Wednesday Weekly HomeWork is due tomorrow - personal essay.

This morning there were nine students tardy to first period Language Arts.  These students weren't a minute or two tardy, they arrived well after the lesson for the day had started.  Some of these students have been tardy 13+ times already this semester.  This is unacceptable.  Not only is it disruptive to the class and not only do these student miss instruction, the message sent to students is that being on time to school isn't a priority.  I am frustrated.  PLEASE make sure your children arrive to school on time.  While an occasional tardy is understandable, being late frequently is disrespectful.

Today in Language Arts we started reading The Giver, a wonderful Science Fiction novel that is part of our core curriculum.  It will be helpful if you ask your student about the story as we read over the next few weeks.  Retelling the story helps solidify comprehension.  Thanks!

Don't forget that your important WWHW is due Wednesday.  It is the final draft of your compare and contrast essay.  Most of you worked hard on your rough draft.  Don't forget!

It was a drill!  We had a lockdown drill on campus this morning at 11:20.  Students were perfectly behaved, quiet, cooperative.  I am so proud of them!

There still seems to be some confusion over whether or not I will accept late work.  The only assignment I will never accept late is the Wednesday Weekly HomeWork.  All other work will be accepted within a reasonable time, although depending on the circumstances some points may be deducted. 

Yesterday at Back to School Night many parents explained that they are uncomfortable not having strict deadlines for the novels the students are reading on their own.  Below is a list of due dates that give more structure to the assignment.  Each student should read four novels for the year - they may choose the novel as long as it is a "chapter book" and they get it approved by me.  I will be asking students to honor the due dates, however if a student is reading well and the novel is thick, I may be a bit flexible. 

 

 

Friday your Spelling Homework is due and you have a spelling test.  Study hard!! 

We are currently reading the novel Freak the Mighty and the students seem to be enjoying it.  I can tell because they often groan when I tell them we're finished reading for the day.  Ask your child to tell you about the story.  Prompt them with questions and encourage them to summarize what we've read so far.  Questions you might want to ask include:  How did Max and Kevin actually become Freak the Mighty?  What has been your favorite part so far?  If you'd like to purchase a novel for your student, consider buying Max the Mighty.  It is a sequel to Freak.....sort of.

"What did you do at school today?"  "Nothing."

We've all had this conversation with our kids.  Let me assure you that if they are at DABMS they have never spent the day at school doing "nothing."  Here are a few specific questions you might want to ask to help narrow down the answer for your child.

 

In Language Arts - What's happening with Freak the Mighty (the novel we're currently reading) right now?  Do you like the book?  Which character is your favorite?

For Social Studies - What news did you hear about today on the CNN Student News?

 

Hopefully this will allow you to have a positive conversation about school that doesn't involve the question, "Have you done your homework."