November 12, 2008
Dear Parents,
Second quarter progress reports were sent home yesterday. If you did not receive progress reports from your child, please let me know. I will be glad to send a replacement. Students appear to be working much harder this term. My major concern is that students enrolled in my language arts classes are not reading their Accelerated Readers. They need to read at least ten pages per night. If they have not read and successfully passed four AR tests, they are putting their final grade in jeopardy.
In language arts, we are working on a unit entitled, "Grasping Grammar." During this study, students will focus on the eight parts of speech by creating a flip chart containing essential information on each part of speech. This information will serve as the foundation for individual projects, for which each student has been assigned a particular part of speech. The must develop and teach a lesson on their particular part of speech. They may gather information from a multitude of resources, including, my materials, the internet, textbooks, and workbooks.
We will work on these projects in class. Please discuss this project with your child to see if there is any way that you may asssist.
To reinforce what they are learning, we are playing "Grammar Jeopardy." Students have been given the terms for the game. Please help them study for this healthy classroom competition. The GPS Standards associated with this unit are: STANDARD ELA7R2 The student understands and acquires new vocabulary and uses it correctly in reading and writing. The student determines the meaning of unfamiliar words using context clues; and determines word meanings through the use of definitions, examples, restatements or contrasts. STANDARD ELA7C1 The student demonstrates understanding and control of the rules of the English language, realizing that usage involves the appropriate application of conventions and grammar in both written and spoken formats. The student
identifies and writes simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences correctly, punctuating properly, avoiding fragments and run-ons, adding or deleting modifiers, and combining or revising sentences.
In math class we began a unit on graphing today. Students will learn the terminology of graphing, how to graph in all four quadrant of the coordinate plane, and learn how points on the oplane can relate to real life. The GPS Standards associated with this unit are: M7A3. Students will understand relationships between two variables.
a. Plot points on a coordinate plane.
Should you have questions or concerns that I can assist with, please feel free to call me at the school.
October 6, 2008
Dear Parents,
As we finish the first nine week grading period, I would like to share concerns that I have. Inappropriate behaviors continue to interfere with the learning environment. Students continue to talk without permission, interrupt the lesson and otherwise, disrupt the class. In talking with other teachers, I know that this is not limited to my class, alone. Conduct grades this term will reflect your child's inappropriate behaviors in my classes. Please talk with you child about his/her classroom behavior.
In math, we will continue our unit on integers. We will begin multiplying and dividing intergers tomorrow.
In language arts, we will continue our study of nouns. We will introduce nouns as predicate nominatives, nouns as appositives, and nouns as objects of propositions, over the next two weeks.
Georgia standards previously listed remain appropriate for these lessons.
Language arts students must read four chapter books this term, take an AR test on each, and complete a book report. Please encourage your child to read at least ten pages per night in order to complete this assignment before the end of the nine week grading period.
Upon receipt of report cards, please contact me should you have questions.
Yours tuly,
Sheila Butler
September 25, 2008
Dear Parents,
In math, we are continuing out study of integers. Therefore, the standards listed in the previous note are sufficient, at this time. We will complete "addition of integers" this week, and focus on subtraction of integers next week. Because subtracting integers is a difficult concept for most students to understand, we will spend an entire week on this topic. During this period we will continue to touch on addition. I realize that we are spending a great deal of time on this unit, but, to be successful in math during the remainder of the year, students must understand and be able to apply the principles associated with integers.
In my last message to you concerning language arts, I outlined the next three weeks as a focus on the short story. I have decided to push that study back a few weeks and concentrate on the conventions of language arts. This study will focus on the eight parts of speech and the usage of each. Although students have been exposed to this material in the past, I am not comfortable with their level of competence in this area. We will continue our book study of "Maniac Magee," spelling and writing, but the greatest focus will be on mastering the eights parts of speech.
I wanted to remind you to encourage your child to read in their library books on a daily basis. We will begin logging in our reading on a daily basis. Students will be expected to read 50 pages per week in their book. This will insure that they read their four books per quarter.
I appreciate your support as I try to help your children. Should you have questions, please feel free to contact me, either by phone at the school, or by email. Thanks again.
