October 5-9

Dear Families,

It is hard to believe we are in the month of October already.  

This week on Tuesday, we will be working on our in-class book reports.  Please make sure your student has completed their novel by then.

Beginning next quarter there are two things of note: students will be keeping a reading log that will be graded weekly. Students should be reading 15-20 minutes per night.  This will be a test grade.

In our writing endeavors in class, I have noticed our students are having difficulty with spelling.  I believe the heavy use of technology may be an influencer in the errors. Beginning next quarter, every Friday, students will have a spelling test.  Spelling words will be given on Monday of that same week.  Perfecting spelling will also help students in their comprehension skills. I would greatly appreciate your support in this matter. (ELA 7 only, no Honors)

Monday-ROOTS test (ELA 7 only), New Vocabulary, New Quill, A Monster Calls

HONORS- VOCABULARY TEST UNIT 1

Tuesday-Book Report-All Classes

Wednesday-All Classes- Book Report completion, continue study of in-class novel, Explicit and Implicit details in text

Thursday-ELA 7-Mugshot #9, A Monster Calls, 10 Sentence Writing Assignment

Honors-Grammar Relay, A Monster Calls, Finish Children's Novel (due Friday!)

Friday-Review Citing Evidence-all classes

September 28-October 2

Dear Families,

It was a pleasure to meet many of you Thursday night.  

This week, we will continue our study of A Monster Calls. 

MONDAY-Students will have a roots test.  They have the packet to study. In addition, all classes will be going to the library to renew their books.  Book Reports are in class only on October 6.

TUESDAY-All classes-Vocabulary notebooks will be checked. This is a TEST grade.

WEDNESDAY-Daily writing, Mugshot, Continue A Monster Calls

THURSDAY-Vocabulary TEST #1 for ELA Standard Students

     HONORS-Common Lit Assignment

FRIDAY-Honors-Work on Children's Novel

ELA 7-Citing Text Evidence and self-evaluation of a RACER paragraph.

QUILL DUE FRIDAY

SPIRIT WEEK-Don't forget your RED, WHITE, AND BLUE tomorrow.

September 21-25

 Dear Parents,

Happy Weekend!

Reminder: Parent/Teacher Conferences are Thursday, September 24 from 3 pm to 6 pm.  Please keep your visits to 5 minutes, and if additional time is needed, we can schedule outside of that time.

Monday- ELA 7-Mugshot #6, A Monster Calls, Vocabulary word, New Quill

Honors-Jury presentations for "The Seventh Grade", New Quill

Tuesday - ELA 7-Grammar relay, Daily Writing, A Monster Calls, Vocabulary

Honors-Mugshot #6, A Monster Calls, Several Vocabulary words (need to get caught up)

Wednesday - ELA 7- Grammar relay, A Monster Calls, writing assignment (The Mysterious Door), Vocabulary

Thursday - ELA 7 - Common Lit Assignment-Cellphones (RACER and multiple choice), Vocabulary

Honors - Grammar relay, A Monster Calls, Writing assignment on the novel, Vocabulary

Friday - Citing Text Evidence (all classes)

September 14-18

 Dear Parents,

We are at the midterm for the quarter. Please check PowerSchool for all updated grades.

Quill is now due on Friday. Any submissions past the due date will not be accepted.

Periods 1, 4, 5, 6 have a ROOTS TEST on Monday. See Schoology and the Greek/Latin Roots folder for study materials if they lost their paper.

All classes will visit the library on Monday as well to renew their books for their book report.

Important Dates:

Essay #1 - Due Friday, September 18th

Book Report - October 6th - in class ONLY

Monday - ELA 7-Library / Roots Test, Begin Quill assignment, New Roots

Honors-Library, Begin Quill Assignment, Read Chapter 3 in A Monster Calls

Tuesday - ELA 7 - Mugshot #4, Daily Writing, Chapter 3 in A Monster Calls

Honors-Mugshot #4, Daily Writing, Chapter 4 in A Monster Calls, writing assignment with novel

Wednesday - ELA 7- Mugshot #5, Chapter 4 in A Monster Calls, writing assignment

Honors-Grammar Relay, Short Story reading, Writing assignment with short story, Vocabulary

Thursday-ELA 7- Grammar lesson, Short Story partner reading; focus-conflict, Vocabulary

Honors-Work on Children's novel

Friday-Essay completion, Quill completion, short version of We Will Write

September 8-11

Dear Families,

I hope all of you have had a safe Labor Day weekend.  

