Our first two days of MEAP have gone really well.  All students have been working hard- and from class conversations we have had after testing, it sounds like they are using the strategies we have been working on in class.  I am proud of all the hard work and concentration I have seen the past two days!

Just a reminder-  my 6th and 7th grade  ELA classes will have a QAR/SAR test in class this Friday.  Make sure to bring your colored pencils, and be ready to show what you know!  Study the notes and examples you have in your ELA binders.

It’s MEAP time!

6th and 7th graders will start MEAP Testing on Tuesday 10-9-12.  We will test this week Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.  Testing will be done during a block of time in the morning. 

It is extremely important that students get a good night’s sleep, eat a healthy breakfast, and arrive at school on time.

My 6th Grade and 7th Grade students will have a basic Q.A.R. (Question Answer Relationship) and S.A.R. (Short Answer Response) Test in ELA class this Friday.  We have been practicing these two strategies in class for the past few weeks- students have notes, and many examples in their ELA binders to study.

Look for more blog emails to keep you updated on ELA class activities, due dates and upcoming tests and quizzes.  Also, please feel free to email me at    wiedyka@dearborn.k12.mi.us   with any personal concerns or questions. 

Hello,

I hope your school year has started in a positive way.

If you are a former student/parent and you would like to STOP receiving my blog-  choose the link to CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION at the bottom of the alert email.  I will be starting to post for my new classes this year next week.  I wanted to give you enough time to Cancel if needed.

If you are a former student/parent who has me as a teacher AGAIN this school year- don’t cancel anything.  Leave things the way they are, and you will keep getting my blog packed full of exciting classroom information!

Have a great week- and a wonderful school year!

Mrs. Wiedyke

Hello, and Welcome to a new school year!

Hello All!  I hope you are all enjoying your first full week of summer.  I know I have been spending lots of time by the pool, and enjoying some summer reading!  The purpose of this email is two-fold;

#1.  To let you know the Lowrey summer packets are now on the Lowrey School website.  The Language Arts packet and Math packets can be accessed and printed from the online link through the website.  Remember, this is not a torture device. . This is to keep your minds and academic skills sharp over the summer.  Most teachers will be offering Extra Credit next year for turning in the packet on the first day….not a bad way to start the new year!

#2. To make you aware of a great Summer Reading program through Barnes & Noble Book stores.  The program runs through 9/4/12.  Students are encouraged to pick up  a record log at any B & N location, and record books they are reading this summer.  Any student who reads 8 books is eligible to choose a FREE book from a book list featured on the recording log.

I hope all of you have a wonderful, relaxing, safe and enjoyable summer.  See you in September!

Report Cards for the 5th Marking Period were sent home today.  Make sure to ask your child to see their report card when they get home from school!

6th Grade:

We have been working on a Cause & Effect Essay in class in conjunction with our novel Pictures of Hollis Woods.  This weekend students will be finishing the essay at home.  The ending of the 3rd Effect paragraph and CONCLUSION paragraph must be finished at home and brought to class on Monday. 

7th Grade:

Students should be starting to work on an extension project for The Westing Game.  Choices were presented in class, and the final projects will be due Monday 5-21-12. 

Students also have an upcoming Vocabulary Quiz on Chapters 19-22 on Tuesday. 

Homework this weekend:

6th Grade:

On Monday we will be having a Pictures of Hollis Woods SNOWBALL VOCABULARY QUIZ.  Students will be tested on definitions for Vocabulary words for Set 1 (13 words total) and Set 2 (10 words total).  Students have known about this upcoming test all week.  I have encouraged them to make flashcards, we have played review games in class, and I have given them study time in class to quiz eachother.  This is most likely the last assessment this marking period-  Students need to STUDY and be prepared to do well.

We are still reading Pictures of Hollis Woods.  Students are doing a great job analyzing characters and plot events.  Our class discussions have been amazing!

7th Grade:

RETEST for Ch 8-12 Vocabulary Quiz will be on Monday.  Those who scored below an 80% will re-take the Quiz on Monday.  Study!

We are currently reading The Westing Game.  Students seem to be enjoying the twists and turns of this amazingly crafted mystery. 