September 15, 2008
Dear Parents,
I hope you took the time to carefully examine and discuss your child's mid-term progress reports. For the most part, I am very please with the students' academic progress. The main issue in my classes is student behavior. Several students are continuing to disregard class rules, talk out, and disrupt the learning process. I have, and will continue to use after-school detention for those who persist in misbehaving. I realize that this is an inconvenience for parents, therefore, I solicit your help in reducing the incidents of mibehavior.
In math, we continue to work with rational numbers, utilizing a leveled activity called, "It's All In The Cards." This activity uses a deck of cards to teach the concepts of positive and negative numbers, including addition and subtraction of integers. Daily warmups are used to reinforce and revisit previously learned skills, such as, order of operations, decimals, fractions, etc.
Georgia Performance Standards associated with the lessons are: GPS STANDARD M7N1 Students will understand the meaning of positive and negative rational numbers. Students will find absolute value; find the distance from zero on a number line; compare and order rational numbers including repeating decimals; and add, subtract, multiply and divide positive and negative numbers.
GPS STANDARD M7P1 Students will solve problems (using appropriate technology). Students will build new mathematical knowledge through problem solving; solve problems that arise in mathematics and in other contexts; apply and adapt a variety of appropriate strategies to solve problems; and, monitor and reflect on the process of mathematical problem solving
GPS STANDARD M7P2 Students will reason and evaluate mathematical arguments. Students will recognize reasoning and proof as fundamental aspects of mathematics; make and investigate mathematical conjectures; develop and evaluate mathematical arguments and proofs; and, select and use various types of reasoning and methods of proof.
Lesson Goals
1. Students will follow daily rules and procedures with 85 % accuracy.
2. Students will compute basic addition and subtraction problems, including whole numbers, decimals, and fractions, with 85% accuracy.
3. Students will master basic multiplication facts from 0x0 through 12x12, with 100% accuracy.
4. Students will apply multiplication procedures to solve problems with two and three digit multipliers, with 85% accuracy.
5. Students will follow rules for Order of Operations when solving number sentences, with 85% accuracy.
6. Students will solve number sentences with 85% accuracy.
7. Students will solve problems with positive and negative numbers with 85% accuracy.
8. Students will be able to verbalize procedures in solving a variety of mathematical problems, with 85% accuracy.
Lesson Objectives
1. Students will understand classroom procedures/rules and daily operations.
2. Students will solve a variety of mathematical problems, ranging from operations with whole numbers, decimals, and fractions, to operation with positive and negative numbers.
Activities associated with the lesson
1. Students will participate in daily warm-ups, containing basic operations with whole numbers, decimals, and fractions.
2. Students will complete Mad Minute, basic fact reviews daily, to improve speed and accuracy, with regard to knowledge of basic mathematical facts.
3. Students will construct multiplication flash cards and practice basic facts when finished with class work.
4. Students will solve mathematical problems and explain the procedures followed in their solution, utilizing appropriate mathematical vocabulary.
In Language Arts this week,we will finish our unit based on the story, "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi." Within this integrated unit, we have focused on reading, writing, and grammar skills. During the next three weeks we will study a variety of short stories from our literature book, the last being, "Song of the Trees."
Upon completion of this story, we will begin our first novel study, ROLL OF THUNDER. This study will also intergrate, reading, writing, spelling, vocabulary, and grammar. As we get nearer to this study, I will give you more information. It may be a book you would like to check out and read along with your child.
The Georgia Performance Standard(s) associated with these lessons are: STANDARD ELA7R1 The student demonstrates comprehension and shows evidence of a warranted and responsible explanation of a variety of literary and informational texts.
STANDARD ELA7R2 The student understands and acquires new vocabulary and uses it correctly in reading and writing. The student determines the meaning of unfamiliar words using context clues; and determines word meanings through the use of definitions, examples, restatements or contrasts.
STANDARD ELA7R3 The student reads aloud, accurately (in the range of 95%), familiar material in a variety of genres, in a way that makes meaning clear to listeners. The reader uses letter-sound knowledge to decode written English and uses a range of cueing systems to determine pronunciation and meaning; uses self-correction when subsequent reading indicates an earlier miscue; and reads with a rhythm, flow, and meter that sounds like everyday speech.
STANDARD ELA7W1 The student produces writing that establishes an appropriate organizational structure, sets the context and engages the reader, maintains a coherent focus throughout, and provides a satisfying closure. The student uses traditional structures for conveying information.