ESSAYS ARE DUE SEPTEMBER 18TH.

This week we will continue our short story unit, and all classes will begin our in-class novel, A Monster Calls. The novel addresses the illness of a parent and how Conor, the main character, finds different ways to cope with her sickness. It is a beautifully written book and I have enjoyed teaching it since it was first published. 

Honors class will read the same novel, but there will be many writing assignments in reference to the material.  

QUILL will be due this Friday, NO late work will be accepted and the grade will remain a zero/0.   Students should be aware of expectations for the week.  This is a weekly test grade.  Please ensure they are successful with this assignment. I will send an email Thursday night to remind them of completion.

If absent, please see the Daily Assignments folder in Schoology. Make-up work is the student's responsibility.

Have a great week.

-Mrs. Matejka

Tuesday-New Quill assignments due Friday, Short Story (all classes)-"The Treasure of Lemon Brown," Vocabulary Word; Honors-Writing assignment on short story

Wednesday-MUGshot #3, Grammar relay game, Activity on "The Treasure of Lemon Brown" (ELA7 only), Vocabulary Word

Thursday-Daily Writing Assignment, MUGshot #4, Introduction to A Monster Calls, Read first two chapters in novel, Vocabulary word

Friday-ELA 7-Reading Day; Honors-Review Citing Text Evidence Activity

September 18-Essay Due

October 6-in-class Book Report (NOT to be done at home)

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!

February 23-27

 It seems like February is just flying by!

 I hope everyone had a restful weekend.

QUILL DUE SUNDAY BY NOON. No exceptions.

ESSAYS are past due. Points will be taken off for lateness.

Monday-Finish 24 Hours in Nowhere, New Vocabulary-Unit 4, work on Quill

Tuesday-Test on roots aqua/terr. Please study, no notes will be allowed. 

-In-class novel project on surviving. This should be a ton of fun! (test grade)

-Continue Vocabulary. 

Wednesday-Kahoot on novel.

-New roots astro & tele. Test next Tuesday.

-Writing Assignment

Thursday-Common Lit RACER assignment (test grade)

-Open book quiz on 24 Hours in Nowhere

Friday-Reading activity

Important Dates-March 1-Book report (in class only)

February 17-20

 I hope everyone had a restful weekend.

QUILL DUE SUNDAY BY NOON. No exceptions.

Tuesday-Test on roots trans/inter. Please study, no notes will be allowed. 

-Vocabulary notebooks are due tomorrow! (test grade)

-Continue reading 24 Hours in Nowhere. Test next week. 

-NEW QUILL on capitalization

Wednesday-Essay #4 is due.  Plagiarism of any kind, including the use of AI, is intolerable resulting in a grade of ZERO. 

-Kahoot on vocabulary.

-New Greek/Latin Roots

-Continue / complete 24 Hours in Nowhere

-Begin Postcard Project

Thursday-Vocabulary Test #3

-Character study on novel (graded)

-New Vocabulary-Unit #4

Friday-We Will Write

Important Dates-March 1-Book report (in class only)

February 9-13

 This week in English 7

Greek Roots Test Tuesday (NO NOTES) on pend and equ

VOCABULARY TEST THURSDAY

ESSAYS ARE DUE FEBRUARY 18TH

BOOK REPORTS (In-class only) MARCH 1ST.

Monday-Tone and Mood through movies/commercials, Quiz-24 Hours in Nowhere (open book), Finish Vocabulary

Tuesday-Author's purpose, Grade Vocabulary Notebook, Daily Writing, Quiz-pend/equ

Wednesday-Vocab Kahoot, Begin Black History Month Project

Thursday-Vocabulary Test, work on project

Friday-Reading Day

-QUILL DUE SUNDAY BY NOON

January 26-30

 January 26-30

Dear families,

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

Students should be reading 20 minutes per night.  

