I thought it was time to write an update. We are now well into the second nine weeks, and all of my classes have started on the novel study. My regular classes have read chapters one through eight of Freak the Mighty, and students should be working on their folders during class time. It is hard to convince some that when they do have time to work on the folder, they should use the time wisely. I think that most students are enjoying the reading and following along on the CD in class. We are also working on grammar sentences several days a week, and students will continue to have journals due each Friday. I have many students who have one or two missing journals. I have been emphasizing the need to do pre-writing. It is the planning stage for the journal. I have told them that sports coaches, band directors, and choir directors all insist that they warm up first. Pre-writing is their road map or their shopping list. It improves writing and actually saves time in the long run. The journals and AR reading are homework assignments, of course.

My advanced classes are also working on their literature circle novels. I ordered more copies of each book yesterday in the hopes that I can assign a book to each student. That way, they can read at home as well as in class. Students have also completed the skeleton plan for the mystery story they are writing. When I return that in the next day or two, I will assign the next part of the project. We are also working on grammar sentences, and journals are due each week on Friday. I have been emphasizing the need to put effort into the writing rather than hurrying through late on Thursday night. I can really see a difference in the quality of the writing when students complete pre-writing and then try to do their best or when they just write anything — and then don’t even read what they have written.

I know the first nine week grades went home last Friday. If you have any questions regarding the grades, please contact me.