STANDARD ELA7C1 The student demonstrates understanding and control of the rules of the English language, realizing that usage involves the appropriate application of conventions and grammar in both written and spoken formats. The student
identifies and writes simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences correctly, punctuating properly, avoiding fragments and run-ons, adding or deleting modifiers, and combining or revising sentences.
Lesson Goals
1. Students will follow daily rules and procedures with 85 % accuracy.
2. Students will correctly pronounce, define, spell, and use given vocabulary list with 85% accuracy.
3. Students will correctly identify given groups of words as either a sentence or fragment, with 85% accuracy.
4. Students will correctly punctuate and capitalize sentences with 85% accuracy.
5. Students will distinguish between fact and fiction when given a reading, with 85% accuracy.
6. Students will correctly identify a sentence according to type (I,D,E,or Im) with 85% accuracy.
7. Students will accurately relate previously read information with 85% accuracy.
8. Students will identify subject and verb in given sentences.
9. Students will determine corred tense of verbs.
10. Students will edit sentences for subject verb agreement.
11. Students will correctly write 5 to 8 sentence expository or narrative paragraphs, following correct punctuation, spelling and writing guidelines with less than 10 errors per paragraph.
Lesson Objectives
1. Students will understand classroom procedures/rules and daily operations.
2. Students will be able to correctly spell words from Week 1 spelling list.
3. Students will differentiate between a sentence and a fragment.
4. Students will identify the setting, main characters, protagonist, antagonist, author;s point of view, and setting of a text, and accurately relate facts and details from the story.
5. Students will make inferences and offer alternate endings to parts of a story.
6. Students will identify nouns and action verbs found in given sentences, and in the classroom.
7. Students will use correct tense of verbs, and correct subject-verb agreement in writings.
Activities associated with the lesson
1. Utilizing the Building Spelling Skills series, students will: Monday- pronounce the words with the teacher, discuss the definitions, and write the words two times; Tuesday-complete the Word Meaning section; Wednesday-complete Word Study and Phonics sections; Thursday-Complete Edit for Spelling section; and Friday-complete the spelling test assignment.
2. Students will record notes associated with fragments and sentences in their notebooks. They will complete daily assignments in which they must distinguish between fragments and sentences, with increasing difficulty.
3. Students will apply punctuation and capitalization rules to given sentences.
4. Students will differentiate between the four types of sentences and apply appropriate punctuation to each type, with increasingly difficult assignments.
5. Students will identify nouns in given sentences.
6. Students will alphabetize and order given information from various genres.
8. Students will edit various materials for grammatical and spelling errors.
August 20, 2008
Dear Parents,
Below you will find a copy of my lesson plans for the next few days. These will be updated as assignments are completed and I feel that students are ready to move to new standards.
MATHEMATICS LESSON PLANS
2008-09
Sheila Butler
August 11- September 15, 2008
Georgia Performance Standard(s) associated with lesson
GPS STANDARD M7N1 Students will understand the meaning of positive and negative rational numbers. Students will find absolute value; find the distance from zero on a number line; compare and order rational numbers including repeating decimals; and add, subtract, multiply and divide positive and negative numbers.
GPS STANDARD M7P1 Students will solve problems (using appropriate technology). Students will build new mathematical knowledge through problem solving; solve problems that arise in mathematics and in other contexts; apply and adapt a variety of appropriate strategies to solve problems; and, monitor and reflect on the process of mathematical problem solving
GPS STANDARD M7P2 Students will reason and evaluate mathematical arguments. Students will recognize reasoning and proof as fundamental aspects of mathematics; make and investigate mathematical conjectures; develop and evaluate mathematical arguments and proofs; and, select and use various types of reasoning and methods of proof.
Lesson Goals
1. Students will follow daily rules and procedures with 85 % accuracy.
2. Students will compute basic addition and subtraction problems, including whole numbers, decimals, and fractions, with 85% accuracy.
3. Students will master basic multiplication facts from 0x0 through 12x12, with 100% accuracy.
4. Students will apply multiplication procedures to solve problems with two and three digit multipliers, with 85% accuracy.
5. Students will follow rules for Order of Operations when solving number sentences, with 85% accuracy.
6. Students will solve number sentences with 85% accuracy.
7. Students will solve problems with positive and negative numbers with 85% accuracy.
8. Students will be able to verbalize procedures in solving a variety of mathematical problems, with 85% accuracy.
Lesson Objectives
1. Students will understand classroom procedures/rules and daily operations.
2. Students will solve a variety of mathematical problems, ranging from operations with whole numbers, decimals, and fractions, to operation with positive and negative numbers.