Book Report-in class only March 1.

Essay #4 due February 18th.

REMINDER: Parent Teacher conferences are February 5th and should be scheduled with the teacher.  MEETINGS ARE BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. 

Please see Mr. Winslow’s email concerning sign-ups. I have put notes in report cards/PowerSchool with those parents I need to speak with.  Please have your student present when we meet.

I will be out on Friday, January 30th.  My son and I are touring the University of Utah.

Monday-Mugshot, 24 Hours in Nowhere, Vocabulary

Tuesday-Kahoot to review Connotation/Denotation, continue reading our novel (24 Hours in Nowhere), Writing assignment

Wednesday-Begin study of Greek and Latin “roots”, continue novel study, Writing assignment on novel

Thursday-Go over development of arguments, read novel, vocabulary, work on essay

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

January 20-23

 January 20-23

Dear families,

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

I hope all of you had a restful, long weekend.

Tuesday-Mugshot, daily writing, continue reading our novel (24 Hours in Nowhere)

Wednesday-Common Lit Assignment (RACER) on a short story called “Button, Button” vocabulary, novel

Thursday-Library entire period for a book tasting adventure. Students will also pick their new novel for Book Report #3 due March 2nd. Will complete in class.

Friday-Begin Essay #3 (Narrative writing) due February 18th.

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.

REMINDER: Parent Teacher conferences are February 5th and should be scheduled with the teacher.  I have put notes in report cards/PowerSchool with those parents I need to speak with.  Please have your student present when we meet.

Thank you so much!

-Mrs. Matejka

January 12-16

 January 12-16

Dear families,

Reminder-QUILL is due Sunday (TODAY) at noon, no exceptions.

Projects on The Worst Class Trip Ever were due Friday. I am missing many!

Happy New Year!

Monday-Mugshot, daily writing, introduce and begin our new novel (24 Hours in Nowhere)

Tuesday-Common Lit Assignment (RACER), vocabulary, novel

Wednesday-Run-on sentence practice, daily writing assignment, novel, vocabulary

Thursday-Writing assignment, novel questions, vocabulary

Friday-We Will Write or reading day.

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.

REMINDER: Parent Teacher conferences are February 5th and should be scheduled with the teacher.  I have put notes in report cards/PowerSchool with those parents I need to speak with.  Please have your student present when we meet.

Thank you so much!

-Mrs. Matejka

January 6-9

 January 6-9

Dear families,

Reminder-QUILL is due Sunday at noon, no exceptions.

Happy New Year!

Surgery was a success. I will NOT be here January 6 for I will be in court with our son as he was involved in a traffic accident in November.

Tuesday-Common Lit Assignment, Writing assignment (Homework if not completed)

Wednesday-Daily writing assignment, Project on The Worst Class Trip Ever, Vocabulary

Thursday-Meeting of all 7th grade students in Little Theater to review rules and regulations/expectations of school.

Friday-Finish project, review RACER common mistakes

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.

REMINDER: Parent Teacher conferences are February 5th and should be scheduled with the teacher.  I have put notes in report cards/PowerSchool with those parents I need to speak with.  Please have your student present when we meet.

Essays are due tomorrow.

Thank you so much!

-Mrs. Matejka

December 15-19

 December 15-19

Dear families,

Reminder-QUILL is due Sunday at noon, no exceptions.

I can’t believe we are almost at Holiday break.

Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers.  I head into total shoulder replacement surgery Dec. 22nd. While a necessity, I am petrified and hope to make a recovery to be back on January 7.

Monday-RACER on Kindness (Common Lit).

Tuesday-Periods 1 & 3 complete a Performance Matters Test, Complete The Worst Class Trip Ever, Vocabulary, fun holiday writing assignment.

Wednesday-Kahoot on The Worst Class Trip Ever, Daily writing, group writing challenge, vocabulary.

Thursday-We Will Write-holiday edition.

Friday-Board/card games.

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