduction of formal grammar, beginning with the eight (8) parts of speech. 

Monday: For the first 10 minutes, students will begin working on Unit #4 (pages 52 -59) with the completion due by the next class meeting (Tuesday or Wednesday). The compare/contrast paragraphs on The Outsiders will be collected. Some will be read in class for discussion and critiquing. The "noun" will be introduced to all classes, with the objective of being able to locate ALL nouns within any sentence. There will be a contest, with the winning students having a chance to "SPIN THE WHEEL".

Tuesday: (Blocks 2, 3 and 5) Go over Vocabulary Homework. Continue with the noun and gradually introduce the other 7 parts of speech (pronoun, verb, adjective, adverb, conjunction, preposition and interjection) in the next few weeks. There will be handouts and various ways to improve in the understanding and usage of the parts of speech in the context of sentences. There may be some handouts, for homework, during this week, to support what we discuss in class. Homework: Study for the vocabulary quiz #4 for Friday.

Wednesday:  (Block 6) Same as Tuesday. (Blocks 2 and 3) Review Vocabulary words Unit #4 for the quiz on Friday. Any remaining time will be the continuation of the 8 parts of speech. Students will be asked to write sentences on the board and identify the parts of speech within the context of the sentences.

Thursday:  Blocks 5 and 6 ...Same as Wednesday for blocks 2 and 3.

Friday:  The quiz on Unit #4 Vocabulary will be administered.

** The eight (8) parts of speech will continue for a few weeks, in conjunction with other writing and reading assignments. The objective is to ensure the understanding of the parts of speech and how to identify them in the context of any type of sentence. There will be various "contests" throughout this unit to motivate students, and help them understand how the different parts of speech are used correctly and accurately in the context of the written sentences.

Weekly Plans for September 9 - 13, 2019

This week will be devoted to going over The Outsiders test, Vocabulary Unit #3 (pages 34-41) fine-tuning the "paragraph", including writing a complete paragraph by each entire class, relating to the messages discussed in The Outsiders , and the showing of the film version of the book. The movie is 1 1/2 hours, so it will require two (2) class periods with discussions about the differences in the book and movie versions.

Monday:  Go over The Outsiders test. If anyone gets a "perfect score (100), on this test, they will **SPIN THE WHEEL in front of the entire class. Vocabulary homework of Unit #3 (pages 34-41) will be checked the next class time. Begin showing the film...The Outsiders.

Tuesday: Go over the Vocabulary homework Unit #3 (pages 34-41). Finish watching the film of The Outsiders. If time is left, start comparing and contrasting the similarities and differences of both version of the story. There will be a handout given to all students with instructions for the assignment and a rubric, as well.

Wednesday: Blocks 2 and 3 will review the vocabulary words for the quiz on Friday. The remaining time will be devoted to writing the well-constructed compare/contrast  paragraph, concentrating on flow, vocabulary, and various lengths of sentence structure. Block 6 will follow Tuesday's class procedure.

Thursday: Block 5 and 6 will review the vocabulary words for Friday's quiz. The rest of the remaining class time will be to write the paragraph as on Wednesday's schedule. This compare and contrast paragraph will be due on Monday, September 16.  

Friday: Administer the Vocabulary quiz# 3.

** To explain THE WHEEL... If any student receives a perfect score (100) on any major test, or other major assessment, then he/she will earn the chance to SPIN THE WHEEL. The "WHEEL" has various "rewards" on it and whatever the "wheel" lands on, the student will"win" that particular "prize".
Also, the opportunity to "SPIN THE WHEEL", will be awarded to those students who exhibit a consistent positive behavior, attitude, kindness and demeanor , fitting of the "values" which The Davis Academy represents. Kindness, respect, caring etc. are things which should be displayed throughout the day, and those who behave in this manner, without trying to impress, will be rewarded, as well.

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.

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. 

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.

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).