August 31-September 4

 Dear families,

I will not be at school tomorrow for a doctor's appointment and bloodwork. Mr. Matejka will be substituting for me.  I have told students the repercussions for poor behavior choices.

I wanted to explain a candy machine I have in my room. I alternate filling it with Skittles and M & Ms (which were on my Amazon list).  Several years ago, I had a student who was homeless, lost a book, and wasn't able to pay library fines.  The machine takes pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters.  The money in the machine goes toward helping students who are less fortunate.  I wanted to share this information so you know why it is there and what my intentions are. It is currently filled with Skittles.

This week students completed their first QUILL assignment. There are a few zeroes in the grade book, and I have emailed each parent and student concerning the matter. I have asked that students email me directly upon completion because Quill does not notify me when an assignment is completed.  This coming week, if assignments are not completed, I will not send reminders, and the grade of zero will remain. Students need to learn responsibility and consequences for their actions.

In addition, I have also created a folder in Schoology called "DAILY ASSIGNMENTS" where I screenshot what we are doing for the day. If a student is absent, they can look there for make-up work. The only exception being tests and quizzes. They MUST be taken in class.

I hope you all had a blessed weekend.

-Mrs. Matejka

MONDAY-ELA 7-Library, Quiz on "The Elevator" (You MUST have your copy of the short story), new Quill assignments (three of them), Vocabulary Word - foretaste

Honors-Library, Questions on "Lamb to the Slaughter," Quill, Vocabulary word-brigand

TUESDAY-MUGshot #2, Short Story-"Those Three Wishes," Plot Map (graded), Vocabulary word-germinate

Honors-Mugshot #2, Short Story, Focus (theme) writing assignment, Vocabulary word-circumspect

WEDNESDAY-Mugshot #3, Daily Writing, Work on Essay (all classes)

THURSDAY-Common Lit Assignment (ELA 7 only), Vocabulary word-humdrum, HONORS-Incentive Day-Begin writing children's novel

FRIDAY-We Will Write (ELA 7), Reading Day-Honors

August 24-28

 We survived our first full week of classes. Hooray!

This week we will be taking our GATES exam on Tuesday and Wednesday. Wednesday's test is on Vocabulary and is rather short, so we will focus on other materials after. This test is a state exam and is mandatory. If a student is absent, they must make up the test which I am more than happy to coordinate. 

All students will receive QUILL assignments this week. They are due by Friday. Please make sure your student has completed by the assigned date for credit (the 28th) in order to not receive a test grade of zero.

HONORS-Field trip to the Warbird Museum has been moved to October 21st. We leave at 9:50 a.m. and will return by lunchtime. 

I hope all of you have a great week.

Monday (Homeroom Schedule)

All classes-Quill assigned, MUGshot #1 (mechanics, usage grammar), notes on Short Story Elements, Vocabulary Word #2

Tuesday-All classes-GATES Exam Reading

Wednesday-All classes-GATES Exam Vocabulary, read short story and map elements, Vocabulary Word #3

Thursday- (Assembly Schedule) All classes-work on Essay

Friday-Ensure Quill assignments are complete, Reading Day (test grade)

Week of August 17-21

Welcome back to school.

Students received their first (and probably only) homework assignment this week.

Rules MUST be signed by parents and students are to submit/bring in a picture of something that represents them. It does not have to be a picture of them. It can be a picture of their pet, their favorite football team, sports, etc. This is a REQUIRED assignment and the grade is reflected as such in the gradebook. Grades will be updated as students submit their work.

All classes on Monday will visit the library for an orientation presentation and to check out books for their in-class book report (date yet to be determined). On Monday, students will also receive their Chromebook during homeroom.

All classes on Wednesday will be visiting with Mrs. Haws to go over rules and expectations this year in our school.

All Classes....

Students will receive their first ESSAY assignment due September 18th. They will receive a paper copy as well as a digital copy found on Schoology.

Monday-Library visit, set up Common Lit & Quill Accounts

Tuesday-Revisit short story terms, begin vocabulary (Honors-PRE-SAT vocabulary)

Wednesday-Little Theater with Mrs. Haws (students report to my classroom first).

Thursday-Performance Matters Pre-Test (to assess prior learning) administered by the district.

Friday-Begin first paragraph on essay assignment. Students will be provided a graphic organizer to assist in their writing. 

April 7-10

 April 7-10

Dear families,

Reminder-QUILL is due SUNDAY by noon, no exceptions.

Students should be reading 20 minutes per night (excluding weekends).  

LUNCH with a teacher Wednesday by invitation only (bring your ticket).

ROOTS test Thursday, April 9

Next Book Report:  April 13th

Next Essay due:  April 17th (will be given topic on Wednesday)

Research Project/Presentation: Due May 4th. This will be done in class.

Tuesday-GATES exam - Comprehension

Wednesday-GATES exam - Vocabulary, goal setting activity

Thursday-ROOTS test, Vocabulary, Belly Up reading

Friday-Intervention day

Students are more than welcome to come up during lunch on Friday this week only because of lunch with a teacher.

Please check your student’s grade on PowerSchool for any missing assignments. Quill cannot be made up.

Thank you so much!

-Mrs. Matejka

March 23-27

 Reminder-QUILL is due SUNDAY by noon, no exceptions.

Students should be reading 20 minutes per night.  

ROOTS test Tuesday, March 24th

Next Book Report:  April 13th

Next Essay due:  April 17th (will be given topic on Wednesday)

Research Project/Presentation: Due May 4th. This will be done in class.

Grades for Quarter 3 are closed.

Monday- (Belly Up!), Vocabulary: hostile and inflammable

Tuesday-Roots test, new roots, work on essay assignment

Wednesday-Substitute-doctors’ appointments for both my son and myself

Thursday-MUGshot, Daily Writing,(Belly Up!), Vocabulary, RISE exam review

Friday-Fun writing assignment

Students are more than welcome to come up during lunch on Wednesday and Friday to work on QUILL or do any make-up work.

Please check your student’s grade on PowerSchool for any missing assignments. Quill cannot be made up.

Thank you so much!

-Mrs. Matejka

March 17-20

March 17-20

Dear families,

Reminder-QUILL is due SUNDAY by noon, no exceptions.

Students should be reading 20 minutes per night.  

ROOTS test next Tuesday, March 24th

Next Book Report:  April 13th

Next Essay due:  April 17th (will be given topic on Wednesday)

Research Project/Presentation: Due May 4th. This will be done in class.

Grades for Quarter 3 are closed.

Tuesday-New Roots, MUGshot, Daily Writing, New Novel (Belly Up!), Vocabulary

Wednesday-Writing Assignment, Belly Up!, Vocabulary, New Essay Assignment

Thursday-MUGshot, Daily Writing, New Novel (Belly Up!), Vocabulary

Friday-READING day. You must have your book report novel.

Students are more than welcome to come up during lunch on Wednesday and Friday to work on QUILL or do any make-up work.

Please check your student’s grade on PowerSchool for any missing assignments. Quill cannot be made up.

Thank you so much!

-Mrs. Matejka

 

March 3-7

 I hope everyone had a restful weekend.

QUILL DUE SUNDAY BY NOON. No exceptions.

*Any student absent for the Performance Matters test, must make it up before school or during lunch!

Monday-Performance Matters Test Part 1, Begin book report

Tuesday-Performance Matters Test Part 2, Continue book report

Wednesday-Complete book report, Vocabulary

Thursday-Mugshot, Textual Evidence Writing Assignment, Vocabulary

Friday-Something fun for spring break!