We've begun the journey to ISAT in 301!

First, we have Tuesday's Terrific Test Taking Tips! (I love alliteration) Every Tuesday we will spend a portion of the class reviewing a skill for the ISAT.  We have already practiced Vocab in Context and looking for Main Ideas and Details.  I give the students tips to help them on the test and then we practice with some passages.

Then, we move to Wednesday's Wonderful Writing Review! (I told you I love alliteration) Every Wednesday, we will spend time discussing the writing process and scoring process of the Extended Response on the test.  So far, we have been looking at how to construct an extended response and practiced with a graphic organizer.

When we review in class for this test, I am giving the students points.  Please encourage your child to take this seriously.  Many of them moaned and groaned as soon as I mentioned the test prep.  Seventh graders need to perform well because high schools will see this score on their applications while Eighth graders need to do well in order to graduate.

On Tuesdays and Wednesdays, please ask them what they did and try to encourage them as we approach the test in the beginning of March.

We've started reading Harper Lee's Pulitzer Prize winning novel To Kill a Mockingbird in the 8th grade.  This is one of my favorite books and I love teaching it to students.  I have always had great experiences with this novel and find that many students will read ahead.  We have many activities planned and I cannot wait to "dig in" to the themes, symbolism, and character development in the story.

Please encourage your child to bring their book to class everyday as most of the novel will be read in class.  Ask them what they read about each day and if you are familiar with the story, please talk to them about it. An open dialogue at home will help them review and think more deeply about the novel.

Students can expect consistent reading checks to ensure that they are following along in class, reviewing chapters at home, and comprehending classroom discussion.  As always, your child should have something to do for homework in my class whether that be a worksheet, workbook page, study for vocabulary, or review a chapter.

The students keep asking if our story has anything to do with a mockingbird.  I can't wait to see their faces when they discover the truth!!!