Last week we took our first Writing Benchmark! I have noticed significant improvements from the beginning of the year until now, which is definitely something to celebrate! I am extremely proud of how hard this group of students continues to work each and every day. The Benchmark has also opened my eyes to several things that we need to continue working on. This week, we will continue to show what we have learned by taking the Math Benchmark (Tuesday) and the Reading Benchmark (Wednesday). The remainder of the week, we will be working on something known as Testing as a Genre, which is basically taking a closer look at how test taking strategies can help compliment our knowledge and skills while we take tests. We will use the benchmarks as a review and discuss strategies like process of elimination, logic, and common mistakes made during testing. For the writing portion, we will continue to analyze what makes good writing and reflect on which strength and weaknesses we have in our own writing!
Homework
Parents, beginning next week, we will have three types of homework: reading logs, sight word work, and writing journals. I’ve decided to do away with daily reading logs because I think it creates negative reading habits and views towards reading (students should still be reading at least 15 minutes every day).
A sneak peak
Reading log:
The new reading log will basically be downsized from daily to weekly. As part of this transition, students will be expected to write ONE summary per week on the book they are reading outside of the classroom. These will start next week and will be due on Thursdays.
Writing Journals:
The writing journal is an idea I am tossing around. I think that, similar to reading, practicing writing outside of the classroom is extremely important in order to become better readers and writers. More details are to come on this, and it will most likely not start until AFTER Thanksgiving break.
Sight Word Work:
This will begin next week, and it basically includes assignments that are expected every day and due at the end of the week on Friday. More details of this will come next week.
Sight Words
debate
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decide
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develop
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produce
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determine
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observe
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necessary
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survive
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surround
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Next week our sight words will be transition words!
Parents, as always, please feel free to reach out and contact me at any time. Also remember that I am doing my best to try and communicate with more than 45 parents, so please be patient. Call or text 214-517-3793 or email me at nicholas.miller@lifeschools.net.
My goal is to have a parent-teacher conference with every parent before Winter Break!
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