Middle School 2010-11

January 8, 2011

2011-01-10T16:12:00.000-08:00

No homework in Mrs. Ewen's classes.

January 7, 2011

2011-01-07T09:24:00.000-08:00

6/7 L.A. If you did not finish your outline in class, you need to finish it over the weekend. Remember this will show that you have a well developed story and ready to write your first draft on Monday.

5th Math Skills 21 - 24 were due today. If you did not finish them, you must turn them in on Monday. Also, if you did not turn in your math folder caught-up, you will need to turn it in on Monday. This is how I put in your grades.

5/6 SS If you did not finish the list of important ideas for the summary, you will need to do it at home over the weekend. The instructions are on page 91, #1, use the planning box on page 92.

January 5, 2011

2011-01-05T14:52:00.000-08:00

6/7 L.A. Page 77

7th SS - Canada

5th Math - No Homework, except to practice math facts

5/6 Social Studies - Spelling test on Friday. Choral reading tomorrow.

January 4, 2011

2011-01-03T12:40:00.000-08:00

Welcome back! I hope everyone had a great break!

I am gone today, and Mr. Fox is my sub. Here is the planned homework:

6/7 Language Arts: Complete reading the story and filling in the Organizer on the Raven. P. 77

5th Math - Each student should have finished a skill today. We are completing skills 20-24 this week and then moving on to different math next week.

5/6 Writing in Social Studies: New spelling words today. We test on Friday.

7th and 8th Social Studies, you should have completed the assignments in class.

December 17, 2010

2010-12-17T15:25:00.000-08:00

Mrs. Ewen's Classes

No homework.

6/7 L.A. Students will complete their myth and illustration Monday during class. They will present their stories on Tuesday.

Reminder: next week we have school all day Monday and we release on Tuesday at 11:30

Also, we have a wonderful Winter Holiday Program planned for Monday from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

December 16, 2010

2010-12-16T09:35:00.000-08:00

Mrs. Ewen's classes

6/7 Language Arts: We started writing a myth today and will finish it tomorrow. Homework is to think about the story you are writing in class, the details and pictures. Try to know the story so well that you can write it easily in class tomorrow. This is a fun, creative, story. It is not true, but does have a moral or lesson learned from the competition that takes place in the story.

December 15, 2010

2010-12-15T16:14:00.000-08:00

Mrs. Ewen's Classes

No homework in Social Studies!

6/7 Language Art..... come in with your idea to write a myth in class. Remember, activity, god and bug.

December 8, 2010

2010-12-08T16:20:00.000-08:00

Mrs. Ewen's Classes

Grades 5 - 7 Spelling test tomorrow.

Math Grade 5 All skills up to 19 due today! Test Thursday to check understanding

Don't forget conferences on Friday, your child is anxious to show you his/her work!

December 7, 2010

2010-12-07T13:27:00.000-08:00

Mrs. Ewen's Classes

ALL 5, 6, 7 th grades Don't forget to study the spelling list of most frequently mis-spelled words in our classroom.

There will be a test on Thursday.

6/7th L.A. Page 57, complete, if you did not finish it in class.

7th Social Studies, if you did not finish the maps in class, you will need to finish them at home.

December 3, 2010

2010-12-03T18:01:00.000-08:00

7th L.A. Springboard page 52.

5th Math: most students have at least one skill to do over the weekend. Students need to complete skill 19 by Wednesday. There will be a test on Thursday.

No Homework in any of the Social Study Classes.

Have a nice weekend!

December 2, 2010

2010-12-02T11:46:00.000-08:00

Mrs. Ewen

6/7 L.A. Springboard Complete p. 50 - one god, use the same god for page 51, this will help you complete the "Wanted Poster" we started in class today. We will have 10 minutes to complete those before we present them in class.

5th math - each student is completing a skill sheet they started in class. The goal is to complete skill 20 by Wednesday.

5/6 Writing in Social Studies. Don't forget the spelling test tomorrow. Also, review the vocabulary as we will do the application worksheet in class. In addition, if you did not finish the 2 point outline and pages 70 & 71. they are due tomorrow.

Social studies - no homework, all in class work today.