Activities associated with the lesson
1. Students will complete COACH Book Pretest, to determine prior knowledge.
2. Students will participate in daily warm-ups, containing basic operations with whole numbers, decimals, and fractions.
3. Students will complete Mad Minute, basic fact reviews daily, to improve speed and accuracy, with regard to knowledge of basic mathematical facts.
4. Students will construct multiplication flash cards and practice basic facts when finished with class work.
5. Students will solve mathematical problems and explain the procedures followed in their solution, utilizing appropriate mathematical vocabulary.
LANGUAGE ARTS LESSON PLANS
2008-09
Sheila Butler
August 11-22, 2008
Georgia Performance Standard(s) associated with lesson
STANDARD ELA7R1 The student demonstrates comprehension and shows evidence of a warranted and responsible explanation of a variety of literary and informational texts.
STANDARD ELA7R2 The student understands and acquires new vocabulary and uses it correctly in reading and writing. The student determines the meaning of unfamiliar words using context clues; and determines word meanings through the use of definitions, examples, restatements or contrasts.
STANDARD ELA7R3 The student reads aloud, accurately (in the range of 95%), familiar material in a variety of genres, in a way that makes meaning clear to listeners. The reader uses letter-sound knowledge to decode written English and uses a range of cueing systems to determine pronunciation and meaning; uses self-correction when subsequent reading indicates an earlier miscue; and reads with a rhythm, flow, and meter that sounds like everyday speech.
STANDARD ELA7W1 The student produces writing that establishes an appropriate organizational structure, sets the context and engages the reader, maintains a coherent focus throughout, and provides a satisfying closure. The student uses traditional structures for conveying information.
STANDARD ELA7C1 The student demonstrates understanding and control of the rules of the English language, realizing that usage involves the appropriate application of conventions and grammar in both written and spoken formats. The student
identifies and writes simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences correctly, punctuating properly, avoiding fragments and run-ons, adding or deleting modifiers, and combining or revising sentences.
Lesson Goals
1. Students will follow daily rules and procedures with 85 % accuracy.
2. Students will correctly pronounce, define, spell, and use given vocabulary list with 85% accuracy.
3. Students will correctly identify given groups of words as either a sentence or fragment, with 85% accuracy.
4. Students will correctly punctuate and capitalize sentences with 85% accuracy.
5. Students will distinguish between fact and fiction when given a reading, with 85% accuracy.
6. Students will correctly identify a sentence according to type (I,D,E,or Im) with 85% accuracy.
7. Students will accurately relate previously read information with 85% accuracy.
8. Students will correctly write 5 to 8 sentence expository or narrative paragraphs, following correct punctuation, spelling and writing guidelines with less than 10 errors per paragraph.
Lesson Objectives
1. Students will understand classroom procedures/rules and daily operations.
2. Students will be able to correctly spell words from Week 1 spelling list.
3. Students will differentiate between a sentence and a fragment.
4. Students will identify the setting and main character of the book, Maniac Magee, and be able accurately relate facts and details from the story.
5. Students will make inferences and offer alternate endings to parts of the story.
6. Students will identify nouns and action verbs found in given sentences, and in the classroom.
Activities associated with the lesson
1. Utilizing the Building Spelling Skills series, students will: Monday- pronounce the words with the teacher, discuss the definitions, and write the words two times; Tuesday-complete the Word Meaning section; Wednesday-complete Word Study and Phonics sections; Thursday-Complete Edit for Spelling section; and Friday-complete the spelling test assignment.
2. Students will record notes associated with fragments and sentences in their notebooks. They will complete daily assignments in which they must distinguish between fragments and sentences, with increasing difficulty.
3. Students will apply punctuation and capitalization rules to given sentences.
4. Students will differentiate between the four types of sentences and apply appropriate punctuation to each type, with increasingly difficult assignments.
5. Students will identify nouns in given sentences.
6. Students will complete newspaper about themselves.
7. Students will complete Beginning of School word search and write paragraph about their first day of school
8. Students will alphabetize and order given information from various genres.
9. Students will edit various materials for grammatical and spelling errors.
August 19, 2008
I am beginning to see some behavior issues within my classroom. Attached you will find a copy of my classroom management plan. Please discuss this with your child so that both of you understand policies and procedures for the classroom. Should you have questions, please feel free to contact me. I will begin assigning detentions to any student who has five strikes for misbehavior.
CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT PLAN
SHEILA BUTLER
ROTHSCHILD MIDDLE SCHOOL
Appropriate student behavior is essential to the on-going learning process within my classroom. In setting high standards of student behavior, I hope to insure optimum learning opportunities for all students. Behavior is to be corrected as it occurs. At the time of such occurrences, appropriate behavioral expectations will be explained to the student. Within the first two weeks of school, students should be able to distinguish between those behaviors which are acceptable and those that are unacceptable, and make appropriate choices.
The following procedures are implemented to encourage appropriate behavior.
OFF-TASK BEHAVIORS
1. Student supplies are placed on the cart under the FALCON NEWS board near the door. Students are allowed to move to the cart and get needed supplies at times other than when the teacher is talking. They may sharpen their pencils when the teacher is not talking.
2. Students are expected to be working at all times. Should they finish their work before other students, they are to use the flash cards (located on the back table)to practice basic facts or sight words.
2. Students demonstrating off-task behaviors will receive a prompt from the teacher to resume work. Students who refuse to resume work will be given a strike. Three strikes will result in silent lunch and parent notification. Five strikes will
result in detention.
DEFIANCE, RUDE AND INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR
Any behavior deemed by the teacher to be defiant, rude or inappropriate will result in a teacher/student conference, parent notification, and silent lunch on the first offense. Notification of the offense to the principal or assistant principal will depend on the severity of the offense.
The second offense will result in parent notification, detention, and principal notification.
STUDENT GRADES
All assignments are expected to be completed and given to the teacher on or before the due date. Assignments not turned in to the teacher within three days following the assigned date will not be accepted.
1 day late- ten points will be deducted from maximum possible score
2 days late- twenty points will be deducted from maximum possible score
3 days late- thirty points will be deducted from maximum possible score
Students absent from class are expected to make up all missed assignments, unless excused by the teacher. It is the responsibility of the student to ask the teacher for the missed work within three days of the date assigned. Students failing to turn in missed work will receive a zero for the assignments.
August 18, 2008
Dear Parents
It is a pleasure to have your children in my classroom this year. My schedule includes two pull-out classes and two collaboative classes. I have one pull-out math class and one language arts class. In both classes we will follow the Seventh Grade Georgia Performance Standards. Modifications will be made to meet you child's grade level and individual learning style and needs.
In mathematics, we are currently reviewing mathematical operations with whole numbers and decimals, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. I have already discovered that most students have a working knowledge of basic addition and subtraction facts, but are deficient in multiplication and division facts. We have made individual flash cards for multiplication facts for each student to have at home. Please work with your child to insure that they know their multiplication facts. Without this basic knowledge, students will have a difficult time succeeding im math.
In language arts class, we will have weekly spelling units with daily activities to help your child increase both their spelling and vocabulary skills. The daily activities will prepare your child for the weekly spelling test given each Friday. A spelling list was sent home last week that contained the first three weeks words. If you did not receive this list, please encourage your child to bring it home. We will also be doing the Accelerated Reader program within the language arts classes this year. AR will account for 10% of your child's language arts grade. We are currently reading the book Maniac Magee in class and this will be their first AR grade. Students should be able to check out AR books on their level within the next few days. Students are required to keep a reading log and log in at least tem pages per day. Plese sign the reading log to verify that your child has read the assigned pages each night.
In addition, language arts will also include: sentence structure, paragraph editing, writing, and basic grammar skills, as well as literary units. Your child should have brought home their first weeks progress report and papers on Friday. I will try to send these home on a weekly basis to keep you abreast of the progress your child is making. Please sign and return the entire packet to me the following Monday of each week.
I also have two collaborative classes; one math class with Ms. Livingston and one language arts class with Mrs. Brooks. Within these classes, students are responsible for all assignments and will receive their grades and progress reports from Ms. Livingston and Mrs. Brooks. I will be assisting them in understanding the content and concepts of the regular class, as well as, assisting with any modifications specified in their IEP's.
Should you have any questions, you may contact me through this site or call the school to arrange a conference. I look forward to working with you to make this one of the best years in your child's educational program.
Some Favorite Links:
Math Is Fun This is a good ste for students who need practice with math, from basic facts to mathematical operations.
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