Hi Students!

Great job on your research! Now just finish those slides! Remember all the details we discussed and the examples shown for the trait of Presentation. Follow the rubric to include all required items in the slideshow. Then practice presenting it for your friends or family. Maybe even videotape yourself and watch it to see what needs to be improved. Practice makes perfect! You got this! Due date is April 29th.

Hey Students!

Great job on your introductions and interviews! I hope you have enjoyed getting to know each other and yourselves these first few weeks.

As you speak in front of the class to present more frequently, you will become more confident and improve your English speaking skills.

I loved hearing you recite your Diamonte poems, and your self-portraits turned out beautifully! You should be proud and recognize some of your types of intelligence, strengths and weaknesses, learning styles, etc.

As we begin the second half of the marking period, we will use our text and various articles to develop our reading skills. We will also begin a unit of study on grammar.

Keep up the great work!

Hi Students,

We’re in the home stretch of the semester! Hopefully, you had a relaxing break and are now back on school schedule. You’ll want to finish strong and raise your GPA, so keep focused and study hard! Best Wishes!

Here are some tips as we prepare for final exams:

1. Go to tutoring in the library after school on Tuesday, Wednesday &/or Thursday. Also, ACCESS tutoring is available in the cafeteria. If you’re failing any class, you can see Mrs. Zeidan in the nurse’s office for free professional tutoring, and even get a $20 gift card for participating!
2. Bring home books and use study guides each day to review for all classes little by little. As exams approach, focus more on the first or more difficult tests. Set a schedule and plan your study time.
3. While studying, take short breaks from time to time to refresh your brain.
4. KEEP YOUR PHONE OFF OR AWAY FROM YOU WHILE STUDYING! It’s a huge distraction and will continually make you lose focus, wasting your time as you have to keep going back over the same material you read when you were interrupted by your phone.
5. Aim for 8 hours of sleep each night, and try to go to sleep at the same time every night to train your brain.
6. Turn off all electronics (yes, phones!) one hour before bed.
7. Move and get some exercise earlier in the day; it will help you sleep better at night. Even a short, brisk walk will help.
8. Eat healthy foods (fruits, veggies, proteins) for energy and mental focus. Avoid caffeine and sugary foods (even fruits), especially at night, so you won’t be hyper and have trouble falling asleep.
9. Drink water throughout the day to stay hydrated and mentally alert.
10. Eat breakfast every morning, especially on test day!

Hi Students!

As we begin this week, we enter the final card marking! Let’s stay focused over the next few weeks to keep working hard and developing our English skills! Keep up with SSR at home, reading at least 30 minutes per night! Also, keep reviewing study guides for upcoming tests and quizzes. And of course, my favorite:  Practice speaking English in complete sentences! You will be amazed at how much growth you will experience if you just try to push yourself a little bit more!

Study for Unit 1, Chapter 4 test on Friday in our text! Go for the A!

Hey Students!

This is the last week of the second card marking. How are you doing on your English goals? Keep working on your three action steps to reach those goals by the target date, this Friday, 12/1. I’m proud of you!

On Thursday, 11/30, we have a quiz on Pronouns. We will also continue with our group presentations on the 6+1 Writing Organization trait. Next week, you will edit your “Holiday Narrative” paragraphs and revise them for a summative writing test. Keep up the great work!

Hi Students!

This week we will complete our group presentations of analysis of the Ideas rubric. Then we will begin analyzing the Organization trait. We are also practicing reading strategies with a poem on Thanksgiving, and there will be a test on Chapter 3 on Thursday.

Remember there is a Late Start on Wednesday!

Hi Students! Please remind your parents to come to conferences either on Monday, 10/30 or Friday, 11/1. Conferences will be held both days in the cafeteria from 3:30-6:30. You can pick up your report card from your counselor at the tables in A hall just outside the cafeteria, and then come in and find your teachers in the cafe. Most of us are seated alphabetically, but all the ELL teachers will be sitting in the same section. I’m looking forward to meeting your parents and sharing good news with them, as well as some tips for supporting you to help you improve your learning experience even more!

Hello Students!

This week we completed Unit 1, Ch. 1 in our text as we’ve learned to compare & contrast features of a poem & personal narrative. Test results are posted on your Student Connect. Remember: If you received a D or E, you may retake the test on Thur., 10/12, but ONLY IF you did all your homework.

Next week in Grammar, we will complete our study of Common & Proper Nouns & the quiz will be on Tuesday. We will also begin our unit on the 6+1 Writing Trait of Ideas. Have a great weekend!

Hi Students,

I hope you are all settled in to your new school year and are enjoying your classes! We are half-way through the first marking period! I loved seeing your self-portraits and hearing you recite your Bio-Poems! After spending the first few weeks focusing on routines and expectations, speaking and listening skills, and getting to know each other, we will now hone our reading skills in the Narrative genre, as well as develop writing through the 6+! Traits, starting with IDEAS. I’m excited to work with you!