November 22, 2010

2010-11-22T11:49:00.000-08:00

6/7 Springboard - complete chart and be ready to do the quick-write during journaling on Tuesday

5th Math Complete the skill, if you did not complete it in class today. Also, practice the multiplication problem worksheet. We will have a timed test tomorrow.

5/6 Rewards New Vocabulary and Spelling words, the handout was sent home today. Time to start studying those! Also, if you didn't finish the vocabulary 6 application lesson, please complete it as homework and bring it in tomorrow.

November 16, 2010

2010-11-16T11:51:00.001-08:00

All middle-school students will spend time outside on Wednesday. They need to have warm clothes and coats to stay dry. They may want to bring a change of clothes or shoes to change into in the afternoon, after Outdoor Education.

Mrs. Ewen
SS 5/6 Application Lesson 6 - study their vocabulary and spelling words each evening.
Also, pages 60 & 61 are due Thursday.

Most 5th graders have skill sheets due each day. Most have homework this evening. We are trying to develop a strong skill base for all 5th grades and we will soon move back into the regular math program with plans to move more quickly now that everyone has strong skills.

We have started a Book Club Blog - students who are in the book club are handwriting a blog this evening as they practice how to set up a blog. We are reading, "Island of the Blue Dolphin."

November 9

2010-11-09T13:46:00.001-08:00

Mr. Carlson:

Math 8 1-3
Math 6/7 1-4
Outdoor Ed Finish Fire Essay

Mrs. Ewen :

6/7 L.A. Springboard "ending" exercise and re-write the ending to their selected writing piece

5 Math finish their take-home skill for today

November 5

2010-11-05T15:44:00.000-07:00

Mr. Carlson

5/6/7/8/ Science Media Report

6/7 Math 1- 2

Mrs. Ewen
No homework

October 27

2010-10-27T16:32:00.001-07:00

Mr. Carlson
All math classes have tests on Friday

Mrs. Ewen
Spelling test on Friday
7/8 Springboard highlight essay
5th math, skill sheet if not completed in class

October 25, 2010

2010-10-25T15:21:00.000-07:00

Mr. Carlson

It is a good idea for students to bring extra clothes and shoes for Outdoor Ed when it is cold and raining.

Coming up Thursday: Fur Trade presentation

Mrs. Ewen

5th grade math finish math skill sheet if not finished in class.

October 21, 2010

2010-10-21T15:30:00.001-07:00

Tomorrow is the hike and field trip for 7th and 8th graders!

Homework:
Mr. Carlson
8th Math 4.2 and follow-up due Friday
6/7 Math p. 55 ACE #2, p. 57 & 58 ACE #10 & 11, Skill builder #11 all due Monday
5/6/7/8 Science Lab 6.2 questions due Monday

Mrs. Ewen
6/7 Springboard read and prepare for the 35 minute timed writing to take place on Friday
5/6 Spelling Test Friday
5 Math skill builders that you did not finish in class today
8th SS present the poster and matrix of their country on Monday

October 13, 2010

2010-10-13T15:09:00.000-07:00

Mr. Carlson

Math 8 No homework
Math 6/7 4.2 & Folow-up, skil builder 9

Science Grades 5 - 8 Science Lab 5.1 & questions

Mrs. Ewen

6/7 L.A. Complete Narrative about a choice
5th Math Complete Skill builder 2
8th SS. 3.2 due tomorrow at the end of the period

October 12, 2010

2010-10-12T14:07:00.001-07:00

Mr. Carlson
Math 8 No Homework
Math 6/7 4.1 & Follow-up, ACE 1

Mrs. Ewen
6/7 Springboard list of choices
7th S.S. test on Wednesday
5th grade math are practicing spelling their numbers (in word form) correctly

October 11, 2010

2010-10-11T12:12:00.000-07:00

Mrs. Ewen at training and I came across this great site during one of my classes.

http://thinkfinity.org/widgets/features_share.html

No homework today in my classes.