On a personal note-    Thanks so much for all of your kind words, cards and compassion regarding the loss of my father.  I appreciate your support.  I also am appreciative of having such a caring and wonderful group of students.  Coming to work, keeping busy, and spending my days with such a great group of kids is making this whole process of  healing easier.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart. 

I enjoyed seeing the parents who came to conferences last night.  Thanks for taking the time to talk about your student’s progress with me. 

If you did not come to conferences to pick up your child’s 4th marking period REPORT CARD and MEAP Scores, these were sent home by the Counseling Office today.  Make sure to ask your child to see their current report card grades.

6th Grade:

This week we finished our literature Story Nadia the Willful and tested on the selection Tuesday.  Grades will be online ASAP.

We also started our preview and prep work to read the Newbery Honor novel Pictures of Hollis Woods by Patricia Reilly Giff.  We have been discussing the novel’s main concepts (Responsibility, Trust, Wishes and Belonging).  We have also been doing some background research on foster children to have a full understanding of the main character in the book, Hollis Woods.  Next week we will begin working through this wonderful novel together as a class.

Homework due Monday:  Vocabulary Foldable for Hollis Woods.  Each student chose 4 focus words from a list of 13.  They have had two short blocks of time to begin the project in class this week, and the foldable must be finished by MONDAY 4-2-12.  Color is expected for the illustrations on the front flaps. 

7th Grade:

We FINALLY finished our research projects!  7th Graders were very proud and relieved to turn in their first official research paper this past Monday.  I am working on grading these major projects, and hope to have all grades posted by early next week.

We started a novel in 7th grade as well.  We are currently reading the Newbery Medal Award mystery The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin.  This novel is full of suspense and adventure- and the students already are very engaged and involved in the plot.

On Monday, we will have our first quiz on the first set of 14 Vocabulary words from Chapters 1-7.  STUDY!!!  Make sure you are ready for this quiz on Monday.

6th Grade:

Today was the RE-Test for Q.A.R. if needed.  Grades will be posted ASAP.

We worked on the Conclusion Paragraph for the Compare/Contrast Essay we have been writing in class this week.  Students DO NOT have to do a Final Draft for this essay.  However, 5 EXTRA CREDIT POINTS are possible for anyone who chooses to do a Final Draft for this essay- due Monday- no late Final Drafts will be taken for credit.

All students must have one MARCH Journal Square finished and ready to share by Monday 3-12-12.

7th Grade

Students are working on personalizing their Career Research Paper Outlines by adding information into the “skeleton” outline provided.

We also learned how to insert research into our paragraphs (either paraphrased facts or direct quotes) with proper citation.

The JOB DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES paragraph with CITATION and your OPINION is due on Monday 3-12-12.

Today we had different classes in different places again   Check your hour below:

However, all students brought home a current progress report.  We are approximately half-way through the 4th marking period.  This marking period is over on 3/17/12.  I am asking that all students get a PARENT SIGNATURE and return their progress report by this Wednesday 2/29/12.

2nd hour:  

The Tuesday of the Other June  illustration project was introduced today.  Everyone received a student generated list of fabulous examples of IMAGERY and SIMILE from the text.  Each student is to select ONE example from the list and illustrate the picture they SEE when they read that language.  Illustrations (color and effort are a must!) are due TOMORROW!

3rd hour:

Tuesday of the Other June Illustrations are due tomorrow.  I can’t wait to see what you have created!

4th hour:

Make sure you have all 4 sources for your Research Project.  Make sure you have  3×5 notecards in class tomorrow.

We will continue to finalize source cards tomorrow, and begin NOTECARDS for each source.

5th hour:

Tuesday of the Other June Illustrations are due tomorrow.  I can’t wait to see what you have created!

6th hour:

You are responsible for finishing the FINAL DRAFT of the Bullying Problem/Solution Essay we finished in class today.  You may type or hand-write your final draft.  This is due on Tuesday 2-28-12.

Also-  the Tuesday of the Other June Beautiful Illustration Project is due on Wednesday 2/29/12.  Choose one of the imagery or simile examples from the sheet you were given.  Write the example you chose in the box at the top.  Circle whether your choice was imagery or simile.  Then draw or collage (computer/magazine images) WHAT YOU SEE WHEN YOU READ YOUR EXAMPLE.  Make your illustration unique and wonderful!  I can’t wait to see what you come up with!