TUESDAY, AUGUST 21

@@@JOURNAL #1--DUE TODAY:

I walked around to each student and collected these---face-to-face. I only had one student in my 2nd hour not have the assignment ready to hand in today. Getting work in on times is a HUGE part of maintaining one's grade in middle school.

I spoke with each class about the late work policy--one day late = 30% off...the next day it is a zero.

@@@GOALS--In Class:

I talked through the four categories of learning in Language Arts--

1) Writing--We will write every Thrusday and 30 minutes at home every week.

2) Reading--We will be reading two novels together this year and every student must be reading independently, also. We will go to the library at least every other week for book check out.

Every student must pass one RC test per quarter for Language Arts. To earn the Reading Rewards Lunch, you will have to earn 100 points per quarter.

3) Spelling--You will have weekly spelling tests over 10 words per week. There will be opportunities to test out of spelling tests and to opt for an advanced spelling list.

4) Responsibility--Getting your work in on time is one of the most important tasks in middle school. We do allow you to hand work in one day late for 30% off, then it is a zero.

From these four categories, each student picked at least TWO categories for which to write a personal goal. I will select one of the goals the student wrote and it will be placed on the "brick" we've been making this week. Those bricks will go one the wall to serve as reminders all year.

@@@JOURNAL #2--DUE TOMORROW (8/22):

This is the second of three journals we will write this week. Today's topic is WHAT DO YOU THINK OF LEARNING/YOUR CLASSES AT EMS?? Students should write one full page and stay on topic to recieve the full 20 points. A sheet explaining the assignment along with additional questions to encourage thought on this topic was handed out to each student.