October 8, 2010

2010-10-08T16:45:00.000-07:00

Mr. Carlson
8th Math 2.3 and follow-up ACE 1, 3-7
6/7 Math Skill Builder #8

5 - 8 Science ab 4.2 Observations, reflecting and questions

5/6/7 Outdoor Ed Debris Hut Essay

Mrs. Ewen

7th S.S. 3.1

2010-10-07T15:22:00.000-07:00

October 7, 2010

Mr. Carlson
Math 8 2.2 and follow-up
Math 6/7 3.3 & Follow-up ACE 5

Mrs. Ewen
5th Math packet due Monday
5/6 Spelling Test Friday

September 28, 2010

2010-09-28T14:16:00.001-07:00

Mr. Carlson

Math 8 Reflections p. 25, ACE #40. Quiz Wednesday

Math 6/7 Skill Builder #5 Quiz Wednesday

Mrs. Ewen
No Homework today!

September 27, 2010

2010-09-27T15:21:00.000-07:00

Mr. Carlson's Homework:

Science - Science Media Reports Due Tuesday

Math - 6-7 2.3 and folow-up ACE #3

Mrs. Ewen's Homework:

5th Math - complete page 10

September 24, 2010

2010-09-24T15:34:00.000-07:00

Football Game at home tonight!

Homework:

Mr. Carlson
6/7 math skill builder 3
Science Media due Monday

Mrs. Ewen
8th S.S. Maps and coordinate map due Monday
6/7 Essay due, if not completed in class

Have a great weekend!

September 23, 2010

2010-09-23T11:06:00.000-07:00

Mr. Carlson's Homework

8th Math 1.5 and follow-up
7th Math 2.2 and follow-up

Mrs. Ewen's Homework

5th Math Letter Home and Study Link 2.1 Due tomorrow.
Spelling Test on Friday 5/6

September 20, 2010

2010-09-20T15:38:00.000-07:00

Mr. Carlson
No homework, except don't forget the weekly media assignment due each Monday. Also, how is the whisling going for the Outdoor Ed class?

Mrs. Ewen
Grades 6/7 Spelling test on Friday
7th S.S. If you didn't finish your Quiz Wizard, it is due at the beginning of the period Tuesday.

September 15

2010-09-15T15:10:00.000-07:00

Carlson - Only 6th and 7th graders have Math homework today 1.2 and ACE 1.

Don't forget that all Outdoor Ed students are practicing to whisle using two fingers and
All middle-school Science classes have a media report due EVERY Monday.

Ewen - No Homework .

Reminder football game here Friday!

P.E. Some students still do not have their P.E. clothes at the school.

September 14

2010-09-14T15:51:00.000-07:00

Carlson -
Math 8 1.2 & ACE 28
Math 6/7 1.1 & ACE 5

Ewen - No homework today!

September 13, 2010

2010-09-13T17:24:00.000-07:00

Carslon - 8th grade Math Investigation 1.1 and Follow-up Ace 29-31

Ewen - Grades 5 - 8 Social Studies, all classes have a test over the 9-11 Unit, it will cover Vocabulary and what we have covered in class.

8th grade only may bring a 3x5 index card with notes to use on their test.

September 10, 2010

2010-09-10T13:40:00.000-07:00

We attended two assembies today, one for 9-11 and the other a pep assembly for the first football game in 60 years. The game starts at 7:00. Plan to arrive early, a crowd is expected.

No new homework today. Please see yeterday's post for the continuing homework from Science and Outdoor Ed.

Have a great weekend!

Welcome to Parent Night!

2010-09-09T14:44:00.000-07:00

This is the place to check for homework each day! I hope it helps!
If Mrs. Ewen's or Mr. Carlson's Classes are not listed, they did not assign homework in that class.

September 9, 2010
Mrs. Ewen's Classes:

5/6 Homeroom Internet Permission Slip If it is brought to parent night the student will recieve a green slip.

No other homework today.

Mr. Carlson's classes (until Mr. Carlson sets up a blog he will post his homework here)

Outdoor Ed Grades 5 - 7 Need to learn to whisle using their fingers by the end of the trimester

Science Grades 5 - 8 have a media report due every Monday - it can be from any media, TV, magazines, newspapers, Internet, etc.

