Week of August 28-September 1

I hope this weekend finds you rested and ready for the coming week.

In-class or homework-Students will need to complete their first QUILL assignment by Friday at 2:30 pm. This is an online program where students work to improve their writing skills.

On Monday, we will be reading our second short story of the quarter, entitled "The Elevator."  The story contains a "cliffhanger" ending, and I can't wait to see the students' reactions to the reading.

During this week, all classes will participate in the GATES assessment. Tuesday will be the vocabulary section of the test which will take only part of the class, and Wednesday will be the comprehension test.  This section will take the entire class period. 

Thursday, all classes will be in the library for orientation and for book checkout.  

Our first book report is due September 20th. Your child will receive their assignment on Monday. There are NINE (9) choices for which my classes to choose from. They need to pick only ONE. I do expect the best from them and my expectations are high for the project.

On September 8th, their first essay assignment is due.  Students in the Honors class have a different assignment from general English 7 (Describe your favorite childhood memory). We have been working on these in class and I am impressed with the effort they are putting forth.

On Friday, students will complete a Common Lit Assignment. This will be their first TEST grade of the quarter.

August 29-GATES Vocabulary

August 30-GATES Comprehension

August 31-Picture Day through Math class

September 8-Essay #1 is due

September 20-Book Report #1 is due

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email at any time! cindy.matejka@washk12.org.

Week of August 21-25

 Welcome Back!

It has been a fun-filled week getting to know your kids!  I am looking forward to a fun and amazing year. Thank you so much for the pictures for the bulletin board. It looks amazing!

Have a beautiful and amazing weekend with your family!

Reminders:

Picture Day-August 31

Essay #1 Due September 8

Book Report #1 Due September 20

Honors English 7

• This week we will begin our study of short stories with reviewing terms and read two short stories in class. 
• This includes analyzing the stories with a rubric. 
• You will see results in their notebooks. 
• We will begin our "perfect paragraphs" and looking at thesis statements in cooperative groups. Writing is so important in ALL that we do!
• We will also continue our study of pre-SAT vocabulary words. 
• Friday will be dedicated to reviewing / editing their essays.
• NO HOMEWORK!

Wednesday (8/23) will be a Common Lit Pre-Assessment to assess their reading comprehension and levels.
On Thursday (8/24) will be a Quill Assessment (grammar) to assess where their writing and editing skills are. 

English 7

• This week we will begin short stories and analyzation of those stories. We will also review literary terms in connection to our short story unit.
• We will begin our daily writing activities in Schoology. These are graded daily either as practice or as a quiz grade.
• We will review grammar every other day.
• We will continue our study of vocabulary in-class.  You can check their notebooks for progress. They should have word #3 completed-cell this past week.

Wednesday (8/23) will be a Common Lit Pre-Assessment to assess their reading comprehension and levels.
On Thursday (8/24) will be a Quill Assessment (grammar) to assess where their writing and editing skills are. 

Welcome Back - Week of August 15-18, 2023

Welcome back to Sunrise Ridge for the 2023-2024 school year.

This will be my third year teaching at SRIS. We moved here two years ago from Virginia. I have taught in the high and middle school language arts curricula. I taught advanced English 8 and Honors in Goochland, Virginia at Goochland Middle School. I strive to push my students and have high expectations of them in class, as they should be model citizens with solid ethics and a willingness to learn. 

Last year I lost my mom to Alzheimer's, but she was my hero in education as she was also a middle school teacher. My grandmother taught in a one-room schoolhouse in Virginia as well. Teaching is in my blood.  I am a passionate photographer outside of school.  One of my pieces will be featured in the Mesquite Art Gallery in the fall for which I am very excited!

I live with my beautiful family in Hurricane. My husband is a robotics engineer, and our son will currently be a sophomore at the new Career Tech High School with a focus on the engineering pathway. We love Utah and the friends we have made here. We also are parents to a somewhat spoiled kitty named Scout.

Glacier National Park Summer 2023

Updates for the week can be found here. Please keep in mind that lesson plans do change because I tend to over plan and activities move to the next day. Please check Schoology as well for assignments for your student. I send out a weekly email to parents as well with classroom reminders.

My Amazon wishlist can be found here:  Amazon Wish List

Classroom Rules can be found here:  Classroom Rules

Classroom Disclosure can be found here:  Classroom Disclosure

Parents, please be sure to sign off here:  Signature

Novels this year are as follows:

English 7-

• A Monster Calls
• 24 Hours in Nowhere
• The Worst Class Trip Ever
• The Donut Fix
• Belly Up
• A Christmas Carol

English 7 Honors-

• A Monster Calls
• Dead End in Norvelt
• Behind Rebel Lines
• Seedfolks
• War of the Worlds (possibly)
• A Christmas Carol

Tuesday, Aug. 15-All classes

• Rules Overview
• Disclosure and expectations
• Please bring a picture of your family in for our bulletin board
• Getting to know your teacher PowerPoint
• Three to five subject notebook is mandatory
• Label sections as follows: Vocabulary, Writing, Literature

Wednesday, Aug 16-English 7/English 7 HAL

• Mugshot #1 (all classes) (mechanics, usage, grammar)
• Perfect Paragraph (honors)
• Topic: What is your favorite way to spend a lazy day?
• Essay Prompt #1 (all classes) 
• Honors-Choice (see Schoology) Due September 8
• Essay Prompt #1 (English 7 only) - My favorite childhood memory (see Schoology) - Due September 8
• Daily writing (English 7) - in notebook
• Introduce Vocabulary (Frayer Method in notebook)
• English 7 Honors-admonish and breach
• English 7-commission and viewpoint

Thursday, August 17-English 7/English 7 HAL

• Common Formative Assessment - What Lurks in a Pond (all classes)

Friday, August 18

• Begin Essay #1 with teacher guidance