This week in ELA

• The Greek & Latin roots TEST (roots only) is on Friday. See the post below for more information and links for study lists. 
• Students have been drafting a practice explanatory essay about change. This should be/have been finished in class but some students may choose to work on it some more at home. The point of this practice essay is to go through the whole writing process and to review the necessary elements of an explanatory essay. This practice essay will count as a formative assessment grade; the summative essay will come at the end of the unit in a few more weeks. 

Next week: Conference Week!

• I hope to meet with each of you sometime next week to discuss your child's accomplishments and any areas of concern we might have. I will be available during all 6 sessions: 
  • Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday; 1-3pm. 
  • Monday & Wednesday; 5-7pm. 
• Early Release days mean short periods, and a break from routine. The 6th grade ELA team is using this opportunity to deliver "Interim Assessment Blocks" (IABs) as baseline assessments for the SBA that comes in the springtime. This will provide us with invaluable data on student skills and help us make important decisions about curriculum for the rest of the year. 
  • No Greek and Latin roots practice or AoW next week.
  • The only homework will be for students to read and to catch up on missing work. Many students still need to finish their realistic fiction genre study project; this is due on October 31st. 

Office hours

• Unless I have a meeting, I am going to be available every Tuesday after school (besides next Tuesday, of course) for students to come in and catch up or get help with work. I can help with ELA assignments and organization skills. 
• I can also be available other times before/after school if we set up an appointment. 
• There is an activity bus at 4:00 that students can take if they normally ride the bus home. 
• Bottom line: I want your child to succeed in my class! Please encourage them to ask for help if they are struggling with any aspect of it.