Welcome Back

2009-01-07T14:47:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone had a wonderful and safe winter break. We are back at school and back to our studies.

8th grade L.A. Students finished presentations of their historic hero and have moved on to creating a graphic novel of them self as a hero in the future. They will start presenting those on Thursday. Students may need time at home to complete this assignment.

6th and 7th graders worked on their language skills and vocabulary today and will continue tomorrow learning through playing Jeopardy. No Homework.

Winter Break

2008-12-19T15:27:00.000-08:00

Winter Break is already here!

Tuesday, January 6 will be our first day back after break. Have safe and wonderful holidays with your family.

Look for report cards in the mail.

December 9, 2008

2008-12-09T13:28:00.001-08:00

Don't forget the levy meeting this evening at 6:30. Community members have been working hard to put together an informative meeting with hopes of communication from the community.

8th graders started a writer's workshop today on humor. Ask your child what causes humor in communication.
In Springboard we will be building our vocabulary tomorrow with an activity in degrees of meanings of words.

6th and 7th graders today worked on putting emotion into writing and built a wall of words to use. Tomorrow they will learn to change the emphasis on words to change the meaning of a sentence. All of these skills will be brought together in a monologue your child will prepare and present in class.

Also, next Thursday evening is the winter program and promises to be an evening of fun and holiday warmth. Plan to bring family and friends!

November 25, 2008

2008-11-25T14:57:00.000-08:00

A reminder that Wednesday is an early release day. We will dismiss at 11:30. Have a great break!

8th Language Arts: We are studying the steps of a hero's journey. If your child is not in school on Wednesday, we will complete pages 48 - 50, as we continue to study the psychological aspects of a hero's journey, according to Joseph Campbell.

6/7th Language Arts: We continue to study the revision of a paper. We have studied adding, replacing and deleting. Wednesday we will practice deleting for revision in one of our own essays or writings.

For the week!

2008-11-12T13:57:00.001-08:00

It is Wednesday and I will be gone the rest of the week to training. I will post for the week, so you know what is happening in Language Arts.

Wednesday: 8th Wrote their rough draft of a paper
6/7 practiced the three types of questions you can ask of a piece of text

Thursday: 8th will type their final draft of their paper
6/7 will work on understanding tone in written text

Friday: Both classes will study parts of speech that lead up to understanding verb tense, one of the most common writing problems in our middle-school classes

Tuesday, November 4

2008-11-04T12:07:00.000-08:00

Change your school calendar! The winter program has been changed from December 19 to December 18.

Also, students received reminders today for picture retakes. Make up day is scheduled for November 5. The flyer will show packages available and some cool things such as: photo magnets, bookmarks, travel card, wanted poster and more!

6/7 Language Arts: We continued to go over the writing assessment which was returned yesterday. We worked on commas, semi-colons and conjuctions. No Homework.

8th Language Arts: We studied and made a class guide of how to use quotes and quoatation marks in writing. Students will soon be doing interviews for a paper and will need to use these in their writing. They completed a worksheet for practice, it is due tomorrow.

Reminder: Fall Conferences take place this Friday, November 7.

November 3

2008-11-03T09:47:00.000-08:00

Nav. 101 Students completed their outline for student led conferences taking place this Friday.

6/7 Language Arts: Students reviewed their grades for this quarter, so they be able to explain their grades to parents. Students also reviewed the Embedded Assessment they recently completed. We covered common writing errors in our class and how to change those errors. We will continue to cover those common errors on Tuesday.

8th Language Arts: Students turned in their Form Poems, we reviewed the Back Map of learning to see if we are on target for preparing for the assessment at the end of this unit. Students are also continuing working in Literature Groups. We will work on Grammar Tuesday.

October 27, 2008

2008-10-27T10:06:00.000-07:00

Navigation 101 Today students starting preparing for their student led fall conference, which takes place on November 7. Mark your calendars, each student worked really hard today to give you a presentation!

Believe it or not, grades for the first quarter will be posted by the weekend. The year is passing quickly!

6/7 Language Arts: We have been studying, "The Road Not Taken," by Robert Frost. Students have the opportunity to earn extra credit by memorizing all or part of the poem. Also, students will need a parent signature on their planner this evening and students need to complete the homework that they have written in their planner. Thanks for helping your child develop the organizational skill of using a daily planner.

8th grade Language Arts: Last year's class read the novel, "Tangarine." We have two new students who have volunteered to read the novel and talk about what they are reading so we can see the strategies readers take when reading. We will hear them predict and ask questions that are crucial to the reading. It is a fun activity that often only a teacher experiences in a novel study.

Tuesday we will continue to study historical heros by comparing and contrasting poetry.

October 22, 2008

2008-10-22T11:39:00.000-07:00

6/7 L.A. Today we finalized turning in our assessment. Students also talked about making choices and realizing the consequences of making choices. Students also wrote about two big choices or decisions they have made, why and how it will impact their lives. I think you will love hearing what your child wrote.

8th L.A. Students did research on the computer to prepare for analyzing two poems. They also found a poem about autumn they will analyze and present to the class.

Neither class had home work.

October 17, 2008

2008-10-17T13:17:00.000-07:00

6/7 L.A. Students continued to work on their assessment. Today they completed their rough draft and had a peer edit it. If they were absent one day or have not completed their paper they will have time to complete it on Monday. Students will type their paper on Tuesday.

8th L.A. Students studied poetry and practiced the skill of answering questions based on text support. No homework, unless it is novel reading.

October 16, 2008

2008-10-16T12:58:00.001-07:00

6/7 L.A. Today started their assessment that will take several days. It is important that students keep on track and follow the steps. This is an assessment and will be completed in class. Today students did two pre-write activities and wrote an outline. Friday they will write a rough draft and have a peer edit it. Monday or Tuesday they will type their final draft in the computer lab.

8th L.A. Everyone completed their presentations today. Each group taught us something different about commas. No Homework.

10-15-08

2008-10-15T16:25:00.000-07:00

8th L.A. Today students presented their lessons on how to use commas. More students will present tomorrow. No homework, unless they are still working on their presentation.

6/7 L.A. Today we reviewed the writing assessment the students will start tomorrow. The final copy will be typed. I anticipate this assessment taking several days in the classroom and the lab.

There is no homework, but you may want to brainstorm with your child choices they have made and any consequences to themself or others that may have resulted from that choice. This may help your child plan the paper they will be writing.

October 14, 2008

2008-10-14T13:28:00.000-07:00

I hope everyone had a great 3 day weekend!

8th L.A. Students are completing their group presentation on comma use. They will present Wednesday and Thursday.

6/7 L.A. Today they wrote about their pet peeve. This writing brought together some of the lessons we have been working on the past week. They will be using root words and homophones from previous lessons. The writing is due on Wednesday.

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

2008-10-08T11:18:00.000-07:00

6/7 Language Arts
Due tomorrow:
Assignment written in planner
Parent signature on planner
P. 22 Completed Table
Sentences written on a seperate piece of paper

8th Language Arts
We studies Poetry today and how to cope with difficulties.
We also looked at the process of grieving.
No Homework!

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

2008-10-07T13:50:00.000-07:00

Reminder: No school on October 13.
6/7 Language Arts finished a huge project today. They completed typing and printing out their final draft of the paper on a childhood memory. The assignment included many parts that all needed to be turned in today.
Tomorrow we will study root words and word choice, page 22 of their student book.

8th Language Arts had a debate today on who was the real hero in October Sky. The 6th grade class had the chance to observe and vote. According to the 6th grade class, the group presenting Ms. Riley won!

Thursday, October 2, 2008

2008-10-02T13:58:00.000-07:00

Both classes spent their time in the computer lab writing papers. They will continue working on their papers tomorrow. It is important that if they spend time working on their papers at home, they email them to the school. I do the editing and commenting electronically.

October 1, 2008

2008-10-01T09:02:00.000-07:00

6/7 L.A. Today students had class time to create their outlines for the paper they are writing. Tomorrow we will go to the computer lab where they will write their papers.
H.W. Complete outline and rough draft & be ready to type your paper on Thursday.

8th L.A. Today students wrote the outline of their Hero Paper. Tomorrow they will type the paper and make revisions in the computer lab.
H.W. Be ready to type your Hero paper

September 30, 2008

2008-09-30T13:51:00.001-07:00

6/7 L.A. We are really focusing on being organized. Students are earning 2 points for writing assignments in their planner and getting a parent to look at the assignment and initial it. I hope this will improve homework return, if parents are aware of the homework assignment.

Students are currently writing in their planner everyday, so the couple points they could earn each day could make a huge difference in their grade.

Today we worked on ideas for creating an introduction paragraph and then outlined the paragraph. This is due Tuesday.

8th L.A. Today the 8th graders took home the blog note to parents, it is worth 5 points for a parent to sign it saying they received the note. Students also had the opportunity to log onto the blog and follow the link to Mr. Baribaults blog. The link is on this page.

We also discussed the film, "October Sky" and the three possible heros. Students chose their character, they will write an essay and then participate in a debate. We talked about how the paper and debate should be graded.

Welcome

2008-09-29T10:35:00.000-07:00

I have been practicing blogging for one week and finally inviting parents to visit my blog. To read the true welcome and introduction please scroll down and read last Monday's post. I passed out notices to all students inviting the parents to visit my blog. I am asking for a signature, not obligating you to visit the blog, but only sign that you know about it. I have parents who are great about communicating by email; feel free to c0ntact me by email anytime!

6/7 We are working on an autobiographical memory

Homework:

brief outline on an index card, we will work on this more Tuesday

Signature idicating you received the handout on this blog

Signature on the planner. This is to teach students organizational skills and parents will be aware of any homework.

8th Language Arts:

Students are studying how novels are similar to movies. Tomorrow they will be analyzing three characaters in the movie, "October Sky," for heroic traits.

Today they worked in Literature circles. Students are working in groups of their choice or doing individual reading of a novel. You might want to ask them what they are reading.

It's Monday

2008-09-22T10:09:00.000-07:00

REMINDER: Picture day tomorrow.

On Monday the schedule is a little different than T - F. First we have Navigatin 101 which is grade level groups who meet with a teacher and develop a portfolio of student learning. I meet with the 6th graders and will follow them the next 3 years. Today we talked about what a portfolio is, what is in it and how we will use it. You will see your child's portfolio when you attend student led conferences! http://www.k12.wa.us/navigation101/default.aspx Next week each student is bringing a photo of themself to photo copy and create a class poster.

8th grade Language Arts: We are studying how to analyze song lyrics. Today your child used the Internet to download song lyrics of their favorite songs. http://www.songlyrics.com/ They should have at least 2 songs printed off for tomorrows class. Some of the strategies we are using are: Soapstone, marking text, close reading and using a visual/auditory prompt. We are focusing on Word Choice and connotations to become better writers and readers.

6/7 grade Language Arts: We are also studying Word Choice and writing with details. We learned about words that we do not want to use, we call those dead words. We want to replace those words with lively words. Today we focused on replacing the word nice. We also worked on using our senses to write and describe details. We are continuting to work on using words with connotation. If a student did not finish the in class work, they will have homework: Enter the word nice into their language arts notebook, including the table of contents and index. Finish the response questions on page 1 and the top of page 2.

Fall is here and school has started

2008-09-21T11:32:00.000-07:00

School has started and I am trying to find ways to better communicate with parents, so I decided to learn to blog! This blog is for parents of 6/7/8th graders at Northport Middle School in Language Arts. As often as possible, I will post updates for the class. These updates will include a brief summary of what we did in class that day and any assignments we worked on. This will not be a detailed account of all assignments, for that you will need to check your child's planner. You may also post comments, but for personal contact and responses please email or call me at the school. I hope this blog will answer the question, "what did you do in school today?" You will no longer have to be satisfied with the response, "nothing." Instead you will be able to have a discusison about the class. Please give me suggestions and let me know what information would be helpful to you. Soon you will see links to places of interest, such as homework help.

6/7th graders: The theme this year for Language Arts is Choices. We are learning a method for analyzing poetry.

8th grade: The theme for the year is Challenges. You may want to ask your child what quote they picked to respresent themself.